This ride is a personal challenge. I had planned to make this ride with a friend and it was suggested that I make this an open ride to all riders, all bike brands, and see what happens. If this ride works, I will most likely make it an annual thing. As it sits right now, there are no sponsors, no prizes, and just a ride to see if we have it in us to do a challenge ride.
Meet @ Santa Fe Harley-Davidson
Arrive @ 3:30 a.m. with a full tank of gas
Ride briefing @ 3:45 a.m.
Kickstands up @ 4:00 a.m.
The direction you take is up to you. I’m taking the western route. The map below says it’s a 18 hour trip and that’s at the speed limits. Caution is advised on the western and southern roads. Mojo pre-rode these areas and reported lots of game near and on the road.
Depending on your speed and endurance levels, you may do this ride in well under the approx. 18 hours shown on the map below.
If you wish to get the Iron Butt creds from this ride, go to their website and read up on what you need to do.
Route Counterclockwise:
~Leave Santa Fe H-D and turn right from the mall on Rodeo Rd.
~Continue on US Routes 84/285 to Chama, NM. (Approx. 2 hours)
~Turn left on US Route 64. (138 miles & approx. 2.5 hours)
~Head South on US 491 towards Quemado (196 miles & approx 3 hrs. 20 min.)
~At Gallup, 491 changes to NM 602 South of I-40
~602 splits to the right 3 miles S. of I-40.
~602 changes to NM 36 near Black Rock.
~Head Southeast to Socorro and jog right on Spring Str. Left on California.
~Turn right on Abeyta Str.
~Get on I-25 South @ 6th Str & California.
~Leave I-25 on U.S. 380/U.S.70 toward Roswell. (103 miles & approx. 2 hrs. 45 min.
~Head north in Roswell on U.S. 285 to Vaughn. (115 miles & approx. 1 hr. 45 min.)
~Take U.S. 54 from Vaughn to Pastura.
~Just past Pastura, Turn left on NM. Route 219. At I-40 219 turns into U.S. Route 84.
~Continue on U.S. 84 to Las Vegas. (48 miles & approx. 43 min.)
~Follow University to National. (1 mile & 4 min.)
~Head N.E. on National, turn left on 7th Str. 7th turns into NM 518. (54 miles & 1 hr.)
~Shortly after passing Sipapu, you’ll turn left on NM 75, The High Road to Taos.
~Shortly after you pass through Penasco, you’ll make a left on NM 76.
~At Truchas turn right to stay on NM 76.
~Stay on The High Road to Taos until you come to the US 84/US 285 stoplight.
~Head South on 84/285 to Zia Road. Take Zia to Rodeo Rd. and SFHD!
Follow this link to send this ride to your phone or bike. I will also have a thumb drive to allow you to do a direct upload of this ride to your GPS. Once you have this on your GPS, you can easily reverse the route if you wish to do it in the other direction.
