Taos area ride suggestions?

[MountainRyder]

Hello:

I posted this on bmwsporttouring.com, but no responses. Perhaps someone here has a suggestion?

We'll be riding to Taos and will be coming from the north. We'll ride through Chama, down to 64 and east to Taos.

I am looking for ride suggestions for one day around the Taos area. Looking for a light day's ride, so under 200 miles

We've ridden the circle around Taos Ski Valley (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Questa, back to Taos) and we've done a route out west (High Road Scenic Byway to Pojaoque to Los Alamos (502,501), to 4 down to San Ysidro, north on 550 to Cuba, then 126 south to 4 and back to Los Alamos and High Road back to Taos.)

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[pglaves]

We have always enjoyed 64 east to Cimarron, then 21 to Springer. Then north to 58 back to Cimarron and 64 back to Taos.

Another good ride is 518 south out of Taos to Mora and then 434 north to Angel Fire and 64 back to Taos.

 

[52184]

Another good ride is 518 south out of Taos to Mora and then 434 north to Angel Fire and 64 back to Taos.

This is a great ride, and Paul has the direction right. Don’t be in a hurry on 434!

Best,
DeVern

 

[MountainRyder]

Thank you for the suggestions. Is 434 asphalt? We're on an RT, so challenging dirt roads are not great.

 

[20774]

Check out google maps...even street view...sure looks asphalt to me!

 

[pglaves]

Thank you for the suggestions. Is 434 asphalt? We're on an RT, so challenging dirt roads are not great.

Yes, 434 is asphalt. South of Angel Fire 120 down to Ocate does turn to gravel after about 5 miles so you will want to avoid that one.

 

[MountainRyder]

Thank you for the info, always appreciate a local's or recent rider's view point.

 

[pglaves]

Thank you for the info, always appreciate a local's or recent rider's view point.

We had a condo at Angel Fire for several years but sold it when my COPD started objecting to the 8,700 foot elevation.

 

[MountainRyder]

Another good ride is 518 south out of Taos to Mora and then 434 north to Angel Fire and 64 back to Taos.

Thanks Paul, great suggestion.

518 to Mora was far more scenic than we would have thought. 434 was very fun. There's a 2.5 mile section they're just finishing an update with new asphalt and retainer walls. Then it's right back to 1.5 lanes with a road surface like they had quickly run a grader down it, laid 2" of asphalt and said; "that works" and walked away. We enjoyed it very much.

Jeff

 

[boogerman]

All good roads as mentioned. 64 is one of those roads that doesn’t get a lot of hype but it’s soooo satisfying. Another good road but a little farther away is Colorado 12 from LaVeta to Trinidad. Try it you’ll like it. Also NM 84 from Santa Fe to Chama has some great red rock riding.