New Mexico/Arizona info.?

[MrBent]

I'm interested in riding conditions for Hwy 60 from NM into AZ.  I'll be riding a TransAm next year, doing a diagonal from Maine to San Diego.  I want to cut through Taos and Santa Fe then work my way further south and across AZ.  It looks like Hwy 60--then 260--would provide a nice line through places like Pie Town, Show Low, Payson.  Has anyone ridden this stretch?  Traffic? Road conditions?  I'll be passing through in Oct.

Thanks, everyone!  This forum is wonderful.

Cheers,

Scott

[Ike]

I drove it, but haven't ridden that stretch. It is a beautiful road from Socorro through Pie Town to the AZ border.  It has light traffic, so even if the shoulders aren't adequate (which I, unfortunately, can't remember if they are) for cycling the ride should be pleasant.  It does hit some high, exposed county though.  I would be prepared for cold and windy conditions in Oct.

Ike

[MrBent]

Thanks, Ike:  From what I've been reading, especially on a New Mexico Touring Society site, the routes I've chosen should be really nice.  Can't wait!

Cheers,

Scott

[skico]

Just did a motorcycle trip on part of HWY 60 9-02-06 and looped to southern Colorado. The hwy will have varied shoulder widths. Most where what I would call car wide. Some stretchs where white line only, but very little traffic. looping up to southern colorado would be a great ride too as AZ is blazing hot depending on what time of year. I've motorcycled/Biked most of southern colorado/northern NM and feel this is some of the best scenery in the west. Be prepared for wind Ipod or foam earplugs help. Have a great trip.

[danjmcguire]

I am a rider and an Rver that comes down from Seattle via Moab and Albuquerque to Tucson each autumn and am in AZ right now. Always keep in mind that AZ varies from over 7000' up on the "rim" around ShowLow and Alpine (along with Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, down to 1500' in Phoenix. That means that in October, one can expect and needs to be prepared for everything from below freezing nights up around ShowLow to 90 plus in Phoenix. Last week it was 89 in Tucson and 21 overnight in FLagstaff. usually it is dry and sunny, so snow and icy roads are not usually a problem in autumn in nothern AZ.  Dan

[MrBent]

Thanks, Dan.  Yeah, the fall in AZ can be quite diverse.  I'll make sure I've got warm stuff for up high and shorts and all for the low country.  I won't actually get as low as Phoenix until later in Oct., as I now estimate my pacing.  I'll be staying north of there, cutting through the Verde Valley to Prescott to hang with a friend.  Then I'll drop down to Congress and out west from there.  I plan to hook up with the Southern Tier Route around Quartzite.

Enjoy the southern AZ winter.  Lucky dog!

Scott

[ewoodward]

My daughters just finished (11/8) riding through New Mexico on a similar route.  They were a little unsure what New Mexico would be like having previously been on Transamerica from the East Coast to Kansas.  They found New Mexico a total success.  They entered on US Route 54 from Kansas/Oklahoma/Texas; short stretch on Interstate 40; continued on 54; 60 west to Interstate 25South; west on 60; Southwest on 12; south on 180 to join the Southern Tier route at 78 west.  While this route was not necessarily as scenic as a route further north there had just been a blizzard in southeastern Colorado and there was some concern about the mountains of northern New Mexico.  Also we thought it might be good to avoid traffic congestion of Santa Fe and Albuquerque. I bet if they were doing it over again and were a month earlier they would possibly choose the more northerly route you're talking about.  As it was, though, it was below freezing at night.  Also not a lot of designated camping so they had a couple nights on very rocky side of the road self-made campouts.  New Mexico Department of Transportation does have a good online bicycle route map.  I'll suggest they look at your post and see if they have any other comments.  Eric

[ewoodward]

Hi, I posted about my daughters going through New Mexico--- They arrived in San Diego last saturday! I asked if they had any thing to add about New Mexico, They didn't except on Interstate 25 there were signs about no bicycles but they went anyway without trouble. It was only about 10-12 miles or so. They liked the riding in New Mexico except it was cold at night and the ground was hard and rocky.  They did say one of the toughest things of the whole trip was the last mountains into San Diego- partly due to the heat; so if thats true in Nov it must be really hard in warmer months. You could check out their blog and the whole trip Ny to Calif at www.gelsjourney.blogspot.com/
god luck, Eric

[MrBent]

Hey, Eric:  Thanks for the replies and congrats to the daughters.  I look forward to checking out the blog.  I'll be riding through at just the same time of year.  I wouldn't consider the deserts any earlier.

Cheers,

Scott

[scott.laughlin]

East of Globe, AZ is a tunnel that might give you pause.  The grade into Salt River Canyon would be nice, but the climb back out would be a bear.  People do it.

[evolutionsurf]

mrbent! i am the daughter of ewoodward. what my father has said is all correct, i would have to agree that your choice in routes would be more scenic even though they way we traveled from NM to AZ was very beautiful.  We were told by a fellow biker from New Mexico that the mountains higher north reaching the boarder of Colorado and New Mexico were the most difficult.  But by that time in your journey you will be able to accomplish anything!!!  I dont know if you will go as low as Globe but as scott.laughlin said the decent down the mountains passing through the tunnel was probably the most thrilling adventure, with intense wind currents and a small crowded road.  GOOD LUCK!

[RadarNav]

I worked at a bicycle shop in Apache Junction, AZ at the end of Hyw 60 before entering Phoenix from the east.  Hyw 60 between Mesa and Safford is up and down hills.  From Globe to Superior is really rough, no shoulders, rumble strips and the "Tunnel from Hell".  It is traversed by many bicyclist yearly.
Word of advise, get your tires flat proofed (heavy tubes, liners and slime) NM and AZ are full of very nasty plant parts that love to deflate bicycle tires.  Some riders have reported as many as 12 flats a day.