Nasty Austrian🇦🇹 Conquers da 🇺🇸 & 🇨🇦

[big oil]

Yeah when you have the power and the grunt of the 1290, i think it can be difficult to get use to it if and when you ride with something else.  The GSA was very comfy and even for the wife as well as a pillion.  This is not the case with her on the 1290.  Will I ever own a GSA again, I don't know... but for now I'm enjoying the ride of the KTM.  Also, the BMW 1250's is very expensive VS the new 1290's.

hahahaha looking forward to your report on the next phase of your trip.  Stay safe.

Yeah, 1250's are out of sight.

Thanks, next entry will take you from Taos, to Angel Fire to Mora to Eagles Nest to Red River to the famous Rio Grande with its green water.

[Crankshaft]

Yeah when you have the power and the grunt of the 1290, i think it can be difficult to get use to it if and when you ride with something else.  The GSA was very comfy and even for the wife as well as a pillion.  This is not the case with her on the 1290.  Will I ever own a GSA again, I don't know... but for now I'm enjoying the ride of the KTM.  Also, the BMW 1250's is very expensive VS the new 1290's.

hahahaha looking forward to your report on the next phase of your trip.  Stay safe.

Yeah, 1250's are out of sight.

Thanks, next entry will take you from Taos, to Angel Fire to Mora to Eagles Nest to Red River to the famous Rio Grande with its green water.

Sounds awesome.  Can not wait

[big oil]

Entry 20 - Red and Green Rivers
Star date - 12 July 2018
Distance:  309 KM







 
I arrived in Taos, New Mexico and began the search for a motel, there wasn't a snowballs chance in hell I was gonna camp as hot as it was.  I needed an ice bath and air conditioning for my polar bear skin.

I found a motel, asked the clerk if she had a cheap room I could book for 3-4 days, a room that had something wrong with it.  She replied she had a room with a malfunctioning electronic lock and that I could rent it if I's like but they couldn't be responsible for lost luggage.  No problem, it was cheap. 

I got up the next morning, went down for breakfast, ate a nice meal, walked outside to a blast furnace, went back in turned the A/C to its coldest setting and went back to sleep. 

Ended up not doing much except lounging around most of the day then went to dinner at an authentic Mexican place within walking distance. 

I was looking forward to riding the next day as I heard so much about the Taos area.  It did not disappoint.

I got up the next morning, had breakfast at the motel again, and then headed east out of Taos on NM-64, it was a glorious cool ride over the Angel Fire.  I looked around Angel Fire for awhile then headed south towards Mora. 









Found a large herd of Alpaca between Angel Fire and Mora.





























I just had to laugh at these two junkyard dogs, man were they on it.  These two didn't take any Alpaca shyte 

[big oil]

Stopped for a breather and a drink, between La Ceuava and Ocate, looked over my right shoulder and said, well, I'll be darn, an animal I've not ever seen in person before......an Oryx.

[DUSTRIDERS]

BO do you find that in the US being on the right side of the road and camber drops off towards the right that the side stand is sometimes too short or bike is very upright?

[big oil]

West of Ocate, the pavement ends, the groomed gravel ends, the road isn't really a road, more of a 1.5 goat path, it was perfect, but slow going.  I saw this sign and got scared.  Oh well, carry on. 
















Beautiful jagged rock cliffs adjacent to the path.
















This areola I couldn't figure out unless there was a previous mud or rock slide here and this is an area that's been reclaimed.






Then the path began to get wider again and easier to ride.  I was glad, I was a little tired of wrestling the big Austrian pig.

[big oil]

Then I headed up to Eagle Nest, NM, a quaint little town that was impeccably maintained.  I had video footage, but lost it somehow. 











I fell in love with this old diesel GMC Suburban, man would I love to have it.  They just don't make them this tough or simple anymore.

[big oil]

Then I headed west towards Red River, NM.  Unfortunately, it was raining, so I didn't take any pics.  If there was one town I'd love to live someday, it was Red River, wow, one of the prettiest places I've ever visited.  A major ski-town, I'm sure it's busy during winter, it was busy when I went through to, owed undoubtedly to how beautiful it is there.

Here's a couple videos after exiting town when the sun came back out.  These cover from just east of Red River, NM to Questa, NM.

[Crankshaft]

Stopped for a breather and a drink, between La Ceuava and Ocate, looked over my right shoulder and said, well, I'll be darn, an animal I've not ever seen in person before......an Oryx.

"an Oryx."  From the side it almost looks like the Springbok that we have in SA.

[big oil]

I don't know to be honest, I've not ever seen that animal in the USA previously.

[big oil]

From Questa, NM, I made my way south, I'd read of some natural hot springs I wanted to bathe in on the famous Rio Grande near Arroyo Hondo, NM.  Here's some footage of the rustic road leading back to the John Dunn Bridge crossing the Rio Grande.

The natural hot spring is just a short hike from this parking spot.  Once I stopped, I had a slight problem, however, somehow one of the straps on my camelback had wrapped around the grab handle so many times, I had no slack.  I could NOT move an inch, I was stuck.  Luckily, one of these nice young ladies came to my rescue.






They had a nice laugh over it!

[big oil]

BO do you find that in the US being on the right side of the road and camber drops off towards the right that the side stand is sometimes too short or bike is very upright?

Yes, oddly enough, I not once dropped my bike while riding it, but dropped it numerous times mounting and dismounting while stationary, just because of that reason, plus I was top heavy with the bags and cooler attached to the seat and tail section.

[big oil]

After bathing in the natural hot springs for a few, I felt refreshed.  The water is medicinal.  Then it was time to find the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

[big oil]

Found it! 




































After hiking around the gorge for awhile, I called it a day, it was time to go back, take a catnap, grab a shower, and go find some dinner.  I had a glorious day in the saddle.

[Crankshaft]

B.O. what a beautiful landscape.   

[Ian in Great Brak River]

The Rec area sign has a guy with a gun on it ... does that mean one can take pot shots at other hikers...?

[big oil]

Rio Grande Gorge Recreation Area West Rim Trail

[big oil]

B.O. what a beautiful landscape.   

Agreed, the New Mexico is a glorious place to ride.

Honestly, when you're out riding in the middle of nowhere, it feels like you're in an old Western movie.

[big oil]

The Rec area sign has a guy with a gun on it ... does that mean one can take pot shots at other hikers...?

If they try to harm or steal, absolutely 

New Mexico is one of the last great states with 'Open Carry' without a permit. 

[big oil]

Video footage of an International Sex Symbol at the Rio Grande Gorge West Rim-Job Trail Overlook.