RR: Dual Sport Day Trippin' to Magdalena

[WildTurkey]

Ride Report: Dual Sport Day Trippin' to Magdalena 3/13/2010

Teaser photo until the ride report comes together...

"It comes with Bacon? I'm gettin' one!"

[WildTurkey]

The plan was for a "Road" trip...no trails...just a shake out ride for my GS since it went through a humpty dumpty situation last fall.
Unfortunately, unlike SloJoe, my wife wasn't quite willing to get up and take a picture of me leaving the house in Santa Fe at 7:45am and 29 degrees so I offer this pic on my driveway from the morning before...


I slabbed it south from Santa Fe through Albuquerque and west to the rendezvous at Route 66 Casino.

The lineup WildTurkey's R1200GSA, SloJoe's XT350, SloJoe (already tired and we haven't even hit any dirt), Jon H's DRZ400, Gordon on his TE610


A meeting of the minds, hooking up with Fred and his DR650 (center frame white helmet) at Hwy 6 and Old Route 66


SloJoe along Alamo Rd.


A much needed break to get our bearings along Alamo Rd and determine how far we are from the turnoff to Buricito Rd.


Some of the wildlife at the first (I stretch to call it a...) river crossing. A tributary to the Rio Salado.


Fred observing the wildlife.


More of the same.


Joey getting a headstart on his XT350...Jon H and Fred departing the wildlife viewing area in chase.


Gordon giving one last mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo to our good friends!


Joey cruising across the gushing river crossing of the Rio Salado.






Jon H, Fred, Gordon debating how much of a head start to give Joey.


Our lunch stop, The Magdalena Cafe




The others had to stop at this odd establishment before we started back. What in the world would one get here? I certainly didn't need gas.


Fred had come over from Grants and decided to head back through Pie Town since we were going further north and East.

Leaving Magdalena the remaining four of us hit Forest Rd 354 aka The Riley Rd
The Magdalena Cemetary and waste Treatment Plant...hmmmm...



SloJoe and Gordon cruising the Riley Rd



The Old Riley Schoolhouse.



It looks Like Jon thought it was a church and was a little concerned about his standing with the big man upstairs.


Gordon tries to help the sinner who is beyond help.


Joey endeavors to determine the source of the huge pile of bird droppings on the floor by standing under the apparent source...and he was the obvious smart one of the group.



Joey doing what he does on these rides...TAKE PICTURES CONSTANTLY...and I thought I took a lot of pictures.


[Gordon] "Seriously Jon? Is he really taking another picture?"


From Riley, we debated the route home. Originally, the plan was to continue along the Riley Rd, now becomming CR12 to Bernardo.

We decided to avoid the I-25 slab and check out a road on our GPS units that cut back over to Buricito Rd. It looked promsing if open...
There was a little civilization along the first part of the road.


Then we crossed back over the Rio Salado and enjoyed a nice meandering nicely groomed road with a few more dry was crossings and some formerly occupied housing.






The weather was gorgeous the whole day


We hooked back up with the Buricito Rd north and back across the Rio Salado at one of its widest points.
Jon in the distance and Gordon in the foreground.




We hooked back up with Alamo Rd north...and I took a few shots from the saddle. It was pretty dry and dusty, but the breeze was gentle from the side to drive away the dust trails.




Alamo Rd took us back to Hwy 6 and then I-40. We slabbed it back East to the original rendezvous at the casino

We helped Gordon load up the Husky and said our goodbyes.



It was a long day, but it beat the hell out of a day on the couch. My round trip was about 350 miles. The slab home was uneventful and I simply enjoyed the fabulous weather knowing tomorrow would bring more snow...UGHHHHHH!

[derf]

Thanks for having me along. The Magdalena burger was almost to much to eat. DERF

[WildTurkey]

Joey's ride report (cross posted from AdvRider with permission)
Thanks, Joey, for the great pics...especially the Wild Mustangs that came close to crossing my path and taking me out. They were just jealous of my steed.
Magdalena Lunch Run, The Back Way was a good ride between storms in New Mexico. The day was as good as it gets at this time of the year. I headed out at 8:15 to meet the other riders at 9:00 at the Route 66 Casino gas station west of Albuquerque

The casino is next to the Rio Puerco.

The Highway Department has decided to preserve the old Rio Puerco Bridge




I don’t remember everyone’s name but the bikes were a Husky TE610.

Wild Turkey’s R1200 GS and my XT350


DRZ400

There were a couple of powered Para sails flying around.


We gained another rider when we turned off I40.

The new rider was from Grants, he was riding a DR650.


This was the start of the dirt roads.













Crossing the Rio Salado was easy. There was a little soft sand and very little water.




There was a herd of wild Mustangs that started running parallel to the road.


When they got to a cattle guard, they jumped over. Others jumped the fence next to the cattle guard. They were running about 35 mph.




The Magdalena Café was our lunch destination.



Lunch was very good.


We filled the bikes at this small station.

This is the Magdalena Cemetery. The ponds in the background are for wastewater treatment.



This is the road to Riley.


This is an old school at Riley.














Back at the casino we said our good bye’s and headed home.


This was a great ride. Thanks to Wild Turkey for getting things organized. Also thanks to the other riders for the company. My total distance from home and back was 235 miles. The roads were good but dusty. We’re in for another winter storm tomorrow so the timing was perfect.

[RJ Mirabal]

Great pix and report, guys!!! I'd like to see on a map where the Alamo and Buricito Roads are because that's a part of the country I want to explore some more.

[WildTurkey]

:eek:

Great pix and report, guys!!! I'd like to see on a map where the Alamo and Buricito Roads are because that's a part of the country I want to explore some more.

$10 will get you a hand drawn map
$50 will get you a better one

[WildTurkey]

No animals were harmed in the making of this video.

Eric
2008 R1200GS Adventure - "Phoenix" (The Beast has risen from the ashes)
BMWMOA #142950
"The weather is here. Wish you were beautiful!"

[Terry Rowley]

Looks like Eric may have a hidden talent as a cattle rustler...I mean herder