From Rick's Rides - Austin, Texas
Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally
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View SlideshowThe Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally is a national event that has been held in Ruidoso, New Mexico, for more than 30 years. Over 20,000 riders show up in a town with less than 10,000 residents, for a well-planned week of riding, events and entertainment. Ruidoso is a spectacular mountain area, offering a variety of roads which are perfect for for creating memorable riding experiences.
Rick's rating of this event: Awesome!
Vital Statistics
* Approximate distance: 600 miles from Austin
* Approximate time required: The whole event will involve 7 days - 1 day each way for travel, and 5 days for the event
* Dates we rode this event: 9/20/00 - 9/24/00
* Click here to see the Web site for this event.
Cautionary Notes
* Make reservations for accommodations as early as possible. Many riders make next year's reservations while they are in Ruidoso for this year's event, and everything is completely booked by the time of the event.
* Light afternoon rain is a common occurrence in Ruidoso. Plan for it, so that if it rains you will be prepared and still have fun.
* Ruidoso is at an elevation of 6,900 feet, and because it is a mountainous area, the roads rise even higher. Some days can be t-shirt weather, but temperatures at night can fall dramatically. The average September high is 75 degrees, but the average low is 40 degrees! Bring appropriate clothing.
* The air is thin because of the elevation. Your bike may be hard to start, run rough or experience diminished performance due to reduced oxygen. Consult your local mechanic for tips on how to adjust your particular bike for the altitude.
* Check your tire pressure after you arrive in Ruidoso, and again after you return to a lower elevation on your way home. The change in elevation causes significant changes in tire pressure.
The Route
This route is shorter than the traditional I-10 to El Paso route, but it involves no interstate highways and is quite scenic. It also involves long stretches of desert driving with facilities being few and far between. Ensure you and your bike are ready for this ride before attempting it.
From north Austin:
* North on US 183 to Texas 29 (Seward Junction).
* Turn left (west) onto 29.
* West on 29 to Llano.
From south Austin:
* Northwest on Texas 71 to Llano.
From Llano:
* Northwest on Texas 71 to Brady.
* Northwest on US 87 through San Angelo, through Big Spring (cross over I-20), to Lamesa
* Northwest on 137 to Brownfield
* Left (west) on US 380
* West on US 380 to Roswell, New Mexico (caution: this is the most desolate stretch of the trip, with almost no gas stations. Be sure your bike is running OK and that you have fuel before leaving Brownfield).
* Continue west on US 380 / US 70 (combined highway) to Hondo.
* In Hondo US 380 and US 70 split.
* West on US 70 to Ruidoso.
Tour Notes
* People who pay the registration fee get to participate in a lot more than those who don't, and there are some great giveaway drawings
* Bring candy for the Saturday parade. Local kids line the streets with bags to collect candy thrown by riders.
* A lot of parade participants decorate their bikes and wear costumes. Join the fun and plan what your unique look will be!
* As soon as you check in, plan to spend an hour going through the schedule and picking out the events and activities you want to participate in. There are more events than a person can handle, so it's worth the time to plan your schedule.
* Ruidoso has a variety of restaurants. Plan on eating a little earlier or later than traditional mealtimes, and you will have less of a wait.
* There is a Wal-Mart on 79 between Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs, for anything you need or forgot to bring with you.
Submitted by: Rick Federmann
Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally Copyright © 2000 by Rick Federmann
