The ride up to Springerville was awesome. I found me an economy room, watched a war movie, and crashed for the night. The next morning was a bit chilly, so I leathered up and headed out.
Day two on a ride is always killer. I doubled back on the road I came for about 30 miles, then made the turn that goes down the New Mexico side.
There’s a part of me that really hates New Mexico. Yes, its a beautiful state. But I’ve had issues there. Their DMV is worthless, and the cops are worse. They also have unreasonable speed limits, that are well below what they should be. A normal twisty road in any other state that should be at least 60 mph, is 50 in New Mexico. Maybe 45. Its just dumb.
They also over inform you about any fucking bend in the road. Most states will put 2 stripes in the center of the road, which gives you all the info you need to decide whether its safe to pass or not. Not this Nanny-ass state. Any given bend in the road contains at least 20 signs:
- First, a sign to slow you down 10 miles per hour, one mile before the turn.
- Then, no passing signs on BOTH sides of the road (just in case your neck doesn’t bend, or your eyes don’t move 22 degrees to the left)
- Then, arrows showing you of the approaching, fairly gentle 45 degree bend.
- Then, arrows all through the bend, as if you don’t realize you’re turning. Maybe, some people don’t.
- Then, 2 more “no passing” signs.
- Then another sigh showing that this clearly 70 mile per hour road is going up 10 more MPH to a geriatric-like 50 miles per hour.
- Keep in mind, there is another turn in 3 miles, and this whole thing starts over.
I’m bitter because I got a ticket in New Mexico in 2015 for speeding in the middle of the night (I was so close to Texas I could taste it), and I fought that ticket and paid for it at least 3 times and ended up driving to Gallup to solve the actual problem 4 years later because it was effecting my life.
Per mile, I bet New Mexico spends more than any other state, just on road signage.
I’m going to get off this rant now, but yes —- Fuck You, New Mexico. You’re like the hot chick who makes for a difficult relationship; You are beautiful, but I hate you.
So anyway, I hit New Mexico 🙂
Great *cough slow* Ride. I enjoyed the hell out of it.
US 180 changes terrain a lot, from the 9,000 foot forest of Arizona to the Deserts of New Mexico. I loved this road. If you haven’t done this loop, man, do it. It’s great riding.
I mozied most of the ride, and just enjoyed the day. When I hit up Safford, I decided to get a room and stay just to milk the ride out for one more day.
Hit home the next day with a different perspective. Exactly what a good ride will do, and exactly what I needed.
2 days, 2 states, 317 miles