Road Show Journal: Wonders along NM4

March madness has a new meaning in northern New Mexico these days. A long, hard winter is finally releasing its grip and the two wheel monsters that have been caged up inside the riders looking for any excuse to roll. In this riders case a long, free afternoon presented itself and a quick study of the map and a few calls local riders made NM4 look like a promising candidate for, finally, an afternoon's adventure.

From Santa Fe, head south on I25 towards Albuquerque, toward US 550. No matter what time of day or night the ride on I-25 down La Pajada hill is always a race. The posted speed limit is already a generous 75MPH, however the reality of the situation is that ride anything less than 90 and be mowed down like so much motor meat.

Turning west on US 550 N, go figure, proves to be a moderately frustrating experience. Skirting the northern outskirts fo the community of Rio Rancho the strip mall traffic is dangerous and annoying. Fortunately, it does not continue for too long.

The real fun begins when turning north on NM 4 at the little village of San Ysidro. Just as a side note by now the ride from Santa Fe will have covered 60 miles of slab and, depending on the range of your motorcycle, it might be a good idea to to take the opportunity to fuel up at this juncture as at least 50 miles of of motorcycling heaven stretches ahead, but the opportunities to get gas along the rest of the route are sketchy at best.

50 Miles of sweet carving lie ahead on NM4

Just a couple miles up the road lies Jemez Pueblo and it is a study in contrasts. Upon first entering from the south there is a group of modern government buildings which at first blush can give a mistaken impression of Pueblo life. Once past the official complex the road continues to ascend, but the ground falls away to the west of the road giving a good overall view of the actual working Pueblo.

Small dirt roads lead off down and to the left and large signs both invite the visitor in and also give dire warnings about the consequences of breaking tribal rules. Because pueblo life is relatively secretive this ride along the high ground gives a rare glimpse into actual conditions inside these tiny little sovereign nations.

Upon leaving Jemez Pueblo the road becomes lonely again twisting the throttle again becomes almost imperative. At this altitude the road has not been ravaged by severe winter conditions and the quality of the road and the almost perfect symmetry of the twisties remind those emerging from long winter layoff just exactly what motorcycling is about in the first place.

Next up on our little road beaded with wonders is the community of Jemez Springs. This first impression one gets upon entering the area is that of yet another impoverished New Mexico community. Small, dusty, run-down trailer park communities lie along the edges of town. Yet despite their overall dilapidated nature, many of them boast amazing artwork of various genres either attached to the dwellings themselves or on diplay in their sad little yards.

This little adobe church pictured below is a good example. Although it sports a sad looking and sagging tin roof which is painted in an unsuccessful attempt to make it look like what it is not, these features are offset by intricately designed stained glass windows and hand carved wooden doors.