That is insane to make that trip in August. Extreme heat. Some of the little reservation towns that appear on maps in reality were deserted long ago. I think you should reconsider.
Thanks for the heads up! I will reconsider!
Originally Posted by
Cyclesafe
True this. Also, the economy has forced many private campgrounds, motels, and restaurants to close. There are few things more disheartening than to have your heart set on pancakes only to discover that the cafe you were counting on is boarded up. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. And please don't disregard the second part of this statement. Good luck.
Really good point about how the economy factors in. Just looking at some streets in Shiprock, NM on Google Earth I came across a few boarded up looking gas stations and the like. If you think it will be worst in the reservation towns of AZ, I may just scratch that all together and divert my route in Shiprock (or somewhere sooner on Route 64, maybe Farmington, NM?). Route 491 (formerly Route 666, the Devil's highway) links up to Monticello, UT from Shiprock which would be another option in linking up to the Western Express. I will look into that stretch today and see if the resources would be any better. Thanks for the heads up!
I do still plan on riding through northern NM because I have a friend in Raton, and I think riding through NM would have the added benefits of skirting some of the higher passes on the Trans Am in Colorado, and riding through Taos which I've heard great things about.