The Espanola Loop is located in Northern New Mexico.  The Espanola Loop is actually 2 small loops joined together to make a longer ride.  If riders are looking for a shorter ride, they can take either one of these rides and cut off the other leg.  The Espanola Loop starts on the outskirts of Espanola and heads Northwest along the Rio Grande and then the Rio Chama.  After a short distance, the route turns to the Northeast for a stretch of long sweeping curves on the way to El Rito.
 
After El Rito, the road curves back to the East and starts to climb into the low hills.  As it climbs the curves become tighter and tighter and the scenery changes to scrub brush.  At La Madera, riders have an option for an additional 20 mile round trip to Vallecitos.  Just past La Madera, there is a cool stretch of curves that takes riders to the top of a small rise.  From there riders have the option of taking another 20 mile round trip to Las Tablas or turning around to continue the loop.
 
From La Madera, the path heads South out of the hills and down to flatter terrain as it approaches Espanola again.  This loop turns North again in the Rio Grande valley and follows the path of the river North into a deep valley before turning East again.  The path East weaves up into the hills again and emerges onto a small plateau before dropping down a bit as it nears Picuris Pueblo.  Just past Picuris Pueblo, the route turns South again for a long stretch of amazing curves and hills.
 
Eventually the hills and curves run out in the valley and there is a short ride back North to the starting point in Espanola.
Motorcycle Rides, New Mexico, La Madera, Dixon, Penasco, Taos, El Rito, Alcalde, San Juan Pueblo, Santa Cruz, Cundiyo, Cuyamungue, Albquiu
Location:  Northern New Mexico
Approximate Mileage:  160  miles
Estimated Riding Time:  4   Hours 
Surface:  Paved
 
Attractions:
Ansel Adams Moonrise Site, Classical Gas Museum, The Rock House, Mission Embudo, Picuris Pueblo, Las Trampas Historical Site, Truchas Overlook, Sandia Crest Viewpoint, Cordova Historic Site, Santa Cruz Lake Rec Area