Buzek: Thrill of biking hasn't left me

link Aubry Buzek

When I was 22, my unending quest for adventure combined with my frugality led to the purchase of a motorcycle for more “fuel efficient” transportation to school.

Obviously the purchase price and insurance on a sport bike was far more than I would have paid for gas over several years in my Honda, but the argument did help to convince myself and parents it wasn’t a totally irresponsible purchase.

I had a fun time on my little Suzuki — the country roads I traveled to school had plenty of sharp turns to make my heart pound in my chest and a couple of straightaways to go full throttle and scream with delight.

I didn’t even care that by the time I got to class I was dripping with sweat and I was suffering a bad case of helmet hair.

Lucky for me the local sheriff’s department never patrolled those back roads.

These days I’m older and wiser, but the thrill of riding has not left my system.

Lately I’ve been eyeing a dual-sport bike, not only because our immediate area has some great places to explore off the paved highways, but also because New Mexico happens to be a major part of several epic dual-sport trails.

The Shadow of the Rockies trail is an off-road adventure that starts near the Mexican border and travels up through New Mexico, hitting near us in Logan, and continues up north to Wyoming.

The Continental Divide Trail is also a Mexico to Canada adventure that spans the great state of New Mexico, but it is farther west and hits closest to us north of Santa Fe.

If someone were feeling ambitious, the trails could be combined by hitting the Shadow of the Rockies trail in Logan, riding north and then circling around to ride the Continental Divide Trail back south.

I am giving it serious thought for my late 20s bucket list.

For anyone curious, there are plenty of blogs on the Internet with pictures, maps and tips for navigating these trails.

Now that the weather is warm and the skies are clear, Clovis roads are swarming with people flying past me on all kinds of bikes.

Trust me, as you are riding by I am eyeballing your bike with envy.

I hope to join you soon.

Aubry Buzek is a staff writer for Clovis Media Inc. Contact her at:

[email protected]