Gallup

Event date: 
Sat, 02/21/2026 - 10:00am

Ride Description

The engines rumble to life at Thunderbird Harley-Davidson in Albuquerque, a low thunder rolling across the morning air like a promise. Chrome catches the sun, leather creaks, and with a twist of the throttle we point our front wheels west—toward history. Today isn’t just a ride. It’s a rolling tribute to the Mother Road as Route 66 turns 100.
We slip out of the city and onto the long, familiar ribbon of asphalt that has carried dreamers, drifters, families, and freedom-seekers for a century. Route 66 stretches ahead, sun-warmed and worn smooth by time, guiding us through wide New Mexico skies where the horizon feels endless and the past never quite lets go.
The road hums beneath us as old-time service stations appear like postcards come to life—weathered signs, faded paint, and pumps that look like they could tell a thousand stories if you leaned in close enough. Railroad tracks run alongside us for miles, steel lines cutting across the desert, a reminder that this route has always been about movement—westward, onward, forward.
We roll into Grants for our first real pause, pulling in by the iconic Route 66 sign. Bikes line up, engines click as they cool, and laughter mixes with the wind. Photos get snapped. Boots hit the pavement. For a moment, it feels like we’re standing in the middle of a living museum—one where the exhibits still breathe and ride.
Back on the road, the landscape opens wider. Red earth, distant mesas, long stretches where it’s just you, your bike, and the steady rhythm of Route 66 beneath your tires. Each mile carries echoes of neon nights, roadside motels, cross-country journeys, and the unmistakable freedom that only this road delivers.
As Gallup comes into view, the El Rancho Hotel rises like a grand finale—timeless, storied, and steeped in legend. Once a stop for Hollywood stars and railroad royalty, it now welcomes a new cast: riders who came chasing history and found camaraderie along the way. We roll in together, engines settling, smiles wide, hearts full.
From Thunderbird Harley-Davidson to the Historic El Rancho Hotel, this isn’t just a ride across New Mexico. It’s 100 years of Route 66, experienced the best way possible—on two wheels, with the road telling its story one mile at a time.

Ride Route

https://maps.harley-davidson.com/share/rides/lN6zyoJhys

Counties

Bernalillo, Cibola and McKinley

Event route: 
GPX File(s):
  Download File: El_Rancho_Hote.gpx

Open Event: This event is open to Chapter members, National H.O.G. members and other guests as desired.  All riders and passengers must sign a release. 

Impairment Policy: The consumption and use of alcohol is a serious personal responsibility involving the safety of family, riding friends and the individual HOG member. Alcohol consumption before or during a motorcycling activity is not safe, responsible behavior. Turquoise Trail Chapter #2015 does not allow the use of alcohol or drugs before or during a riding event* and does not furnish alcohol at Chapter rides. Riders whose skills are observed or suspected to be impaired by alcohol or drugs before riding cannot join the ride. Riders using alcohol or drugs while riding will be asked to leave the ride. It is the responsibility of each Template Chapter member to support the consistent enforcement of this policy

Photography Policy: Photographing, filming, recording and videotaping of activities and events will be occurring Turquoise Trail Chapter events. By entering the H.O.G.® event area, you irrevocably grant permission to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company® and its agents to photograph, film, record and/or videotape you and use (and authorize the use of) your name, image, likeness, voice, and/or biographical or other information in any and all media now known or hereinafter developed in perpetuity for any and all purposes.

Event Coordinator: 
Matthew Morales
Head Road Captain

hrc@turquoisetrailhog.org