September 19, 2026, Saturday, Casino Apache Iron Run (All Day Ride) 

Lead: Bob Ostrenga 

Meet at McDonalds/Speedway, US 54 & McCombs 

Meet at 0830, Safety Brief at 0854, KSU at 0900 

Stops: Tularosa Travel Center / Smoky Bear Restaurant (lunch) Casino Apache / Maverick Travel Center 

Route: US 54 north, to Tularosa Travel Center (89-miles), right on HWY 380 at Carrizozo, stop at Smoky Bear Restaurant for lunch (63-miles), right on Hwy 70, stop at Casino Apachie (51-miles), left on Hwy 244 thru Cloudcroft to the Maverick Travel Center (62-miles) Last Stop, US 54 to El Paso to edge of Texas (56-miles) end of Ride (330-Miles) 

The Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally is an annual event held in Ruidoso, New Mexico, since 1969. It’s a popular gathering for motorcycle enthusiasts, known for its scenic rides, live music, and vendor exhibits. The rally takes place in September, typically the third week, and is a major event for the town, drawing riders from across the US 

Ruidoso, New Mexico, boasts a rich history rooted in Native American culture, Spanish settlement, and the Wild West era. Initially called San Patricio, it was renamed Ruidoso, meaning “noisy river” in Spanish, after the Rio Ruidoso that flows through the area. The town grew around Dowlin’s Mill, a pivotal establishment that served as a mill, general store, and dance hall. Ruidoso’s history is also intertwined with the Lincoln County War, a conflict featuring legendary figures like Billy the Kid, and the Mescalero Apache presence.  The Mescalero Apache are a historically nomadic Indigenous group from the Southwest, named for their reliance on the mescal plant, which provided food and fiber. After being displaced by the Comanches and resisting Euro-American encroachment in a history of conflict, they eventually gained a reservation in South-Central New Mexico. Today, they are a federally recognized tribe with a tribal government and operate businesses like the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino.