Rio Grande Motel

I was investigating the range of my new HEAVY duty 48V60A eBattery on my eBikeKit-assisted CruzBike, and needed to overnight at locations which had electrical outlets—now a commonplace requirement with modern day technology, as well as to recharge my eBattery. I had planned to overnight at the Rio Grande Motel, but it was posted as “no vacancies”. Regardless, my previous travelling experiences compelled me to call; cancellations often occur at the last minute. Good thing, too; the owner told me that there was a room for me; I told her that I’d probably arrive around (18:00). Despite an electro-mechanical malfunction some 20miles/32kms South on NM185 (close to ArreyNM), I arrived close to my predicted time, was alarmed to see the office was shuttered and contacted the owner again. She wasn’t able to be at the motel, but assured me that her second-in-Command, Nancy, would arrive in 5-minutes to check me into a room. #42 was on the Western exposure, and was exactly what I needed! After wheeling my vehicle inside this roomy queen-bed and plugging my rugged extension cord/Grin Technology solid-state recharger, I looked around this lovely motel grounds. The soda machine was easy to find, but the ice machine was no where to be seen. I spoke with another long-term customer, who told me that there had been a medical emergency with one of the owners and keeping an ice machine on the premises was too much more work. Since cycling throughout the HOT day (this was the second of four), I was consuming enormous amounts of clean freshwater albeit the ambient temperature. Ice will ensure easier swallowing of the water, and other nutritious fluids (chocolate milk/energy drink/etc.) I did obtain an 8-pound bag of cubed ice at an adjacent “Good2Go” C-store, stowing it in the freezer section of a large room ‘fridge. I also bought some microwaveable foods to keep my body functioning. The large flatscreen would gave me effective distraction. Sadly, I was unable to use it because, being a “Digital Dinosaur”, I couldn’t figure out to work the ROKU controller…! Good thing I had my 8+, which provided effective distraction despite the small screen. The attached water closet was superb; rinsing & soaping off the day’s 90miles/144kms cycling was essential to added comfort on the wonderfully firm mattress. The hot water was nearly instant, the a/c unit was also fast at cooling the room (I closed the bathroom door—no point in trying to cool off additional space). At the end of the day, it was well worth calling ahead with a reservation; I was extremely satisfied regardless of no ice machine. Definitely, the Rio Grande Motel has my coveted “iWheel of Approval!”

This motel is old, room with 2queens was small but clean and a new working tv that was on cable so also had Wi-Fi. Pet allowed but no real exercise area. Very friendly housekeeper. Oh, and plenty of big fluffy towels and toiletries that have been missing in many budget motels.