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No Kill Switch on Mexico

Joined
Nov 3, 2007
Messages
22
Reaction score
3
Location
Choctaw, Oklahoma
First Name
David
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It’s hard to stop enjoying our February Ojinaga, Mexico rides. Myself, son Ryan, Roger Padactor headed down together. Salida Bob was coming from colorful Colorado. Paul Rodden had already been in Presidio since Christmas. It’s an annual event for a lot of riders from several states so we expect to see many that come every year.
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This year we took a different route South through Ft. Roadrunner.
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Really nice now but starting to cool off.
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Jacket weather this morning as a bunch of riders gather up that want to ride in our group.
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A little cool on the ride to the border but not too bad. We have some riders that haven’t been on some of our rides and they want us to take them to the old wagon that we found while exploring years ago.
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After a little delay getting checked at the border we rode a creek bed out of town and into the desert. Still no road in sight for this nice bridge.
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We continued down the creek for another few miles then headed for some gravely hills that are fun to climb.
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We gather up for a run down a dry lake. How fast can your bike run on dirt? Find out here.
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Salida Bob shows how to clear this little step up as we head up on the South end of The Ridge. Savvy Rocky Mountain riders run trials tires.
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We always stop at this ridge top cairn to regroup and look around.
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When Paul is not having inner ear dizziness he is having a good time.
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Followed The Ridge down to the river then headed up into the mountains to the cool Studebaker wagon.
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These rock slots are always fun to watch the various techniques riders use to get through.
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Everyone made it without incident. Padactor used a combination bulldog and bullride technique this year.
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Need water in the desert? Start digging. Then dig some more. Then take a break and go to the closest village and get a cold one.
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Or, you could keep digging and end up buried by your big, deep, dry well.
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And then squatters will tear up your Ponderosa.
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We contemplated all this at the next village while enjoying lifesaving cold drinks and snacks.
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We met this well behaved little guy here last year.
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Great place. Friendly service with gas available for the small tank guys.
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Working our way toward town we explore cross country in an attempt to intersect a trail that is South of El Diablo Mountain.
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We were not able to find the trail as easily as we thought and it was getting late in the day so we straight lined to Ojinaga.
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Winding our way through town we stop at Los Comales for dinner.
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We had many toasts to this great day of riding, great friends, and this spectacular meal. Love Mexico.
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Less than a mile ride through town on rain dampened streets to the border.
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Waiting for everyone to clear border crossing into Texas.
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Bob’s GPS documented our 1st day track.
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The next day we headed out in a similar direction to intersect The Ridge where we did yesterday. The plan was to work our way the opposite direction and possibly end up at The Monument. Somewhat ambitious but doable if we pay attention to our landmarks. We lost some of yesterday’s riders and picked up a few more.
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Some of our new riders had been on this part of The Ridge but not noticed the big petrified tree.
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The view of our direction of travel on The Ridge.
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With 3 Christmas GoPros there was little chance that any minor mishap would escape documentation on this trip. A big thanks to Fast Roy for providing much of the highlight material.
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Need cheap dental procedure? This is the place. High 5 Old Caucasian Mexican dentist. Love Mexico.
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Another good day of riding. Did not make the Monument this day but no worries, we still had fun and found some new stuff along the way.
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Day 2 track.
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Beautiful new day as we head for the border.
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Exploring around on the way to The Monument we find this burro trail into the canyon valley. Shortly after this we approached a man coming toward us in an old Ford pickup on a ranch road. He spoke no English but we eventually communicated that we had not damaged any fences and that we were heading to Canyon Peguis. He was very friendly and proudly pronounced himself as Morales. He proceeded with hand gestures to describe a swinging gate then counted fence posts to identify the location of the key to the lock. This is the second time we have met landowners or caretakers that have given us the location of gate keys. Love Mexico.
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Getting closer to the outlet of Canyon Peguis the Rio Conchos will be easily crossed this year.
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Horses near the mouth of the canyon.
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Finally made it to the overlook at the Monument. There are two ways to get here from the canyon mouth. One is to take the ranch road to the Chihuahua highway then follow the pavement to the top. The second is an old dozer trail that is one of the most challenging climbs you can ever attempt on this ride. It is steep, long and rocky. Very steep, very long, very rocky. Once you start you can only hope you make it to the top without problems because there is not a single place to stop or rest where you would not have extreme difficulty continuing on. Auto clutches are very helpful here. If you have problems good luck as no one is insane enough to try to come back to help you. Your only chance is to block the trail and kill the next rider’s momentum so you will have someone there that possibly knows CPR or can verify your death for next of kin notification.
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Answer? If you’ve made it here up the dozer trail you are ready for a break.
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Big Country.
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We take the highway back toward Ojinaga. About halfway we stop at Valverde and have drink and snacks.
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We meet this very friendly amigo riding this bike. He says he rides this doing his job of adjusting the many irrigation control valves along the Rio Conchos. He was more than happy to let me take it for a spin but using the makeshift front brake lever throttle was weird.
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With plenty of daylight left we veer off North to try to intersect what we call the Little Ridge.
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Uh oh new road crossing our desert route. This is the end of approximately 1 mile of really nicely built road extending into the desert. Looking the other direction where you think the road would continue is nothing but desert. No survey flagging. No grade stakes. Nothing. This is all.
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Ah back in civilization and a welcome from the Tecate Agencia.
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Day 3 track
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The next morning we get warmed up playing on the hills behind the hotel.
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More good weather for our ride out.
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A short road ride till we turn off for the Round the Mountain loop.
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Maury from Kansas is riding with us today. He has ridden most of the areas we ride since the early 70’s.
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Halfway Round the Mountain.
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Three quarters Round the Mountain view.
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View of the new “road to nowhere” from the Little Ridge.
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We ride a short distance on the “road to nowhere” to get back on our trail.
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Back in town we notice the new grocery store that we haven’t seen before.
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Last crossing of the border into Texas this trip.
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Son Ryan must have read some of my old ride reports.
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Cutting the corner and ducking between the Border Patrol dumpsters is an old Padactor trick.
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Day 4 track. GPS turned off on a small part.
This report is from our February 2012 ride. Since I had the time I thought someone might be interested in seeing some of the pics. With new people with us it seems we repeat and refine our main loops. They are always a little different since we just head cross country to landmarks much of the time.
 
Did the guy on the two-stroke have any problems with fuel range?

Great report and awesome pictures. It looks like you guys had a blast.
 
Looks like a fun week, but I don't have a KTM. Are other brands welcome?








I kid, I kid. I DO have an orange desert bike! Thanks for the report.
 
It would be best to have a big tank but you can find gas in most villages. The small tank guys started carrying some bottles of gas for the longer loops. Extra gas lets you explore further and not worry about it.

Usually we have a representation of Red, Green and Yellow bikes. Didn't happen this trip.
 
I don't know about everyone else, but that sure gave me the itch to go ride there! :thumb:
 
Great pics and write up.:clap: Bigtime jealous...
 
Greart stuff . Thanks.
I didnt know such good riding was in the area.
 
Great ride report! My guess - that "road to nowhere" gets used as an airstrip, primarily at night. Did you see any tire marks on it?
 
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