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Chihuahua here we come
Based on advice from our two friends back in Urique, we decided that once out of the canyon we would ride south to (almost) Guachochi. From there we would ride northeast, hopefully reaching Chihuahua before dark. This route was essentially the exact opposite of the route we originally intended to ride to get to Guachochi.
I'm really glad we decided to ride this way. Not because it was any warmer - the temps were in the low to mid 40s all day - or lower in elevation, but because it turned out to be such a fantastic road. It's all paved, but it is twisty and scenic the entire way. It was superb! I highly recommend coming (or going) this way versus going the way we did to get to Creel. This road is much better than highway 127 north of Creel.
We rode all day and ended up in Chihuahua prior to dark. Unfortunately we didn't have hotel reservations and this was the busy time of the year. All of the hotels were booked (and we looked hard for one) and even the (sex) motels were booked. (Note - a hotel in Mexico is exactly what you think it is. Motels, on the other hand, are not the same as in the USA. They are the place you go when you need a room for some romantic time with someone.) After a couple of hours, we finally located a motel, that was now supposedly a hotel, with two vacant rooms. I say supposedly because it was 6 pm and we had to wait for the rooms to be cleaned from the previous guests who had just departed. In any case, we got rooms, which was all I really cared about.
It was cold and dark and we really didn't want to ride the bikes to a restaurant. After debating our options, we finally decided to order a Domino's pizza for supper and buy some beer from the convenience store across the street to wash it down. I can faithfully report that though it took 90 minutes for the pizza to be delivered, it was exactly the same as Domino's pizza in the USA.
It was our final hours together in Mexico so we spent the evening hanging out in Thomas and Jeff's room, listening to music, telling war stories, eating pizza, and drinking beer. The next day we would part company as I left early and made a beeline for Texas. I figured I could make it to Terlingua before 2 pm and could be home in Austin before midnight. I was right and arrived home about 10:30 Thursday night. Thomas and Jeff decided to leave later in the day and were headed to the Santa Elena overlook. Along about 10 pm I bid them good night and wandered off to bed, knowing I would be up and gone by 7 am.
Epilogue
It has been a dozen years since my other trip to Copper Canyon. While this one did not go as planned, it was still an excellent trip and I accomplished 3/4 of everything I wanted to do. I still need to visit Sinforosa Canyon, so perhaps I can return again, this time in less than 12 years. Good travelling companions amplify the joy of travelling and while our group was small, we travelled well together and were blessed not to have any significant bike or health issues during the trip.
Thus ends my story. I hope you enjoyed reading it and that it inspires you to head out on your own adventure.
Based on advice from our two friends back in Urique, we decided that once out of the canyon we would ride south to (almost) Guachochi. From there we would ride northeast, hopefully reaching Chihuahua before dark. This route was essentially the exact opposite of the route we originally intended to ride to get to Guachochi.
I'm really glad we decided to ride this way. Not because it was any warmer - the temps were in the low to mid 40s all day - or lower in elevation, but because it turned out to be such a fantastic road. It's all paved, but it is twisty and scenic the entire way. It was superb! I highly recommend coming (or going) this way versus going the way we did to get to Creel. This road is much better than highway 127 north of Creel.
We rode all day and ended up in Chihuahua prior to dark. Unfortunately we didn't have hotel reservations and this was the busy time of the year. All of the hotels were booked (and we looked hard for one) and even the (sex) motels were booked. (Note - a hotel in Mexico is exactly what you think it is. Motels, on the other hand, are not the same as in the USA. They are the place you go when you need a room for some romantic time with someone.) After a couple of hours, we finally located a motel, that was now supposedly a hotel, with two vacant rooms. I say supposedly because it was 6 pm and we had to wait for the rooms to be cleaned from the previous guests who had just departed. In any case, we got rooms, which was all I really cared about.
It was cold and dark and we really didn't want to ride the bikes to a restaurant. After debating our options, we finally decided to order a Domino's pizza for supper and buy some beer from the convenience store across the street to wash it down. I can faithfully report that though it took 90 minutes for the pizza to be delivered, it was exactly the same as Domino's pizza in the USA.
It was our final hours together in Mexico so we spent the evening hanging out in Thomas and Jeff's room, listening to music, telling war stories, eating pizza, and drinking beer. The next day we would part company as I left early and made a beeline for Texas. I figured I could make it to Terlingua before 2 pm and could be home in Austin before midnight. I was right and arrived home about 10:30 Thursday night. Thomas and Jeff decided to leave later in the day and were headed to the Santa Elena overlook. Along about 10 pm I bid them good night and wandered off to bed, knowing I would be up and gone by 7 am.
Epilogue
It has been a dozen years since my other trip to Copper Canyon. While this one did not go as planned, it was still an excellent trip and I accomplished 3/4 of everything I wanted to do. I still need to visit Sinforosa Canyon, so perhaps I can return again, this time in less than 12 years. Good travelling companions amplify the joy of travelling and while our group was small, we travelled well together and were blessed not to have any significant bike or health issues during the trip.
Thus ends my story. I hope you enjoyed reading it and that it inspires you to head out on your own adventure.
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