- Joined
- Oct 14, 2014
- Messages
- 243
- Reaction score
- 6
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
- First Name
- Chris
- Last Name
- C
I've set my mind on riding in Mexico this year, and plan on doing the ride to Galeana in October. The more I thought about it, the less I wanted to wait that long, Unfortunately, I can't do the planned ride to Jalpan in April.
So, I started reading reports both here and other places. Among other things, Mina 4 Palmas really stoked my imagination, along with a southern route to Big Bend. Time constraints and logistics rule out Big Bend for me this time.
Here's the thing. I'm looking for one or more adventurous souls who aren't afraid of a route that will have no motels or other niceties. They would also be able to accept that the route is not going to be all paved or caliche roads. In fact, we won't see any pavement at all. Although the bulk of the route I've mapped out is on relatively decent dirt roads, there will be stretches where the road runs in (hopefully) dry stream-beds and possibly even short stretches of cow path type trails. We may hit a dead end or two that we will have to work our way around. There are no indicated gas stations along the route, but it does go through a few villages that have had fuel available according to various ride reports I've read recently.
About me: I'll be on a KTM 450EXC. I would not want to do this on a big bike. Having spent about 24 years as an Airborne Infantryman, I'm pretty comfortable with not being comfortable all the time. I'm not much of a technical rider, but I get along alright.
I would consider myself above average when it comes to old school and modern navigation. I've been using maps and compasses since I was a kid in Montana, and I've been using GPS well before they had all the satellites up in the sky and operational)
My shortcomings for this ride are several:
I don't speak Spanish beyond a very small handful of simple phrases. I've traveled to a few countries, including Panama and Honduras, without speaking much and managed to get along well enough though.
I've never traveled in Mexico beyond a couple trips years ago to a couple border towns, and never drove a vehicle or rode a motorcycle there.
My biggest concern is that I just don't know Mexico or the local Mexican culture. With all the news about what sometimes happens there, I'm not comfortable going alone. My usual riding buddy has flat out refused to go.
I'd like to travel with someone who's easy going, flexible, knows at least enough Spanish to get by, and has traveled through extremely rural areas in Mexico and is familiar with the local customs and courtesies. Frequent stops for pictures or just to admire the scenery and stretch, without a need to furiously ride to get somewhere is my usual pace.
I've attached a very general route for discussions sake, but I do have an extremely detailed route already drawn up, along with some backup or alternate paths in areas that look a little iffy to me. Starts in Del Rio, cross the dam, west to Morelos (gas?), SW to Jaboncillos (gas?) across the mountains, NNE through hills and valley to the Minas 5 Palmas, back down to Morelos, and then return to Del Rio.
Looking at the roads, distances, and my style, it looks like it would be about a 4 day trip with a 5th day just in case. I don't have a tentative date other than we would probably leave Del Rio on a Friday morning and get back there sometime Monday.
Anyone interested in participating in this adventure?
So, I started reading reports both here and other places. Among other things, Mina 4 Palmas really stoked my imagination, along with a southern route to Big Bend. Time constraints and logistics rule out Big Bend for me this time.
Here's the thing. I'm looking for one or more adventurous souls who aren't afraid of a route that will have no motels or other niceties. They would also be able to accept that the route is not going to be all paved or caliche roads. In fact, we won't see any pavement at all. Although the bulk of the route I've mapped out is on relatively decent dirt roads, there will be stretches where the road runs in (hopefully) dry stream-beds and possibly even short stretches of cow path type trails. We may hit a dead end or two that we will have to work our way around. There are no indicated gas stations along the route, but it does go through a few villages that have had fuel available according to various ride reports I've read recently.
About me: I'll be on a KTM 450EXC. I would not want to do this on a big bike. Having spent about 24 years as an Airborne Infantryman, I'm pretty comfortable with not being comfortable all the time. I'm not much of a technical rider, but I get along alright.
I would consider myself above average when it comes to old school and modern navigation. I've been using maps and compasses since I was a kid in Montana, and I've been using GPS well before they had all the satellites up in the sky and operational)
My shortcomings for this ride are several:
I don't speak Spanish beyond a very small handful of simple phrases. I've traveled to a few countries, including Panama and Honduras, without speaking much and managed to get along well enough though.
I've never traveled in Mexico beyond a couple trips years ago to a couple border towns, and never drove a vehicle or rode a motorcycle there.
My biggest concern is that I just don't know Mexico or the local Mexican culture. With all the news about what sometimes happens there, I'm not comfortable going alone. My usual riding buddy has flat out refused to go.
I'd like to travel with someone who's easy going, flexible, knows at least enough Spanish to get by, and has traveled through extremely rural areas in Mexico and is familiar with the local customs and courtesies. Frequent stops for pictures or just to admire the scenery and stretch, without a need to furiously ride to get somewhere is my usual pace.
I've attached a very general route for discussions sake, but I do have an extremely detailed route already drawn up, along with some backup or alternate paths in areas that look a little iffy to me. Starts in Del Rio, cross the dam, west to Morelos (gas?), SW to Jaboncillos (gas?) across the mountains, NNE through hills and valley to the Minas 5 Palmas, back down to Morelos, and then return to Del Rio.
Looking at the roads, distances, and my style, it looks like it would be about a 4 day trip with a 5th day just in case. I don't have a tentative date other than we would probably leave Del Rio on a Friday morning and get back there sometime Monday.
Anyone interested in participating in this adventure?
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