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2017 MexTrek #6, Oct 26th to 29th 2017

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Houston, TX and Phoenix AZ
First Name
Peter
Last Name
Shaddock
Mextrek 2017:

Register Here: https://goo.gl/forms/pBsEXzV9z6W0DcV52


Updated:

TX ADV Staff / Ride Leaders:

  1. Peter Shaddock Shadman (Ride group A #1 - ~20 riders)
  2. Everett F Foxrider (Ride group A #2 - ~20 riders)

Ride group A is the direct route, 20 miles of dirt. Slower / Novice / heavy bikes.

  1. Mark W Subcomm (Ride group B #1 ~12 riders)
  2. Sid S Sidshaddock (Ride group B #2 ~12 riders)

Ride group B follows A until Rayones (lunchtime), then diverts to the amazing Cienega Del Toro loop and the Dual Sport Double Dragon, an extra 75 miles. Intermediate pace.

  1. John T JT (Ride group C #1 - Limit 8 - Fast / Experienced)
  2. Steven M Fang (Ride group C #1 - Limit 8 - Fast / Experienced)

this long route is amazing. High mountains, varied terrain, steep switchbacks, focused riding. See post 583 - http://www.twtex.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1523649&postcount=583

7. Felipe G felipe_gtz (Ride group D - Street)

8. Doug M countingcoup (Organizer for Day of the Dead, LOL)

2 Host Hotell, rooms available: 77 Guests / 92 beds.

Waitlist: None. Spaces available.

Quick, before the wall goes up, haha. Mark your calendars for MexTrek #6, THURSDAY October 26th to SUNDAY October 29th, 2017. This is a 4 day dual sport ride in the mountains of Mexico, a stone's throw from the US border. STREET BIKES WELCOME...SEE BOTTOM OF POST

* Note to Steven and Vinny: As requested the date does not conflict with the Harvest Classic and F1 in Austin, October 20th - 22nd, the weekend before. See, I listen! *

We will be dual sporting again to wonderful Galeana and the same trails and highlights we visited in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2016. This will be our 6th "annual" Mextrek Galeana. :rider: Come knock this adventure off your bucket list. Mexico is changing, and quickly, and what you will experience are memories you'll tell your great grandkids about one day.

Official Dates: Thursday, Oct 26th - Sunday, Oct 29, 2017 Galeana, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

The Sierra Leon region (named by intrepid explorer Milton Otto) is a fantastic dual sport playground containing twisty mountain roads, a seemingly uncountable number of class 1 through class 4 unpaved roads, beautiful mountain vistas, pine forests, desert highlands, and unbelievable mountain passes. Richard suggests that the dual sport adventure riding here is as good as that in the Copper Canyon region. Not only is it a great riding area, but it isn't particularly far away either. In fact, for many Texas riders it is essentially in their backyards (a 1 day ride). So, in short, don't miss the ~6th annual Mextrek adventure ride. It is absolutely the best group adventure ride all year.

Registration: Registration is $25 and is completed when you paypal me. If you don't have paypal, send me an email to confirm your intent, and you can pay cash or check on the spot. This fee includes a tee shirt to remember the event by and covers a few of the shirts I give out to folks who help along the way.

All riders who don't already own one should order Richard's awesome $25 MexTrek ride guide - a 68 page, spiral bound guide, with three 11x17 topographical maps, and GPS route downloads. Order these direct from Richard (aka Trail Boss).

Registration is done via the google spreadsheet link. Send $25 payment via paypal to unclesaroundthebend@gmail.com, as a friend so I avoid fees, please!

Itinerary: CHANGE FOR 2017: ALL RIDERS SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER COMPLETING VEHICLE PERMITS AND VISAS PRIOR TO TRIP DUE TO ISSUES WE'VE ENCOUNTERED AT RECENT BORDER CROSSINGS AFTER 6PM

Wednesday, Oct 25th:
Most riders will plan to spend Wednesday night in McAllen (Mission, actually), at the host hotel, Clarion Inn (formerly Studio 6) in Mission, Texas, very near the international bridge in Anzalduas. (Currently $59 per night online. Address: 3700 Plantation Grove Blvd, Mission, TX 78572 Phone: (956) 519-9696

Thursday, Oct 26th: MexTrek begins Thursday morning, 7AM, at the Clarion in Mission, TX. We will have breakfast, a brief riders meeting, break up into a couple of large groups of riders, cross the border, and spend the day getting to Galeana. The first half of the day consists of riding highway west (approx 125 miles of secondary 2 lane roadway through smaller towns) to the mountains and the nice small city of Montemorelos where we have a lunch of fajitas on the square. The second half of the day consists of riding up into the mountains via short fantastic paved and then a short medium difficulty non-paved road through the mountains to Galeana. Expect 6 hours of riding, 8 or 9 hours total, hopefully arriving a few hours before sunset!

We'll split into groups of ~5 - 15 for the ride. The last trip we had 30 or so and it was a wagon train. We overwhelmed lunch and gas stations, jaja. I had to become a taco chef at lunch in Montemorelos. We'll split based on ability and experience into roughly these groups. I'll make sure we have an experienced Mexico ride leader for each group who knows the route.

Group A: The "traditional" group ride to Montemorelos for lunch, then Rayones, then quick 20 miles of offroad to Galeana (Ride leaders: Peter S, Everett F, Mark W)

Group B: The "traditional" group ride to Montemorelos for lunch, then Rayones, then Cienega Del Toro and DS Double Dragon into Galeana. 80 miles offroad. For intermediate riders capable of making good time on dirt (Ride leaders: Steven M and Sid S)

Group C: Smallest group of fastest riders with repeat Mexico experience taking the northern route through Santiago / Colla de Caballo. Split from the big group as early as China. Dawn to dusk experience. (Ride Leader: Zeke)

Group D: The "traditional" group ride to Montemorelos for lunch. Then street only to Galeana, unguided, but easy. For our 4 or 5 riders on street bikes and anyone who wants to avoid the 20 miles of dirt with a fully loaded bike. There is plenty of riding to do after you arrive in Galeana ~ 3pm. (Ride Leader: Felipe, locally grown)

There are a number of great off road rides into Galeana, as well as a short (er), easy (er) dirt road. In case of inclement weather, the nice paved canyon road through Iturbide guarantees safe arrival in Galeana late afternoon. We'll stay at the Magdelena Hotel on the main plaza in Galeana. If you are in town, ask for El Centro and follow fingertip pointing. The whole town is only 20 by 20 blocks so its easy to find everything.

Friday and Saturday, Oct 27th and 28th: Consists of day rides from Galeana to the nearby wonderful gravel roads. Riders will organize into teams and go ride the team's chosen route. The ride guide has 20+ routes, all well ridden and researched by Richard's crack team of explorers over the years. We'll go back to Galeana each night for the comfort of a wonderful sub $20 hotel with hot showers and fabulous food in town.

Sunday, Oct 29nd: MexTrek officially ends Sunday morning. However, we still will provide limited oversight to be sure folks make it to the border in one piece. For those still inclined, Sunday can also be a really fun extra riding day for anyone who didn't get enough on Thu - Sat. I will lead a long ride back through Santiago that is incredible, but for faster riders who can make good time. Here's a pics or two from the climb out going north Sunday:

2016, the Sunday trek!!!

OPTIONAL: Monday Oct 30 - Wednesday Nov 1: For 2017 I am looking into a smaller group staying a few extra days to experience Day of the Dead. It is supposed to be amazing in some parts of Mexico. Any suggestions, please post up for discussion.

Ride Headquarters: FULL AS OF 5/20/17 Hotel Magdelana. On the main square in Galeana. 52 beds. Tel: 011 52 826 213 0106

Alternate hotel: Hotel Jardin ( 3 doors down from Magdelena): Tel: 011 52 826 213 0420

Last choice hotel: Hotel Los Reyes (1 mile south by Hospital): Tel: 011 52 826 213 1776

FAQs

1. Travel Planning
- Most Texas riders can leave sometime on Wednesday and get to McAllen by Wednesday evening / night. On Sunday, riders can simply reverse this - have a great dual sport ride on Sunday and end up at, or across, the border early Sun evening, then get home at a decent time on Monday. I've typically made it home by 1 - 2 AM in Houston to be up and groggy at the office at 8 AM.

2. What should I ride? There is an abundance of riding opportunities in this part of Mexico. A variety of different routes of varying terrain and difficulty are available to choose from so any adventure, dual sport bike 250cc and up will be fine. If you have a limited fuel range, strap a 1-2 gallon gas can on your bike and you will be okay.

3. Legality: You must have a valid passport or passport card to get a visa into Mexico. A passport card is only $55, or $30 if you've previously had a passport. http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/card.html Check validity NOW, lol. A 7 day visa is free. 180 day costs something like $32.

Your motorcycle must be registered in the USA, to you, with a clean clear title in your name. If you have a lienholder (loan) on the bike you need written permission from lender. You must obtain a TVIP, a temporary vehicle import permit, to take your 1 bike into Mexico. Your TVIP duration is the same as your visa duration. 7 or 180 days. Cost is same for either duration TVIP. The TVIP requires you to post a $200 - 400 surety bond saying you won't sell it when you're down there. So, it must be YOUR bike, with title in your name, and title or registration hardcopy is required. When you leave Mexico they check the bike out of country, cancel your TVIP, and you cancel your tourist visa by walking it into the office. You get the bond back. All you end up paying is maybe $~38 for the permit.

Mexican insurance, now, is required by Mexico. Ask Tricepilot if you need details. Full coverage with bike extraction and medivac is like $16 a day.

4. Is it safe? Most riders have heard the stories about the drug wars going on in Mexico so the question I get asked most often is whether it is safe to travel/ride in Mexico. Yes, I think it is safe to ride in Mexico if you follow some basic safety guidelines such as don't ride at night, don't buy/sell drugs, or don't go out drinking at night in a border town by yourself. If you observe the same safety guidelines you would follow anywhere, you will most likely not have any issues. Note: Is Mexico Safe? ADV Rider has approximately 30,000 posts on the subject, updated daily. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546927

5. Where to leave your truck/trailer in McAllen: Clarion Inn. It's perfect. They give a section of the parking lot. I chose this hotel because it is a compound, with only one way in or out.

Peter Shaddock
unclesaroundthebend@gmail.com
281-772-1211 (text is best)

2008 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27799&highlight=mextrek+2008
2008 Reports: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33656
2009 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41336
2009 Reports: http://twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=671326#post671326
2010 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46716
2010 Reports: http://twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=749178#post749178
2015 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102388
2015 Reports: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1384620
2016 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106148
2016 Reports: http://twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111763



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ADDING IN STREET RIDERS ONLY INFORMATION TO THIS POST:

Had a question about street bikes only on this ride. YES, it is a fine trip for street bikes. Maybe not the greatest routes or itineraries out of Galeana, but I would be glad to have streetbikes join us on the trip. You would just have to ride in your group solo from lunch in Montemorelos on day 1 to Galeana. No biggie, big easy route with huge signs and nothing off the beaten path. A few notes i sent to the street guys coming this year:


There are amazing street rides in most southern directions out of Monterrey. Although a road may show on a map as 100% concrete, there is a possibility that for a mile or two it might be a temporary gravel roadbase for road construction / maintenance / gov't corruption / political pressure. But aside from the unexpected slow section every 100 miles or so the roads are in good condition and can be taken at good speed. That's the good news.

The bad news is that Galeana is, to some degree, at the end of a dead end road, hwy 58 from the east. A great, curvy, fun road. I've come in from the southwest on hwy 58 and it is unremarkable.

North loop: great twisties, waterfalls near Santiago Cola de Cabello [ame="[MEDIA=youtube]um7Nt7Wz_aQ[/MEDIA]"]Cola de Caballo - YouTube[/ame] or Chipitin [ame="[MEDIA=youtube]u5cJfwvYN3w[/MEDIA]"]Cascada del CHIPITIN - YouTube[/ame], mountain views 248 miles. All pavement. Amazing ride. https://goo.gl/maps/RZkvvdW5Lov

South loop: Hwy 61 south is nice, with good sweepers, and the ride to the General Zaragosa with waterfalls and riverside restaurants is a good, but short on riding, day trip at only 164 miles. https://goo.gl/maps/NBEPTwXrK4L2

Northwest Loop: You can go on some kinda flat and boring roads to Saltillo, a fairly large and interesting city 220 miles R/T https://goo.gl/maps/ehbgEVAFzfD2.

You can add in Mesa de la Tablas for some amazing riding and its 280 miles: https://goo.gl/maps/iHRXqXwm48z

If you feel up to 375 total miles you can venture to the oldest vineyard in North America. This is on my Mexico to do list.

http://www.madero.com.mx/historia/

http://www.cntraveler.com/story/on-a-pilgrimage-to-parras-mexicos-underrated-wine-region

http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/...the-americas-is-in-parras-de-la-fuente-mexico

https://goo.gl/maps/gJHkmrF46HU2

Another option would be to take a day / overnight in Monterrey, a true international and vibrant city. very upscale, modern, and at the same time very Mexican. The nightlife in the Antigua Monterrey downtown area is hip, urban, cultured, and high brow. Everett and I sometimes take an extra day to go to Monterrey after Galeana. It is a zoo.

Peter
 
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You considered the dates ! Now I have to be in ! . Thank you.
And you are very welcome to stay with us anytime during an Austin event.
 
Justin, JCatDRZ, takes honors as first registered, first paid, verified attendee!!!!

And he's a cool guy too so super excited he is joining us.
 
You considered the dates ! Now I have to be in ! . Thank you.
And you are very welcome to stay with us anytime during an Austin event.

I always consider the dates, and someone has a special request. Last year I promised you and Steve not during F1 or Harvest Classic so here we are.

Everyone should attend the Harvest Classic and use it as an opportunity to road test their Mexico ride, contribute to a good cause, and hang out with friends at an awesome event.

http://www.harvestclassic.org/

Harvest-11-88-1024x683.jpg


HarvestMark2016.png
 
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Mextrek 2017:

Quick, before the wall goes up, haha. Mark your calendars for MexTrek #6, October 26th to 29th, 2017. This is a 4 day dual sport ride in the mountains of Mexico, a stone's throw from the US border.

*** Note to Steve and Vinny: As requested the date does not conflict with the Harvest Classic and F1 in Austin, October 20th - 22nd, the weekend before. See, I listen! ***

In
Let me know if I can help with anything.
Always a guest room for y'all here in Austin.
 
Definitely in. Thanks Peter and Everett for leading in 2017.

Hoping my riding buddies from 2016 make it again.. I'd love to revisit a couple of families we met this year, especially accordion man (Eliel?).

Gotta lose 50 lbs or put a stronger spring on my XT250.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
 
I see you mention Wednesday 24th on the first page when talking about the hotel but it should by the 25th?


FIXED: PETER

BTW, when I log on and look at rates the lowest is $80. Is there a code or anything I should be using?
 
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Justin, JCatDRZ, takes honors as first registered, first paid, verified attendee!!!!

And he's a cool guy too so super excited he is joining us.

Awe shucks, thanks Peter. I really appreciate you organizing the ride again. Very excited about the trip!
 
Added something: Monday Oct 30 - Wednesday Nov 1: For 2017 I am looking into a smaller group staying a few extra days to experience Day of the Dead. It is supposed to be amazing in some parts of Mexico. Any suggestions, please post up for discussion.
 
Bart and Vinny are registered and paid! Welcome guys! We now have 7 of us. Peter, Sid, Everett, Steve, Justin, Bart, and Edgar.

Shooting for 50 this year now that the safety issues are largely fading....
 
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Paid & registered. Can't wait to get back there.
 
When we were in real14 last oct, the locals said day of da dead is very BIG there, they sell out all vacancies, make a parade thru da streets, etc
 
Real is only 202 KM from Galeana. That's 120 miles, give or take. 3 hours in the saddle. This should be the no brainer destination for Dia De Muertos. Real is such a hoot.
 
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