MexTrek: May 27-30, 2010, Galeana, Mexico

[Ixta]

FYI: Late May/Early June is the end of the dry season. It can be amazingly hot in the desert flats between the border and the eastern Sierra Madre Orientals that time of year (110+). Might want to watch the weather and plan accordingly for the low altitude part of the ride.

Ought to be glorious up in the mountains though....

Summer rains usually start in mid-June and it cools off a bit. (If it rains).

[tjrockit]

Tried going to the consulate in Austin today. Learned that the correct address is below. Not the one listed on 6th street.
They obviously get a lot of people in there asking because they immediately gave me directions to where it was.

Also, the hours of operation is from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and not until 5:00 PM so I actually have to go back since they were closed. Typical gov't info that is not up to date.

Consulado General De Mexico
800 Brazos Street
Austin, TX 78701-2538
(512) 478-2866
Hours Mon to Friday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Link to Google Map
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&so...-8&sa=N&tab=wl

[Tourmeister]

Maybe I will have better luck making this event now that it is in May instead of October... The last three attempts have been thwarted by bad luck Now I just have to finish getting the deer induced damage to the KLR fixed.

[GTgirl]

Originally Posted by bpayne13

What's involved in getting the border crossing paperwork completed before the Thursday group ride date? Is that something I can do prior to arriving in McAllen? I live in San Antonio.

Bill Payne
2008 KLR-650

Prayer & determination helps..

[tjrockit]

So I went to get my TVIP (Temporary Vehicle Import Permit) at the Mexican Consulate in Austin, TX today over lunch and learned a few more things I thought I'd share.

1) Bring a photocopy as well as the original of your passport and motorcycle title. The will ask for a copy and they don't have one there you can use so you have to go across the street to UPS and for 2 copies, which costs 50 cents.

2) Even though it doesn't look like is shows up on the TVIP anywhere they asked where I would be crossing the border and what state I was going to and they entered that into the computer. The state threw me for a moment and it took a little conversation to remember it was "Nuevo Leon".

Overall, the process was very quick and painless. They do charge you in Pesos, so that is the main reason why you have to have a credit card (VISA or MasterCard only). So I am expecting there will be an additional charge for the conversion to dollars.

One step closer to getting all the paperwork together.

[tricepilot]

Actually, the main reason you have to have a credit card is not because they charge in pesos...it is because you have to bond the motorcycle. Without valid plastic, you have to put up the proper amount of cash.

Other point is you can use either of your title or your registration.

[JT]

Has anyone tried the Anzalduas International Bridge?
Are there facilities for permits and visas?
The news reports say it opened in December. It looks like it will be great if access roads are built on the Mexican side to bypass most of Reynosa.

JT

[tricepilot]

Aduana/Banjercito at the red arrow

[JT]

Great! I wonder if that access road really goes all the way to Highway 40, sure relieve traffic.

[tjrockit]

Random border question. I usually run a non-DOT MX tire on the front of my bike.

Any worries with returning to the US with not being 100% street legal?

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by tjrockit

Random border question. I usually run a non-DOT MX tire on the front of my bike. Any worries with returning to the US with not being 100% street legal?

Nobody is going to care is you are smuggling a non-street legal tire on your bike back into the U.S.

[Ixta]

Originally Posted by tjrockit

Random border question. I usually run a non-DOT MX tire on the front of my bike.

Any worries with returning to the US with not being 100% street legal?

No worries. Customs is only interested in what might be hidden in that tire.

[Iceman Jack]

Another question for people in the know. I am planning on hauling my bike with my wife's SUV. The SUV is registered in her name. Will that be a problem getting a TVIP?

[Trail Boss]

Originally Posted by Outlaw6Guy

Another question for people in the know. I am planning on hauling my bike with my wife's SUV. The SUV is registered in her name. Will that be a problem getting a TVIP?

Yes, it will be a problem. The vehicle has to be in your name.

[tjrockit]

Currently, I'm planning on trailering my bike down to McAllen.

If one were to ride from Austin to McAllen, does anyone have any scenic route suggestions?

[tjrockit]

Originally Posted by Richard_

By the way - get your border crossing paperwork done before Thursday morning. The groups will cross the border and keep on trucking. The groups won't be waiting for anyone who hasn't done their border paperwork.

My understanding was that you would get the Mexican tourist visa at the border and it only takes a few minutes. Is that correct or do I need to get that before Thursday morning when we are leaving McAllen?

[GTgirl]

Originally Posted by AttoirRE

Versus say a trip to Colorado, where my safety is guaranteed?


Pic from the warzone.

http://i38.tinypic.com/24d4yo2.jpg

I take it you have never been to downtown Houston? I have never felt threatened or afraid on any of my many motorcycle trips to Mexico. I have however, been threatened and afraid in the USA and a dear friend, a visiting foreign pastor, was nearly beaten to death during the Rodney King incident. Danger, gangs, and mafias, are everywhere so I advise everyone to use common sense and caution no matter where you are traveling.

But please do not let fear keep you from experiencing this amazing world God has given us.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by tjrockit

My understanding was that you would get the Mexican tourist visa at the border and it only takes a few minutes. Is that correct or do I need to get that before Thursday morning when we are leaving McAllen?

You can only get the tourist visa at the border, so:

Find out what group you are crossing with (or solo, if that's the case), and:

Either go across the night/day before and get the visa - OR - decide as a group you are going early in the morning and getting the visa then.

I highly, highly, highly recommend having your TVIP in hand via the internet if you are going across as a group- failure to do so means a LONG delay if there are a bunch in your group

[Trail Boss]

Originally Posted by tjrockit

My understanding was that you would get the Mexican tourist visa at the border and it only takes a few minutes. Is that correct or do I need to get that before Thursday morning when we are leaving McAllen?

You're right - get your tourist visa at the border. However, please get it done prior to our departure time on Thursday morning. It only takes a few minutes to do per person, but trying to do it as a group it can easily delay the group for two or more hours, hence the reason I tell everyone to do it before the group leaves on Thur morning.

They are open late so I normally just get it done on Wed evening when I get to McAllen. That has always worked well for me.

[tjrockit]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

You can only get the tourist visa at the border.

I just called the consulate (1-877-210-9469) and they said you can get the Mexican tourist visa at both the Austin and Dallas Mexican consulates. I didn't ask about Houston since no in my group is coming from there. I may try to stop by there later this week to confirm.