Mextrek #18 "Remembering Pelo Loco aka Day of the Dead" Oct 28 to Nov 5 2023

[LoneRiderScott]

Scott,

There is a registration link in the first post of this thread. Click it and it will take you to the registration page.

I do not see that link? First post - by tony rider or above that? Sorry to be a pain, but cannot find it

 

[Trail Boss]

I do not see that link? First post - by tony rider or above that? Sorry to be a pain, but cannot find it

Scott,

This entire discussion was started by Mextrekadv, the organizer of this ride. There are currently 77 posts in this discussion, spread over 4 pages . Post #1 is on page 1. Your most recent post is #76 and is on page 4. Got to post #1 on page 1 of this discussion and you should see the link to register.

Mextrek #18 "Remembering Pelo Loco aka Day of the Dead" Oct 28 to Nov 5 2023

Hey Gang, Registration here and open: https://forms.gle/Kj1h6mBCMnrTrRZv6 Together we've adventured a pretty good amount, in such a short amount of time, the last 6 years often and famously with Sir Curtis Pelo Loco Jones Esquire, RIP. I wrote in the memorial guidebook that we will honor...

www.twtex.com

 

[wader50]

Hey Gang,

Registration here and open:

CLOSED. Mextrek #18 Registration

Oct 27th to Nov 5th

forms.gle

Together we've adventured a pretty good amount, in such a short amount of time, the last 6 years often and famously with Sir Curtis Pelo Loco Jones Esquire, RIP.

I wrote in the memorial guidebook that we will honor Curtis on all future Mextreks, loudly, and with hands up!

I found out yesterday that Curtis, in his expertly prepared notes for the afterlife instructed he be cremated and his ashes spread in many of the places he loved most. Curtis loved Mexico, dearly, and entrusted the "Mextrek OG's" with the task!

Mextrek 18 is renamed in Curtis' honor and will be leaning on the short list of OG's to make a plan to help Pelo Loco be one with mother earth again. Anyone not familiar with Mexico's day of the Dead and remembrance of loved ones lost should do a quick google search. What a wonderful way to remember our friend.

We'll be in Santiago, Galeana, San Miguel, Guanajuato, Real De Catorce. Curtis knew and loved each of these places. We'll tuck a bit away for Baja and give Zeke a pinch for the ranch. Maybe Terlingua too. We'll do what we'd want done for us.

Adios Amigos, and Rest in Peace Uncle Curtis!

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View attachment 343265

For all the newcomers to T.A.R.A. and Mextrek, we invite you on one of the most exciting trips on a long time.... Halloween in San Miguel and Day of the Dead in Guanajuato. This will be bookended by 2 days in Galeana riding the Sierra Madre dual sport region and 2 days after riding to the ghost town of Real de Catorce then a final bougie night in Santiago, the playground of Monterrey's nuevo riche. Cost: $50 experienced, $25 added for first timers for guidebook and maps and that little extra care needed!

Rough schedule:

Friday, Oct 27th: Arrive in McAllen by midnight.

Saturday Oct 28th: McAllen to Galeana via Rayones and Cienega del Toro gopher fields

Sunday Oct 29th: Rides out of Galeana, south, along rivers and canyons

+++
Alternate "Lite" weekend:
Monday, Oct 30th: day rides out of Galeana
Tuesday, Oct 31st: head home
Cost $25
+++

Regular ride continues...

Monday Oct 30th: Ride some highway to the gringo HQ of San Miguel de Allende, with dinner overlooking the Parroquia, the most beautiful church in Mexico, in what the town Conde Naste calls "The most Beautiful City in the WORLD".

Tuesday Oct 31st: San Miguel, Market, Hot Springs, and Halloween parties

Wednesday Nov 1st: Ride overland on the picturesque "Silver trail" to Guanajuato and attend evening Dia de los Muertos parade. GTO is DOD headquarters parades, costumes, tunnel parties, etc...

Thursday Nov 2nd: Enjoy Guanajuato with day ride to mummies, 100 foot Jesus, vineyard tour, evening pub crawl

Friday Nov 3rd: ride north thru the forest to the magical ghost town of Real de Catorce, horseback riding to the old mines

Saturday Nov 4th: Head to Santiago via glorious Hwy 20, thru the ski town of Monterreal for a final banquet at the amazing Hacienda 208

Sunday Nov 5th: Santiago to home, wherever that is.

*About MEXTREK:*

Question 1: What is Mextrek

Mextrek is a gathering of like minded adventure / dual sport motorcycle enthusiasts in Mexico. It is meant to be an introduction to the newly wanderlusting souls who have never experienced this heavenly setting. As well as a time and place to meet up with old friends to experience Mexico once again. In short, its the best motorcycle experience a Texan can possibly take in 5 days. And for many, it is the only international motorcycling opportunity that is achievable on a limited budget on a bike you already own.

Question 2: Why Santiago and Galeana?

Santiago: The most accessible town from the border which also offers incredible scenery, riding, and it's upscale heritage means USA style amenities are not lacking. Great food, banks, english speakers, repair shops, etc... Santiago is only 140 miles of fast and smooth pavement from the border. 2 hrs 45 mins per google. Ride loaded to the hotel, drop everything, and hit the trails by 1PM free and unburdened. Once in Santiago you find a vacation town on the outskirts of Monterrey, with vibrant night life, fine dining, and the off-road mecca of choice for well heeled Mexicans in Monterrey. With stunning views, hikable swimmable waterfalls, high mountain passes, deep canyons, and pristine pastoral areas it's pretty amazing. After a day and night of getting our Mexico adjustment over, it's off to...

Galeana. Smack dab in the middle of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. Twisty mountain dirt tracks in all directions. Dual sport heaven. But, as has been proven time and again, the remoteness of Galeana is its greatest charm and its Achilles heel. It takes 5.5 hours from the border, fully loaded with gear, tools, and clothes. And the last 50 miles of twisties and dirt have been the sudden end to many a vacation just getting started, usually a combination of loaded bikes, day 1 exuberance, and often bad luck. But getting a day of riding in before trekking south to Galeana, you will find the finest dual sport riding within a day's reach from Texas. Literally DUAL SPORT HEAVEN!

Question 3: Is Mexico a good dual sport destination?

You have no idea!!!! Incredible. Fantastic. Every single person that has visited is awed. Raw beauty, huge lush mountains. Prairies. Valleys. Waterfalls. Pics speak for themselves.

Question 4: What do I need to attend?

A reliable and trusty adventure or dual sport motorcycle. Anything from a 250KLX to a BMW1200GSA has a place here. Minimum requirement is your bike should be able to maintain a 55 MPH highway cruise speed. As my CRF230F entertained, Mextrek can be done on 14 horsepower. At 60 MPH. With a 90 mile range.

Other basic must haves:
Valid passport or passport card
Class M license
Motorcycle registration in your name matching passport, valid through duration of trip (With a lien special steps need to be taken)
Good safety gear: Helmet, gloves, boots, jacket, pants, ear protection, google mapped cell phone
Ability to carry very basic tools, 4 days of casual clothing, personal effects on your motorcycle. Pack light and a backpack is sufficient.
Question 5: What will this cost?

A. Basic fee goes toward my coordination efforts, and our ride guide's expenses. $50 more for first timers gets GPS files, overview maps, ride guide support every day, 24/7 emotional support before during and after, and a wonderful book by Richard G (Trailboss) detailing the area, prep, and what to expect; .

B. Permits to take your bike into Mexico will run another $55 or so.

C. Budget another $50 a day for food, drinks, and gas. $50 to $75 for hotels. Mexico has gotten much more expensive, but it is still very reasonable.

Question 5: Communication

I use only Whatsapp, a facebook product, in a group message to communicate. It is a lifesaver.

Question 6: Has this sort of thing been done before? Have my friends already been? Are there answers to all my questions already in print?

Mextrek #1
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

Mextrek #2
2009 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41336
2009 Reports: http://twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=671326#post671326

Mextrek #3
2010 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46716
2010 Reports: http://twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=749178#post749178

Mextrek #4
2015 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102388
2015 Reports: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1384620

Mextrek #5
2016 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106148
2016 Reports: http://twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111763

Mextrek#6
2017 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112382
2017 Reports: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115745

Mextrek #7 June 2018 (Guanajuato and Real de Catorce and El Salto after party V1.0)
2018 Planning: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116147
2018 Reports: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117666

Mextrek #8 Oct 2018 (Guanajuato and Real de Catorce After Party V2.0)
2018 Planning: https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/2018-mextrek-8-oct-20th-23rd-2018.115969/
2018 Report: http://twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1577869#post1577869

Mextrek #9 June 2019 (Santiago, El Naranjo, Xilitla, San Miguel, Guanajuato, Real de Catorce)
2019 Planning: https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/mextrek-9-destination-guanajuato-june-22nd-30th-2019.119615/
2019 Report: https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/mummy-riders-mextrek-9-ride-report.121129/

Mextrek #10 October 2019 (Galeana, San Miguel, Guanajuato)
2019 Planning: https://www.twtex.com/forums/thread...er-24th-to-27th-2019-after-party-v3-0.120425/
2019 Report: https://www.twtex.com/forums/thread...rt-oct-2019-galeana-nuevo-leon-mexico.122177/

Mextrek #11 October 2020 (Galeana, San Miguel, Guanajuato) - Limited Attendance (Plan B):
Mextrek #11 Planning: https://www.twtex.com/forums/thread...o-october-24-27-2020-after-party-v5-0.122318/
Mextrek #11 Report: https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/mextrek-11-plan-b-october-2020-destination-xilitla.126103/

Mextrek #12 January 2021 "The Fast and the Frostiest" Santiago pre-run event. Limited Attendance
Report: https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/mextrek-12-the-fast-and-frostiest-edition.126396/

Mextrek #13 April 2021: Santiago "Lite" new rider run.
13 Planning: https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/mextrek-13-santiago-lite-april-22nd-to-25th-2021.126115/
13 Report: https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/houston-tenemos-problemas-mextrek-13-ride-report.127185/

Mextrek #14, October 2021: Santiago, Galeana, and beyond...Day of the Dead
14 Planning: https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/mextrek-14-galeana-and-beyond-oct-23rd-to-26th-2021.127759/
14 Report: https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/mextrek-14-ride-report.128880/

Mextrek #15, April 6 - 10th, 2022 (Santiago and Galeana
15 Planning: https://www.twtex.com/forums/thread...-april-6-10-2022-sa
ntiago-and-galeana.129810/
15 Report: https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/mex-trek-15-april-2022-ride-report.130220/

Mextrek #16:
16 planning

Mextrek #16 "Lite", October 5th to 9th 2022

Amigos, The next iteration of Mextrek is occurring this October 5th to 9th, 2022. This trip will be similar to previous 4 day Mextreks, but with a few twists thrown in. New itinerary for this trip includes class 1/2 only option for larger dual sports and newer riders. Peter, AKA Pedro del...

www.twtex.com

16 report

Mex Trek 16 Oct 2022 Ride Report

Typing this from a warm, comfortable bed in Houston is a good feeling. Riders, post your favorite pictures and videos and stories here!

www.twtex.com

Mextrek #17:
17 planning

Mextrek #17 Santiago "Lite" April 19th to 24th 2023

Save the date (Date changed) A 5 day, 4 night quick trip to the coolest and closest colonial town to Texas. Awesome mountain and canyon riding, great food, tranquil setting. New this trip we are coordinating with Joaquin to participate in the annual Nuevo Leon ADV rally. Concurrently...

www.twtex.com

17 report

Mextrek 17 Ride Report! (April 2023)

This year we ended up with 24 riders, from newbies to veterans. This year was in cooperation with the 2023 Nuevo Leon ADV Rally, which meant shirts, stickers and parties for the weekend in Santiago! Moody weather and occasional bike hiccups kept this trip interesting, but all 4-5 days went...

www.twtex.com

Will there be another one in the Spring of '24?
Wade Russell

 

[Mextrekadv]

Of course! April

 

[kubotamiketx]

While I am unable to attend, I am hoping the much-needed rains are not making a mess in Mexico for all of you lucky adventurers who are going!

 

[Vinny]

Ditto

 

[Trail Boss]

Here's the link to my photos from this trip.

 

[JohnHoaglun]

Here's the link to my photos from this trip.

Hey Rich,
What did you think of riding the CRF300Rally on that trip? (Mileage, pace, range)

I picked up a CRF300LS this summer (I have upgraded the suspension already) and thought that it would be fun for a Mextrek trip. Maybe in 2024.

I rode your former 890 Adventure past your area two weeks ago on a Conroe to Hill Country round trip. It is still doing well.

Thanks, John

 

[MarkyMark]

Here's the link to my photos from this trip.

Nice, I didn't know you had a photography site, that's ******

This is what I got, plus I've got all my good stuff here. Hopefully doesn't blow up the thread.

Some of the usual, just the mountains around Galeana + Cienega Del Toro

Onto San Miguel GTO....

And then, finally, onto Guanajuato

Onto RD14....

Aaand back into the mountains

 

[tex68w]

Amazing pics! Do we have a spring date set?

 

[Vinny]

Outstanding pictures. Thanks for posting.

 

[Trail Boss]

Hey Rich,
What did you think of riding the CRF300Rally on that trip? (Mileage, pace, range)

I picked up a CRF300LS this summer (I have upgraded the suspension already) and thought that it would be fun for a Mextrek trip. Maybe in 2024.

I rode your former 890 Adventure past your area two weeks ago on a Conroe to Hill Country round trip. It is still doing well.

Thanks, John

John,

I was initially concerned that the Rally would not be able to run, or maintain, highway speeds, at altitude and loaded with my gear. My experience last year with the Rally under similar circumstances in southwest New Mexico was the bike wouldn't achieve or hold 60 mph under those conditions. However, things were different this trip. I was happily surprised to be able to run 70 mph almost everywhere.

It made me wonder why such a big difference? I speculate that a) the motor wasn't fully broken in on my New Mexico trip and b) I was more accustomed to revving the heck out of the motor prior to shifting. When I revved the motor to 6000+ rpm before shifting, then there was enough power to pull 6th gear.

I averaged 62 mpg at speeds at less than highway speeds, giving me more than a 200 mile range. I averaged mid-50s at 70 mph, giving me almost a 200 mile range at highway speeds.

The bottom line is the bike did better than expected at highway speeds and performed as great as I expected at slower speeds and in the dirt. It's a joy to ride.

I miss the 890. It's one of a few bikes I've sold and then regretted selling.

 

[wader50]

Anyone know when Mextrek 2024 will happen? It's ben awhile for me and I'm ready for another one.
Wade Russell

 

[wader50]

Of course! April

Good to hear. Can't wait!

 

[Mextrekadv]

Anyone know when Mextrek 2024 will happen? It's ben awhile for me and I'm ready for another one.
Wade Russell

Jan (experienced riders only), March, April, July, October. Details coming out on TWTEX as I finalize.

 

[tex68w]

March or April work well. Looking forward to seeing the dates.