Houston, Tenemos Problemas (Mextrek 13 ride report)

[enrique60033]

Speaking of videos, this was our all paved ride on Saturday

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[shovel]

Keep it going. Awesome to watch


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[Jarrett]

Neat video. Was the pavement clean mostly?

 

[Trailtime]

Neat video. Was the pavement clean mostly?

The roads are nice but as others here have pointed out they are deceptively slick and can catch you out. I’m sure just about everyone experienced a few slide moments but the speeds are generally and necessarily kept low and you are riding with other folks experienced in Mexico and that definitely helps.

 

[bbolesaz]

View attachment 291905

Where ??

And don't say "Mexico"

 

[Tigerkf]

But it is Mexico!

 

[Trailtime]

 

[SwampFox]

Many thanks to Pedro del Norte for organizing this Mexico Lite ride for us inexperienced travelers. This was not only my first international ride, but also my first international travel, period. And something I would not have attempted on my own, and I likely would not have participated in this MexTrek Lite without my fellow TW200 enthusiast Brad joining in the ride. We had a great experience, despite some mechanical problems that prevented us from attempted the Gold Standard route. We concluded our Trek was a success after completing the ride up to La Trinidad on the 1st day. The food was excellent, with my favorite being the shrimp tacos at La jarrita and the gorditas in Los Lirios.

And another thanks to Everett & Zara for their long hours in support of our group, which I suspect it was a little more than they anitcipated beforehand.

I regret not stopping to take a photo of the "hanging cactus" in full bloom on the east facing cliff to the right of our return ride from La Trinidad.

 

[willstrom]

Good times in Mexico - Thank You Peter and crew!

Here's a few pics from this past weekend. Had a great time and met a bunch of really great guys. The routes (really the whole trip) exceeded my expectations.

Highlights for me personally:
- Asada at El Pueblito
- A cold Modelo at the top, at Laguna Sanchez
- An hour or more of THE finest twisty black-top on the second half of the Gold Standard
- The recovery of Kevin's strom (and slicing open a sidewall on the recovery truck, then watching Carlos navigate the canyon with the mini spare)
- Cobblestone Switchbacks between Los Cedritos and El Tunal
- Riding the twisties back from Los Lirios in the dark
- But my greatest experience was ripping 2-Up through cañón el alamo with Kevin on the DRZ, probably the most fun I've had on a bike

Thanks to Ben for securing the recovery truck for Kevin's bike, and to Rodd and others for advancing his bike along the canyon as far as it would go, and to all the others that assisted.

Also, thanks to Thomas for posting on Wednesday the maps for navigating the Permitting and Inspections facility as you cross the border. That was timely as we had no clue and received that post right as we pulled up to the facility.


I only have a few pictures from days 1 & 2, as my phone (and the other 2000 pictures) are somewhere in cañón el alamo. If you find it, your $100USD reward is tucked inside the phone case. :- )


Can't wait for more Mexico.

Willi
DRZ400S

 

[SpiritAtBay]

Enjoying the pix and stories, keep em coming

Raining cats and dogs for hours here in Kerrville, what else is there to do? Oh yeah, my taxes...naw...

 

[Rougarou]

Had a fantastic time on MT13. The riding (on-road and off), scenery, and company all exceded expectations. I'll definitely be making this trip again.

 

[beerbrewer]

I thought I would give my two cents regarding the MexTrek 13... I have always wanted to go back to Mexico-I used to go when I was a kid and enjoyed areas like Monterrey and Saltillo. I finally decided to stop listening to the news and experience it myself. I reasoned that these guys have been doing this every year and have not had any real issues. We had a get together in Houston with some of the experienced travelers to Mexico and I met Illias and found out this was his 6h time to Mexico this year! At this point, I felt confident about the security aspect of the trip.

The ride was amazing and the people were amazing. Even doing the border paperwork, employees and other travelers helped me out with the steps and everyone was kind. I was delighted when some of the women working for the Banjercito (Temporary Importation and Exportation of our vehicles) outside wanted to take their pictures with us. Everyone was very friendly and patient with me. I loved the small villages in the middle of nowhere, especially the restaurant El Mirador in Laguna de Sanchez. The food was amazing everywhere.

A few experiences really shaped how I felt about Mexico: Firstly, on the second day we did a long ride around the area. I was with David and I dropped my Suzuki Vstrom on this gravel road and we got it up. The road was a little off camber and I was near the drainage ditch on the inside and this time the shiny side of the bike was lower than the wheels- oil everywhere. I thought I had cracked something. We got it back up and limped the bike down the road. It was about 97 degrees, we were out of water and I was exhausted. We came to this little house where a woman sold Tecate. I asked her if she had any water and she grabbed two big bottles of water for us. I asked in Spanish if she had anything cold; she grabbed two mismatched plastic cups and opened a deep freeze and got us some ice. She refused to take any payment. I experienced true hospitality there. The second one was this: every morning I would see people sweeping the sidewalk in front of their businesses- they care for what they have.

I developed some great friendships with people on MexTrek13. We had to overcome obstacles, pick up dropped bikes, do trailside repairs and work together. It was a great experience and I look forward to doing it again. Coming back home was a challenge; I am longing to be back in Mexico.

 

[beerbrewer]

El Mirador in Laguna de Sanchez

 

[SpiritAtBay]

I thought I would give my two cents regarding the MexTrek 13... I have always wanted to go back to Mexico-I used to go when I was a kid and enjoyed areas like Monterrey and Saltillo. I finally decided to stop listening to the news and experience it myself. I reasoned that these guys have been doing this every year and have not had any real issues. We had a get together in Houston with some of the experienced travelers to Mexico and I met Illias and found out this was his 6h time to Mexico this year! At this point, I felt confident about the security aspect of the trip.

The ride was amazing and the people were amazing. Even doing the border paperwork, employees and other travelers helped me out with the steps and everyone was kind. I was delighted when some of the women working for the Banjercito (Temporary Importation and Exportation of our vehicles) outside wanted to take their pictures with us. Everyone was very friendly and patient with me. I loved the small villages in the middle of nowhere, especially the restaurant El Mirador in Laguna de Sanchez. The food was amazing everywhere.

A few experiences really shaped how I felt about Mexico: Firstly, on the second day we did a long ride around the area. I was with David and I dropped my Suzuki Vstrom on this gravel road and we got it up. The road was a little off camber and I was near the drainage ditch on the inside and this time the shiny side of the bike was lower than the wheels- oil everywhere. I thought I had cracked something. We got it back up and limped the bike down the road. It was about 97 degrees, we were out of water and I was exhausted. We came to this little house where a woman sold Tecate. I asked her if she had any water and she grabbed two big bottles of water for us. I asked in Spanish if she had anything cold; she grabbed two mismatched plastic cups and opened a deep freeze and got us some ice. She refused to take any payment. I experienced true hospitality there. The second one was this: every morning I would see people sweeping the sidewalk in front of their businesses- they care for what they have.

I developed some great friendships with people on MexTrek13. We had to overcome obstacles, pick up dropped bikes, do trailside repairs and work together. It was a great experience and I look forward to doing it again. Coming back home was a challenge; I am longing to be back in Mexico.

THIS. This is what it is all about.

 

[LTCTPU]

Mextrex #13......What a Hoot!

Got the bike all cleaned up and the hand guards straightened out, it’s pretty much ready to go again. Yes there is a possibility you are going to drop your bike. Mine was at a dead stop when I put my right foot down into depression and well, over we go. Didn’t realize it at the time, but bent those heavy duty Highway Dirt Bike hand guards enough to impact the front brake lever’s travel. That was a pretty interesting discovery on a downhill entry into that hair pin turn. There probably is a lesson to be learned there.

My tired and sore muscles have have mostly recovered and they remind me that I should have gotten myself into better shape. However it was better to go in the shape I was in, then not at all! I had great rides everyday and felt like I held my own with the group I was riding with or they where kind enough not to point it out.

Met a bunch of interesting folks on the trip, though with 53 riders you don’t get around to them all. As a solo entry, and a introvert...the task of finding a ride buddy and group to ride with was daunting at first. That all shook out well. The groups I rode with looked out for each other and I’m sure that was a common theme in all the groups. So even if you don’t know anyone before hand, join up anyway!

I liked the rides format, with first task getting the border crossing paper work completed on arrival in Mission, then getting to Santiago in the ride groups. Seemly hectic at times, the process worked well, the abundance of information provided in WhatsApp MexTrex group chat explained what to expect and how to git’er done.

The La Trinidad “skills testing” ride the first afternoon in Santiago was a great idea. It gives a great intro of what to expect on some of the rides and chance to brush up on some mountain road/ trails skills us flat landers don’t get to practice much.

It was a great trip......and Ben, Mike L, Jimmy, and a host of others, it was great riding with you and thanks for watching over me when my GPS died, when I couldn’t see/read the fine print on the menu or the instructions how to get into the B&B and then when I lost my phone.

Looking forward to doing this again!
Tom Urich

Route 20 toward Santiago

On the was down from La Trinidad

Los Lirios

Ben was alway good at finding shade to stop in. Over look on the Gold Standard route

 

[beerbrewer]

Yep. I was going to include my tire incident in McAllen... I was checking my tires for the return trip to Houston and part of the valve stem disintegrated. I tool the rear wheel off and got a ride to a fancy car repair center. They quickly said they don't work on M/C tires. We drove to a llanteria and the guy there looked at the tire, broke the bead, cut off the old valve stem and pulled a new one through; a five minute job. It is nice to find people that are resourceful and problem solvers, instead of excuses of why we can't do something.

THIS. This is what it is all abou

 

[beerbrewer]

These are people from the Banjercito posing with Jimmy, Mike and Casper.

 

[Jarrett]

Great stories. Makes me want to renew my passport.

What's the story on this one?

 

[Mextrekadv]

Great stories. Makes me want to renew my passport.

What's the story on this one?

View attachment 292034

Nc700 took a whack to the pan. Sacrificed the pan to the gods of jb quick weld and it held for the rest of the trip.

Great work by Everett, our support van driver.

 

[Mextrekadv]

Where ??

And don't say "Mexico"

This is the gopher field in Cienega del Toro, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Best scenery you'll find.

25.0946468, -100.3153517

Here is Casey in between the twin peaks, genuine reaction to Mexico:

 

[Mextrekadv]

Its was a very busy trip for the van and crew (thanks again Everett).

6 bikes delivered to the border, 3 separate trips.
2 carb rebuilds
1 los lirios extraction
1 montemorelos extraction
2 hospital runs
1 oil pan repair
1 destroyed van tire
Lots of use of toolbox
Security of having 8 tire sizes, oil, coolant, etc.. on hand
Everett, Zara, Tim, Kevin, David, Peter, Oscar delivered back to the US.

Well worth the investment! And probably should be a permanent fixture on this trip.

Safety third!!

 

[sandsman]

Photo dump, Real de Catorce, horse ride, Casa de Sulahue , walking around pics.

 

[Dao]

All right folks....i'm not vwery good at story telling time. so
bear w/ me .......

Day 0:
Me and Warren trailered down to mcallen together.
I took my home depot paint shakin' machine, warren's taking his super clean mxc 525.

1st day, this is what's left of the big group at motel, ready to cross border.

once we crossed, we droned for a couple hours on pavement into Santiago.
after a lunch stop in Santiago, we rode what was on the 1st day's gps route...

as we got deeper into the dirt portion of the route, things got more interesting & more fun ....

....more helping hands

even i didn't escape the carnage....coming up on a turn, i found myself about to collide w/ a fellow mextrekker head on as he was coming down. Couldn't get out of the way fast enough, so impact knocked us both off our bikes, both my phones went flying in the air w/ me as well. Luckily we were only going 15-20 mph, so nothing broke, just scratches on plastics and ego. He & his riding partners continued down, i continued up w/ the rest.

Our group of 6 on 1st day stopped here , which i think was after the end of the test dirt section

from here, we rode mostly twisty pavement back to santiago.

Day 2, we rode west of santiago , stopped here for a quick lunch

afterwards, we met up w/ the group. a vstrom 650 was barely moving along due to a slipping clutch. tim and others readjusted the clutch cable for more play, and crossed fingers that it cured/helped.

with no cell service in the area, i sent an fyi text & location to peter through my inreach.

we head into los lirios

got there in the late afternoon.

on our way home, met a local guy riding this sweet bike

Day 3:
everyone's checking out, some going home, the rest going to galiana

i gassed up & stopped here for breakfast

...rode the gold standard loop

...selfie at gopher field

stopped for cold beverages in cienega del toro

Day 5:

we headed south of galeana

we turned off of gen. zaragosa, and hit some epic dirt stuff!

on our way back to galeana, we found this hidden gas stop in the middle of a tiny little town, just in time too.

Day 5:
checking out of Galeana, headed to the border

...... and that's a WRAP!

 

[sandsman]

A few more misc pics. Maybe some video later.

 

[sandsman]

Brain fart