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Mextrek #10.5 Destination: Santiago Xilitla Cancelled

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Border is officially closed till July 21st. So April Mextrek, which was July, is now officially a no go. According to an informal poll, August is too darn hot. September too close to Mextrek in October.

everythong that follows is null and void!!!!

The After Party V5.0 will be very loosely organized with the goal of going back to Tula, El Naranjo, and Galeana in search of cold water and waterfalls in the high mountains to escape the summer heat.


I'll be monitoring the travel clearances. Despite borders being crossable currently, one month of official cleared tourist travel is my comfort zone. Next deadline is June 23rd. So Mextrek booked for July 23rd. If renewed another month we'll postpone another month.

Mextrek #11 Destination Santiago

July 2020 we will be running a ride in the more northern reaches of our beloved Sierra Madre Oriental favored riding area. Our next installment of Mextrek will be a shorter, easier, faster, convenient, and upscale 4 day trip to the quaint mountain town of Santiago, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

We'll be staying at the diminutive Posada de Colores Hotel one block off the main square, or if you are feeling super fancy, at the Hotel Las Palomas directly on the square, which is located here:


For those not familiar, Santiago is an upscale town about 30 KM southeast of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. It has a lake, a cute colonial well maintained city center and main plaza, waterfalls, rivers, beaches, restaurants, zip lines, waterskiing, etc... And it is, more importantly, the gateway to the mountains favored by Monterrey's more affluent citizens. This ride is suitable for most any 4 stroke dual sport or adventure bike, 250cc to 1200cc. As long as you can maintain a comfortable 60 MPH highway cruise and travel 90 miles on a tank you should be fine. We have everything from XT250's to KTM1290 Adventures come along. This trip will have multiple price levels to fit your style and budget. $250 to $350 price range, exact TBD.

Rough itinerary:

Wednesday, July 22nd: Trailer to Mission, arrive at host hotel Mission around 7PM. Welcome Dinner 730 at Mambo's. Hill country riders on a tight timetable can opt to head straight to Santiago on Thursday and skip Mission. But that makes Thursday a loooong hot day. Sunday too. But possible.

Thursday, July 23rd: 8 AM depart Mission to Santiago. 142 miles. Noon arrival. Check in to the hotel. Drop bags. Lunch on the main square. 2:00 PM 55 mile dirt loop to La Trinidad and Potrero Redondo. Savor a Margaritas or Pina C on the high mountain river then back down beautiful Highway 20 into Santiago.

Friday, July 24th: 90 miles: Join in the mayhem of Mexico's elite in the El Alamo northern canyon route passing waterfalls and navigating deep canyons. Return via beautiful Hwy 20 ending at Cola de Caballo falls for cocktails.

Saturday July 25th: 121 Miles: Group ride doing a modified Gold Standard thru Laguna de Sanchez, Parque National de Monterrey, swim at our secret waterfall Salto de Shinehah, then lunch in Rayones. Afternoon concrete canyon and return ride to Santiago up Mex 85. Formal evening dinner banquet in Santiago.

Sunday: July 26th: 142 miles: Depart 9AM for border.

Total trip mileage if going with big group: 495 miles, 70% concrete, roughly

After Party V5.0 see next post

Shout out to Gabe H for his Mextrek #10 recap video!!


As a gentle reminder to prior Mextrek participants....www.twtex.com is how we all came together to enjoy these rides. Forum participation is mandatory after each ride so we can share our experiences with the next generation of riders who are still on the fence about participating.

BEFORE REGISTERING YOU MUST HAVE POSTED IN THE AFTER THE RIDE THREAD FOR THE LAST MEXTREK YOU ATTENDED. Use links below:

Registration link: https://forms.gle/vuFdjtBKpdW3HFrb9 At the time of registration please follow the steps in the form to be sure you are 100% in the loop.

Mextrek First Timer Casey riding Cienega del Toro for the first time. Genuine reaction!!


Here is a nice little drone video of our ride HQ, Santiago, a Puebla Magica (Mexican designation of a small historic city):


Of course, this is a riding trip. And all we want to do is:


Alan Bowen and I pre-ran the Day 1 route through La Trinidad on MT9. OMG, it's a fairly difficult and amazingly beautiful ride:


A little taste of the scenery:


Through rivers:


A typical forest road:


High elevation prairie dog field:


The microclimates are insane:


Its a dizzying whirlwind of sights, sounds, flavors, friends, and fun.

 
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After Party V5.0:

I'm going to keep this organized loosely because there's a good chance it won't happen. The general idea is:

Sunday: we'll leave Santiago Sunday morning and head into the cool mountains on our way south to Tula. Stay at a beautiful resort on the river or a charming in town hotel.

Monday: Continue south through the amazing huasteca canyon region to the beautiful river town of El Naranjo. Two nights in Gorge's delightful peaceful river cabins eating palapa hut paradillas and swimming and paddling in the rivers and waterfalls. If you've ever been to the Barton Creek Green belt, imagine a small town book ended by 15 m waterfalls and you have the idea. Tubing, riverboats, cliff jumping, and a riverfront patio bar. Heaven in the summer.

Tuesday: Anyone who is not ventured south to the amazing Las Pozas in Xillitla should take the opportunity to see a once in a lifetime destination. Only a 250 mi round trip this is well worth the effort with amazing sights along the way.

Wednesday: Begin the return trip home headed through some amazing dirt roads through Aramberri and coming in the southern offroad route via Iturbide into Galeana, or possibly head west to Real De Catorce?

Open to suggestions...
 
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4 staff, 14 MT11, 14 AP4.0 registered riders as of Mar 7. * indicates payment needed:

Ride Leaders:
Peter Shaddock - Mextrekadv: G310GS Scouting Party Leader
Thomas Mangold - ThomasM: Ride Leader "A' Team: Husky 701
Justine "Jae" Burris - Jae - "Slow" group leader KXL250S

Support Wagon:
Kris L, KK47, - Support staff / Sag wagon CRF150F Locos Leader

Mextrek #11 (4 Day Mextrek - Monday Return): 14 riders

Sean Kodiyak Sykora Husky 701
Charles N, Nevlec KTM790 ******************
Bobby Q, CQ, R1200GS
Jorge M, Ocho, 1200 GSA
Casey D, Fleshwound, Triumph 800
John J, Plainfast, XR400 ************ 50/50 on adding after party
Curtis J, Rockyraccoon, KTM 500
Peter K, peterk fz6, Super Tenere
Farhan S Farhan2112 DL1000 ****confirmed in, in big bend atm
Justin S Jship1 DR650
Lingo C, Midlifecrisis, KLX250S
John P M3NTAL 790 Adventure
Chad F TheMagicMan KTM500 *******
Wade R, Wader, KTM 790

After Party V4.0: 14 riders

Bart N, copb8, 690
Toby S, SparkyTMS - KTM 790 *************
James P, MacMoosey, Husky 701
Mark H, Markymark: KLR650 ****************** batting 50/50
Chris B, Cbar KTM 690
Mark P, Motorcycle Mark, KTM 690
Steve S, kojote, DRZ400
Jim R, Divinduck, KLX351
Peter VW, Euromedic, GS650
Tim B, Darmah: Husky 701
David M, Dragon Dash, G310GS
Jeff C, Florida Jeff KLR650
Dao H - Dao: Husaberg 350 *********
Ilias E, ilias, Super Tenere
 
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Information updates:

June 16th:. Another month of border closure announced today. July 21st. So....sadly.... Mextrek 10.5 is cancelled. October is renamed Mextrek 11.

June 4th: Mextrek #11 rescheduled to July 2020

March 20th:. Mextrek #11 postponed

March 7: Finalized list of participants posted. All participants emailedinvoice for MT11 only. AP V4.0 invoices to follow.

March 1: Registration closed. Still have one bunk bed spot available for total cost of $150.

February 8th: Registration closing today. After today everyone is still welcome to attend, but guaranteed lodgings are not, um, guaranteed. But there are lots of places to stay in Santiago. After Jan 8th please use the registration form online and expect a telephone call from me to help you through the process.

Feb 5th: Slight change to after party route

Jan 20th: Update to attendee list. 12 riders need to register.

Nov 17: Change in after-party itinerary based on rider feedback: See post #2
Elimination of Real de Catorce (we will go on Mextrek #13)
Addition of another night in Xilitla
Elimination of Ciudad de Maiz
Return route visit to through Tula
Elimination of Monterrey (Antigua Barrio is looking run down last week, night life is fading).
Addition of final Saturday night back in Santiago.

Nov 10: Fee Update: $50 fee is a fully refundable deposit stating your intent to proceed with the trip. Once we have critical mass (20 riders, give or take) I will start on bookings and will send you an interest form, and then later a lodging bill. unlike Galeana, Santiago books up fast and early. I've already reserved the Colores for this weekend and their AirBnB house with pool. I will book a small group of rooms at the super nice hotel on the square shortly. You should expect the following general expenses for this trip:

Mextrek #11: $75
$50 Deposit / Organization Fee / Tee Shirt
$25 Support Vehicle Fee - Dedicated truck and staffed driver to attend to all situations. Capacity to take 3 bikes out of country.

After Party V4.0: (you must be a previous attendee, or be vetted / vouched by a regular group member)
$50 Deposit / Organization Fee / All Inclusive Banquet
$25 Support Vehicle Fee- Dedicated truck and staffed driver to carry all luggage, tools, spares, 24/7 trail side help, etc...

Oct 5: First post
 
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And just in case you needed more information....

If you are new to the party, here is a huge history lesson in Mextrek preparation and after ride reports:

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
Gang activity forces suspension of fun for 5 years. Booooo

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

This is so fun lets do it twice a year:
Mextrek #7 June 2018 (Galeana, 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 (Galeana 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, Oct 2019 (Galeana, San Miguel, Real de Catorce, Guanajuato, Santiago)
2019 Planning: https://www.twtex.com/forums/thread...er-24th-to-27th-2019-after-party-v3-0.120425/
2019 Ride Report: https://www.twtex.com/forums/thread...rt-oct-2019-galeana-nuevo-leon-mexico.122177/

Mextrek 11: You're looking at it.

Mextrek #12: Galeana 4 days. Then south to the silver cities for Day of the Dead: Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Real de Catorce
 
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I was wondering how we would celebrate my birthday, I blushingly accept.
 
This is definitely on my radar, especially the after party. My 690 has been whining about getting back to Mexico for too long!
 
I assume there's no problem just doing the after party? Could cut down on some days away from the house.
 
I assume there's no problem just doing the after party? Could cut down on some days away from the house.

Bart,

Of course you can come late, and those who have been before will notice I moved Mextrek 11 back a day, and changed the location to Santiago (Don't worry, the "standard" Oct Mextrek is always Galeana). Why the change for April? I've wanted to give Santiago a go since last year's cancelled #9. Now with 2 more Mextrek's stopping in for a night folks maybe have warmed up to it. And....
  1. The change to Friday means congregating in Mission on Thursday evening. A 4 day work week is possible, before and after
  2. Last minute vacation limited types can leave Friday morning from Texas and make Santiago by evening.
  3. You could also come Saturday to Santiago and take off a whole work week, and do the After Party on 5 vacation days.
  4. Extremely vacation sensitive guys (ZEKE) can limit Mextrek to 3 days, Friday in and Petrero Redondo, Saturday Gold Standard, Sunday out and still have plenty of seat time and fun time in town
  5. Santiago is a great place to bring a significant other. There is plenty to do besides ride
  6. Monday return leg from Santiago for the 4 day Mextrek means you won't be stuck in Sunday border traffic. Instead crossing Monday at noonish
  7. Riding after lunch on Friday is riding free of luggage and the extra personal risk that entails when riding hard, fully loaded
  8. Santiago has great dining, waterfall and caving expeditions for non-riding days, and it noticeably quaint and upscale. Sure a hotel room is $60, not $30, but worth it for the diversity, experiences, and proximity of Santiago's charms. But it also has a fair number of inexpensive Airbnb's that can put the per person cost close to Galeana.
  9. It means approximately 100 miles less "commuting" miles on your fancy dual sport. A real thing for KTM and CRF 350/450 riders who rebuild top ends more than I floss
  10. Every David Letterman list has top 10...the Pina Coladas at the falls and on the beach at the lake are noticably more tasty than ice cream by Magdelena? Also, it is close to Monterrey so JP can just fly in there and pay some scrub to ride his bike all the way to Santi, LOL.
These are the options that basing out of Santiago affords, being that it is only 150 miles from Mission and 160 miles from Laredo, all on divided interstate style 80 mph toll roads. It really is a whole different ball game going in and out of Santiago versus Galeana. Santiago is the time equivalent of Montemorelos, where we normally eat lunch on the way in. Last Mextrek, #9, we had lunch in Santiago on the square at 1 after a very slow border departure, 10 AM, and still did fun afternoon stuff.

And as far as the riding experience, there are lots and lots of roads in the north end of the "Mextrek Region" that most riders to Galeana have not ventured far or long enough to have experienced. i am squarely in that club. 100 miles of dirt is a very very long day for me. Some of these northern routes are 150+ miles from Galeana. Rides from Richard's excellent guide book include:

  1. Potrero Redondo & La Trinidad,
  2. Canyon El Alamo
  3. Canyon Huasteca
  4. Los Lirios
  5. Gold Standard
and we'll make stuff up as we go, like:
  1. Cienega Del Toro via Casillas and the Shinehah secret waterfall
  2. La Ascencion via Laguna de Sanchez
  3. More to be made up on the spot
 
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This opens up a lot of options for folks. Very well thought out.

I'm 70% in at this point. Need to get my running buddies to buy in and get spousal approval.
 
How do you think a KTM 790 Adventure R would do on this trip? Never been to Mexico, this would be an awesome notch in my Adventure belt!
 
Very interested in this. Being a Mexican citizen, I'm wondering if they would be okay with me riding my motorcycle without an M endorsement on my Mexican driver's license. I do have my endorsement on the American one.
 
How do you think a KTM 790 Adventure R would do on this trip? Never been to Mexico, this would be an awesome notch in my Adventure belt!

In my top 10 list for mextrek. But maybe a bit too large for the after party. Bring it. Mextrek would be a big fat highly addictive canyon of a notch.
 
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