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Mextrek #9: Destination Guanajuato June 22nd - 30th, 2019

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copb8 said:
I've been over 3 times and each time I got my paperwork done at the border the afternoon before the trip started. It was very quick and painless. All 3 times I crossed from Mission over the Anzalduas border station so I can only speak to that location. Once I did have a bit of a wait coming back to Mission after I got my paperwork done.
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Sounds like the way to do it. Thanks for the input.
 
Bitte ein Bit said:
Couple of quick questions for the group:

1. For this trip are most running 90/10, 80/20 tires? I have four new sets of the Mitas E-07's and feel even those might be a little to much for all the pavement we are covering. I wouldn't mind throwing on a set of Pilot Road 5's to try out (curious how the ride) for a trip like this (understanding I wouldn't be taking off road).

2. Reading online, almost seems easier to get paperwork at the border. I was going to go to Austin in advance, but wondering - those with experience - their take and advice.

I know it's early and any advice is appreciated.

Erik
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Erik,

1. I'm still deciding tire choice as well. Most likely I will use a pure street tire and just suffer if we explore offroad. I've done River Road in BBNP on DOT race tires, and while fun, its super challenging and frustrating at times. But the idea of real grip in the twisties makes me lean towards some bt003's.

Others in the group will be on 690/701's with knobbies and will surely be connecting longer routes on dirt. So then I think, hmmmm, tkc80's? Or 70's? Still unsure...

2. This trip, small numbers, definitely do paperwork at the border as we cross. 180 day permit.
 
April 22nd is 2 months out from the trip start. I'll set that date as the cut off for which your registration puts you in group lodging. After April 22nd its probably still likely you'll be able to bunk with us, but not 100%. Everyone registered will get an email with full lodging and rates and a deposit request around the end of the month.
 
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Shadman said:
April.22nd is 2 months out from the trip. I'll set that date as the cut off for which your registration puts you in group lodging. After April 22nd its probably still likely you'll be able to bunk with us, but not 100%. Everyone registered will get an email with full lodging and rates and a deposit request around the end of the month.
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Sounds great. Thanks for keeping us/me posted. Much appreciated!



Tire wise:

Tire wise as much as I am usually running something 50/50 I am not used to these temperatures and "tar snakes" with knobbies and already had a few "eek" moments. Coming from Europe and the moderate climate(s) had no issues - to include wet Stelvio passes but the patchwork down here with soft tar is everywhere.


Again, thanks and really looking forward to the trip.
 
For this trip, I'm going w/ Metzeler Tourance tires,
  • 85% On / 15% Off
Vstrom650

but on my last 9 day ride, where we did 90% road, 10% dirt, the E07+(50/50) & E10 fr (40/60) tires I used did just fine for all that hwy riding.
It's quite noisy on the road, , but they gripped just fine. I would have no probs reusing those tires for this trip.
 
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Dao said:
For this trip, I'm going w/ Metzeler Tourance tires,
  • 85% On / 15% Off
Vstrom650

but on my last 9 day ride, where we did 90% road, 10% dirt, the E07+(50/50) & E10 fr (40/60) tires I used did just fine for all that hwy riding.
It's quite noisy on the road, , but they gripped just fine. I would have no probs reusing those tires for this trip.
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I have 4 total sets of the old version of E-07 Dakars and one set of the Plus version I shipped back from Europe with me. Very cheap there. I will debate up until June on tires. Very comfortable with the E-07's as I've been using them so long.

Thanks for the input!
Erik
 
Question for the Mextrek group:

I am packing for a trip to the Horizons Unlimited meet up in VA next week. This is an "apples to oranges" comparison of course since it will be a month long and I'll be camping the whole time, but got me thinking about what luggage to use on the Mextrek trip.

I have the ZegaPro2's for hardcases, and I also have the TT soft waterproof cases (photo below). Both are easily detachable.

232159



***Disclaimer - I lived 3 hours away from the Touratech headquarters in Germany and was exempt from the 19% tax/VAT so be gentle with me for all the TT equipment :)

Just curious what others are doing for carrying essentials. Most likely will not be using a hard top case.

I am not ruling out the Mosko Moto bags, which have been something I've wanted for quite awhile.

Thanks -
Erik
 
On my GS when riding on pavement, which this trip will be, I like the convenience and security of lockable hard cases.
 
A few words about physical and mental packing for this trip:

Never, ever, take anything to Mexico that you would shed a tear over. Kids, wife, girlfriend, truck, car, rolex, or shiny motorcycle. Expect the unexpected. Ask yourself if you could throw the whole package off a cliff and be fine with it, for the experience it provided. A fully loaded GSA touring rig costs 10 times the annual minimum wage of a Mexican laborer. But don't fret, rich Mexicans flaunt their tremendous wealth daily so nice stuff isn't a shock to see on the side of a dusty road. But nice things thrown 1000 feet off a winding road are common in Mexico. it could very well happen to you.

Packing list: One of the wonderful things about Mexico is that for about $0.50 a pound you can have a local laundry do all your washing, ironing, and folding, usually same day. On this 8 day trip I'd take 8 days of underwear, socks, tee shirts to be safe. And 5 days of jeans or pants, swim shorts, and a few nice button down shirts for evening wear. And maybe a light hoodie or long sleeve pullover for the occasional cool night. Once in Guanajuato we can find a laundry and get back to 100%. Please don't be that guy who washes his 1 pair of stinky socks in the sink every evening. As frugal and ingenious as that guy may be, no roommate ever actually likes that guy. Go to Walmart and buy a 10 pack for $8 and just leave the dirties for the maids to take home. Dress shoes can be bought, nice leather ones, in GTO for $12. So bring a pair of hiking quality flat folding sneakers. If you find you need something on the way, buy it! Mexico is cheap and provides well.

Cable lock: Although Mexico is one of the last places to have gear stolen, in the larger more touristy areas this is becoming more of a concern. GTO and San Miguel are gringo hotspots and there is more and more petty non-violent theft. My first theft occurred last June with a helmet being lifted off my little scooter parked on a well trafficked alleyway for a couple of hours. My takeaway, Mexico needs more helmets. Enjoy amigo. But a cable lock for helmet and jacket securing is kinda important. No matter how cheesy, 3 digit combo, it will prevent your stuff from walking away during lunch or a quick hike. And thru the wheel and bag handles it stops your bike from being casually rolled away.

Lockable hard boxes: To date no one on any trips I am aware of has had a hard or soft case, gps, phone, tank bag, or other expensive item taken. However, since this is a 90% street ride I would opt for hard cases that lock to the bike. A small backpack, tank bag, or man purse for critical docs and cash is a good idea so leaving a bike while hiking, eating, drinking, or even overnight isn't a concern. If using soft bags, find a way to secure them to the bike, maybe with the same cable lock. Swimming in a waterfall for an extra hour is no fun if you constantly think someone is taking your stuff.

Portability of Gear: I always make sure I pass the 1/4 mile test. Here it is: Can I pull everything off my bike in a couple of minutes and easily walk a 1/4 mile without dropping, shuffling, cramping, cursing, etc...? I leave jacket on, throw phone, radio, ipad and gps in tank / courier bag. toss over my shoulder with helmet strapped on. Grab 2 hard cases... YES! Off I go. I can walk around. Look for that hard to find hotel room in the alley, Pass through street traffic without dropping my phone, gps, or spot on the cobblestones. If you have to make 3 or 4 trips to offload your bike then how do you secure 2/3 or 3/4 of your stuff while you are in transit?

Here is a list of what I firmly believe you DO NOT need on this trip and should not bring:

  1. Guns, ammo, spent shells, big knives, pornography. Jail sucks.
  2. Spare tires. Mexico has tires
  3. Computer. A phone or tablet works fine.
  4. Fancy wedding and class rings and watches and shiny stuff. No one will be impressed, I / we will be actually mad at you.
  5. 10 ton bag of expensive camera equipment, ripe for theft.
  6. Camping gear / tent roll / blow up pillow. Why? Hotel rooms / airbnb can be had for $20pp or less anywhere in Mexico.
  7. Coffee making / cooking equipment: Food is half why I go to Mexico. To bring our BS USA foodstuff is, well, dumb. Walking the town to find that perfect cup of Joe is half the fun.
  8. Commanding use of spanish language
  9. Political agenda, rampant racism, USofA superiority complex. Tinkering with politics by outsiders in Mexico is a jailable offense. If you do have a chip on your shoulder, my hope is this trip will cure you of it in no time.
But here is what I think everyone absolutely needs for this ride:

  1. Valid passport that expires at least 6 months after your TVIP / visa
  2. Current Valid Registration matching passport name with proper plate number, valid for time period of TVIP.
  3. Valid driver's license with Class M endorsement
  4. A well tested, reliable, get you back home motorcycle
  5. $1,000 in available emergency funds in a US bank account with ATM card with international use allowed - call your bank
  6. Cell provider coverage in country for talk, text, and data. Usually free these days, ask you provider
  7. Baofeng radio for emergency use
  8. Locally downloaded maps on a mobile device. My go to is my Android phone with offline maps by google. hard copy maps work great too (but why?)
  9. Riding gear including protective armored jacket, riding pants, over the ankle boots, gloves, helmet, basic rain gear
A final thought on mental preparedness:

Bad mental juju. If you have problems you'll have to deal with constantly...items such as divorce, work issues, suicidal tendencies, a drug abusing or cheating significant other, felony probation, serious personal health issues, a dying parent, a lack of financial stability, a paternity fight, a child with a medical condition, rage issues, alcoholism....you seriously might want to consider sitting this trip out. This list isn't meant to be funny, or judgmental, just some of the problems our riders and myself have had to deal with in the last 3 or 4 rides. Distracted riding is statistically more dangerous that DUI riding. And bad group dynamics ruin everyone's trip.

Good mental juju: An open mind, a free natured spirit, positivity, willingness to learn, personal self control, and a desire for adventure, lasting friendship, and new experiences are what you need to love and learn in Mexico.

This might sound a bit crazy over the internet, but so far every rider has made it out of Mexico basically unscathed. Yeah, a few broken minor bones and banged up bikes, a couple that had to be trucked out, but nothing serious (I mean, Les DID ride out of country on his own bike, 12 broken ribs, collapsed lung, and all, haha!!) . And most impressively, no one has yet come so unprepared or mentally unfit to actually ruin anyone else's trip. Lets keep it that way.
 
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As this is the "trip planning" thread I want to start the discussion about routes and linked rides.

Saturday, Day 1 is a slab to Santiago. Nothing special to remark about this day other than the final destination which includes the lake, the horsetail falls, and the main plaza which altogether might take 3 to 4 hours to see all three. Not to worry, you'll be through this town again over and over again as it is one of the gateways to the Sierra Madre Orientals and Mextrek region.

Sunday, Day 2, is a longish haul to El Naranja. 300 miles. We will stay in a small riverside hotel with a palapa seafood restaurant in the nicest grassy field by the river. If time allows we can take a short diversion to Tomosopa falls. https://goo.gl/maps/BQng69Beu4znqGyVA

Add in some dirt between Palmillas and Tula and it gets a bit longer, but with a nice dirt break mid day. https://goo.gl/maps/exHcthWadvr4vcBn7

Monday, Day 3, is a kick butt day. 152 miles of riding and a visit to the Tamul falls (see pic in thread one. Then a visit to the unthinkable concrete jungle of Las Pozas. Dinner on the square in Xilitla at a posh patio restaurant overlooking the rainforest. https://goo.gl/maps/upjBcbbZAZQa7LBg7

Tuesday, Day 4. The required ride is 199 miles of amazing pavement from Xilitla all the way to San Miguel de Allende. https://goo.gl/maps/WNsySboR5zKyq6iKA

Dirt Option: The more hearty crew will take a dirt route through what Richard describes as the prettiest dirt road in Mexico, Aqua Zarca to Tilaco. We rendezvous with pavement 2/3rds of the way to Jalpan de Serra and then follow the same path as street only riders. https://goo.gl/maps/p56uEMx1maWSfcrCA 215 miles.

Another really cool dirt option is taking a there and back 25 mile ride down 4400 feet into Bucarelli, quite a roller coaster and well worth the diversion.

Put all the dirt and road into one long route Xilitla > Agua Zarca > Tilaco > Jalpan > Bucarelli > San Miguel and we're at 241 miles. A long day, but a good day! https://goo.gl/maps/hspuV4ChMj58ejZT8

Next Post: San Miguel and Guanajuato. There's just so much!!!!
 
I'm starting to book accommodations very soon. If you are on the fence about this trip now is the time to commit. First email sent out just now!
 
Is it too late to sign up?
And just to confirm, there will be a support truck? I would feel much better if there is.
 
I will complete hotel bookings within the next few days. Anyone wanting to sign up should fill out the google form and make payment asap and call me at 2817721211 to tell me lodging preferences. In 48 hours I'll start turning folks away.

Anyone registering now should expect a lodging bill between $250 and $450 depending on lodging choices, payable in the next 24 hrs.

We have 2 support vehicles following the entire ride. One from Houston and one from San Antonio.
 
Glad I caught this in time. Google form submitted and paypal sent. Lodging preferences are whatevers cheap. Thanks Peter!
 
Awesome. Sounds good. I';; see how I can squeeze you in from a lodging perspective. Most of the cheap rooms are full, but we may have a cancellation.

As of now all 24 are on board, 100% with the exception that Sean's Kidney could raise its ugly tear and douse his dreams.
 
Finally home after a long, cold and rainy', 4000 mile Canada trip. Couple questions came to mind:

1. Past 4-5 years been riding with GoPros (helmet mounted) and was wondering if anyone else is doing the same? I'd like to capture footage of this ride, but wasn't sure how that flies with locals in the event there are "check points", etc... have been hassled a bit in Eastern Europe and Morocco - just curious. Usually ride on my own and know there are a lot of riders who hate riding with guys using them - or the attention it brings.

2. Anyone have any experience with the Anakee Adventure tires? Probably not going with the Mitas I have, and the Michelins seem good for this trip. Found minor info on advrider.com but looking for more.

Hope everyone is well -
Erik
 
Also, was reading about comm. for this trip and at present have the Sena 20s. Will this be enough? - as I read about also using the Sena SR-10 in conjunction with other devices.
 
The sena 20s should be 80% fine for this trip. The 20% is when the mountains get in the way of connection. On my last trip to mexico, all 3 of us were using 20s, and having a blast talking smack on it.
HOwever, when we got separated deep in the mountains, TWICE - the 2nd time being in complete pitch dark at 9pm, that sena 20s was 100% no good. NADA.

i personally witnessed my two homies go to plan B, which was also useless, via cell phone.
Then when they went to plan C and used their in-reach device to text each other via satellite, we hooked back up again, after being 30 miles separated from each other. So, having witness this, I can say w/o question...for me., anyways.. the 20s isn't enough as a standalone. I now have an inreach, so I need to figure this dealio out... And I'll have a walkie talkie too just in case.
 
To discourage overuse of technology, I always encourage riding in groups with this simple set of rules:

1. Always follow within line of sight with the guy in front of you.

2. Always lead with line of sight to rider behind you. Mirrors are nice.

3. If line of sight is lost, leading rider waits for following rider.

4. If following rider has not caught up in 5 minutes, leading rider circles back to place of last contact.

5. Leading rider always waits at EVERY Y or crossroad until following rider clearly sees the direction taken.

6. Every rider has a buddy who he must account for the entire ride.

By line of sight, I mean that when the trail straightens you can see each other. 0.5 mile max maybe.
 
I recommend the Baofeng UV-5R as a backup comm source. 5 mile range, led flashlight with blink function, $27. Can be paired into a Sena bluetooth hub and used seamlessly with SR10 and 20 and a push to talk button.
 
Bitte ein Bit said:
1. Past 4-5 years been riding with GoPros (helmet mounted) and was wondering if anyone else is doing the same? I'd like to capture footage of this ride, but wasn't sure how that flies with locals in the event there are "check points", etc... have been hassled a bit in Eastern Europe and Morocco - just curious. Usually ride on my own and know there are a lot of riders who hate riding with guys using them - or the attention it brings.

Erik
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Go pros are fine on this trip. If there is a military checkpoint I recommend reaching up and angling it straight down for a moment. Otherwise, no issues,
 
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