Ride Report: Copper Canyon, Mexico

Originally posted by bahwolf Yeah, Gary, the three things that stand out in just about every Alaska ride report I've read: 1. Skeeters the size of Boeing 747's with tiger-like appetites 2. Conditions (mud, deep gravel, and ruts) and trucks on the Haul Road 3. Rain. Rain. Rain. All three will figure into my planning. No, I don't see Danny going, but he might surprise me. To afford Alaska, I am going to have to camp at least 3/4 of the time ... maybe more. I think mine and Danny's "Camping Night From Hell" atop the hill at Queen Wilhelmina State Park ruined camping for him. He's pretty adamant about never doing any more of it. And I also don't see him being gone for a minimum of three weeks. Rich is the only one besides me who actually LIKES to camp. It might just be Rich and I going to Alaska (he on his Wee-Strom and me on the Tiger). Or just me by my lonesome. Time will tell.

Originally posted by 2wheeler Prepare to be humbled too.

Man, it would be expensive getting rooms every night, I guess people do that though, those who can. If I had a choice, I'd rather spend less and stay gone longer. A lot longer, 4 weeks is not much for a 14k mile trip.

Kickin’ and scratching I was the reluctant Border Traveler. Yano I’ve heard all the horror stories. I was scared to say the least. Not about my riding or the adventure. Mexico.

People would ask and I’d say. Not New Mexico. Mexico.

 

 

 It took my best riding Bud and a guy named Golly to convince me. Go. Go see Mexico.

 

Think about what you hear. Drug lords. Corruptness and  Mexican Jails. There is just too much to see in the USA for me to say. Mexico or bust. I’ve been to the Mexican Resorts and always felt safe. Traveling in the interior of Mexico? Four Guys who never have?

None of us could put a complete Spanish sentence together on command. 8 days with  four gringos prowling the Mexican country side? I lost a little sleep about this adventure.

 

Loaded up and ready to go. Leave the firearms at home. The Mexican Government isn’t fooling around about no guns or bullets. Big signs say Prison if you bring guns into Mexico. First stop was a border town across the border in Presidio. Gotta exchange Dollars for Pesos. Was about 10.6 Pesos to 1 US dollar. Dang the math was gonna get complicated in a hurry. We just all rounded 10-1 and all was well. Going to Copper Canyon I heard over my shoulder? I turned and looked and a middle aged  Mexican man was looking at me and smiling. I said yeah. We are. He said you will love it. It’s beautiful. We chatted and I thought what a gentle man I just met. That was my introduction to the common people. Even my Mexican friends in Oklahoma said

“Danny you’re taking allot of risk.”

 

Off to Chihuahua and in just a few moments we were riding the curves and hills leading us to our destination. It was dusty and rocky but really consuming in its own way. Along the roads the locals would stick an arm in the air to wave at us. Not the brief steering wheel finger here in the US we do. I mean stick the arm straight up. And wave like they knew who we are. Town after town. Kids would smile and run to the sidewalks and wave. I felt a little like a celebrity. Here’s Doctor Dan on his Mighty XR. I couldn’t help but smile. The children were infectious with their smiles. Mile after mile. The people were sweet and helpful. The Army on the other hand. Scary. I think we went thru three check points with the Army and one of the Mexican Immigration. The Army guys would smile. Not all. They were friendly enough but I always felt. Tremendous caution.

Danger Will Robinson. The guys might think I’m exaggerating but it was something in my spirit. Caution. I think they could  almost be like the DEA looking for guns.

 

 They were friendly but they were NOT to be messed with. The Chihuahua or local cars were waved thru. WE were the foreigners.  We were the suspects. The shoe is on the other foot when in Mexico. Guns and Drugs are forbidden and I think they have more latitude than we can imagine. My Old Mexico friends tell me. Life is cheap down there. Yeah I was nervous. Thing is as soon as we were through the check points. Mexico is lovely and charming in it’s own way. Copper Canyon is beautiful. So are the Colorado Rockies. Mexico is polluted in many ways and that’s sad. Makes me grateful for the EPA .Money. Yeah I took about 600 bucks. Spent all but about 50 dollars. I recommend taking a extra back tire if you plan on staying a week or you might need to find a 130 dollar Dunlop 606. Yeah I cut a corner on a cheap knock off but yah never know.  My fault.

Like Brian said. No flats. We were lucky really. We rode the snot out of our bikes. The speed limits were crazy low. I wondered at times. Screaming around those roads.

 

I took a pocket full of candy as did my bud Brian. One day I stopped at a school in the middle of friggin’ nowhere. The kids would run across the pasture or meadow to interact with us. This time I saw about 5 kids. I stopped. I pulled out some candy and I was handing it out as fast as I could. Next thing I know I have a mess of kids around me…and I’m laffing and saying No mas…..No mas!!!

 

I wouldn’t take anything for those memories. On the ride back from Batopilias. It was a rare time and I was leading on the pavement back to Creel. The ole XR felt good and I was cruizin’ with my buds. Almost back to Creel and I pulled up hard on a 68’ or so dark green ½ ton Chevy truck loaded with our Mexican friends. I was grabbing a fistful of brake and their faces reflected that I scared them too. I slowed down to a crawl as I wish I had a camera. That bed was packed with people in colorful dress. Adults. Teens. Kids.

I wore a modular helmet and I flipped the chin bar up. We looked at each other.

I smiled real big. Like a Cheshire Cat . I know I had to look cheesy. Thing was.

They ALL smiled back at me in unison. It is one of the sweetest moments I have ever shared. That part was my favorite of our adventures.

 

The only time you’ll use a credit card is when you go across the border. The rest is cash.

Prepare for that. Prepare to be humbled too. We have more in our Dual Sport bikes than most of those people own. Food still looks to be almost a luxury.

Kind hearts are easy to find. Would I go back? Yes I would. Do I still have my reservations about Mexico? Yes I do.

 

If you go. Travel with people you trust. Prepare. Someone of questionable character could find you in a heap of trouble too. Four was a perfect number really.

 

Brian. Rick and Chris. Thanks for the best of times. Bob Golly…..(You know who you are!!) Thanks for the advise!!

Yeah, Gary, the three things that stand out in just about every Alaska ride report I've read:

1. Skeeters the size of Boeing 747's with tiger-like appetites
2. Conditions (mud, deep gravel, and ruts) and trucks on the Haul Road
3. Rain. Rain. Rain.

All three will figure into my planning.

No, I don't see Danny going, but he might surprise me. To afford Alaska, I am going to have to camp at least 3/4 of the time ... maybe more. I think mine and Danny's "Camping Night From Hell" atop the hill at Queen Wilhelmina State Park ruined camping for him. He's pretty adamant about never doing any more of it. And I also don't see him being gone for a minimum of three weeks.

Rich is the only one besides me who actually LIKES to camp. It might just be Rich and I going to Alaska (he on his Wee-Strom and me on the Tiger). Or just me by my lonesome. Time will tell.



Edited by bahwolf - 03 May 2007 at 9:05pm