- Joined
- Oct 14, 2014
- Messages
- 243
- Reaction score
- 6
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
- First Name
- Chris
- Last Name
- C
I finally went ahead and did it. I made it to Mexico and back on a motorcycle.
Every single person I shared my plans with prior to leaving told me I was crazy, stupid, or both. So, other than a select few friends, certain family members, and an inconspicuous entry on the Wild Bills Final Ride to Cerro Potosi thread, I just stopped telling people.
My plan was to do final prep and packing at home in San Antonio the week prior to departure. I was planning on leaving work a little early on Thursday, July 21st and spend the night in McAllen. I was going to take care of all the pre-crossing processes like money changing, TVIP, and so on that evening.
Well, Murphy started rearing his ugly head Saturday afternoon July 16th with a call from my job saying I needed to be in Humble Sunday evening and spend Monday through Thursday
there. No problem, I'll just rush through all my prep that I was planning on taking all week to do, load the bike and gear on the truck, and leave directly from Humble. That added a couple hours travel to McAllen, but I figured I could wrap things up a little earlier than normal and still make it in time to take care of everything Thursday evening.
Nope! Didn't happen. I finally got to McAllen around 12:00AM. As a result, I wasn't able to execute my pre-crossing plans.
Well, I was tired and the bed was comfortable. When the alarm went off at 5:30AM, I sleepily ignored it. I didn't make it to the border until about 10:00AM.
This was the only time I became a little upset during the whole trip. The Mexican government employees at the border came across as the most unhelpful, unmotivated government employees I've ever dealt with in any country. One might think that since probably 99% of the people processing through that office speak English, they would have at least the important signs posted bi-bilingually. Not to mention maybe having at least one person that could, or at least be willing to speak English. Anyway, I was finally ready to be on my way around 12:00PM.
I had to make a decision. Spend another night in McAllen and do my planned route the next day, or skip a part of the route and go directly to Galeana via the Rayones road.
Here was my planned route:
I chose the Rayones road, knowing that even that route could be cutting it a bit close to arriving as or after the sun was setting. I figured I could hit the part I missed on my way back to the US on Monday.
So, off I went!
The farthest I've ever rode this bike at highway speed on pavement was last summer in Colorado for about 45 miles, part of which was on I75 between Leadville and Breckenridge. Based on that experience, I figured that the long, hot stretch from Reynosa to Montemorelos was going to suck. Sorry for the blurry picture, but it was a bit of a buzzy ride.
Well, the slab part didn't suck, but it wasn't overly enjoyable either! I think the novelty of riding alone on a little dirtbike by myself in Mexico had a lot to do with that. Since I was behind schedule, between Rayones and the mountains, I only stopped once to take a short break at the Gen. Bravo plaza, and once to get gas in Gen. Teran. I calculated my mileage at about 45mpg. Much better than I was expecting, with speed limits up to 110kmph. I have a 3.5 gallon tank, and had about 1.5 gallons in a collapsible bladder. More on the bladder later!
So finally, I'm through the dreaded slab portion and have arrived in what turns out to be the very beautiful Sierra Madre Oriental range.
Many parts of the road leading up the mountains to Rayones rival the best roads in the US and they can lull you into complacency. Several blind corners had large piles of rockslide rubble covering all but enough of the road for one car to sneak by. Not to mention, for many drivers down there, the center line is merely a suggestion. It was very enjoyable, but I had to keep reminding myself to keep an intense focus on what might be lying ahead.
My pace immediately slows, the temperature drops with every foot of elevation, and my mind finally begins to realize that this is good, and I'm on vacation. I look down at my phone/GPS and it is confirmed; "No Signal". YES! I'm on vacation now!
Riding along, I came across a road side shrine that I stopped at for a bit. I don't speak, read, or write Spanish, but based on the words I do know, this is a prayer for travelers on this road.
It was about this time when things really sank in as to my situation. Not that I went in without thinking things through, or without the plans, gear, knowledge, and experience to take care of most any possibility I could think of. It was more of an affirmation that any mistake or oversight I made while I was down there carried an exponentially higher penalty than an identical event back in the states. What that ended up translating to, for example, is a dirt road that I would consider to be no challenge at all in the states became a level or two greater of a challenge. Later, climbs or trails that I would have considered moderately challenging back in the states became things I simply would not even attempt down there.
My Risk Analysis now properly calibrated, I continued on my way.
The road to Rayones was beautiful and largely uneventful. The only excitement was a truck load of teenagers driving sort of recklessly, with the girls in the back screaming at the driver to slow down, than laughing about it. We passed each other many times between there and Rayones. I'd stop for pictures along the road and they'd catch up, wave, yell and blow by me. Later, I'd catch up to them on the side of the road where they were stopped doing whatever Mexican teenagers do on the side of country roads in the middle of nowhere, but they'd yell and wave as I went by.
I stopped many more times than I had planned, just to take in the scenery. Pictures just can't convey it. I was truly enjoying myself!
If I would have had more time, I would have probably rode down to that river and splashed around a bit.
I was pleasantly surprised and a little embarrassed when the Rayones Board of Tourism sent out a representative to meet me at the village entrance. Sadly, I speak Cow much better than I speak Spanish, so we got along pretty well.
So with my meeting with the young calf concluded, I headed towards Galeana. The road turned to dirt, and I was surprised at how bad it was, considering that it is an obviously well travelled road. There were no challenging sections, considering what I was riding, but it was a very interesting dirt road. Fun to ride, and nothing like I've ever experienced in the states on a "major" road that is the primary link between two small towns. Even growing up in Montana and North Dakota, with plentiful dirt roads, they were never this rough or treacherous to drive in a pickup. There were enough trucks traveling in both directions to cause me to be extra cautious. About one every 15 minutes or so, but they were all driving cautiously and were all very courteous.
A couple of shots of the Rayones - Galeana road:
So finally, I see the town of Galeana come in to view. The sun was threatening to set behind the mountains and it was going to be dark soon. Couldn't have timed it much better, I guess. I was very happy that I'd decided to cut the northern part of my planned route.
I found the motel parking area on my second time around the block, The owner must have heard the bike and came out to greet me. MADE IT!
Again, I know maybe a dozen words in Spanish including the ones I can't use around children. To make my reservation a few days earlier with the Motel Magdalena, I used Google Translater and just read back what was on the screen to the owner on the other end of the phone. I really had no idea if he knew what the heck I was trying to tell him. I could tell he was trying to ask me claryfying questions, but I had no idea what he was saying. I just kept repeating the phrases as best I could, and finally, hoping for the best, said goodbye. To his credit, he had my name and dates I was staying in his book when I arrived!
The motel itself is certainly nothing fancy, but it's clean. The water pressure is great with no shortage of hot water. Be careful, you could boil a lobster in it.
So, in a fantastic stroke of luck, the town of Galeana was having a beauty pageant in the plaza that night. In another stroke of lesser fantastic luck, it was for grandmothers at least 65 years or older of age! I bought some water and ice cream at the nearby ice cream shop and enjoyed the show.
When the show concluded, I realized I was really hungry so I began wandering around a bit and came across an open store front making what appeared to be gigantic burritos on a grill. Through a series of limited Spanish words, limited English words, and a lot of pointing and gesturing, the cook and I created what was arguably the best tasting burrito I've ever ate!
Now, where's the motel? Oh, there it is!
Belly full, tired, and with a full day of riding planned for the next day, I headed back to the motel looking forward to a good nights sleep.
Little did I know that I would have company waiting for me in my bed when I returned to my room!
Minnie!!!!
And that wrapped up day 1.
Every single person I shared my plans with prior to leaving told me I was crazy, stupid, or both. So, other than a select few friends, certain family members, and an inconspicuous entry on the Wild Bills Final Ride to Cerro Potosi thread, I just stopped telling people.
My plan was to do final prep and packing at home in San Antonio the week prior to departure. I was planning on leaving work a little early on Thursday, July 21st and spend the night in McAllen. I was going to take care of all the pre-crossing processes like money changing, TVIP, and so on that evening.
Well, Murphy started rearing his ugly head Saturday afternoon July 16th with a call from my job saying I needed to be in Humble Sunday evening and spend Monday through Thursday
![Argh :argh: :argh:](https://www.twtex.com/forums/images/smilies/argh.gif)
![Oohhhmm... :zen: :zen:](https://www.twtex.com/forums/images/smilies/meditate.gif)
Nope! Didn't happen. I finally got to McAllen around 12:00AM. As a result, I wasn't able to execute my pre-crossing plans.
Well, I was tired and the bed was comfortable. When the alarm went off at 5:30AM, I sleepily ignored it. I didn't make it to the border until about 10:00AM.
This was the only time I became a little upset during the whole trip. The Mexican government employees at the border came across as the most unhelpful, unmotivated government employees I've ever dealt with in any country. One might think that since probably 99% of the people processing through that office speak English, they would have at least the important signs posted bi-bilingually. Not to mention maybe having at least one person that could, or at least be willing to speak English. Anyway, I was finally ready to be on my way around 12:00PM.
I had to make a decision. Spend another night in McAllen and do my planned route the next day, or skip a part of the route and go directly to Galeana via the Rayones road.
Here was my planned route:
I chose the Rayones road, knowing that even that route could be cutting it a bit close to arriving as or after the sun was setting. I figured I could hit the part I missed on my way back to the US on Monday.
So, off I went!
The farthest I've ever rode this bike at highway speed on pavement was last summer in Colorado for about 45 miles, part of which was on I75 between Leadville and Breckenridge. Based on that experience, I figured that the long, hot stretch from Reynosa to Montemorelos was going to suck. Sorry for the blurry picture, but it was a bit of a buzzy ride.
Well, the slab part didn't suck, but it wasn't overly enjoyable either! I think the novelty of riding alone on a little dirtbike by myself in Mexico had a lot to do with that. Since I was behind schedule, between Rayones and the mountains, I only stopped once to take a short break at the Gen. Bravo plaza, and once to get gas in Gen. Teran. I calculated my mileage at about 45mpg. Much better than I was expecting, with speed limits up to 110kmph. I have a 3.5 gallon tank, and had about 1.5 gallons in a collapsible bladder. More on the bladder later!
So finally, I'm through the dreaded slab portion and have arrived in what turns out to be the very beautiful Sierra Madre Oriental range.
Many parts of the road leading up the mountains to Rayones rival the best roads in the US and they can lull you into complacency. Several blind corners had large piles of rockslide rubble covering all but enough of the road for one car to sneak by. Not to mention, for many drivers down there, the center line is merely a suggestion. It was very enjoyable, but I had to keep reminding myself to keep an intense focus on what might be lying ahead.
My pace immediately slows, the temperature drops with every foot of elevation, and my mind finally begins to realize that this is good, and I'm on vacation. I look down at my phone/GPS and it is confirmed; "No Signal". YES! I'm on vacation now!
Riding along, I came across a road side shrine that I stopped at for a bit. I don't speak, read, or write Spanish, but based on the words I do know, this is a prayer for travelers on this road.
It was about this time when things really sank in as to my situation. Not that I went in without thinking things through, or without the plans, gear, knowledge, and experience to take care of most any possibility I could think of. It was more of an affirmation that any mistake or oversight I made while I was down there carried an exponentially higher penalty than an identical event back in the states. What that ended up translating to, for example, is a dirt road that I would consider to be no challenge at all in the states became a level or two greater of a challenge. Later, climbs or trails that I would have considered moderately challenging back in the states became things I simply would not even attempt down there.
My Risk Analysis now properly calibrated, I continued on my way.
The road to Rayones was beautiful and largely uneventful. The only excitement was a truck load of teenagers driving sort of recklessly, with the girls in the back screaming at the driver to slow down, than laughing about it. We passed each other many times between there and Rayones. I'd stop for pictures along the road and they'd catch up, wave, yell and blow by me. Later, I'd catch up to them on the side of the road where they were stopped doing whatever Mexican teenagers do on the side of country roads in the middle of nowhere, but they'd yell and wave as I went by.
I stopped many more times than I had planned, just to take in the scenery. Pictures just can't convey it. I was truly enjoying myself!
If I would have had more time, I would have probably rode down to that river and splashed around a bit.
I was pleasantly surprised and a little embarrassed when the Rayones Board of Tourism sent out a representative to meet me at the village entrance. Sadly, I speak Cow much better than I speak Spanish, so we got along pretty well.
So with my meeting with the young calf concluded, I headed towards Galeana. The road turned to dirt, and I was surprised at how bad it was, considering that it is an obviously well travelled road. There were no challenging sections, considering what I was riding, but it was a very interesting dirt road. Fun to ride, and nothing like I've ever experienced in the states on a "major" road that is the primary link between two small towns. Even growing up in Montana and North Dakota, with plentiful dirt roads, they were never this rough or treacherous to drive in a pickup. There were enough trucks traveling in both directions to cause me to be extra cautious. About one every 15 minutes or so, but they were all driving cautiously and were all very courteous.
A couple of shots of the Rayones - Galeana road:
So finally, I see the town of Galeana come in to view. The sun was threatening to set behind the mountains and it was going to be dark soon. Couldn't have timed it much better, I guess. I was very happy that I'd decided to cut the northern part of my planned route.
I found the motel parking area on my second time around the block, The owner must have heard the bike and came out to greet me. MADE IT!
Again, I know maybe a dozen words in Spanish including the ones I can't use around children. To make my reservation a few days earlier with the Motel Magdalena, I used Google Translater and just read back what was on the screen to the owner on the other end of the phone. I really had no idea if he knew what the heck I was trying to tell him. I could tell he was trying to ask me claryfying questions, but I had no idea what he was saying. I just kept repeating the phrases as best I could, and finally, hoping for the best, said goodbye. To his credit, he had my name and dates I was staying in his book when I arrived!
The motel itself is certainly nothing fancy, but it's clean. The water pressure is great with no shortage of hot water. Be careful, you could boil a lobster in it.
So, in a fantastic stroke of luck, the town of Galeana was having a beauty pageant in the plaza that night. In another stroke of lesser fantastic luck, it was for grandmothers at least 65 years or older of age! I bought some water and ice cream at the nearby ice cream shop and enjoyed the show.
When the show concluded, I realized I was really hungry so I began wandering around a bit and came across an open store front making what appeared to be gigantic burritos on a grill. Through a series of limited Spanish words, limited English words, and a lot of pointing and gesturing, the cook and I created what was arguably the best tasting burrito I've ever ate!
Now, where's the motel? Oh, there it is!
Belly full, tired, and with a full day of riding planned for the next day, I headed back to the motel looking forward to a good nights sleep.
Little did I know that I would have company waiting for me in my bed when I returned to my room!
Minnie!!!!
And that wrapped up day 1.
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