Mextrek for me started Wednesday at 4:45 AM wrapping up work tasks, closing down a beach house we rented for a week in Crystal Beach, and loading the truck for vacation #2 of 3 this summer. Long trek solo to Mission was made more fun when Everett ended up 2 miles behind and we caravaned for a bit.
Mambos was delicious and an 8:30 run to the border saw 22 of 23 riders TVIP'ed and FMM'd and ready to ride.
Thursday: We did the usual Mission to Galeana trek on the usual route with lunch in Montemorelos, but given the amazing weather (80's to 70's) and 8 PM sunset we dipped in the river in Rayones and decided the entire group was good to go for the Cienega Del Toro route. All agreed and off we went. highlights are always the endless gopher rich high plain playground, bowling for red cars, scenic vistas, and the Poza de Gavilan (the cenote sinkhole in Galeana). Dinner at the General we met Peter Garza's cousin from Monterrey who rode in on his Harley for the weekend. Peter stayed home due to rain possibly. LOL
Thursday: Group picture in, on Thursday, slow group, first to arrive, LOL.
Thursday: High above Rayones:
Thursday: Cienega Del Toro Snack and tire change:
Friday: We did another group ride in an attempt on the road of death. No dice. The concrete route thru the canyon was fast and fun as always drifting a knobby here or there passing trucks. We did then little ridden route from the highway to Rancho Viejo. Sandly, at the end of the road the river had washed away the nice crossing, the store was deserted, and downstream on the river of death route there was no route. Nothing. Just a river. Sad, but a great ride nevertheless and we had a snack in Iturbide and dinner at The General. Lots of frozen Pina Coladas. great day.
Friday: Road of Death:
Friday: Road of Death:
Friday: Road of Death:
Friday: Road of Death:
Friday: 3rd floor balcony hotel view:
Saturday 4 of us played hookey and rode almost none, instead, exploring a river on foot, checking out the natural bridge, and goofing off at the lake with a group of BMW riders we previously met in October on the Galeana to Rayones dirt road. Small world. Hello to the Petrones de Monterrey Motorrad BMW club! Dinner was a catered affair in the recently closed down La Bonita. Pretty Yaz and buddy Armando fed us amazing enchiladas and chicken fajitas, tecates, and some fine cakes Yaz makes. La Bonita still operates in the earlier part of the day as a bakery, and Yaz is taking chef level baking lessons in Monterrey. Cakes are awesome and demand is high. Customers asking for cakes until 11 PM that night. After, a few Pina's at the General.
Saturday Laguna de Sanchez:
Saturday: River Walk
Saturday: Overlooking Galeana at Radio Tower
Saturday: Framing our Ride HQ, a selfie I will show my grandkids:
Sunday, most guys had headed for the border by 8 AM. At 10 the "After Party" group of Everett and Zara (Monkey and Backpack), Jeff (I do my own stunts Jeff), Curtis (Stickup), Adam (Mr. Patience), Sean (Donkey Puncher), Peter (SpiritualPeter), and me,(BrickPeter) we watched Mexico beat #1 ranked Germany in the world cup group stage. Then around a lazy noon we headed north on the Gold Standard thru the amazing high mountains and switchbacks to Colla De Caballo. A quick stop for apple whiskey and elotes in Laguna De Sanchez and we made more friends, as always. We got fancy room at the 4 star hotel at the falls and ate fine food and swam in the lush oversize pool.
Sunday: Peter near Cassillas on Gold Standard:
Sunday: Parque National
Sunday: Parque National
Sunday: Parque National
Sunday: Parque National, KTM 450 looking fit and ready
Sunday: Parque National, Everett and his 90 lb backpack:
Sunday: Curtis in Laguna De Sanchez eating Elotes
Sunday: Peter driving down the canyon to Colla De Caballo:
Monday we nursed a swollen crash leg with hobbling to the waterfall, margaritas at the waterfall bar, and then went to the beach and posh city center of Santiago. 5 star Argentinian Steakhouse on the lovely square were a great ending to a nice trip.
Monday: Me and Donkey Punch at the falls:
Monday: Stuntman Jeff exploring a 5 star beer garden in Santiago
Monday: Valet Parking in Santiago, WUT???
Monday: Santiago Church on Square
Tuesday we rode out, got really, really, really, really wet for the first time. Back to Austin by 8PM for a pot luck dinner with old friends and my daughter. Awesome!
Till next October Amigos!!!!!! Don't forget to add your stories and pictures here for all the guys who thought June was hot (it wasn't) and the tropical storms were horrible (they weren't), and the trip was too risky (we gambled and we won, this time).
Adios Amigos,
Pedro del Norte!