The plan seemed like a good one; John and I would leave Kerrville Friday after I got off work. We had spent the previous weekend doing final bike prep and I pre_packed everything I could.
The anticipation of returning to Mexico after a pandemic induced hiatus of 2 years made the week crawl by. Friday finally comes but of course, I end up working late. We finally roll out of KVL at 8:30pm, facing a 5 hr drive to a Motel 6 in McAllen, hoping they do more than just leave the light on.
Arrive at 3am, check into the room, shower and nap til 7am. We stumble down to the parking lot and in the gray light of a very humid dawn, we watch the others in our group as they make final preps, mount up, peel out of the parking lot and head for the border, “We’ll be an hour behind y’all!”
A truckload of adv machines
Our humble rig
For the drive from KVL and the night in the parking lot, we had stripped the bikes of all bags and gear. Now we work as the temperature climbs to ready the bikes. GPS mounted, bags strapped on and loaded, all the little things that must be done before you begin living off your bike for a week.
The ponies are ready, are the riders?
After the bikes, we gear up ourselves; armored pants, boots, ear plugs, bandanna, armored jacket, helmet, gloves, water supply. I see John swing his jacket on and reach into the chest pocket. Instantly, fury erupts, expletives fly. I wait until he looks at me and says the fateful words, “I don’t have my blankety blank paperwork.”
I feel my own flash of anger, bite my tongue and walk away. I haven’t gone 10 steps when the anger evaporates. So we lose a day, big deal. I walk back.
We strip off our ride gear, load the bikes back on the trailer and head back to KVL.
John pulls out his long haul trucker chops and drives the whole way back, allowing me to catnap the 5 hours. We reach home, stow the papers in the proper place and are in bed by 5 pm. We sleep til midnight and are back on the road by 1am. John again drives the entire distance. We return to McAllen, drop the truck and trailer at an rv park John has used for this purpose before. Clear customs and immigration and are rolling in Mexico by 1015.
We take fast pavement to catch up with our fellow adventurers. A stop for grilled chicken in Aramberri and a chance encounter with some of our group. What a happy coincidence! We eat and laugh over our misadventures so far.
When we pull into Hotel Ramirez’ courtyard around 4pm, it is full of adv bikes and a bunch 'o dirty bikers.
First day mileage, about 280.
The anticipation of returning to Mexico after a pandemic induced hiatus of 2 years made the week crawl by. Friday finally comes but of course, I end up working late. We finally roll out of KVL at 8:30pm, facing a 5 hr drive to a Motel 6 in McAllen, hoping they do more than just leave the light on.
Arrive at 3am, check into the room, shower and nap til 7am. We stumble down to the parking lot and in the gray light of a very humid dawn, we watch the others in our group as they make final preps, mount up, peel out of the parking lot and head for the border, “We’ll be an hour behind y’all!”
A truckload of adv machines
Our humble rig
For the drive from KVL and the night in the parking lot, we had stripped the bikes of all bags and gear. Now we work as the temperature climbs to ready the bikes. GPS mounted, bags strapped on and loaded, all the little things that must be done before you begin living off your bike for a week.
The ponies are ready, are the riders?
After the bikes, we gear up ourselves; armored pants, boots, ear plugs, bandanna, armored jacket, helmet, gloves, water supply. I see John swing his jacket on and reach into the chest pocket. Instantly, fury erupts, expletives fly. I wait until he looks at me and says the fateful words, “I don’t have my blankety blank paperwork.”
I feel my own flash of anger, bite my tongue and walk away. I haven’t gone 10 steps when the anger evaporates. So we lose a day, big deal. I walk back.
We strip off our ride gear, load the bikes back on the trailer and head back to KVL.
John pulls out his long haul trucker chops and drives the whole way back, allowing me to catnap the 5 hours. We reach home, stow the papers in the proper place and are in bed by 5 pm. We sleep til midnight and are back on the road by 1am. John again drives the entire distance. We return to McAllen, drop the truck and trailer at an rv park John has used for this purpose before. Clear customs and immigration and are rolling in Mexico by 1015.
We take fast pavement to catch up with our fellow adventurers. A stop for grilled chicken in Aramberri and a chance encounter with some of our group. What a happy coincidence! We eat and laugh over our misadventures so far.
When we pull into Hotel Ramirez’ courtyard around 4pm, it is full of adv bikes and a bunch 'o dirty bikers.
First day mileage, about 280.
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