Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Monday, November 15, 2021
Sunday, November 14, 2021
Saturday, November 13, 2021
Friday, November 12, 2021
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Day 12 - Divisadero Barrancas, MX to Batopillas, MX
Monday, November 8, 2021
Sunday, November 7, 2021
Saturday, November 6, 2021
Friday, November 5, 2021
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Monday, November 1, 2021
Day 4 - Durango, MX to Mazatlan, MX
This was one of the days that we were very much looking forward to, as we would be spending most of the time riding the Road 40 and meet the Devil´s Backbone (Espinazo del Diablo).
Found at the western side of the Sierra Madre mountain range, road 40 links Durango with Mazatlan, the road ascends and descends across spectacular spectacular landscapes, sharp bends and bottomless cliffs.
The Devil´s Backbone is just 10 km of road 40, at about 100 miles (168 kilometres) from Durango, MX. We stopped at the lookout point to take a photo. At about 8,000 feet (2,400m) high and flanked by two deep ravines it offered a panoramic views of the Sierra Madre mountain range that left us speechless.
We also stopped on one of the bends to interact with the locals, give some gifts and also offer a soccer ball. This is always a great opportunity to feel the local culture and see how people live. in this specific house, we mainly saw women and kids that were running around always follwed by many small dogs.
We then stopped at a local store to have something to drink and learned how the population of this road has been so adversely affected by the new toll road. Businesses have closed and the ones that are open are struggling because there are just not enough traffic coming through. The influence of the drug cartels is also quite strong and we learned about stories of violence in the area.
Our next stop was to marvel at man's engineering capability as we looked at the highest bridge in America. Called the Baluarte Bridge is a four lane roadway that crosses a gorge in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains with a clearance of 1,280 feet (390 metres) below the deck, which is substantially taller than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge's central span, 1,710 feet (520 metres) long, is also the longest cable-stayed span in North America.
It is a sight to behold and Bo sent up the drone and did an incredible video (check it out in another post on the group).
We then made our way towards the coast and entered Mazatlan, MX through the south-east and were surprised at how poor this part of town looked. For a while a felt like I was in Africa as there was clearly no running water and no electricity in most of the houses.
Quite fast though that was left behind and we arrived at the Pacific Ocean and hugged the coastline going north on a road that is jut by the water and passed the centre of the city towards our resort hotel which we arrived before sunset.
We still had the opportunity of quickly run down to the beach and enjoy the sunset, dip our toes and legs in the water (which surprised us by how warm it was).
We stayed in the resort for the evening and had dinner at the local restaurant and were treated to some amazing prawns and fish. If there was any doubt, now we knew we were at the water´s edge.
We also took the opportunity to walk a mile or so to drop our laundry that would be ready next day at a very attractive cost.
It was a long and very fulfilling day. In my opinion the best so far.
Make Life a Ride !
Click HERE to learn more about the Baluarte Bridge
Drone photo of the Baluarte Bridge
Drone Video of Soccer Ball Give away and Tunnels and Bridges
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Day 3 - Monclova, MX to Durango, MX
Love being a newly-wed …
We left Monclova, MX a bit later than usual as we had plenty of time to get to Durango, MX. We were also quite excited to be seeing some mountains as we got closer west and the day did not disappoint.
We spent most of the morning on the 30 going west towards Torreón, MX where we stopped for lunch.
We went through a number of small towns and it is always a pleasure to see how things are in Mexico in these places. The “topes” (speed reductors) ensure we slow down and have plenty of time to admire the locals going about their life.
We stopped for lunch after putting gas and enjoyed some carne assada street food style.
We then rode on the toll road towards Durango and arrived in Posada San Agustin right in the center of the city. The Halloween celebrations were starting and we knew it was going to be a fun evening.
We were surprised when the owner told us we should park our motorcycles inside the courtyard of the hotel and we obliged. They looked very cool and gave a lot of character to the place. Many photos were taken by the hotel owner and I am sure he will use them to advertise his hotel to the motorcycle community. Good for him.
The Cowboys were playing so we were able to eat in a special room listening to the game commentated in Spanish. The food was very nice at the Hotel Casablanca and yes the Cowboys won.
As we were leaving our dinner we noticed lots of activity in the streets and we joined in the celebrations. It was wild (see separate post).
We went to sleep at around 11pm as we had an early morning but the celebrations went into the early hours of the morning.
It was another very nice day and we were able to really feel the “heart” of this beautiful country.
Make Life a Ride !
Encounters - Don Juan Blackaller one of the Los Cafeteros o los Locos
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Day 2 - Piedras Negras, MX to Monclova, MX
Yesterday we had entered Mexico, and today we had to do immigration and customs. We never knew when we left in the morning that this day would be remembered for ever in our lifetimes as later on, Paula and I would get married.
The 30 or so miles to the Immigration and Customs Office went fast and we arrived at around 8:30 in the morning and were very surprised at the length of the queues and we knew it was going to be a long morning/day. Dave jokingly said, “I will consider ourselves lucky if we leave before 2pm”. We left at 1:30pm …
Everything went well for everyone else but when I got to the window and tried to import the two bikes that both were in my name (the one that I was riding and the one Gustavo was riding), the lady told me that was not possible. Only one vehicle can be imported under the same person. I have written another post to explain in more detail but bottom line, Paula and I had to get married in the closest town with Gustavo being one of the witnesses. We now have two anniversaries to celebrate per year and the 30th of October will forever be marked in our lives.
We then rode 40 miles to have lunch at Nueva Rosita, MX. We were in a nice outside location.
After lunch we went to visit Casa Hogar y Refugio (see another post) where we met, socialized and dropped off some goodies for young children that have had a difficulty time. It is always an uplifting experience.
We then got into the toll road and made our way to Monclova, MX where we stayed right in the center in the oldest hotel in town - Hotel Olympia.
In the evening we wanted to eat within walking distance and as due to Covid a number of restaurants have closed, finding one was not easy.
We ate at the Jugos del Sur and the burgers were great. As they did not serve alcohol and did not have bottled water (what’s up with that), they allowed us to go and buy this outside and bring it in. 6 water bottles and 8 cans of beer … $9. You can’t beat that.
Before going to bed we walked the plaza and visited the church that was preparing for the Day of the Dead celebrations.
Make Life a Ride !
Paula and Armando getting married in Allende, MX
Visit to the Casa Hogar in Nueva Rosita, MX
Friday, October 29, 2021
Day 1 - Home, TX to Piedras Negras, MX
We left at different times and from different places and we all met along the way and stopped for lunch at the Hitching Post Steak House in Fredericksburg, TX.
We crossed into Mexico at the Eagle’s Pass-Piedras Negras International Bridge 1.
Our first Mexican dinner was a shared Parrillada (barbeque) at the Tierra Santa Restaurant. It was a great get together experience and we had many stories and laughs.
We slept at the Days Inn by Wyndham in Piedras Negras, MX.
Make Life a Ride !
We are on the road going south
Last stop before entering Mexico
Entering Mexico and drone photo of Piedras Negras
Arriving safe at the hotel Days Inn in Piedras Negras
Thursday, October 28, 2021
A bit about the ride and the riders
We will have 7 motorcycles and 8 people on this trip and will travel from October 29 to November 14 (for some) and November 17 (for others).
Paula and I will be on a BMW R1200GSA
Bo Griffin will be on a Yamaha Super Tenere
David Bassett will be on a BMW R1200GSA
Colin Josey wil be on a BMW R1250GSA
Gustavo Eichelmann will be on a BMW R1200GSA
Albert Casazza will be on a BMW R1200GS
Tim Green will be on a BMW R1200RT
Click HERE to read more about each one of us
In Spanish, Barranca del Cobre, is a region in the desert of northwest Mexico that hosts some of the most spectacular and stunning natural scenery in Mexico’s inland territory.
It is actually a series of twenty canyons, formed over the years by six rivers. The area is sometimes compared to Arizona’s Grand Canyon, although the Copper Canyon region is at least seven times the size, and has different topography, flora and fauna to the Grand Canyon.
We are also very excited that we will be seeing the Tarahumara people, descendants of the Aztecs, that still live a simple life in these canyons, as they have done for thousands of years.
We will be riding West to Mazatlan, MX, to see the Pacific Ocean and then to Divisadero, MX and then take the Copper Canyon Train Ride, until El Fuerte, MX and back again. The Copper Canyon railway is a stunning piece of engineering achievement. The railway line is over 390 miles (650 km) in length, crosses 39 bridges (the longest bridge is over 500 meters long) and 86 tunnels (the longest over 1,500 meters long). The line crosses some of Mexico’s most rugged terrain; hugging the edge of mountains and crossing deep ravines on its bridges. The scenery it travels through is breathtaking.
Click HERE to learn more about the El Chepe
On the way back East, we will be going past the Big Bend National Park and also ride through the Texas Hill Country.
Join us in this beautiful adventure !
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