Here is what is the start of a ride guide to the area of central Veracruz and the extreme east of Puebla.

If you want maps, pictures, notes, etc... about a ride, PM me the corresponding number and I will email you a PDF file within a day or two (or 3 if I am busy riding). If you are seriously thinking about spending some time in the area and want to get to know it better, I can ride along with you on these routes if I have the time.

I always enjoy meeting up with riders coming through and getting them away from the devil's candy addiction to the Mex #180 coast highway, which for the most part, is as exciting as watching grass grow with one exception being the Tuxtlas and the other the baches, topes, and kamikaze Central Americans hauling 3 used cars, two loads of domestic appliances, and a Quetzal in a pear tree.

Here you go and all feedback is most welcome be it good, bad, or indifferent. Some of these rides are exceptionally good so make an effort when you are in the area to try to experience them.

Important note! If you want more offroad type stuff, contact Arte and Andres, some of their "Greenland" rides link up with a couple of these routes. So don't forget!

My feedback: Great information!

I hesitate to email you since I would want all the route numbers, but won't be heading your way for the next year or so. But just want to say: Great work!

Just reading the brief descriptions gets my imagination going. There are so many great backroads and byways that aren't in any of the guide books. Especially for this area of Mexico. It makes me think that you should compile this info into an ebook that is downloadable from Amazon.com or the Ibooks store at Apple. With pictures, maps, points of interest and routes. I would certainly buy it! Especially with motorcycle points of interest like cheap places to stay with secure motorcycle parking, good places to eat and drink, (gps waypoints to the place where the H1N1 flu virus started would be reason enough for me to buy it :-). It would save you time responding to email requests and make the info available as well to a larger audience of backpackers and retired snowbird tourists that aren't on a motorcycle. And it would make the info easily downloadable and easy to access without an internet connection from an Ipod touch, netbook, Ipad or what have you.

Probably more ambitious than you are interested in. It sure would be nice though.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

Hi John, thanks for the encouragement!
It is an ongoing project that I hope to someday turn into a video guide, as well. There are a few more routes I will be adding to the list, too.
The HINI thing is interesting because the state government, in a misguided belief that "virus tourism" would some day take off (past the initial curiosity stage there isn't much else to see or do there but it is a great waypoint on a trip to other places), paved a really fun smooth road with a nice set of twists and elevation change at the beginning and a roller coaster end.
The ride in makes it worthwhile, other than that there is an old fortress there and a new statue of the little boy who was the supposed survivor patient zero.
The best thing about the place is leaving it because it sets you up for some great mountain routes in Puebla!

This is fantastic information. I'm on a leisurely 3 month ride through Gulf Coastal Mexico and The Yucatan April-June. I've been studying maps of this area trying to imagine where I will ride and this helps! Thanks for your efforts

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adventures on the black sheep of the dual sport motorcycle travel community

I have done several of these routes(guided by Mike) , and they are even better as they sound !!!

Hi MikeMike, I am making plans for Mexico next year and would like very much to have the ride information you have on Mexico (central Veracruz and Eastern Puebla). My trip South starts with Mexico I plan on seeing as much as I canin 2 years time and then move on south very slow seeing as much as I can and get to know the people along the way. This trip will be the start of my Birthday gift for turning 60 years and I Hope to make Ushuaia, Terra del Fuego by my 70th Birthday I want to see and do as much as I can with the time I have. THANK YOU for making the information you have available for travelers coming to your part of Mexico...

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James (NomadicBear)
Clinton, Oklahoma USA



May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.
May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. -Edward Abbey

Hi James, give me a heads up when you are coming through and we'll do some riding here. I've got some ideas already of some areas you'll like and some people, too.
You're going to be having one great ride with that plan of yours! Lucky guy!

Hi Mike,

I am new to this forum and love the information you have provided. I am also new to biking. Just bought my first motorcycle a month ago. Having fun. I plan to make a trip through Mexico from eastern Texas to Guatemala soon. Perhaps you could suggest the best route and boarder crossings. On this trip i want to move fairly quickly through Mexico. I plan to stay in Guatemala for at least two months learning Spanish and then continue to move south to at least Costa Rica. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

this is great information - I am putting together a small event in Mexico in December (www.mayarally.com) and I surely could use some good intel for the best routes to suggest to the participants, as I believe we will be going through this area. I will send you a pm.

thank you

Astockjoc and 2Around, check your PM's, you've got mail.

Hey MikeMike,
I purchased my first bike in April and just loving the riding here in Mexico. Mostly south and west of DF but I am interested in going east. Can you send a couple of your routes, your choice?
Thanks
Mike

Pathmark, check your PM, you've got mail.