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Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 22 Mar 2007
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Copper Canyon Train + motorcycle
I will try first on this forum, even do the subject maybe would be better on 'Bike Transportation"..

I'm planning to go to Baja California, then cross the Gulf of California and get a train from Los Mochis to Crell.
I called couple phone numbers, but people there have no idea if I can or cannot ship my bike in the train with me.

Do you know anything about carrying your bike inside the train and which train company/line will do that?

Thank you
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  #2  
Old 22 Mar 2007
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Chepe

Only the First Class trains do not carry freight/bikes.
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  #3  
Old 22 Mar 2007
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And do you know if I just 'show up' at Los Mochis I can find a train in a day?
On the web site you point looks like that is only for the 'First Class' trains.
Any schedule for 'normal' trains?

Thank you for reply.
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  #4  
Old 23 Mar 2007
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I don't know their schedules, do a Google.
There always seems to be room for one more in Mexico.

...edit: You might take a look at jumping on at El Fuerte rather than Los Mochis, unless you just like train rides. Also, it's my understanding that you'll want to sit in a rightside seat going in that direction.
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  #5  
Old 23 Mar 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lone Rider View Post

...edit: You might take a look at jumping on at El Fuerte rather than Los Mochis, unless you just like train rides. Also, it's my understanding that you'll want to sit in a rightside seat going in that direction.
I like trains, but not that much... Per your post I understood that Los Mochis to El Fuerte is just a plain, boring railroad trip right?

I will make a note and I will catch it at El Fuertes, getting seats to the rightside towares Crell.

Still having a hard time to find info on Google... but still looking. I will post here when I find something.
I found the ferry schedulle from La Pas to Los Mochis and it's very convenient: daily, from 13:00 to 21:00.
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  #6  
Old 23 Mar 2007
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Google
chepe "copper canyon"
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  #7  
Old 23 Mar 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lone Rider View Post
chepe "copper canyon"
That was my first hit back. I called the 'chepe' company, and the lady over their only sells 'First Class' tickets and she is unaware how or who will sell/schedule motorcycle transportation...
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  #8  
Old 23 Mar 2007
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Got something...
looks like you have to ship your bike on a different train (only freight)
Then remain an important question: the freight train departs before or after the First class?
I don't like the idea to depart, and the bike is not yet on the way. (rule number 4 or 5 when traveling abroad)
----------
We are not Copper Canyon train experts. We do know you can get to Creel either from Chihuahua City or Los Mochis each day on both the 1st and 2nd Class trains.Departures are early AM from each location, with the 2nd class departing about an hour after the first class. The Chihuahua City train generally arrives just after noon. The Los Mochis train arrives around 3 or later in the PM. Departures each way from Creel depend on when the train arrives headed your direction. We've heard there's not much food available en route, so you might want to bring a snack. We also understand that you can put a bike on the second class train, but not the first class. Bikes can be shipped on the freight train that arrives each day a few hours after First Class train. The trains do tend to be delayed fairly regularly. Note there are now security checks to get on the train as a result of the armed train robbery that occurred in November '98. The cost of the first class from Los Mochis to Creel is around $85 and the 2nd class about $45 US
--------------------
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  #9  
Old 23 Mar 2007
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Maybe add 'schedule' to the search.
Also, not all information sites for that train refer to it as Chepe, so you may want to drop that.

These people know how loud the roosters crow and when the dogs bite for the CC area.... 3amigos
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  #10  
Old 23 Mar 2007
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Patrick,
Thank you for the heads up on it.

You offer about giving a route from the coast. Would you mind?

I will be kind of short in time. I will be leaving Friday early from San Diego, down to Baja to La Paz (or Santa Rosalia) and get the ferry (I prefer La Paz) on Saturday at 1:00PM. Be in Los Mochis 9:00PM, find a hotel and on the road Sunday.
From there, I have to be at Creel on Monday for supper.
Tuesday I'm planning to attend the HU Mexico Meeting in October 9.

This is why I thought the train would be a good break on the trip. I will be ridding two up on a GS1150, full loaded, so bad dirty road is not really an option.

Thank you for comments and ideas.

Elton
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  #11  
Old 23 Mar 2007
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Schedule from the 1st Chepe website link posted
Chepe :: services
This is 'economy' class

From the same website:
"Each economic car allows 68 passengers. The cars are provided with reclining seats, heat, conditioned air, snack machines and ecological system bathrooms. Each car is assisted by a porter.

Due to Federal Regulations, smoking is prohibited inside the Economic Class train.

The train has a package car that supplies service to the Sierra Tarahumara."

I believe that 'package car' is where your bike would go. This is how seafood gets from the coast to the CC and Creel area.
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  #12  
Old 24 Mar 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Not enough time amigo. No es possible.

What's the rush? The HU meeting and activities goes on about 5 days, no?

First off, you can't make La Paz in a day from San Diego unless you've got a bike that can go about 180 mph (like my buddies who used to ride the Cabo 1000!.... the record is 11 hours)

I suppose you could ride all night...use caution. Its not bad at night in Baja
actually if you have good lights and keep speeds under 80 mph.

If you catch the Ferry at 1pm then it will be in Topolobambo by 6 or 7pm.
It's a five hour ride. It's super fast. If you take the Santa Rosalia Ferry...well, its expensive and takes about 10 hours or more (weather dependent).

Once you get to Topo the most direct route to Creel for you on pavement is to get on Mex 15 and head north until just past Obregon to Esperanza.

Take Mex 12 east (sometimes marked 12/21) Head east to Rosario, take right fork (now Mex 21) continue all the way up to Mex 16. Fantastic roads, will take you to the turnoff for Creel via San Juanito. Watch for sign. Buy a Guia
Roji...must have.

Once again....you can't make it to Creel from Topo in one day unless you ride all night. Not advised on the very windy roads. Plan to stop just before
Basaseachic Falls for the night. There is a town with nice litte motels. Its a LONG ride...plan on a 12 hour riding day.

I would NOT spend the night in Yecora if you can go further (dump).....but keep in mind....once you leave Yecora...its about 120 miles of twisties till the next decent town with a Motel. (just before the Falls)

There are a thousand threads on CC, do your homework, the info you need is
all here on HU.

Patrick

mollydog is exactly right but you could ride ride from topo to creel by heading right up the mountains via choix-tubares-mesa de arturo on up to creel. i left urique at around 8 in the morning and was checking into a hotel in el fuerte at around 4pm. the route is easy and possible even on a big bmw. if you are interested i can post the gps track.
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  #13  
Old 24 Mar 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haggeo View Post
and possible even on a big bmw. if you are interested i can post the gps track.
The GPS track would be a big plus haggeo. If you can post it I would much appreciate.

Thank you
Elton
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  #14  
Old 24 Mar 2007
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this track starts in san juanito through creel, urique and ends in el fuerte. opens with google earth.

san juanito-urique (copper canyon) west to el fuerte - ADVrider
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  #15  
Old 24 Mar 2007
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Got it and saved. Thank you for sharing

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