Friends:

Me and one of my friends are leaving Fort Worth for desinations unknown in Mexico. I'd like to spend about 5 days in Mexico and then return to Texas. We both have to go back to work. I'm worried about the guy that's going with me. He has a brand new BMW 1200 GS and only about 40 miles experience on a motorcycle. I've been teaching him to ride and plan on spending all day with him tomorrow riding. He is progressing but still nervous about hitting the interstate highways. We'll have lots of long straight Texas roads between Fort Worth and the Mexican border for him to gain confidence.

I'm giving him my copy of "Proficient Motorcyling" and will help him through the book, adding some of my war stories. I realize this has the potential to be a disasterous trip but I am trying to keep a positive attitude. If I don't have a good feeling about his riding skills by the end of tomorrow, I'll probably wave the red flag a politely ask him to wait until he has more experience. Of course, it would be nice to have someone to travel with me but I have to use common sense. I don't want to see my buddy get hurt or destroy his shiny new Beemer.

I'm riding a Truimph Trophy so I can't ride the really rough roads. However, I've logged many miles on dirt roads. Some of them pretty rough. I DO want to bring my English gal home with all of her parts intact.

My questions:

1. Where should I go? I love natural and cultural beauty such as mountains, oceans, ruins, canyons.

2. Are there any areas I should not go, because of security concerns?

3. Are there good roads to Copper Canyon for a street bike?

I appreciate everyones advice. Merry Christmas to all of you enjoying your holiday's on the road.

Godspeed,

Wayne