In the body of this post is a question---I have a time constraint on back end of meeting. I must be in Annapolis, MD by Nov 5. I know the limits of my KLR650 and myself since I just completed 12,000 miles in 54 days this Aug/Sept on it. On the KLR, the 2200 mile trip to MD will be too much for me to do in three days. However, I can use my Concours with no problem.

The question is--will the Connie be okay on the Copper Canyon destination roads (no side trips). My origin is Colorado Springs, CO. I could also fly out of Dallas if I used the KLR if I had a place to keep it for about four weeks -- any offers?. I hope to meet you all in two weeks. Mike

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Mike

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I'm coming from socal, but plan on crossing Nogales on wed AM. I would like to go with others on Thurs but I have to be back by Monday night and I dont want to rush on the way back esp. on mexican roads. To get there on Fri evening and then leave on Sunday AM doesn't sound so fun. On the other hand, prior commitments may have me to riding with you on thursday AM in the end, I'm not exactly sure yet.

How's that for a non-specific commitment?

dave

My wife and I are planning on making the CC trip, coming on our KLR650 from Central Florida, about 2,000 miles, more or less.
We are planning on spending the night at the Three Palms Inn (???) in Presidio, TX, on Monday, the 27th, hopefully crossing over the border early Tuesday morning, and making it on to Creel late Tuesday afternoon.
Is this a realistic time frame and will it be safe if we are not able to hook up with anyone from the border on into Creel?
Any last minute advise as to this last leg would be appreciated.
Cheers!
Richard & Karen Fawcett


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Safe - absolutely - assuming you don't do something supremely dumb you wouldn't do in your home town - in other words, not particularly more dangerous than home. As usual, pay attention, smile and be friendly. You'll be fine! Right near the border is always the somewhat dodgier part, once you're a few miles down the road it's very safe. You'll find people very friendly once you get away from the border towns.

As for distance, that's around 500km / 300 miles - perhaps a bit much with a border crossing and insurance to get as well. Remeber your safe cruising speed will be much lower than in the US. Cross early, ride hard and you might make it fine, but be prepared to stop overnight en route. There's lots of places to stay on the way.

Chihuahua, Cuauhtemoc, possibly La Junta, and San Juanito and more should all have somewhere to stay if needed.

Relax and enjoy a great ride! Lots of time.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

See this link

(You'll have to copy and paste the link from the http part to the ] just in front of "link" - the link is too complex to work in ubb.)

9 hours 17 minutes at best according to MapBLast, which could be and probably is way out. But it's a guide.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com


[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 21 October 2003).]

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

the roads to Creel will be fine for the Concours, but very limited from there on into the canyon.

Depending on your sanity of course...

see you there!

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Grant,
We plan on getting our insurance before we go from Sanborns so we will not need to get that at the border. I have emailed the Hotel Villa Mexicana about an "A" cabin, but I need to let them know our date of arrival. We plan to get to Presidio from Ozona, TX (259 miles) as early as possible on Monday, Oct 27, probably mid afternoon, then take care of as much red tape as we can before the actual crossing Tuesday morning, again as early as possible.
I guess the best place to plan to stop before Creel would be Chihuahua, but I need to let Hotel Villa Mexicana know my arrival date. What do you suggest. If we leave at the crack of dawn from Ozona will be able to get to Presidio in time to get all done for a quick border crossing Tuesday morning, and make it on to Creel that night???
Cheers!
Richard & Karen

Grant,
I forgot to ask--what are the "normal" temperatures to expect in Creel?
Also, we will be leaving here early Thursday morning, Oct 23rd, for the trip.
Cheers!
Richard & Karen

Go here for the latest weather forecast for the area.

Basically very pleasant - not too hot like it is in mid-summer. Cool evenings - it is at altitude. The date was picked carefully by local people!

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

As for your question on timing, I dunno - too many variables! SHOULD be possible - but don't say I said so! You just never know - always make plans and be prepared to toss them out the window at the first cloud on the horizon. And , and keep going. It's all part of the adventure!

Grant

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I'm crossing Thurs AM at Nogales from SoCal.
What time/where can I rendevous with the AZ gang?

Might campout at Picacho? state park outside Tucson Wed Night or Motel 6 in Nogales,

Planning on doing as many clicks as possible on thursday depending on conditions.

lets ride!

// davex

If all goes to plan, we'll leave PHX at 7 AM and arrive Nogales at 10 AM +/-. I'm not that famaliar enough to recommend a meeting place. The best idea might be to sit on an overpass along the way based on the timing and wait for us.

I'll send you a note with another suggestion.

__________________
Gerry
PHX AZ USA

Ibarra Bros. Younger half here..

Will be spending the night in Presidio on
Tuesday 28, crossing over to Ojinaga, and down to Creel early Wednesday 29 morning.

Being a native Mexican, needless to say I know the language, the culture and all do's and don'ts that come with it.

Would very much enjoy some company riding down to Creel, if anyone cares to join, we can agree to meet somewhere in Presidio close to the bridge, around 7:00 am and just
ride on down into paradise...

Gerardo

A suggestion and guide for getting to Copper Canyon.

CROSS AT PRESIDIO, TX
It’s a small easy crossing, with all the offices close to one another. Open 24hrs (but not the insurance offices). Fine scenery on both side of the border. Remember to bring your vehicle ownership papers with you. After immigration there are three vehicle procedures: 1). Buy a temporary import permit. They give you a nice silver sticker to put inside your windscreen in return. 2).They take your credit card number. If you don’t leave with your bike within the allotted time, then they take money off this card. 3).Buy vehicle insurance. Available on the Mexican side at about 3.40USD per day. All the outlets seem to be about the same price. Hotels are along the same road and all seem overpriced. There are banks in the center of town with ATMs.

HIGHWAY 16 to CHIHUAHUA
Pleasant, fastish ride. There is a vehicle checkpoint along the road to ensure that you got all your papers at the border. Two lane becomes a fast four lane divided highway. Chihuahua hasn’t a great deal to offer, but is fine as an overnight stop. We stayed at the Hotel Reforma on Vitoria: N.28 degrees, 38.083’; W.106 degrees, 04.676’. Basic, (12USD), with an internal courtyard for the bike. It’s a short walk from western fast food outlets on the mall the other side of a very nice cathedral.

CHIHUAHUA to CREEL
It is perfectly possible to ride from the border to Creel in one long day. Four-lane divided highway 16 continues SW from Chihuahua. Beyond General Trias you will have to pay to stay on it. (For the non-toll alternative look for the “Cuauhtemoc libre” signs. It takes you on a longish detour through some fine hill country on a twisty small two-laner.) After Cuauhtemoc look for “La Juanta, Highway 16” signs to get you on the right road. The route to Creel is well indicated from hereon. We stayed in Margarita, (friendly 24USD breakfast included) which is right on the town square in the center across the road from the church: N.27 degrees, 45.192’; W.107 degrees, 38.042’. It is 2300 metres above sea level here, so the evenings can be chilly.

__________________
Simon Kennedy
Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp

Running late !
Mechanical gremlins set me back on day...
Instead of reaching the border town on Tuesday the 28th, I will get to Presidio on
Wednesday the 29th, and will be crossing on to Ojinaga on Thursday morning.
Riding Black GS Adv, with multiple Mexican
Flag patches.

Nos vemos en Creel...
Gerardo.