Backdated ride report from a 60+ day solo motorcycle journey through Ed’s head and mainland Mexico.

One man, one KTM, walking, sweating and figuring it out as he goes.

Originally shared in parts on Facebook — this is the full story, posted here day by day. Not a highlight reel, the real ride.

Before we get into the ride itself, here’s a quick look at how I prepared — and I use that word loosely.

Training? Absolutely. I’ve been in the gym 5 to 6 days a week for years. But for this trip, I decided to take it next level.

Here’s the training video. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.



Packing? Controlled chaos. Camera gear, backup gear, gear I didn’t need but brought anyway. I left Puerto Peñasco in early February with a KTM 1290 Super Adventure T, no solid schedule, and a route that was “mostly, sorta, kinda” planned.

Right before I left, a guy on the beach named Brian asked me what I was doing. I told him I hoped to do a ride report.

He looked at me and said, “Hope is not a strategy.”

That landed. So here we are — no hoping, just doing. This is me figuring out HUBB and telling the story as it unfolded.

Next post: what kind of ride report this actually is, and how it’s structured.

Attached Images

  

Alright, before I start dropping Day 1 and beyond, here’s the setup.

This ride happened earlier this year — starting in early February. I’ve been on the road over 60 days, riding solo through mainland Mexico. These posts are
backdated but were written day-by-day while the trip was happening. I’m posting now that I’ve had time to breathe, sort photos, and clean things up a bit.

So, if you’re wondering why the weather doesn’t match real-time or why it feels like I’m talking from the past — that’s why.

You’ll get one day per post — some longer, some short and sweet. The ride had all the usual ingredients: dirt, pavement, blown plans, great food, weird encounters, and a lot of walking (yeah, I log more steps than most riders would ever admit).

There’s no fake drama, no clickbait, and no affiliate links to my favorite socks. Just the ride, as it happened.

The ride kicked off from Puerto Peñasco, Mexico where I’d been staged for a bit, living out of the motorhome and getting everything dialed. The bike was packed, the last-minute logistics handled, and when the day came to roll out — I rolled. No fanfare. Just threw a leg over and pointed the front wheel south. And it felt damn good to get moving.

I left Puerto Peñasco early and eased into the first real day of the trip. I’ve been prepping for this for a while now — physically, mentally, mechanically — and there’s still a moment where it doesn’t feel real until you’re on the road. That moment hit today.

Cautious Optimism and a Full Tank (Literally)
I wouldn’t say I was in full-blown adventure mode yet — maybe more like cautiously engaged. I need a few more days before I can say everything feels dialed: me, the bike, the gear, and the headspace. But the first steps were taken, and that counts.

The fuel gauge decided to stick at full, so that will be fun. I tracked mileage manually — burned about 26 liters for the day and got around 43 mpg. No complaints from the bike otherwise. Nothing fell off, nothing rattled loose, and it ran smooth all day.

Body Check
I’m in good shape overall, but I’m not in full riding shape yet. Stiffness crept in after an hour or so. I had to stop and stretch often — swinging arms, shaking things loose, walking it off. The birthday count might be catching up a bit. I figure a few more days and my body will settle in.

Roads, Stops, and Slalom Mode
Highway 3 served up the usual mixed bag:
• About half the ride was smooth and easy
• Some rough patches and cracked pavement
• A few legit pothole slalom zones with sand in the holes for fun

No sketchy traffic, no wild gravel, just the usual flavor of Mexican roads. The 1290 soaked it up and kept me rolling.

Only a few official stops: a customs-style checkpoint and two quick chats with local police. Standard stuff — “Where you going?” and “Can I see your registration?” — nothing serious. One survey-looking checkpoint I bypassed without issue.

Landing in Bahía Kino
Rolled into Bahía Kino and scouted a bit before settling on a basic hotel. Small, laid-back town with a decent pier and a quiet energy. I had fish tacos at Brisas Del Mar — killer meal and a solid ocean view to end the day.

Photos from Day 1
Instead of embedding individual pictures, I’m experimenting with short slideshow-style videos for this ride report. This first one is more of a pilot — just a handful of photos, some narration, some text, and it runs about 60 seconds. It’s a work in progress and will evolve into whatever it should be. Future posts will include more images, and maybe more narration… or maybe none, if it’s just pics. A bit more polish will come as I settle into the workflow.



Day 1 Takeaways
• Gotta stretch more and ease into riding shape
• Fuel gauge isn’t working, so it’s all range math from here
• Packing system still evolving — need better access to daily gear
• Roads are hit-and-miss, but manageable. No big surprises

Tomorrow, head south and make it .. AllPartOfTheAdventure

Nice!

Easy Miles and Flying Driveshafts

A short and easy ride today — just 120 miles from Bahía Kino to San Carlos, with about two and a half hours in the saddle. The roads were a little better than Day 1, but still had their fair share of potholes. Nothing wild, just enough to keep you alert.

A “What the Hell Was That?” Moment
I pulled over mid-morning for a water break and stretch. While I was standing there, a propane truck rumbled past. Something about it sounded off — a weird metal clatter or vibration I couldn’t quite pin down. Didn’t think too much of it at the time.

A few miles later, I saw that same truck pulled over on the shoulder… but what really caught my eye was the chunk of something massive lying in the middle of the road.

At first, I thought it was a tire. But as I got closer, I realized it was the truck’s driveshaft — full assembly, hanger bearing and all. Looked like 120 pounds of twisted steel, maybe 10 feet long, just sitting there on the blacktop like a missile someone forgot to launch.

That thing could’ve killed someone.

If I’d been riding behind that truck when it let go, it would’ve been ugly. No room to dodge, no time to react. Just a flying chunk of steel coming at you at highway speed. So yeah — a reminder to anyone riding out here: don’t hang too close behind anything big. Blown tires, brake drums, driveshafts… there’s plenty on the road that can turn your day (or your life) upside down.

Checkpoint Quickie
One police checkpoint at an intersection near a station. They asked where I was headed, took a look at my driver’s license, gave the bike a once-over, and waved me on. Nothing complicated.

Landing in San Carlos
San Carlos made a good first impression. It’s noticeably cleaner and more organized than Bahía Kino, with more restaurants and a bit of structure. I cruised around town for a while before checking into the Totonaka RV Park. Overpaid for a small room — but as an RV guy, I wanted to see what the park was like. It’s a solid setup. Definitely nicer than anything I’ve seen in Puerto Peñasco. Lots of Canadians around.

Could be a place to spend more time in the future — maybe an RV stop next year?

Day 2 Takeaways
• Easy miles, no rush — short days are underrated
• Don’t ride close behind trucks — ever
• San Carlos is worth exploring more
• Hitting the gym on the road? 100% worth it

Tomorrow? No clue yet. Might stick around and explore for another day. I know, no food porn today — kept it on the sun side so my snacks stayed warm. Priorities.

Good day and it's .. AllPartOfTheAdventure

Photos from Day 2
Another short slideshow-style video again today — I’m still playing with format. This one’s just a few photos and clips, nothing dramatic, but it gives a feel for the day.

No big ride today. Just stayed local, rolled around San Carlos, dipped into Guaymas for a bit, and called it good.

Guaymas – Big City Vibes
I cruised into Guaymas mid-day just to have a look. It definitely has a bigger city feel — a mix of older, funkier buildings and newer big box stores and fast food joints. The Malecón was quiet, not much going on for a Thursday afternoon. It wasn’t bad, but I didn’t feel the need to linger. It was one of those places you check out and then turn back toward what feels better — and San Carlos feels better.

Back in San Carlos
I spent most of the day riding around town and soaking in the setting. San Carlos reminds me a lot of Phoenix — desert landscape, rocky hills, saguaros all over — but unlike Phoenix, there’s actually a sea with a beach here. That part makes all the difference.

Took a long walk down the beach in the afternoon. The ocean breeze was solid, and the sunset later on was perfect — that quiet kind of beauty that slows your head down. One of those days that makes you grateful you’re not on a schedule.

Low-Key Moments
Back at the RV park, the Canadians were all gathered under the palapa watching TV, camp chairs out, plastic cups in hand. Felt like being at the lake as a kid in a weird way. I didn’t stay long, but it made me smile.

I pretty much snacked my way through the day — street food, whatever caught my eye. No pics, my bad. Probably because I was too hungry by the time I got to anything.

Tinkering and Small Wins
Spent a bit of time adjusting the luggage setup and sorting a few pieces of gear that had been bothering me since Day 1. Just small tweaks, but it helps. Talked to a few folks around the park — always good for a couple of stories. And in a completely random surprise, the fuel gauge decided to start working again. Not a clue why, but I’ll take it. Small victories.

Photos from Day 3
Just a handful of clips and photos today — no big riding shots, but it captures the vibe. Slow pace, quiet town, sunsets and beach scenes.



Tomorrow, more of making it .. AllPartOfTheAdventure

Today started slow, no rush, no big miles. I spent the morning chatting with folks around the RV park, packing up at an easy pace, and finally rolled out of San Carlos around 11 AM. The route to Álamos wasn’t long, just under 200 miles, and I was in no hurry.

Getting There – Roads and Headspace
I didn’t have a fully locked-in route, so I ended up on more toll roads than expected. Still working through a bit of that Mexico travel anxiety, not quite comfortable yet picking the sketchy looking backroads over the main routes. Some of the toll avoidance options looked like time-eaters, so I stuck with the direct way.

The ride itself was smooth. Cool in the morning, warmer as the day went on. The bike ran perfect, and I stopped a few times to stretch and take it all in. Small victory: the fuel gauge is still working.

Rolling Into Álamos – A Shift in Vibe
Álamos felt different the second I rolled in. Streets twisted and narrowed into alleys, some ending without warning, others shrinking to the width of a walking lane. Stone roads, curbs and sidewalks three feet high, and colors everywhere , this place felt like something old, something preserved. The charm hit hard.

Finding a Place to Stay
I tried a couple of spots , one looked abandoned, not a soul around. I circled a few times and moved on. Ended up at Hotel Dolisa, which had secure parking and a decent setup, 1500 pesos for the night. More than I hoped, but it felt right. Welcome to 2025 — everything costs more.

Luis the Taco Guy / Local Ambassador
After unpacking, I headed into town and found a taqueria at the first plaza. That’s where I met Luis, taco chef, guide, and nonstop talker. His English matched my Spanish, which meant conversations were hilarious and basically a mix of words, gestures, and mutual guessing.

Didn’t matter. We communicated. He pulled out his phone, started showing me videos of places I had to see, Mazamitla, Juanacatlán, Val’Quirico — and tried hard to talk me into staying until Sunday for a 200-vehicle car show in the plaza. Classic cars, bikes, the whole deal. Tempting.

And the tacos? Excellent. Big, flavorful, and with a bottle of water, the whole meal cost me 75 pesos. Total win.

Exploring Álamos
After eating, I walked to the second plaza. This one was just as alive — cathedral, street vendors, restored hotels, people everywhere. The vibe was tourist-friendly but not fake. More like a place that’s still proud of its history. Security presence was noticeable, lots of rent-a-guards and private patrol types , but it didn’t feel tense. It felt safe and welcoming.

Route Talk – Highway 188
I asked a handful of locals about heading south on Route 188. Not one gave it a good report. Descriptions ranged from “completely destroyed” to “bad people” and “stealers.” That was enough for me. I’m solo, and my gut says backtrack to Hwy 15 and head south from there. Feels like the smarter call.

Photos from Day 4
Snapped a few shots and clips today, mostly around Álamos streets, plazas, and the small details that give the place its soul. Video below if you want to get a feel for the place.



Day 4 Takeaways
• Álamos was my first real taste of an old Mexican town, and I loved it
• Travel anxiety is still present, but fading
• Conversations over tacos might be the best part of this whole thing
• The fuel gauge still works (for now)
• Starting to settle into the rhythm of the ride

Tomorrow? More miles, more exploring,
and whatever comes next .. AllPartOfTheAdventure

Maintenance and Miles
Not every day on the road is going to be wild, and honestly, that’s not a bad thing. Some days are about forward movement, getting things done, and settling deeper into the rhythm of the ride.

I started the morning in Álamos with some basics. Fuel up, bank stop to top up pesos, and a quick chain oiling. No rush, no drama — just slow rolling out and getting moving.

Highway 188 – Taking the Gamble
Originally I’d planned to avoid Highway 188 after some rough reports from some locals, but while fueling up I talked to a few guys at the station who gave me a different take. No mention of anything sketchy, the worst they had to say was about bad drivers, not bad people. That was enough for me to take a chance on it.

The road itself was better than expected. Some potholes, a few rough patches, and maybe three spots where you could tell it had been washed out and rebuilt recently. Nothing I’d call dangerous or sketchy. Definitely not pristine, but no worse than a typical Mexican back highway so far. I figure that’s what the earlier warnings were about. Glad I took it.

Aside from that, the ride was uneventful. And sometimes that’s a win. No surprises, no weirdness, just road, throttle, and thinking time.

Landing in Guamúchil
I rolled into Guamúchil in the late afternoon. No big meals, no big moments, just a quiet night and a decent room. Grabbed some food, reset a bit, and geared down. It was a maintenance and miles day, and that’s part of the adventure too.

Photos from Day 5
Didn’t shoot much today — just a few road clips and snapshots. It was one of those ride days where the camera stayed in the tank bag.

Tomorrow I head to Mazatlán. I’m expecting a bit more going on there.

getting a little more comfortable with Mexico everyday & that is .. AllPartOfTheAdventure