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**ratbikemike** · #91 5 Oct 2012

The road was in pretty good condition as I continued upward through 2nd and 3ed gear corners, occasionlly 1st gear. 40mph at the most. I got above the clounds and then back into them. It was foggy and I could see no more than maybe 30 feet. Then it started to rain. The rain stung my eyes as, I had my wet glasses in my pocket and the wet visor up in an effort to see. I have never seen it rain in the fog before. Who knew? Did I mention it was cold? Several peaks over 9,000 feet nearby. While I was struggling to see, the road got worse. Plenty of sandy pot holes and sometimes no pavement at all! It was hard to tell the differance. Ahead of time I mean.

**ratbikemike** · #92 5 Oct 2012

Got no fotos of the 30 ,more or less, miles I rode in the rain. Camera, wallet etc was in the saddle bag and fotos in the fog don't work well. I was cold and pretty much wanted off the damn mountain. I was glad to see a light under the clouds. I thought I was close to the end and stopped for a bite at an 'all night' place. It got dark as I ate and later after finding a hotel I checked the time;10:00. It was a hard day and not to be recondmended. Cars are more stable under these conditions and everyone behind me, I waved by. The night traffic on the montain was much easier to deal with than city traffic at night. Not a pleasing ride.

**terbarncraig** · #93 5 Oct 2012

All, we are planning to do Baja Mexico and would appreciate 5 bullit points to consider.

**ratbikemike** · #94 5 Oct 2012

The 107k (64 miles) that turned out to be 229k (176miles) ended in Pochula and a warm safe room. Maybe 10 miles from the ocean. There is a thriving business in pay tolits on that route as it is in fact 142 k (85 miles) between towns. I am always struck by seeing a young family with no helments on a 125cc family bike. The smiling couple were very pleased to be photographed. The son was having issues before I showed up. These two stores sell underwear, purses and shoes.

**ratbikemike** · #95 5 Oct 2012

175, between oxaxca and the coast, was, a times, just as good as it might get and at other times cold, wet, scary and I just wanted to be finished with it.

**ratbikemike** · #96 5 Oct 2012

Some 10 miles and I parked on the the pier at Porto Angel. A favored restuarant on the sand, a look down the pier, across the pier and from my customary table. Also a fisherman preparing a 'tuna' for sale to the restuarant at the other end of the his boat.

**ratbikemike** · #97 5 Oct 2012

I spent some time just soaking it all in. Then, in my search for a room, I got hussled by this bunch. I wanted a cheap room, close in. At one point I counted nine of them all making a play for me renting a room right there. I had them help me carry my gear upstairs. That way I could keep a eye on my stuff, as well as them and they had a motive to not grab something and run. Got all the stuff put away and went downstairs and bought each one a coke, which made for big smiles and pressure for candy, too. It is cheaper than titheing (sp). The mother had no good humor and I am quite sure that, in her shoes, I would not either. Take note that no hot water is plumbed in for the shower or the sink. The small white bucket is used to flush the tolit. It has no other water plumbed to it. She said she had internet , but after she got the money, said it was down all over town.

**ratbikemike** · #98 5 Oct 2012

On the main road through town, maybe a half mile from the pier, is my hotel. The latter I used to get atop the hotel. It proved to be quite sturdy. These guys set up all manner of jungle bird racket in the evening.

**ratbikemike** · #99 5 Oct 2012

For those that don't know. In Mexico, there is not a lot of flashing yellow lights to be used for warning, so a rock is used. The road briefly goes to about a lane and a half here. It works fine for the locals. It was trying to get this picture that it tipped over. It waited until I walked about 15 feet up the hill and wound up with the top of the bike down hill in the grass, upside down rather than just on it's side. I was amazed to find, that for the first time ever, I could not pick my motorcycle up. I have given lessons! A mexican walking down the road helped and not much damage was done. Just chiping away at the arogance, as it were. Zipolite does not have a nudist beach. It has a bar with the policy that if a woman gets a little drunk and runs into the ocean naked, that will be ok.

**ratbikemike** · #**100** 6 Oct 2012

This little guy was part of the gang of nine but he was the only one that followed me to the restuarant. He was helpful or cute as needed but it was not hard at all to find his dark side. This woman demanded money when I took her foto and then let me know that she needed more money than that. Only four kids helped me load up to leave. I kept them and my gear with me as we proceeded. I gave them each $10 (.75us) which warmed their hearts considerably. I would leave town soon.

**ratbikemike** · #**101** 6 Oct 2012

After a little over !00 miles I saw a sign that read 'playa' something. A new spanish word for me that means something like 'beach', I turned down a dirt road and after a couple of miles of it getting worse, I stopped turned around and turned off the motor to get a foto. Then I could hear the roar of the surf! I turned arould again and proceeded to find a small group of surfers. Complete with a surf tour guide! I have forgotten everybody's name. I took no notes. Turns out this is a special, hard to find surfing spot. We chatted, took fotos, looked at maps and pretty soon they went back to their hotel. They seemed like straight arrow, stand up guys. I waded through that waist high laggon with camping gear in hand and set up camp. Before the trip, I took swiming lessons at the WMCA, then swam at Golds Gym and I still swim poorly. It scares me. I hope that, if needed, I can get back in the boat. That small grey thing in the last picture is my bike under it's cover.

**ratbikemike** · #**102** 6 Oct 2012

The view from my tent and from slightly up the beach where I found the water suprisingly warm and the current suprisingly strong. Also, in the morning from across the lagoon.

**ratbikemike** · #**103** 6 Oct 2012

A street guy riding a top heavy, fully loaded and taller KLR on pure street tires pumped up to 36 psi and comeing in I had no good idea of what was ahead. I found it exciting.

**bruce4154** · #**104** 6 Oct 2012

Mike i hope all is well i hope you are having fun larry from the jafi told me to look you up on here i will follow more of your trip now. Be safe and keep having fun. Love you Man. Bruce