Hello All:

Has anyone ridden from Texas, through Mexico, and on to the Pacific coast? I would be interested in any stories you could relate to this particular trip.

2dogs

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 2dogs:
Hello All:

Has anyone ridden from Texas, through Mexico, and on to the Pacific coast? I would be interested in any stories you could relate to this particular trip.

2dogs<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't have any first hand knowledge. If you like to read check out Obsessions Die Hard, By Ed Culberson. and Moto Raid by Keith Thye. Great books about central and south America.

Also check out Greg Fraziers books at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/gregfrazier/

He's written the definitive guide on "Riding South"

Have you had a look at the "Travellers Stories" section? Ought to be something useful there for you. Also the Tripplanning/ Country info / Mexico has a great info-story on the Copper Canyon.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: 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

Thanks for the info.

Check out my web site at http://www.wildecompany.com/Mexico2000.html.
It has some info on a ride I took from El Paso, through the Sierra Madre Occidentals and to the coast in Senora.

Kurt

Hey Kurt:

That story on your site hit the spot... I don't feel like I need to go now. Gee, thanks alot. HEHE

The adventure that I have planned is a trip from Ojinaga, MX to Mazatlan, straight through, with no time to spare( I told the wife she couldn't come. I'll have to haul ass to get back before she hooks up with the milkman out of spite).

I live quite close to the Presidio, TX/ Ojinaga, MX crossing, so I think a week is enough time?

By the way, if anyone trailers their bikes down here to cross at Presidio, give me a call. I live in Alpine, which is about 80 short miles to a quiet border crossing, nothing like Hell Paso. I can watch your vehicles, steal your car stereos, etc. I can tell you, anytime you can steer clear of Juarez, you probably should. Bad mojo there.

Let me ask you: after about an hour of riding, did you encounter some humongous sand dunes, I mean like huge mountains of sand? I ask because last year, I did a job in El Paso on the aerial tramway. From atop this mountain in EP, I could see this HUGE sand mountain off in the distance (on days when the smog over Juarez wasn't present, that is). I was always curious as to how long this range was, or WHAT it was.

Later,
2dogs, gearin up

Hey, I've made the trip you describe in August of 2001. Had a great time. We left Loredo, TX and went south to Monterrey and then west to Saltillo, Torreon, and Durango on Highway 40. No probelmas. The fun begins at Durango where the real mountains begin. One of the best road rides I've ever experienced. The trucks and 1000 foot drop offs are part of the appeal. Mazatlan will help you part with the contents of your wallet. On the way back we did the off-pavement thing through the mountains. The Readers Digest version I know. Email me at "Link above" and I'll give you a link and password to some photographs. Send me a telephone number and I'd be glad to personally discuss the trip sometime after 9:00 PM Central time when my long distance doesn't cost me anything.

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email address removed by Grant. See fag for why!!

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 17 February 2002).]

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2001 Kawasaki KLR 650
2000 BMW K1200LT

I just left Mazatlan, rode down from Phoenix. Took 2 days without problems. I am in Puerto Vallarta now and am headed back to the states soon and will be going through the diablo espinosa(devil's backbone)hwy 40 to Durango. From there I'm taking 45 to Hidalgo del Parral then cutting over to do Copper Canyon and probably will enter the states at Naco,Arizona. Remember that the roads in Mexico are full of slow moving trucks and your distances will be effected by this. Take your time and cancel your milk delivery while your gone:-}



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Safe Travels

Jay Kaminsky
Happily Homeless
http://jkam.home.att.net

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Safe Travels

Jay

Hey jota:

Hope you're having a wonderful time.

That exact trip you're on is something I'm interested in... maybe January `03 will be the year.

2dogs, green with envy

This reply is about 6 months after the original post, but I'd like to share some experiences with those interested in heading into Mexico from Presidio, Texas. I am a resident of Presidio, so my travels across the border have been numerous.

First of all, entering Mexico at Ojinaga is usually quick. Avoid major holidays, though, as even this smaller crossing can get really busy. Mexican insurance is available on both sides of the border. Presidio also has three motels and Ojinaga has several.

Once you clear customs and immigration (getting all the necessary paperwork taken care of) you can go on into town to grab a quick bite to eat, or to change money. Several banks and ATMs are located in or near downtown.

When you are ready to hit the highway, you'll have two route choices, soon to be three (kind of). At present you may go on Hwy 16 to Chihuahua City, which is about 145 miles. This route goes through Coyame which is a nice rest/fuel stop a little over an hour past Ojinaga. Another route is to leave Ojinaga and head towards Camargo at the last traffic light, leaving Ojinaga. Going to Camargo is faster and less travelled, but there are no other towns for 150 miles. The Camargo road will very soon have a junction that leads (over a non-mountainous route, following the railroad)to Hwy 16, leading to Chihuahua. I recommend going to Chihuahua City if you want to take your time (things to do/see in Chihuahua, Sta. Eulalia, Cuahutemoc, and Copper Canyon further west). If time is of the essence and 150 mile is no range problem, take the Camargo road.

Eventually both routes will lead to Parral in southern Chihuahua. Getting to Parral will take at least four hours (from Ojinaga). Parral itself is an interesting town. Its biggest claim to fame is where Mexican revolutionary, Panch Villa was assasinated.

At the end of a full day of riding, you should end up in Durango. Don't try to go on to Mazatlan in the same day you left Ojinaga. You will be way too tired and you will end up riding some demanding roadway way after dark.

The road between Durango and Mazatlan is called El Espinazo del Devil (The Devil's Backbone). The road is aptly named with countless curvy and hilly spots. Taken at a reasonable pace, though, this roadway is a motorcyclist's dream. It should take you about 6-8 hours to make the ride from Durango to Mazatlan.

Once in Mazatlan, there are many, many hotels to choose from. The Presidio contingent (a bunch of Presidio school teachers) usually likes to stay at the Hotel Belmar, where you can park your bike just a few feet away from the front desk.

Happy travels!