Dreaming of a motorcycle trip to distant climes? This section will help you to plan your trip, whether it's to the next state, country or all the way around the world! Start here!
The Achievable Dream 5-part series - the definitive video guide for planning your motorcycle adventure. Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
You could just get on a plane with your credit card and passport and buy or rent everything you need when you get there. That includes the bike, riding gear, etc. etc.
Gear Up! is a 2-DVD set, 6 hours! Which bike is right for me? How do I prepare the bike? What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers! "will save you a fortune!"See the trailer here!
So you've done it - got inspired, planned your trip, packed your stuff and you're on the road! This section is about staying healthy, happy and secure on your motorcycle adventure. And crossing borders, war zones or oceans!
On the Road! is 5.5 hours of the tips and advice you need to cross borders, break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Tire Changing!Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
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Horizons Unlimited Presents!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
"It has me all fired up to go out on my own adventure!" See the trailer here!
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I'll be traveling to the Copper Canyon some time around the end of November to the beginning of December. I'm looking for someone to ride with. My dates are flexible, and I can enter Mexico any where from California to Arizona.
I also will be travelling from LA to Copper Canyon end of November. However, I intend to visit some places in between (Las Vegas, Grand Canyon - haven't been there before :-o).
A friend of mine might join for the Mexican part of my tour.
Would be nice if we could work out same similarities of our routes...
I also will be travelling from LA to Copper Canyon end of November. However, I intend to visit some places in between (Las Vegas, Grand Canyon - haven't been there before :-o).
A friend of mine might join for the Mexican part of my tour.
Would be nice if we could work out same similarities of our routes...
Cheers,
Marcus
Hi Marcus,
As far as routes go... I want to ride through the CC from Batopilas to Los Mochis, then down the coast to Mazatlan and up the Devil's Backbone to Durango. Other than that, I have no planned route.
When and where do you plan to cross the border into Mexico? Are you and your friend riding dual sports?
I've just came through Batopilas to Choix 2 days ago. It is a ride of 150kms and took me 7 hours to do. Certainly not a ride to do on anything other than a light dirt orientated bike. If you can have someone with you for safety all the better. If your bike is chain driven then I would suggest having a few extra teeth on the rear sprocket as well. It is all 1st / 2nd gear terrain.
The first 25kms is probably the most difficult as it is a steep climb out of Batopilas and down again. Then you are into a valley area that is not too bad - a few deep creek crossings where you are riding along the creek beds.
The last of it is all high mountain passes that are in better condition but still you have to watch yourself. Make sure your tyre pressures are down and take it easy if you are by yourself.
Be careful with your brakes, my rear overheated and faded. I ended up alternating between using the front and back. I had to be extremely careful to only use the front while upright and at slow speeds. It would be very easy to grab a handful of front and have it wash out on you.
The bike I used was a 08 KLR650 with standard gearing. Her temperature got up high while trolling up the long slow inclines.
I stayed the night in Batopilas then headed out early in the morning so the first climb was in the cool.
There is no straight road through the township of Batopilias you will have to find your way. Stop in the town square - it is quite a nice place to sit and rest. On the outskirts take the road to San Ignacio then all I did was follow the most worn road all the way through.
There is fuel at Batopilas - I would suggest filling up there. I didn't see another Pemex until I got to Choix
All I can think of at the moment
PM me if you have any questions
EDIT: By the way - it was well worth the effort. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
On another note the run from Mazatlan to Durango is good but watch the trucks on the blind corners - they will be on your side of the road.
Regards Ben
Watch for a moto tour running around the Copper Canyon between Nov 7 and 18. The lady driving the chase truck is a biker - she rides a KLR. Her name is Schel. If you see her, tell her Smitty said hey.
Smitty
Quote:
Originally Posted by olyflyer
I'll be doing that run in about 3-5 days
Just heading back to the border to drop off my exit visa then back down
Cheers but, I went through without any, I was prepared for a an intense ride but wasn't too bad unless I went the easy way through, Had a flat front about halfway, only took me 5 hours with about 45 mins fixing the front tube
Oh and a couple on bikes I met in Batopilas said they saw a motor group drive through the day before I got there
Quote:
Originally Posted by schmidtle
Hey Damon,
I have some routes and tracks of the CC that I can send you.
Send me an email and I'll reply with the files.
Cheers but, I went through without any, I was prepared for a an intense ride but wasn't too bad unless I went the easy way through, Had a flat front about halfway, only took me 5 hours with about 45 mins fixing the front tube
Oh and a couple on bikes I met in Batopilas said they saw a motor group drive through the day before I got there
Hey Ben,
I saw your Spot link after I posted my comment. I should have checked first.
I believe that CShel, form KLR650.net was with that group. She was hired to drive a chase truck, but also got to ride her DR part of the way. It sounded like the group was rather large (14+ riders, I believe). She said that they ran into a military blockade and had some sort of misunderstanding. As a result, one of the group members was forced to the ground at gun point.
Anyhow, I'm glad to see that you made it. Now, can I ask if you have a route that you can email me. If not, any information on the route would be appreciated.
I'm trying top see if I can upload it to my laptop the trip but when you go to Batopilas when you head out of town turn right at the fork in the road to San Ignacio and stay on the most used road, missing the dope plantations, it's fairly straight forward, only watch out for young dudes with brand new hummers flying along the track
O.K. my dates are now set:
November 30 - Leaving Carmel, CA after work. I plan to ride to LA and spend the night there
December 1 - Riding to Tucson, AZ
December 2 - Having new tires put on bike in Tucson, then riding down to Douglas, AZ
December 3 - Hope to meet up with Slade (from AZ) and two of his buddies. If it doesn't work out, I'll head to Creel. Otherwise...
December 4 - Crossing the border with Slade, and his buddies, and heading to Creel and the CC
After the canyon, I plan to head down the coast to Maxatlan and ride the Devil's Backbone up to Durango. From Durango to Real de Catorce.
After that, where ever my nose points me.
Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's thelist of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
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Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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