I see a lot of posts about...

[David13]

Well everybody says that, if they haven't been there. They 'saw it on tv'.
I'm planning my 3rd trip this year for October or November.
I have described Los Angeles as a cesspool. But then I live here.
On another forum, they posted, not the tv watchers, but people who had been there, that in ten years what would Mexico be like? And someone posted the best answer: Detroit.
That gem of northern hospitality.
I think we are all proud of Detroit.
dc

[kantuckid]

Well now ya got me thinking. Like you I travel allot alone, for reasons you touched on.

What month ? ride all the way, or ? How far into Mexico are you going, and for how long? How many miles p/day ?

BTW I'm 63 retired just a blue collar guy. Not fussy, don't require fancy,...but will look for clean. Being honest with you, I have some arthritis and 10 hour days are a thing of the past for me. BTW my name is Ron

My name is Mike & I'm addicted to Mexico travel. When I ride 1350k/one way to the border, the other miles are easier & warmer too! My bike trips have all been in the 6-7,000 mile range. I have a notion of a route this time but not carved in stone yet as a family marriage is in the picture.
I'm 68, retired,have arthritis(but quite healthy & very active,knock on wood),worked in blue collar/skilled trades(in another life before last career) very unfussy(thats a reason I left some ride partners ) & don't ride 10 hours in Mexico- a 200k day there is pretty much it with exception on the buzzard country. At times it is important to get to a certain town or city for lodging. You never travel at night in Mexico,period. Also the roads have there can be tiring & slow or really fast. I can say this for certain, I have been all over the USA but will take nothing for my Mexico memories. The libres are mostly the MC riders route but at times the Cuotas are best & can be just as scenic as they often cut through "virgin territory". They also give you a lift if you breakdown on cuotas. I have walked out of a few hotels in USA & Mexico too. I've walked out of many in Mexico based on too pricey-they do have an upper class down there! The Pueblo Magicos are mostly all nice smaller towns that cater to tourists. Mexico is actually a civilized country. The recent ON letter by the Mexico traveler/aviation guy is quite accurate & says it like it is. Deserts,mountains,jungles,Caribbean beaches & ocean vistas, vibrant culture-it's pretty neat I say.

[kantuckid]

Well everybody says that, if they haven't been there. They 'saw it on tv'.
I'm planning my 3rd trip this year for October or November.
I have described Los Angeles as a cesspool. But then I live here.
On another forum, they posted, not the tv watchers, but people who had been there, that in ten years what would Mexico be like? And someone posted the best answer: Detroit.
That gem of northern hospitality.
I think we are all proud of Detroit.
dc

We went to a ball game at the new stadium in Detroit a few yrs ago and the walk from the car in was not a safe one, same for Baltimore,not that way in Pittsburg. They steal the flowers from the hwy plantings in Detroit, which is a bad sign?

[David13]

Mike
I hope you have been following the adventures of dwj Donnie on advrider.
Your travels sound like they may be a lot like his.
I like Baja mostly. But it's the Mexico over here. I have to go way east to get to the mainland.
But I'll be there later this year, and try to see at that time where you are. Maybe I can catch up with you.
Are you riding mostly the east coast of Mexico?
dc

[kantuckid]

Yes, I have read of Donnie's travels & also empathize with his having lost his wife. We've been married a long time & I sort of understand his losing his best friend. I actually mentioned traveling with him & it was apparent he chose to go it "his way". We have a family wedding pending for now but am thinking I might ride & meet wife in Baja then to Loreto for the ferry across and some mtn riding,etc.. Neil Peart,Rush drummer & great author/bike rider(BMW guy-why hasn't he been interviewed? for ON) said Loreto was among his Mexican faves. I'd like to ride Belize & GT but not as yet-maybe this time... I always am thinking of my kitchen pass when I do these multi-day trips but as we age one should consider that our day will come that long bike trips just wont happen, now's the time, as they say.
A friend of mine,expat in Toluca, said a friend of his was held up the other day on the cuota road through the mtns from Toluca into the DF. All traffic was stopped from whatever road issue & armed gunman robbed each vehicle of cells & wallets down the line. I read this same stuff of a nice town nearby to me as somebody hunts for some pill money here in USA. I know it's more complicated here & in MX but mucho crime here. Not in my county yet other than pill head burglaries now & then. I suspect that in a line of cars like that in my area the booger man would be in for an unpleasant surprise somewhere in the line of cars from one of the "carriers", also know as the imbued herein.
54 deg's here in KY last nite-I need to ride a bit...

[David13]

Here holding a line of cars? No thief would try it, not even several. They would be knocked down quite quick from several of the cars.
dc

[22600]

I would say that it's probably because Mexico is a 3rd world crap hole where it is VERY easy to get killed, robbed or kidnapped.

You couldn't shoot me out of a cannon into that cesspool.

I have crisscrossed it twice on a /5 and circumnavigated once on a r100rs and had a wonderful time. I Met lots of nice folks, ate many a good meal, drank some of the best beer made anywhere and marveled at the changing scenery. There are mountains and forest of pine between Torreon and Mazatlan. It reminded me of the Ozarks in Arkansas. Beautiful beaches along all the West and South coast. I did stay away from Mexico City but only because I stay away from most cities everywhere. I have lots of good memories of Mexico, including drinking some of the best coffee between Oaxaca and Veracruz made from beans grown locally and smelling the vanilla that fills the air around Tampico. I could go on and on but I sure you don't want to hear it.

I Took my converted van down in the 70's with my wife and kids (5 at the time, kids that is). Went as far a Purto escondio and turned around and took another route home to Texas. I stayed at a banana plantation for three days while the kids played with the caretakers kids. They fed us and entertained and asked nothing in return. Nothing planned, just happened to stop to steal some bananas.

Lots of bad things going on now with drugs and all but probably safer than going to Chicago or New York City.

We have many members from Mexico who love there country. I have ridden with some of them in Europe in the '80's and I know how they feel about their homeland. Lets be more respectful of our Mexican members.
DW

[NI5L]

Lets be more respectful of our Mexican members
DW

Got an idea there, bubba. You don't tell me who to respect and I won't tell you to bugger off.

[bmwrider88]

+ 1 more for reading up on others' experiences, and seeking routes, advice, etc. from ADVrider.com.
As for Mexico, I've not spent too awfully much time there but the time I spent was real quality time. I HAVE been around quite a few Mexicans. LOTS of Mexicans, in fact. For the most part, they are honest, polite, and hard working and hospitable- almost to a fault! Just like here or anywhere, you'll find a certain percentage of "bad" people.

Don't believe the negative or racist comments. You'd be wise to consider the source there.

As always, don't be a target, or look like an easy mark. When traveling in a foreign country- ESP. a 3rd world or developing nation- caution and prudence are your best tools. Well, add a SMILE to that short list, and a willingness to roll with the locals on whatever is happening.

[moot]

Just returned from 5 days of riding in Baja. As soon as I figure out how to insert pictures I'll file a Ride Report. In the mean time, let me say I had a wonderful time, saw some beautiful scenery, ate some fantastic meals and met some wonderful and friendly people. Sure, you need to use your head and be careful where you go after dark. However, Mexico is less dangerous for American Citizens who are minding their own business and are in no way involved in the drug trade than are many areas of the U.S. With the same precautions you would take in Detroit or New Orleans or even Washington DC (including areas of those cities you just would not venture into PERIOD, travel in Mexico (at least on the Baja which is all I can speak to from personal experience) is safe and fun. If you are denying yourself the opportunity because of statistics, consider these:

According to FBI crime statistics, 4.8 Americans per 100,000 were murdered in the US in 2010. The US State Department reports that 120 Americans of the 5.7 million who visited Mexico last year were murdered, which is a rate of 2.1 per 100,000 visitors. (There were 344 murdered in Detroit) Regardless of whether they were or werenÔÇÖt connected to drug trafficking, which is often not clear, the murder rate for Americans in Mexico is less than half the US national rate. Further, the statistics of 2.1 per 100,000 US Citizens encompasses all US Citizens (including Mexicans who have become US Citizens) and includes those who are involved in the drug traffic. Texans are twice as safe in Mexico as at home, and three times safer than in Houston. Five per 100,000 Texans were homicide victims in 2010, per the FBI. Houston was worst, with 143 murders, or a rate of 6.8 ÔÇô over three times the rate for Americans in Mexico. And itÔÇÖs not just Texas. ItÔÇÖs interesting comparing each of the countriesÔÇÖ most dangerous cities. New Orleans in 2010 broke its own tourism record with 8 million visitors. Yet the Big Easy has ten times the US homicide rate, close to triple MexicoÔÇÖs national rate.

Be smart but don't be scared away from wonderful opportunities in a wonderful and friendly country by hysteria.