Mexico's rout 200 is blocked

[yoni]

Hi riders on the way to Mexico

I'm on my AK to TDF ride, now in mexico. this morning rode from Barra Navidad southeast on rout 200 that runs along the Pacific. Was stoped by a group of armed cevilians fighting for thir land rights. and had to turn back. when I got back to Tecoman the closest town, met the Mexican Mlitar and told them about taht, they did not care and just said they know those armed guies had already shot on an American traveler few days ago (and as a kind of "thanks for the information" the Militar held me for a search, which I took with good mood, no problemo it's an adventure) So if you want to save time and truble make a detour (not short- something like 550 km) via Colima and you can get back to rout 200 near Lazaro Cardenas.

Yoni

[yoni]

The blockade is near La Piacita on rout 200 Mexico

Yoni

[Laser Jock]

Wow ! Blockades in Mexico of all places.....Caught up in the road blocks in Peru I yearned for the relative civility of Mexico.....Fond memories of Barra de Navidad.....cute little town.

[Calvin]

Last winter I was stopped in Mexico and Guatemala by armed civilians blocking the road because of land claims, both times I rode to the front of the blockade asked in Spanish for any literature they may have regarding their plight, smiled and made lots of small talk and both times they let me pass while the cars were backed up for a mile or so. They seemed happy to talk to you about their fight with the Government. Then I had the road all to myself for a long time!
Cal

[zentropa]

I ran in to a block a couple weeks ago just South of Puerto Escondido, on the west coast about 100 miles or so from Acapulco.
They absolutely would not let us pass.
We could have waited until morning but decided to go to Oxaca anyway and the riding was much better.
In fact I filmed it, here's the link if you want to see.
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[Cruz]

I would be grateful to hear some stories (and advice) of USA-Mexico border crossings and general safety issues in Mexico, in partic the North.

We will be crossing in mid-Oct from Texas and would like to decide on best border crossing from the States.

Just met some members of the Canadian army in Kingston, Ontario and they strongly advised against travelling there, or as they said "keep your feet on the accelerator and don't stop until you reach the south of Mexico"!

What about police bribes? Blockades?

PS Hey Ricky, thanks for posting your videos, really enjoyed it. When is the movie coming along?! Have a good trip.

[maja]

You sure that it was the Canadian Army? They must have changed a hell of a lot since I last played with them. Ride safe.

[Cruz]

Definitely! These guys were from the information section, they were just on a training missing and off to Afghanistan in Oct. We just stopped by to check-out their vehicle and how it was kitted up so they offered some advice. Should have taken pics!

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Mexico is a lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-t safer than Afghanistan !!!!
Don't pay any attention to this sort of advice- these guys have likely never been near Mexico!You will get to hear that all through the USA too.
It is a lot of bs.
I have already done three transits of Mexico this year and have never encountered any dangerous situations.I do NOT ride the highways at night and stay away from the big city slums and do not go hiking around the fields in areas known for drug cultivation.
Crooked cops are usually of the small town police forces who seek to augment their income by indulging in tourist trapping- they stand in wait at points where minor traffic infractions are likely and then haul in the unsuspecting tourist , suggest a big fine is due in court , "hand over license por favor,' then you negotiate it down to about $10 and off you go. He pockets the dough and looks for his next victim. The Federal Highway Police ( PFP -Policia Federal Preventiva) are NOT a problem, I find them to be quite professional,direct and honest.
Blockades are common anywhere there is a dispute between the populace and authorities, be it land claims, local police injustice, the declining price of agricultural harvests etc. Elsewhere I have explained , but just be polite, ask a few questions of the blockaers and show a bit of sympthy, but do not get involved. With patience they will usually let the motorcycling tourist pass. If not find another road around the blockade,,take a totally different direction or wait out a night in a local hotel, they may be gone in the morning.
Even the north of Mexico is quite safe to just travel through. The big shootouts were between police and narco gangs.But even in the center and south such gunfights and massacres have happened. The odds of you getting in the midst of one are very low. A lot lower than getting blown to bits by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan because of a bunch of ignorant sanctimonious fanatical religious a-holes there who take exception to your free lifestyle. !!

[M&Ms]

We are driving for about 5 weeks through Mexico and had NO problem. Not with the police, or the military nor with anyone else.
Crossed border at tecate, drove the Baja to Santa Rosalita, took the ferry, went to Creel, Durango, El Tajin, Veracruz and now in Palenque.
As Sjoerd wrote I would NOT drive at night.

Marcus