never, never...................
 

i have been riding for over 25 years, but never experienced any ride longer than 4-5 days. i spend a few months a year in central/southern mexico and i am readying for a 3 month trip down to chiapas and oaxaca from vancouver. i try to be safety conscious, but i am a little apprehensive about doing this distance alone. i will be keeping mostly to the libre and coastal roads (hiway 15 and 200) on a touring harley (can i say the "h" word on this site? i see the occasional slam. i also ride a beamer though). my question, or rather request is to hear your three, "i will never....." rules. the ones that you make to yourself before you leave your driveway. i'm hoping that i hear something i'd never thought of being a novice distance traveller. your post could prevent me from doing the foolish. thanks P

Take twice as much money and half as many clothes as you packed.

thanks neighbour, i've got both those areas covered i hope. i was thinking of changing my username to interstate boy after spending hours pouring over this site. always loved riding, but not experienced in foreign country riding. i was wanting to learn the lesser obvious pointers for travelling on a different road system, passing thru rural towns, etc. never been on a bike in mexico, although i am well travelled on the roads less travelled by car. i expect third world bike driving to be a tad different than travelling the trans canada. oui? i want to hear the stuff that made you say " holy crap, i'll never do that again" thanks,P

And take the tools which you dont think is necessary.. they will be the ones that you need the most..

I will never try to cross a snowy pass without taking 10-15m of rope (for winding around the tyres).

Hey Paco,
My three "I nevers" are
I will never ride in an unfamiliar place at night...
I will never assume the other guy has seen me...
I will never get too worried again... There are helpful friendly people everwhere.

Have fun, Peter