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-   -   Copper Canyon (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-seeking-travellers/copper-canyon-53288)

schmidtle 19 Oct 2010 00:44

Copper Canyon
 
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.

Smitty

hawkeye42 21 Oct 2010 10:48

Copper Canyon
 
Hi Smitty,

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

schmidtle 22 Oct 2010 06:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkeye42 (Post 309685)
Hi Smitty,

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?

Smitty
celticlad@earthlink.net

Bigfoot 24 Oct 2010 23:54

Batopilas to Choix
 
5 Attachment(s)
Smitty,

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

schmidtle 25 Oct 2010 09:14

Batopilas to Choix
 
Hi Ben,

Thanks for the information. I sent you a PM and email.

Smitty

Bigfoot 25 Oct 2010 14:44

Copper Canyon
 
Email sent.

olyflyer 4 Nov 2010 03:06

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

schmidtle 4 Nov 2010 05:42

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 (Post 311409)
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


olyflyer 14 Nov 2010 17:16

Hey Ben, is it easy to find the track or did you have a gps trails to run you through as I'm in Creel and maps I have show no trail through

If I do Smitty I will

schmidtle 15 Nov 2010 06:00

Copper Canyon Tracks
 
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.

Smitty
celticlad@earthlink.net

olyflyer 16 Nov 2010 00:00

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 (Post 312628)
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.

Smitty
celticlad@earthlink.net


schmidtle 16 Nov 2010 03:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by olyflyer (Post 312737)
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.

Smitty
celticlad@earthlink.net

olyflyer 16 Nov 2010 03:48

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

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7922262_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2502556_n.jpg

schmidtle 22 Nov 2010 03:24

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.

olyflyer 23 Nov 2010 23:24

I'm hanging out near Patzcuaro Mich, at Bosque Village for a month or so let me know if you head this way as I'll be keen for a ride!

schmidtle 24 Nov 2010 06:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by olyflyer (Post 313630)
I'm hanging out near Patzcuaro Mich, at Bosque Village for a month or so let me know if you head this way as I'll be keen for a ride!


Will do Damon. Is this the best way to contact you?

My email address is:
celticlad@earthlink.net

I don't have a cell that works in Mexico, so I'll have to try and catch up with you via the internet.

Smitty


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