Off to South America
 

Hi, I'm entering Mexico on the 26th at Tecate. Heading down the Baja then crossing to Mazatlan and continuing to TDF. Anyone around that want to join up for a bit of a ride let me know.

can u let me know what ferry u r using and what is cost. i am planning a trip in dec.
ride safe
tks tom

Yes, when I get to La Paz I will let you know. There is only one ferry company but the price does vary based on if and what type of cabin you want.

Hi Jeff
We are in Panajachel, Guatemala at the moment. We'll be here for a few days before heading into El Salvador, if you pull your finger out you will catch us up. we are in no hurry and would like to hook at some point. If you need more information on our route drop us a line or catch up with the blog.

Ride Safe - Stay Upright

Graham and Sue

DUE SOUTH

And I'm a week ahead of one, a week behind the other--in San Miguel de Allende at the moment, sharing space with multitudes of fellow Americans, heading south via the mountains without much coast. We'll all bottleneck in Panama, I suspect.

Hope to see some or all, somewhere down the road. And if there's anyone in my immediate neighborhood (next stop Oaxaca, probably Tuesday evening), send out a signal and I'll buy the first beer.

Mark

newbe question
 

what is TDF ?

I am working on bikes and chillin since being layed off in June.

I am in NC and would like to do South America. It is just starting to sink in that I am in a position to do it.

Look at your map of South America, then find the obvious destination at the end of the road.

Markharf
 

Markharf, I see you are in san Miguel de Allende. Don't miss the natural hot springs La Gruta and check out the old convent now The National Institute of Fine Arts..... I studied sculpture there for 3 years in the eighties.

Hope you all get to meet up.

Take car my friend

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

Here you go, check this out for Tierra del Fuego :D

Tom,

I used Baja Farries. Price was as defined on the website. I got a cabin for the night too. The whole thing was pretty easy. I pulled into La Paz around noon. Went to the ferry office and got my ticket for the departure that night. I did have to do the vehicle import thing too. That was not that bad as the bank was just a few buildings from the ferry office. I've got gps waypoints for the two building if you want them.

Then spent the remainder of the day in La Paz having lunch and a beer or two.

-Jeff

thanks jeff, great info hope to make it next month

tks again and rdie safe

tom

San Diego - Panama
 

I will start friday or saturday in San Diego riding south, nogales-hermosillo.... to Panama. If anybody is alone on the same road we could join.

If you get to San Cristobal during the week of the 16th look me up. I'll be in town for a week or two.

let me know...
 

Hi there,
I am stuck in Hidalgo Del Parral, my engine open as I type this. let me know how far you get, you might catch up on me soon...

Yannick

I am leaving this morning San Diego for Tucson and will cross the border tomorrow. I know now better the road I would like to follow : Hermosillo-Guadelajara-Mexico City-Oaxaca-......Guatemala, Coban, Copan (honduras), El Salvador, 20th of November in Managua.
Yannick, let me know when you move on, I wil cross Mexico City in 4 days, so keep in touch.

Jeff, I will probably pass San Cristobal in 8 days, could be ok. I keep you posted.

Have a safe ride

Michel

San Cristobal-Guatemala
 

I will be on the 15th in San Cristobal. Are you planning to stay some days in San cristobal or will you ride to Guatemala?

Michel

I am currently in San Ceristobel planning to head for Guatemala on 12. If there is still rain in Antigua I might be there when you arrive.
david

In San Cristobal
 

Made it to San Cristobal and will be here until the 28th at which time I head to Guatemala. If anyone is crossing the border at that time and wants company look me up. :thumbup1:

In Tampico heading tomorrow for Veracruz then Oaxca
 

probaly gona miss you in san cristobal.

You never know, I'm hanging out in San Cristobal for a few days before heading to Guatemala. The town is starting to setup for Christmas too so its becoming more festive.

Leaving Puerto Angel now for San Cristobal
 

Hey Jeff
Im just leavinf Puerto Angel now. Hoping to make it to SC tonight. Let me know where youre staying and Ill try to hook up with you if you want a riding partner to cross into Guatamala.
Kevin

Kevin,

I'm heading to the Palenque Ruins today. Will be back in SC on monday

I'll be at the Pasada Jovel. Nice rooms for 150 and a good place for the bikes. If you stick around for a day or two let's meet up. Ill be headind south on thursday

Late Arrival
 

Had some trouble on the way (got lost) so I didnt make it to SC til noon Sunday. Was planning on being here for a day or two so once I find a place where I can get a Guiness Ill let you know! Im staying at the Hotel Posada Virginia near the centro.

Got back into SC a day early and staying at the Posada Jovel, about 2 block north and 1 east of you. Once I get cleaned up I'll stop by your place. Or the Revolusion bar had good beer. I could meet you there a 8:00 or 9:00

Revolution Bar it is! Ill be the big bald guy with the funny tan.

and I'll be the gray haired guy with a rose ;)

South Bound as Well...
 

Looks like I'm about a week behind you folks. Keep an eye out for the gringa on the Twisted Throttle bike...

(currently in Parral and will ride the Espinazo del Diablo on Tuesday)

You may catch up as I should have left several days ago. Current departure date is Thursday headed to Antigua - but hey, this is suppose to be a vacation so do you really need a schedule? :D

No schedule...I make it up every morning.

Heading that way too!
 

Bumped in to MotoAdventureGal on the Espinazo del Diablo on Tuesday going in opposite directions at the time.

Just got to the beautiful city of Zacatecas, going to stick around here for a day. Might catch you guys up later on.

Ben

Too much to see!
 

Well, Gosh, today I was on the superhighway of MotoTravelers...Ruta 15 from Mazatlan to Tempic. About 15 miles into the day I ran into 3 Mexican BMWers 1 with a flat tire...I stopped, helped fix, lent my Mini Foot Pump, then they took off. I'm not sure if they even said thank you. Hmf.

Passed 2 other obvious travelers on 650-ish bikes like mine & Ben's (hi Ben! I may run into you in Gananjuato if you decide to go there--I cannot get it out of my mind--I should be there Fri night)

Then I am headed to Oaxaca for probably 2 nights. I have a friend of a friend I can stay with and I need to tighten everything down and do an oil change. My Oxford grip (yeah, I'm a sissy) superglue let go, so I also need to re-glue the grip.

Anyone been to the butterfly forest? Looking for info or better a waypoint.

I *might* make it into Guatemala in 2 weeks, but there's so much to see!

have fun y'all!
~MAG

Guanajuato is great. So's Oaxaca. So's San Miguel de Allende, at least the first time around, and Zacatecas, Real de Catorce, San Cristobal de las Casas....and more. In the end, you've got to start triaging wonderful places out of your schedule, or resign yourself to spending the winter in Mexico.

To see the mariposas monarcas, the easiest is to head for Anganguero. You can ride up to the sanctuary yourself--aim to get there mid-morning, then walk uphill on the impossible-to-miss path. In Anganguero, talk to Francisco in the tourist office just off the main town square. He's a wonderful guy in addition to being very helpful (and speaking English, if that's a consideration).

Random notes: when coming from the northern deserts it's easy to forget about weather slowing you down. The further south, the more likely you'll hit cold fog at elevation; not for nothing are they called "cloud forests." It's not the end of the world, but you'll want to allow for this in scheduling. The border crossing out of San Cristobal is an easy one; don't forget to sign your bike out unless you're returning soon-ish. And the Guatemalan highlands are even nicer than the Mexican highlands, but with occasional inexplicable deteriorations of main roadways into rutted dirt or impassable muck. Allow for that, too, if wandering around on secondary roads (which you certainly should).

enjoy,

Mark

(now in Cali, headed onwards)

Hmf. Yeah, Mexico is under my skin. I love it. AND you are right...I need to start heading south. 'd decide 2 days ago that cannot possibly see everything, so I will come back! Mexico is not that far away...

thanks for the insights and the mariposas tip.

In Guatemala
 

Man I love Panajachel! There used to be a woman who sold slices of cake and pie at the bottom of Calle Santander later in the evening (about 10:00 oclock). Probably the best cake I ever ate. Great memories of that little town! So much to say about it so little time.

In Zacatecas
 

Guys, got 'stuck' in Zacatecas, been here for a few days now.

It looks like I'm already 'falling behind', need to get a move on - too much to see.

Ben

I saw that lady last night. If I see her tonight I'll buy try some.

Stuck
 

Ben, if you are stuck dues to mechanical problems (I know you are not carrying much in spares) I'm tapped into the BMW riders here and have been offered lots of contacts if you need something.

In a couple of days I'm taking one of them up on their offer and I'm doing an oil change and rear brake pads in Oaxaca (I'm in Guanajuato now) . wish me luck 1st time doing brake pads.

~MAG

MAG,
I know what you mean. Not only are there too many places to see in Mexico but so far, every country I’ve been to, I could spend a month or two. I just left Honduras and I'm sitting in San Miguel, El Salvador getting ready to cross into Nicaragua tomorrow. Everyone I’ve met in El Salvador is very friendly. I’d love to spend a few more days here but I’m wanting to get to Colombia too. I see a Central America trip in the future! :thumbup1:

Arrived in Colombia the other day
 

Sitting in Medellin now for a few days. Anyone in the area and want to meet a The Barking Spider?

Hanging at Casa Blanca Hostel in Cali
 

Currently hanging at Mike's Casa Blanca Hostel for a few days. Great place to stay, work on the bike, get info, etc.

If anyone is in the area and wants to take a day ride I'm ready :thumbup1: