Mexico 2004: Second Annual HU Travellers Meeting

Why Come to a Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Meeting?

You can meet people who don't think you're crazy for wanting to ride your bike to South America or Africa or across Asia, or even around the world! Admit it, all your 'normal' friends and most of your family fears for your sanity! So, this is your opportunity to meet the people who will encourage you in that craziness, share their experiences and advice on how to do it, and maybe you'll meet them again in Mongolia or Timbuktu!

Creel, Copper Canyon, Mexico, Oct 14-17, 2004

En espaÃ±ol aquÃ

As Gerry Elam, USA, said of the Mexico 2003 meeting:

"Thank you Grant and Susan... it was a BLAST! Looking forward to next year already!"

And from Glen Davis,

"Thanks to all involved for a meeting that exceeded all expectations. Well done!"

Comments after the 2004 meeting:

From Mike Torst:

"Grant, I want to thank you, once again, for a great meet! I was in the hands of the pros, and I am still in awe. I remain humbled---thanks again! Oh, and I will CU next year!"

From Jim Donaldson, NC, USA,

"Grant,What can I say. Creel is the perfect place for a HU meet. As my friend Chris Walstow says it's easily accessible from anywhere in North America. It's warm and cool at the same time. The people are friendly and the riding is superb. I look for the meet to grow beyond all expectations as the word spreads. Thanks, Jim D My pictures and log here."

See you all there in 2005!

In case you're wondering why you should go, this is only a small part of the road to Batopilas, photographed from a helicopter.

Photo courtesy The 3 Amigos Canyon Expeditions in Creel, Mexico. Check them out for excellent maps and Copper Canyon information, 4wd rentals etc.

In mensas barrancas - photo by the Ibarra brothers

2004 speakers were:

Al Jesse - of Jesse Saddlebags fame - has ridden 42 countries - in Europe and Africa, and New Zealand and Australia. "How to fix your bike in the middle of nowhere."
Chris Ratay, USA, 4 years around the world, and a Guinness record.
Deborah and Dave Welton, USA, Northern Thailand on rental bikes.
Grant Johnson - 3 hour presentation/discussion on "How YOU can do it" Saturday afternoon.
Andy Tiegs, USA, on Central America trip after last years CC Meeting.
Juan Carlos Ibarra, Mexico, Motoquimera "From Neurosis, to Ushuaia"
Jim Hyde, Rawhyde Adventure Camp, off-road riding tips
"Overland Mexico" GPS presentation by Luis "Mac" Mercado, Mexico (30 min)

There were slide shows Friday and Saturday night , as well as videos on Thursday night!

50-50 Draw for charity

Saturday night we had a 50/50 draw, which went to a local mission providing support and care for the Tarahumara. The winner was Arturo Macias, who made US$114, plus 205 pesos - and most importantly, the mission got the same amount! Thanks to all those who bought tickets - let's try to make it more next year!

Photos from the Meeting

From Bruce Crawford, a long story and great photos on his ride down to CC and home, here.

Following photos by Chris Walstow, Canada

The main lodge and some of the cabins on the left can be seen with some early arrivals

yep, it was brisk at night - bring two sleeping bags, or a really warm one and an extra ensolite pad for beneath you.

The hot springs were popular

Basaseachi Falls

The road to Batopilas; yes, that's it way down there on the side of the mountain - that's where you're going...

The road to Batopilas

Federico Ruiz de Esparza Casas, Mexico, on the trackï¿½ down to Rekawata Hot Springs just outside of Creel

Mission near Batopilas

Divisadero viewpoint

Photos from the Meeting

by Mike Torst, USA

The semi-official - well as official as we ever get - group photo - note there anly about 60 people in this shot, and we had 94 attendees at final count. It's like herding cats getting these VERY independent travellers to do anything...

Click the pic for a larger version

A few people having a good time Saturday afternoon

A few people having an even better time Saturday afternoon!

'nuff said...

DO watch for the topes! They bite!

Sample off-pavement riding

Great road riding as well as off-pavement

Canyon views at the end of a great ride

Photos from the Meeting

by Jacob Sherman, USA

something important... Gerardo Ibarra in red and Arturo in the helmet, local organiser and ride leaders

Jacob Sherman, along with many others, crashed on the road down to Batopilas. His Jesse saddlebag mount was bent, so he kicked it straight and bungied the bag back on, and back in Creel had the bracket straightened and welded up to strengthen it, see below. Like all problems on the road - just deal with it, no biggie. :) Nice job Jacob!

Photos from the Meeting

from Doug Kalmer, USA

Tire repair - Steve's "working vacation"

Photos from the Meeting

more to come...

Photos from the ride home from the Meeting

See I told you it was just as dangerous, if not more so, riding at home!

Photo by Doug Kalmer

"I'm back - alive and well, from Mexico. Didn`t even get sick once. I had a great time in Creel, I met folks from all over the world who love to travel by motorcycle... I had no problems negotiating the huge Mexican speedbumps, the tight twisty mountain roads, the cows, donkeys and horses in the road, but I did have a little problem in the last two miles from home.

It seems that the day I was trying to return home from a 3,700 mile, nine day trip, it rained about 9" in six hours, causing flash flooding which washed lots of rocks and gravel onto the road. I tried to cross where there were smaller sized rocks, and when I went to put my left foot down, it just sunk into the gravel. I just stepped off when the point of no return was reached, so I never even went down with it. The tip over wing slowed it's fall, and my highway pegs stopped it from going any further than you see. I had a large river bag on the back and couldn`t lift the ST with it on, I had to unpack it and then it was all I could do, as the running water and deep gravel made good boot purchase difficult.

I arrived home to find the road to town washed out, phone service took a week to restore, and the TV and DVD got zapped by lightening. Doug Kalmer"

Note he took the picture before picking up the bike - Good one Doug!

The Meeting Location for 2004

Creel, Copper Canyon, Mexico

La sierra, Copper Canyon

La sierra, Copper Canyon, photo by the Ibarra brothers

Getting There, Crossing the border, Information about the area etc:

See the 2005 page here.

Thanks to our Local Hosts

Juan Carlos Ibarra and Gerardo Ibarra and others! Thanks guys!

If you have any questions about the location, they can be contacted here:

Short History:

More details on HU Traveller's meetings history here on the meetings home page.