Lazy Beach Day In Mazatlán
Yep, still in Mazatlán, taking it slow. Very lazy day, seemed to be exactly what I need.

Started the morning with coffee, caught up on a few phone calls by the pool, then grabbed a simple breakfast before heading to the beach, where I stayed all day.
Music from Brentsters in the background, feet in the sand, just chilling and soaking it all in.
And
That was pretty much it. When I was done the beach shopped for a few necessities and cleaned up to end the day at La Catrina. Fun little spot, where a really great band played some fun tunes until about 9. Didn’t catch the name, but they made for a great night.

No big adventures today, no deep reflections—just a beach, some music, and a reminder that this isn’t a race.
Just lazily thinking about the miles and adventures ahead.
This whole slow down, breathe, and feel the sand between my toes thing—it’s really the way to do this.
It feels right , right now .. good enough for me

Was even a slow picture day.

And tomorrow? Who knows—maybe rinse and repeat.
because even bummin is .. AllPartOfTheAdventure

The Beach Report—Stone Island Edition

Can’t believe I’m already on Day 9 of going to see Andy and Red, hoping they’ll wait for me:rofl. So yes, still in Mazatlán, but the wheels start turning again tomorrow.
So no motorcycle ride report—this is still the beach report.
After a leisurely start to the morning, I got my poop in a group, packed a backpack, threw on my flip-flops, and jumped on a green bus headed for the boat ferry to Stone Island.

Stone Island—Big Beach, Horses, Iguanas, Big Questions
Huge , very cool beach. Full of people, vendors, and a cruise ship crowd. A bit circus like maybe, horseback rides on the sand, a guy on a quad with a giant iguana charging people for photos, banana boat rides, and plenty of food and drink.

Had some time to talk with a few locals (those with a bit of English to match my pathetic Spanish), and there’s definitely some tension in the air. Tourism is way down, and people are hesitant to travel or even go out at night because of recent cartel activity.
There was even an incident near my hotel last night—shots fired, but details are murky. Some say two shots, some say more, and no one seems to know if anyone was hurt or if it was just noise. Plenty of rumors, no real answers.
The locals are watching closely to see what happens with Carnival—huge event, huge parade, expected to bring tons of people. But will they actually show up? Hard to say, since so many are scared to travel right now.

And yet… here I am in Mexico. Not sure what that says about my sanity.??

Back to Centro—One Last Round at the Market
After wandering Stone Island, checking out the harbor, the town, and the quieter side of things, I grabbed a green bus back to town.
And I couldn’t resist—had to go back to the market. There’s just so much to see, and the food is ridiculously good. Walked around, took in the sights, grabbed something to eat, and then made my way back to start packing up for the ride ahead.

Tomorrow - A Ride to Look Forward To
Tomorrow morning, I roll out early (that is the plan), taking the old Highway 40 toward Durango. Really looking forward to that road—apparently twisty, scenic, and full of history. Sounds like my kind of ride.

Still not sure what the plan is once I hit Durango. The new toll road is supposed to be incredible, but do I double back and take that, or head down the backroads toward Ruiz? Haven’t decided yet.
Playing it by ear, as you can tell, that’s kind of the theme of this trip anyway.

Plenty of fun pictures from today—big beach, horses, iguanas, good food, and another solid day in Mexico.

Life is good and is .. AllPartOfTheAdventure

Sketchy Roads, Armed Encounters, and Mountain Towns

Got up early, packed up, and rolled out of the room. First stop was to fuel up and get a last-minute report on the old Highway 40. It sounded as positive as any other report, so that was the plan. Left Mazatlán and headed into the mountains.
Getting to Highway 40 was uneventful.

The Wild Ride Up Highway 40
Old Highway 40 is something else. Twisty, scenic, and a whole lot of sketchy. There is everything on that road: rocks across the lanes, some the size of small cars, full-on rockslides, fallen trees, loose sand, and gravel covering some corners. Cows and horses wander freely.

Had to stop once because a group of horses was being herded down the road by a guy in a pickup truck. The only way past a rockslide blocking the road was to wait for them to clear the way.

The road itself is not in terrible shape, but you do not want to come flying around a blind corner at speed and find yourself face-to-face with a boulder, a tree, or a bunch of livestock. It keeps you on your toes, to put it lightly.

An Unexpected Encounter
At one point, I pulled off near a small town called Revolcaderos to adjust some gear. Normally, I stay pretty aware of what is going on around me, but I got a little too focused on what I was doing.

Next thing I know, there is a guy standing right beside me. Mid-twenties, rifle in hand. Beside him, a teenager, maybe fifteen or sixteen years old, also carrying a rifle.

That got my attention.

They just stood there, watching me. It was one of those moments where the background music should start playing, something banjo heavy. I really hoped these were not the bad guys. They did not have that bad guy look or attitude though.

One of them rattled off something in Spanish. I said “No Español.” He nodded, said something like “Todos buenos,” meaning “all good.”

I said “Sí.” They gave a wave and walked away.

No idea what that was about. They did not look like hunters, more like some kind of local vigilante group or peacekeepers. Maybe protecting the town, maybe just checking what I was up to. Either way, it was bizarre. I did not stick around to find out more. Got back on the bike and got moving.

Rolling Into El Salto
Eventually made it to El Salto. I stopped early because I needed to tinker with a few things on the bike and called it a day.

Checked Sjoerd’s guidebook and found two hotel options. One was in town, Hotel Pino, and another with the old steam locomotive out front, now called Real de Bosque. Picked the latter. Secured a room for about forty dollars, with the bike tucked away safely right outside.

Threw on some gear and went out to explore. El Salto is a busy little town. It feels like a shopping hub for the smaller towns in the area. Tons of stores, all ready for business, people coming and going, and as usual, lots of places to eat. Grabbed some tacos, took a few photos, and pretty much just wandered around checking the place out.

The town itself has a really industrial logging town feel. Also noticed huge aqueduct-style gutters running through town. Must get massive water flow in the spring.

And they have a 24 Hour Funeral Shop. If you look close in the picture, you can see the coffins on display inside.

Tomorrow – Finishing the Old 40 and Figuring Out What’s Next
Tomorrow I will finish the ride up the old Highway 40 into Durango, then figure out the next move. The new toll road looks absolutely incredible. I caught glimpses of it while riding today, and it is tempting.

Do I double back and ride it? Or do I take the backroads down to Ruiz? Still undecided. And it is not like I am off schedule, or even have one.

The Bike and Gear – No Complaints
The bike is running great. Fuel gauge still working, no issues so far, and I am really happy with the setup.

Everything from the riding gear to the luggage system is doing what it should, and that makes a big difference. No frustrations, just loving the ride and loving Mexico.

Durango, The Toll Road, and El Rosario

Woke up in El Salto and had to take care of a few life maintenance tasks. Made a couple of phone calls, sorted some things out, and then fueled up before hitting the road.

The rest of the old Highway 40 into Durango was nothing like the wild ride the day before. It was way tamer, not nearly as dramatic, just steady riding and covering ground. Actually, the curves were a little more open, so you could carry a bit more speed, which made for a fun, flowing ride.

I rolled into Durango, grabbed a quick coffee, but didn’t feel any pull to stick around. The plan was already forming in my head—to double back down the toll road. Everyone says it’s spectacular, and I wanted to see it for myself. One hundred fifteen bridges and sixty-eight tunnels sounded like something worth riding.

The Durango Toll Road, Bridges, Tunnels
That road is a serious piece of engineering. Massive bridges stretch over deep valleys, tunnels cut straight through the mountains, and for the most part, the pavement is smooth enough to let you enjoy it all. There were a few potholes and some tunnel work going on, so I hit a couple of stops and backups, but nothing major.

It was the right call. No regrets riding that road. You could carry speed through a lot of it, not pushing anything crazy, just enjoying the ride and the view.

At the bottom, I turned south and continued on Highway 15, heading toward El Rosario.

El Rosario, A Sleepy but Impressive Stop
I rolled into El Rosario in the late afternoon. First impressions? Pretty cool little place. It had a relaxed, lived-in feel, especially compared to the hustle of towns like El Salto or San Carlos. Clean streets, slower pace, locals just going about their day.

Checked into a really nice hotel, Hotel Yauco, for thirty-six dollars. Just as I was settling in, I heard the cathedral bells ringing. I had to check it out.

When I got there, I saw the ropes hanging down from the bell tower. No automated system—just real people pulling real ropes to ring the bells. Something about that felt grounded and good. There was even a castle-like tower that looked like it belonged in a fairytale. I joked to myself about Rapunzel letting her hair down, even though it’s a church, not a prison.

All kidding aside, the cathedral itself was impressive for its size. A mass was going on. I grabbed a few photos, took in the atmosphere, then wandered a bit more. Found out they’re also restoring another old cathedral in town.

Later I found a park with a lake and a suspension bridge that led to an island. There was even a zip line stretching across the water. Looks like it’s been out of commission for a while, but still a funky little corner of the town.

After walking the town, I grabbed something quick to eat—nothing fancy—and called it an early night.

Tomorrow, A Short Ride to San Blas?
Might just take an easy day and head to San Blas. Maybe I keep it short, maybe not. Depends on how the morning feels. All I know is I am heading south.

and no road pics today.

But here is a bit of a pic dump:

Palm Trees, Pit Stops, and a Saturday Night Crowd

Packed up, fueled up, and headed out of El Rosario toward San Blas. Got a reasonably early start and took the toll-free highways 15, 72, and 54. It was one of those days where you just enjoy the ride, the countryside, and the smells of the trees and plants as everything starts to shift. As I moved south, the landscape got greener, maybe even a little tropical. Not sure if it’s technically tropical yet, but it felt like it. Seeing palm trees again was a good sign.

It was hot today, but really only when stopped or riding slow in direct sun. Once moving, there was a perfect breeze that made for fantastic riding conditions. Loved that.

The Unexpected and Fun Pit Stop in Reynosa
While riding the other day, I had the idea to mount my phone somewhere so I could snap road photos while riding. Nothing fancy, just something to make it easier to grab quick shots. Problem was, I needed a drill, or at least someone with one.

Enter Reynosa, and two guys named Pedro and Enrique.

I stopped at a small shop. Not modern, kind of a mix between a tire repair place, a junk pile, and a siesta hangout. Between my terrible Spanish, their terrible English, Google Translate, and a whole lot of gestures, I managed to explain what I needed. They got it right away.

Enrique jumped on a bicycle and rode off looking for a drill. Pedro started digging around for bits, and we began prepping. Enrique came back a few minutes later with a drill, but the chuck wouldn’t grip the small bit we needed. After more chatter, he took off again. Meanwhile, Pedro and I kept tinkering with what we had until he suddenly remembered another drill he had stashed somewhere.

He brought it out, and we were in business. A few minutes later, the hole was drilled, the mount was in place, and the job was done. They refused to take any money. Just a handshake and “buen viaje.” Eventually I managed to press a little cash on them, took a couple of pictures, and rolled on. Moments like that are why I love riding in Mexico. The people are something else.

Rolling Into San Blas
The rest of the ride was smooth. I stopped a couple of times to take in the scenery and eventually rolled into San Blas in the afternoon. A couple of hotels were full, which had me mildly concerned, but one of them pointed me toward Hotel Familia.

It turned out to be a great spot. Family-run, with a nice restaurant out front and secure parking out back. They gave me a garage remote for the private lot behind the building, probably enough room for eight or ten cars. I asked if taking up a car spot with the bike was okay, and they immediately offered a better idea — park on the cement pad in the garden where they grow plants. They even suggested putting a cover on it so it wouldn’t get covered in “plant juice” overnight.

Very safe, very welcoming. Room was 850 pesos.

I took a photo with the owner standing next to the bike, threw on the cover, changed into town-exploring clothes, and went for a walk.

Lots of Motorbikes and a Saturday Night Crowd
San Blas was alive. Crowds everywhere, Saturday night energy. I didn’t make it down to the beach, but I explored the waterfront, the marina, and wandered through town. Not a ton to see, but it’s a well-known birdwatching destination.

What stood out the most? Motorbikes. It felt like I had suddenly been dropped into Southeast Asia. Bikes everywhere — on every corner, cutting through traffic, weaving between cars and pedestrians. You had to stay alert just to cross the street. Seemed like an odd thing to see in a town this size, but clearly it’s how the locals get around.

In the main plaza, they were setting up a huge stage. By 8 PM, it was in full swing. I grabbed a spot at one of the plaza restaurants and had some fantastic enchiladas while watching the crowd build. Turned out to be a whole lot of loud music, speeches, and more speeches. After an hour of waiting for something to actually happen, I gave up and wandered back to the hotel.

From my room, I could still hear the party rolling well past midnight. Big crowd, big volume, big night in San Blas.

Oh Yeah, The Phone Mount — Right Idea, Bad Workability
That phone mount we installed? Good idea in theory. In practice, not great. The vibration was bad enough to make most of the pictures unusable. I might salvage something from it, but it’s not the solution I hoped for.

I’ve got a GoPro too, but it brings its own issues. Still figuring all of that out. Not critical, just something I’ll keep messing with when time allows.

Tomorrow – Southbound With as Much Coastal as Possible
Tomorrow I head south again. Maybe Bucerías. Maybe Puerto Vallarta. Maybe somewhere else entirely. I’ll figure it out in the morning.

San Blas just felt like the kind of stop I needed
because too much fun is .. AllPartOfTheAdventure

Here is a slideshow of the day..

Slow Miles, Surf Vibes, and Tree Tunnels

Pretty laid-back day. I didn’t cover many miles, but it still took some time. Just a 90-mile cruise down to Punta de Mita. Not much in the way of distance, but it was a scenic one.

The Ride – Coastal Views and Tree Tunnels
The road south had some beautiful stretches. It weaved in and out of coastal sections where I could catch glimpses of the Pacific, then ducked into dense, shaded corridors where the trees formed a tunnel overhead. The ocean was never far, and everything felt greener, thicker, and more tropical the farther I went.

The flip side? The road was rough in a few sections. Lots of topes, lots of tiny towns, and plenty of resort areas where the traffic slows to a crawl. It was Sunday, and nearly every town had something going on. In two of them, the main road was completely shut down. One seemed to be hosting a horse event, the other a full festival.

Even with the slow pace, it was one of those days that felt easy. No rush, no real agenda, just rolling along and seeing what the day offered. I didn’t know where I’d end up, but when I got to Punta de Mita, it felt like the right place to stop.

Punta de Mita – Luxury Meets Surf Culture
This place is interesting. It’s a beach town split right down the middle. On one side, you’ve got high-end real estate offices, boutique stores, and condo listings that start around two hundred seventy-five thousand and climb into the millions. On the other side, you’ve got surfers walking barefoot, carrying boards and six-packs of , looking like they’re here for sun and swells.

It’s a strange mix. Some people are dressed to impress, straight out of a resort catalog, while others look like they live out of their van.

I walked around for a bit, checked out the beach and the surf crowd, and wandered out onto the lighthouse rock jetty. Nice place, but I didn’t feel the need to dig in too deep. It’s polished, a little upscale for this kind of trip, but made for a good place to call it early.

Grabbed a fantastic chicken quesadillas at El Coral. Simple but excellent. Hit the spot after a day of slow riding.

Tomorrow – Heading Inland?
Not sure what the plan is yet. I think it’s time to leave the coast and head inland toward Guadalajara, but I’ll spend some time with the maps tonight and figure it out from there.

Best Laid Plans of Mice and...
The plan was to see some folks in the Puerto Vallarta area, but the morning just got away from me. Spent too much time on the phone, and then tinkering with the bike (loose bolt issue, must be the smooth streets), and before I knew it, half the day was gone.
I really appreciate the generosity of the people that asked I visit, but when I thought about spending the whole day in PV versus getting back on the road, I realized this trip is more about exploring real, authentic Mexico than hanging around hustling, bustling resort towns where everything is new, shiny, and full of tourists. Someplace I’d fly into to enjoy, maybe.

So, around noon, I made the call, I’ll catch up with everyone another time. Time to hit the road.
And yes, I made one last Walmart stop in Bucerías before leaving town.

The Ride, Twisties, Potholes, and Pure Fun
Once I got going, and found the road to Mascota it was fantastic. Twists, curves, and beautiful mountain countryside.
The first stretch was a bit slow, with lots of small towns and stop-and-go traffic, but once I got out into the country, it turned into one of the most fun roads yet.
The pavement wasn’t perfect, plenty of potholes meant you couldn’t get too carried away with the speed. You’re dodging potholes mid-curve, which definitely keeps things interesting. But the scenery, the flow of the road, and the ride itself? Beyond belief. Don’t even think I saw a rock on the road.

Rolling Into Mascota, Authentic, Historic, and Just Cool
First stop in Mascota was AutoZone, needed a couple of nuts and washers to secure something on the bike that had loosened up. Quick fix, no problem.
Then I found the coolest little hotel, the Hotel La Casona De La Esmerelda, very old-school, full of character, with a beautiful courtyard, open grassy area, and secure parking inside the yard.

And then she hands me the key.
When she handed it to me, I couldn’t believe it, one of those massive old keys, and the most archaic locking mechanism I’ve seen in ages. Might have to do a separate post just about this hotel because it’s got so much personality. There are better options in town I’m sure, but this was just so cool.

Exploring Mascota, A Hidden Gem
Mascota is one of those places that feels untouched in all the right ways. Historic, funky, and full of interesting little spots.
All over the centro of town, they have signs pointing to all the local sites, the plaza, the museum, the church, the parks. Makes it easy to just wander and take it all in.
Best sidewalks I’ve seen in Mexico so far, seriously. Most of the town’s sidewalks are in fantastic shape. And downtown, they’ve made the corners handicap-accessible in many areas, which you don’t see everywhere. The streets, on the other hand, are stone-paved, rough, and winding all over the place. Some of them are just wide enough for one car, while others cut at weird angles, it’s a total maze.
I spent some time just walking around, taking it all in. There’s a much stronger sense of history here than I have seen so far, and the town has done a great job preserving its charm.

Simple Food
Didn’t go for anything fancy, just grabbed some street tacos, picked up a few snacks from a small grocery store, and called it a night.

Tomorrow, Guadalajara Bound
Hoping to get an early start in the morning and head toward Guadalajara. So pumped for the ride ahead, this trip is turning out even better than expected.
Far better than expected. Thanks for the push guys.