Like John said, I started a thread back in Oct or so looking for someone to ride Mexico with. Initially I was looking at Baja, then John pitched his plan to ride Copper Canyon. Hard to say no to someone who has ridden Mexico many times before!
But yes, my family and friends were in shock that I was leaving for "Mexico" and with "someone you don't even know?!?!"
Luckily Phoenix was a good start point as I had some family there I hadn't seen in a few years, so I went out the Monday prior to visit them and get ready for the ride.