Two Moto Kiwis Arctic To Antarctic May 2012...

[Two Moto Kiwis]

.... I know a shortcut.

As defined by Murphy “a shortcut is the longest distance between two points”

Bastid was right but we had fun so that is all that matters, leaving Apatzingan we exited up and up a zig zag steadily climbing to a small village, main street was one lane but the Mexicans managed to crowd three across.

Our turn off towards Nuevo San Juan was not posted and Mrs.Garmin was having a siesta it would seem so we shot past and carried on along the main street....which turned into rougher cobbles...turned into dirt .... this aint right.

Doing a U turn on a road not a lot wider than the length of Maya we headed back and stopped asking directions ... there was pointing up a funny skinny little road which was obviously the turn off ...

Gracias for the directions and we were off again, a beautiful narrow winding road through the village up and out then shingle, freshly dumped shingle, gravel, stones etc for rebuilding the road.





This made for interesting wrestling .. I mean riding as it was soft as well and boney, I used this as a good training, relaxed and let the long wheelbase of Maya look after us which she did.





The semi gnarly bit of the road was only 6km long before we hit beautiful tarmac again winding up through the trees and nice riding temperatures to.

Nuevo San Juan appeared which was our turn right down into Uruapan which was our destination, inspired by Gene and Nedas Volcano report we wanted to get to the church hidden amongst the lava.

We had arranged a couchsurf at Uruapan at a fellos place call Jorga, arriving at his work we waited for his return then he took us out to the section.

Also while waiting on the street a hot young lusty was really interested in the bike and us and even bought her boyfriend back for a look and chat, we were invited to a motocross event but it on after we were leaving.



While waiting there a fello on a 100GS races past and returns a minute later, quick chat and a few giggles and he races off again.





Jorga has two large dobermans, the boy was called Son and the girl was called Bitch.

Unloading the bike and getting organised we used our newly made bike cover for Maya to hide under, unfortunately Son took a liking to the cover and tore a big hole in it .... I didn’t see the funny side of that given it was the first time we used it....never mind, Ellen and a needle and thread fixed it, now there is no dispute as to which is the front.

The place was really neat



Extreme security



Banana tree



Porcelain plant



The dogs also barked all night at anything and everything, growling and telling them off made no difference, being really tired we really wanted a sleep and after the dogs shredded things we got a hotel just up from Jorga’s work and stayed a further two nights, turns out the owner of the hotel was the dude on the 100GS.

The not so new bike cover



Visiting the National Park which was just up from where we were staying was cool, nice plantings, beautiful creek and a river source that was very clear and cold.





The rest of the day was filled out with cruising in town and getting some tucker.





Angahuan and Paricutin was the plan to go to the Lava flow and see the church, we were served up a beautiful day so we made the most of it.















We didn’t get up to the top of the Volcano having walked into the church, this part of the history is amazing with the lava flow spreading for miles, see Gene and Nedas thread looking down from the top.

Church and volcano in the back ground



The place has an incredible stark beauty in the middle of the sea of lava, this bought back fantastic memories of our 2010 Iceland trip.



Lunch spot at Cafe del Lava



Huge expanse of lava flow with the volcano in the back ground



That evening we set out for tea and found a small place with pork and chicken soup, Ellen got the chicken and I got the pork not realising that mine was hot as .... all good ..red faced and sweating I enjoyed it.



The menu



Next stop Zitacuaro

[SR]

Awesome update! Very cool pics!

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Leaving Uruapan we headed to Moreila then towards Toluca, we managed to get completely lost trying to get out of Moreila .... as did a Canadian who was equally and directionally challenged as we were.



We figured it out after cooling down with a cold coffee and some lunch, the road to Zitacuaro were we stayed was outstanding and a sport bikers dream climbing to 2900 metres



Some locals





Comfort stop



Beautiful day



Arrriving at Zitacuaro we decided to call it a day there as I was getting tired again (I must be gettin old).

Finding a Hotel was a mission, some were very pricey and others were ... very cheap, wanting something a little more than dodgy and not quite 5 star we ended up and Hotel Mexico on the main drag, very nice place and reasonable rates too, right in the hub of town with a huge food selection.

We stayed in Hotel Mexico, probably one of the nicest places we have stayed and very reasonably priced to, come highly recommended to a tired RTWer.



Once settled in a dealt to Maya's bleeding fork leg after some great advice from over on the OC.

We tried to get a film to do the job however the photo shops were shut so we cut up a plastic drink bottle which worked a real treat.





While performing the delicate operation in the parking lot of the Hotel we gained a small crowd who had taken interest ... so a photo was in order



To keep Maya company they bought along a child to chat with



A short walk around town after the repairs were done we saw all sorts of things, I seemed to be of interest being pretty much the only blonde head in town

Ballons and goodies for sale, seems to be the norm for a lot of these town



More food



VW vans are everywhere, they are used as Taxis.



A good sleep and wee were off to Mexico city to meet Gary and Ivonne

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Originally Posted by SR

Awesome update! Very cool pics!

Thanks dude, we are a little behind so time for the updates!!!

I Mexico city now at Garrys, got heaps to write about here...... better get into it!!

[Questor]

Hey Guys!

The bike is looking good, and it's good to see you back on the road.
Best wishes from the frozen north...

Q~

[cold comfort]

Great to see everything running smoothly again. No doubt a relief for you guys too. Would also like to compliment you on your photos. Very professional look and totally awesome. Nice trick with the fork seal. Had a leaking one on the Tiger oddly but, with the dealer down the road, and current warranty why would you bother... The poor wee KTM is knackered after the DB1K and needs new just about everything so that will keep me amused. Carry on chaps.

[Cal]

Very nice photo's and update! I like the porcelin plant.... it might be one of the only toilets in Mexico with a lid

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Originally Posted by Questor

Hey Guys!

The bike is looking good, and it's good to see you back on the road.
Best wishes from the frozen north...

Q~

Thanks Q~

Good to be on the road again.

Bike need some more destination stickers and we are slowely working on that

Originally Posted by cold comfort

Great to see everything running smoothly again. No doubt a relief for you guys too. Would also like to compliment you on your photos. Very professional look and totally awesome. Nice trick with the fork seal. Had a leaking one on the Tiger oddly but, with the dealer down the road, and current warranty why would you bother... The poor wee KTM is knackered after the DB1K and needs new just about everything so that will keep me amused. Carry on chaps.

Heya Mark, I woulda have had our done under warrantee to if that were the case but nothing on this old girl.

Hopefully sorted it without a seal replacement, time will tell, at least they are a std size seal.

Hope all is well in Dunners .... what do you do to you KTM? .. ya bloody ruffian

Originally Posted by Cal

Very nice photo's and update! I like the porcelin plant.... it might be one of the only toilets in Mexico with a lid

Thanks Cal, not far from the truth re the lid !!

[H96669]

Pozole...

A la Diabla...

Needs...

I think you guys did it....plastic spoon in the salsa looks used.

Careful down there if you get any of that on some body parts, you'll be looking for sugar real fast. There you go....my tip on an antidote.Been there. Don't play with the chiles or if you do so.....wash your hands before using the banos.

[Airhead Wrangler]

I see you found another airhead or maybe vise versa:

[noshoes]

Originally Posted by Two Moto Kiwis

Thanks dude, we are a little behind so time for the updates!!!

I Mexico city now at Garrys, got heaps to write about here...... better get into it!!

[NCK]

Read this whole R/R in three days. Amazing! Just amazing.

You've been through so much together, and your positive spirit lives on. There's nothing you can't get through.

I'll be reading to the beginning, and if you keep going this slow (, but not really) - I might just catch up to you in SA!

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Originally Posted by TUONOV4RHOON

i noticed at the salt quarry the dump trucks were KTM orange lol!

...Ooops missed this one ...... not snobbin ya mate e v e n tho ya new scoot is yella

It was one of the first things I notice was the groovy coloured trucks

[Saralou]

Nice to see you are doing well!!! Say Hi to Garry and Ivonne for us!

Cheers from San salvador


Sara

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Originally Posted by Airhead Wrangler

I see you found another airhead or maybe vise versa:

We were there first actually he kinda found us as he had to come back for a second look, nice guy too.