Is Mexico Safe?

[AndyT]

Originally Posted by mark883

It also appears that affirmative action in Mexico is finding a few token blondes to throw into the picture (Booooooooo!). But are they real blondes?

Chivas USA is a Los Angeles CA team. Not that they are any more likely to be real blondes.

[dwj - Donnie]

I just came from the shop, my moto is now getting attention. I met several people while I was there, including Guateadventure from ADV. He is a staff member of the local BMW club that read about the problem I was having. He also received a few telephone calls from other members. He was at the shop to provide support and express concern for my problem. A very nice fellow with dual citizenship of Guatemala as well as the US. I also met a couple of Californians that were having moto problems. They were ADV Fool and GoinPostal from ADV. They are basically on the same path as me to Panama. And then there was Guatarider who just finish the Epic ride and Ride Report from Guatemala to Alaska Bay and back.

I also spoke with the top Service Manager, they still think it is a bad wire some where. So, my moto is not ready, but it is getting attention.

[mark883]

Good news Donnie. You sound like you've stirred the pot a bit.

Hope that find that stray wire- those can be a royal PITA.

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

These days, there's not a lot of carpet.

You've been waxing eloquently again??

[rockymountainoyster]

Back in the road in Mexico. Papantla and Tajin ruins a must see. The ride from Tulancingo to Papantla is curvy, scenic and fun. All kinds of great looking restaurants along the way, many offering fresh trout. Mi Ranchito in Xicotepec not to be missed. Eat there and stay there if you get the chance. You can even take a mud bath.

Anybody know any good places to stay in Zihuatenejo and yes I checked the hotels thread and was told that "the sucky search engine" could not find anything that fit that search term. I am going to be there during semana santa, Holy Week and need a place for my daughter, her novia and me. Casita, Cabaña, bungalow... small hotel suite. Something nice but affordable.

Thanks.

Now that I have internet connection look for posts on my RR.

David

[SchizzMan]

Hey David,

Here's a fairly recent Zihuatenejo hotel recommendation from Sjoerd Bakker: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...47&postcount=5

CeeBee recently posted: "Stayed at the Zihuat Hotel a block off the water in El Centro and after a little conversation they cut the price almost in half."

Try Hostels.com and Tripadvisor as well.

Will do a little more poking around,

Schizz

[rockymountainoyster]

Anybody got any intel on this route. Looks nice. One of my Mexican rider friends said that it takes a long time, is mountainous and twisty, there is little traffic or civilization along the way, and if you have a problem the indians won't help you... so, what is wrong with that sounds like a lot of roads in the SW. The road goes through Ocosingo and on into San Cristobal. I make it a point to seek out and listen to local knowledge. This guy is a GS rider with some ten years experience riding in Yucatan and San Cristobal area. I am not going to ignore him out of hand but I really want to ride that road and the alternative he has offered , going up to Villa Hermosa and taking the long way round back down to Tuxtla Gutierrez and on to San Cristobal is not that appealing although he says it is farther and takes less time. Thoughts y'all?

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by rockymountainoyster

Anybody got any intel on this route. Looks nice. One of my Mexican rider friends said that it takes a long time, is mountainous and twisty, there is little traffic or civilization along the way, and if you have a problem the indians won't help you... so, what is wrong with that sounds like a lot of roads in the SW. The road goes through Ocosingo and on into San Cristobal. I make it a point to seek out and listen to local knowledge. This guy is a GS rider with some ten years experience riding in Yucatan and San Cristobal area. I am not going to ignore him out of hand but I really want to ride that road and the alternative he has offered , going up to Villa Hermosa and taking the long way round back down to Tuxtla Gutierrez and on to San Cristobal is not that appealing although he says it is farther and takes less time. Thoughts y'all?

dwj-Donnie ran that route 2-up with Sheryl in March of 2010. Nothing in the RR to red flag it. Maybe PM him. He's in Guate City nursing a sick bike at the moment.

PP 44-45: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...550086&page=44

They didn't seem to care for San Cristobal de Las Casas but I really liked it last year. Would go back.

[jimmex]

Originally Posted by rockymountainoyster

Anybody got any intel on this route. Looks nice. One of my Mexican rider friends said that it takes a long time, is mountainous and twisty, there is little traffic or civilization along the way, and if you have a problem the indians won't help you... so, what is wrong with that sounds like a lot of roads in the SW. The road goes through Ocosingo and on into San Cristobal. I make it a point to seek out and listen to local knowledge. This guy is a GS rider with some ten years experience riding in Yucatan and San Cristobal area. I am not going to ignore him out of hand but I really want to ride that road and the alternative he has offered , going up to Villa Hermosa and taking the long way round back down to Tuxtla Gutierrez and on to San Cristobal is not that appealing although he says it is farther and takes less time. Thoughts y'all?

Its a nice ride. Right through Zapatista country.

[Cal]

Zihuatanejo has lots of nice hotels near Ropa beach that I've never stayed at..... always stay at Casandoho near the Elektra store on Ave morelos. It was recomended to me by Sjoerd.
If I was taking my family I'd stay at Casandoho for a night when I arrived and then search the better hotels on the hills above Playa Ropa. During Semana Santa the place will be packed so better get on it right away.

[rgiroux]

Originally Posted by rockymountainoyster

Anybody got any intel on this route. Looks nice. One of my Mexican rider friends said that it takes a long time, is mountainous and twisty, there is little traffic or civilization along the way, and if you have a problem the indians won't help you... so, what is wrong with that sounds like a lot of roads in the SW. The road goes through Ocosingo and on into San Cristobal. I make it a point to seek out and listen to local knowledge. This guy is a GS rider with some ten years experience riding in Yucatan and San Cristobal area. I am not going to ignore him out of hand but I really want to ride that road and the alternative he has offered , going up to Villa Hermosa and taking the long way round back down to Tuxtla Gutierrez and on to San Cristobal is not that appealing although he says it is farther and takes less time. Thoughts y'all?

That road was one of the highlights of our two weeks down in Mexico. See signature line for RR on that trip, and view the pics. One hell of a fun road!


Of course, out of respect for Baldy and the fool who warned him, you could have issues, breakdown, or die.

But, we didnt.

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by jimmex

Its a nice ride. Right through Zapatista country.

Nothing you can't fix with a balaclava.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by rgiroux

See signature line for RR on that trip, and view the pics.

Nice stuff in there

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by SchizzMan

Nothing you can't fix with a balaclava.

A very tasty treat made with honey and walnuts

[miguelito]

Originally Posted by rockymountainoyster

Anybody got any intel on this route. Looks nice. One of my Mexican rider friends said that it takes a long time, is mountainous and twisty, there is little traffic or civilization along the way, and if you have a problem the indians won't help you... so, what is wrong with that sounds like a lot of roads in the SW. The road goes through Ocosingo and on into San Cristobal. I make it a point to seek out and listen to local knowledge. This guy is a GS rider with some ten years experience riding in Yucatan and San Cristobal area. I am not going to ignore him out of hand but I really want to ride that road and the alternative he has offered , going up to Villa Hermosa and taking the long way round back down to Tuxtla Gutierrez and on to San Cristobal is not that appealing although he says it is farther and takes less time. Thoughts y'all?

The route is nice, beautiful, and full of mi hermanos, los Zapatistas. Watch out for mud topes the locals build next to their fruit and clothing stalls. I was riding toward one, when the girl sitting by the side of the road lifted up a rope she had stretched across the road and tied to a tree on the other side. I was pretty close, and my heart definitely skipped a beat before she lowered it. I left San Cristobal around 9 AM, stopped for an hour or so at the cascada along the way, (it's a short ride off the road), and got to Palenque in the early/mid afternoon. YMMV. ;) I don't remember the name of the place I stay in Zihuat, but I'll tell you how to get there. When you get to Zihuat, take the road to Playa la Ropa, and take the first right after crossing the bridge. I think you have to turn left, then go up the steep hill, (only 1 block long), and there's a hotel right at the top. They do not have secure parking, but I've never had a problem. They are on the beach, and a room costs around 500 pesos. There are other nicer hotels just about everywhere with AC available but they are more like 700-800 p. I've also stayed further along the road to Playa la Ropa and those are nice, but a bit mor expensive. I think somebody said to check tripadvisor as well. Check out the camarones al coco at the Pulpo Feliz where the road to la Ropa runs into the main road into Zihuat. I dream about those camarones. Buen viaje.