Cirque de Copper Canyon 2012 w/Big Bikes

[MoodyBlues]

John and Monte doing some route planning the night before we roll out of Phoenix...

[Montek]

Yep, thats right, none of us would or could recognize the other if passing on a sidewalk! Stranger danger comes to mind when following a new aquaintence into a foreign land where there may be a bit of a language barrier. Just in visiting on the phone, reading previous rr's, and general smack talk via e-mails - i figured they can't be as big a poser as me!!! SO, off we go to barranca de cobre.

Cool thing was, we are all different, cept for the desire of adventure and riding! That, I believe, is why we clicked so well and had not even 1 disagreement the entire trip. Well maybe on which chica was the hottest.

[Montek]

As moody pointed out, a shakedown run was suggested. We ran a great route on the northwest end of Phoenix. It was the Castle Hot Springs Road out by Lake Pleasant. A mix of rocks, dirt and ballbearing type stuff that will give an indication of rider talent. Not much talent here, Moody's loaded with talent and felt pretty darn good about my new found riding partner after the late morning dirt to wickenburg for burrito's n beer. Then a quick run on asphalt back to the camper and more beer. Turns out moody n darock like beer as much as i do - another common interest to add to the "we all got along" meter.

So Moody and I are getting aquanted with our long lost clan relatives - that would be Clan Inebriated,

this sticker was a free pass sticker to most every where.



when guess who shows up to the party.



ya, thats right jonnydarock, jonnyringleader, jonnydaguide, jonnydaspanishspeakingbailusoutofajamm - JOHN

[refokus]

Keep it coming. I want to hear all the good stuff, and bad.

[Montek]

brad, how u feeling, saw how you got out of a tube repair - that sucks. Heel fast.

Oh, and don't worry, you'll get all the bad and good.

Monte

[TouringDave]

[Mekongfrank]

Originally Posted by Johnnydarock

If you ever wanted to ride the dirt in the famed Copper Canyon...you better read this report and get there before its all paved.

The three of us, me (John), Dan and Monte met each other on ADVrider and started a dialogue several months ago about our common desire to ride the dirt of the Copper Canyon on big bikes. Normally you'd think having never met each other was a recipe for disaster but we pulled it off and had a great time. We left Phoenix on Saturday, April 7th, 2012, and returned a week later. Here's a look at our map:

Hey Johnny,

looks like you had a great time there. I hope you post more soon!
I'm on my way north from TdF to Alaska, right now in Aguascalientes. I'll be in the Copper Canyon area in a few days. Looks like you've drawn a good map there. Problem is, I can't read much of it. Could you please send me a bigger scan by email? frankvoellm[at]yahooDOTcom
Cheers, Frank

[jtb]

Hand drawn maps, photo's of your rear ends, blokes in bath robes when they are expecting visitors, going to a foreign country with blokes you met on the interwebby... what could possibly go wrong?

Keep it coming boys

[refokus]

Originally Posted by Montek

brad, how u feeling, saw how you got out of a tube repair - that sucks. Heel fast.

Oh, and don't worry, you'll get all the bad and good.

Monte

Monte, I am feeling much better. The arm seems to be healing up quickly.

Looks like you all had a great time in Mexico, looking forward to the rest of the report. When is the next trip to Copper Canyon?

[Johnnydarock]

DAY 1 - Phoenix to Gomex Farias, MEXICO (500 miles)

OK...Looks like the introductions are over and we have to start this ride report. If anybody else wants my hand drawn map of the canyon just send me a PM with your email address.

Getting out of Phoenix and riding to the border was pretty uneventful. Stopped by some huge pit mine near Bisbee Arizona. Looks more like a toxic waste dump now.


Last shot of the bikes looking all nice an new.


Crossed the border into MEXICO!!!! And they give Monte the cavity search! Paperwork was like shit through a goose because we got our Temporary Vehicle Importation Permits on line. The Banjercito office was having problems and we could have been there for hours. Didn't have to pay the $22.00 for a Visa with immigration if you're in the country for 7 days or less.

[hazard]

Nice intro. Bummer I could not make it......

[Montek]

OH YA, it went smooth alright - Not having ridden with Jonnydarock yet, we head out out of Phoenix at a rapid rate. Dammed if I could lose the bikes behind me. Aftyer a couple hours of blasting down the tarmac, it was apparent johnny had a bag full of skill on 2 wheels also. We get to the old pueblo(tucson) and fill up with gas. Things are going really well.
I had earplugs in in case the two new aquaintences started talking about me-didn't want to hear smack within the first couple hours. with that in mind, I didn't hear this happen, but I did get a picture.




Appearently, John was putting 87 octane in and the bike decided NO, and tried puking it out. Either that or the bike was already tired of running high speed tarmac and needed a little rest

[MoodyBlues]

I was wondering how the first of many gravitational confrontations would make its appearance.

I love the guy in the background looking like "What the...."

[Johnnydarock]

Ok...I have no explaination why the bike fell over...but I'm not afraid to laugh at myself. Which is why I like you guys...we did a lot of laughing (every time I dumped the bike). This picture is a pretty good representation of Northern Mexico. We were humming along pretty good at 80mph and a cop car passes us like we were standing still. I thought for sure...here comes the big Police stop...but they just kept going. As a matter of fact...we were speeding a lot through the little towns and the Police just sat there and let us zoom past. Go figure!?

[Montek]

Had to post that John, its not a good rr if there isn't a resting bike in the start. I had to use the picture