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The Route (click it to view larger)
In total, I traveled 9,636 miles in forty one days.
7,958 miles by motorcycle in thirty eight days, and 1,678 by truck for the remaining three.
It was getting cold, so I rented a truck in Dallas, and drove the bike back to New York.
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- Part One -
Crossing the U.S.
New York to Eagle Pass
October 11 - 21, 2005
posted 12/21/05
Go there >
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- Part Two -
The Colonial Heartland
to the Pacific Coast
October 21 - 29, 2005
posted 1/1/06
Go there >
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- Part Three -
The Pacific Coast to the Copper Canyon
Oct 29 - Nov 12, 2005
posted 1/21/06
Go there >
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- Part Four -
The Copper Canyon
back to New York
November 12 - 21, 2005
posted 3/31/06
Go there >
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The Story
What an incredible journey. Mexico completely blew my expectations right out of the water, and expanded my perspective greatly. The people I met, the places I visited, the experiences I had, are things that will stay with me forever. Being able to get out of my regular environment, and be thrust into one that is culturally so different, was an experience I am very grateful I was able to have.
What an amazing country. So close to the US, but few people here know anything about it (until a year ago I didn't even know there were states in Mexico), or have ever been there. If they have, it's likely they have only visited one of the touristy beach hot-spots: Cancun, Acapulco, Mázatlan. Not a bad thing to do, as this usually implies lying on the beach and swimming in the ocean; two things I really enjoy. But to go to Mexico and only experience their culture through the filter of pampered service is a shame. There's a wealth of culture there, and if you only experience it through the person who's bringing you your fifth Corona, or who's putting on your diving gear, you're really missing out. Get out there and explore! Some of the best things we saw, ate, and experienced were in very small towns in the middle of nowhere.
Though it's not for everyone, traveling by motorcycle is a wonderful thing. You're not shielded from your environment, as you are in a car, but completely immersed in it. The smells, sounds, dirt and dust; I felt completely saturated with Mexico by the time we crossed the border in Nogales.
Being on a motorcycle also allows for more interaction with the people you encounter. Every time we stopped for gas, lunch, or to get our bearings in a town, a group of people would come over to ask where we were from; where we were going; how fast the motorcycles went; how many kilometers per liter; what that blue tube sticking out of my backpack was; what was my favorite place in Mexico ("why, right here, of course"). I would ask them questions too. It was really great being able to talk to people and get a glimpse of their lives. Most people had a brother, cousin, niece, or other relative, living in the US. Or they themselves had lived in the US at one time. Many had similar tales of crossing the Arizona or New Mexico deserts at night. It made me think how easy we had it, just zipping across the border on our shiny black motorbikes.
I've heard people say that driving in Mexico is dangerous and crazy. I didn't find it dangerous. Sometimes crazy, yes. There are definitely different rules there, and you have to be much more aware of what's ahead, and behind, but once you get used to it you find that people, though aggressive, are much more aware, and considerate, than they are in the US. I definitely felt more safe riding my motorcycle in Mexico than I did in the US. The only close calls I had were in the US. Once in Tennessee (the worst drivers experienced), and a few times in Deming, New Mexico (the second worse). I had no close calls in Mexico with other drivers. There were lots of animals in the road, though, and sometimes the road conditions were pretty bad. It just took more concentration.
If you're interested at all in visiting Mexico, do it. It will be an amazingly rewarding experience. If you can get away from the towns and cities, or the coastal areas, you'll be even more richly rewarded.
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