Triumphrat

Inspector Vijay · 12-19-2007

I'm thinking seriously about riding the Copper Canyon in Mexico, from Chihuahua in the north to Los Mochis in the west. It's supposed to be spectacular. The area gets a fair amount of American visitors, but most tourists use the railroad that runs through the canyon.

Anyway, I've never gone for a long ride in Mexico before this (short sortees across the border, I've done), and have some questions for people who may have ridden there.

Is it safe? (Is there a major risk that I'll lose the bike, passport and wallet?)

Are decent road maps available?

Is unleaded gas easy to find?

If anybody has ridden in the Copper Canyon area, I'd be particularly interested to know about your experiences. Thanks in advance.

fivehundo · 12-19-2007

My Mom just went to the Copper Canyon a few months ago. She said that it's stunning and definitely worth the trip.

Riding in Mexico would be extremely dangerous for a few reasons. The roads are TERRIBLE, they drive crazy down there and the medical care sucks.

If you survive, it should be a great ride though...

OldTownRAT · 12-19-2007

It's not all that bad Inspecter V. I say go for it.

I know a few people who ride through Mexico frequently and have no complaints. One of them makes two trips a year: 1 to Baja and 1 all the way down to Cabo. Yes, there are some gnarly roads, etc. but nothing that can't be managed with a little care. Unleaded gas is available (Pemex stations) and should run fine for you.

Check out the Questions section on this site: www.eldiablorun.com. I'm betting it'll answer a lot of your questions.

HiDesert · 12-19-2007

A good friend of mine did Copper Canyon on a dirt bike and had a great time. PM me your email address and I'll put him in touch with you if you'd like.

Medic09, I see you're on here now too; shall we shoot down and take some pictures to show him what he'd see?

MES · 12-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by hidesert

shall we shoot down and take some pictures to show him what he'd see?

I'll go.
seriously.
If you guys want to go and are looking for a third then I'm game.

hankmarx · 12-19-2007

There is a thread going over on twowheeltexans right now about a short roadtrip to the interior.

HiDesert · 12-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MES

I'll go.
seriously.
If you guys want to go and are looking for a third then I'm game.

Well first I'd have to get a dirt bike. I think Medic09 would too. Then I'd have to defecate some time off. No, that's not euphamism for abusing sick leave... But if the wild hair gets long enough, I'll keep you posted!

ridin-gaijin · 12-19-2007

Huge amount of practical info on this in the Ride Reports forum on advrider.com.

MES · 12-20-2007

The advriders site is great. 've been on a few of their rides.

Lots of really good info all the way around.
some of those guys are seriously hard core.