Wilsons Sandbox

I will be heading for the Chili Cookoff in Terlingua first weekend in Nov. and then into Mex. the following week. Heard the main road into Copper Canyon has now regretably been paved. Can anyone verify this that has been there recently? May have to pick an alternate route. Thanks, MM (out of lurk mode) Signup for your FREE ZenSearch E-MAIL account at http://www.zensearch.net and win a Notebook PC

Hello: I've ridden to the Copper Canyon and don't really see a need to hire a tour company. It's actually quite straightforward. I did it a few years ago from Colorado all the way to Batopilas with Creel as our working base. My report can be found at: http://www.dorje.com:8080/mailing-lists/co-bmwgs/CCtoc.html My trip was done on a BMW R1100GS and it's quite easy for anyone who can ride. Riding and touring in Mexico is so very easy and fun, and cheap. My trip report covers the basics like paperwork, shots, and where we stayed and what we did. Doing it on a KLR would be even more fun as there are so many more roads I'd explore on with the KLR versus the heavier R1100GS. If anyone has any question or issues feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to answer. I know it's all personal perspective, but if you live in Texas, there's no reason to hire a tour company to lead you around. IMHO. tom A13 ===== ========================================================= Tom Vervaeke, Colorado, USA |Email: tom_vervaeke@... '99 Kawi KLR-650 A13, 4.1K |Ph: 719-495-2152 (home) '96 BMW R1100GS, Black 60K |Ph: 719-590-2133 (work) Colorado DualSporters Group |Ph: 719-650-4578 (cell/riding) Try: http://www.egroups.com/group/Colorado-Dualsporters ========================================================= __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/

Tom is absolutely rite. I have been going to Mexico the past 6 years in a row and never had a problem. Even got married 5 years ago in Zacatecas and was treated like royalty. I can't see paying for a tour guide. Lately we have been taking the KLR's to the central colonial cities and riding mostly offroad. Even took the Electra-Glide one year with no trouble. I have heard that the exchange rate isn't as good since the new president was elected . Last year at this time it was about 10 to 1. Even at 5 to 1 it is still a bargain. If you need any more info on going, I'll be glad to answer any questions offline. Later, MM Signup for your FREE ZenSearch E-MAIL account at http://www.zensearch.net and win a Notebook PC

--- In DSN_klr650@egroups.com, TLrydr@a... wrote:

> Tom, Your the man, > I think like you, I have never been deep into Mexico, But will be

going soon,

> I had reather go down there and get lost rather than have someone

hold my

> hand and show me around,

Me the northerner with zero Spanish or Mexican knowlege of the language: after going down to the CC with a group I found that without a basic ability to communicate I was unable to ask question and/or understand the answer. Luckily I was with some who had a handle on words and some phrases. Also those with spare parts, tools and medical supplies so I didn't have to carry as much on the bike. I rode two days back myself from the turnoff to Batopilas north to the Douglas crossing and found out how impossible the communication can be and frustrating. So some basic communication knowledge and a good plan including fuel and where to stop for the night is the minimum I will require the next time. Oh yeah, there will be a next time as I found the adventure wonderfull! I also feel that when you are seen as competent and aware you will be respected and seen as less of a target for rip-off. Dan Paulsen Graham WA

I found that without a basic

> ability to communicate I was unable to ask question and/or

understand

> the answer. Luckily I was with some who had a handle on words and > some > phrases. Also those with spare parts, tools and medical supplies so

I

> didn't have to carry as much on the bike. > I rode two days back myself from the turnoff to Batopilas north to > the Douglas crossing and found out how impossible the communication > can be and frustrating.

Nothing opens doors in Mexico like speaking the language. Claro que si!

Heard the main road into Copper Canyon

> has now regretably been paved. Can anyone verify this that has been

there

> recently? May have to pick an alternate route. Thanks, MM (out of

lurk mode)

> >>

I have been told Nov-Dec is wet. I was there in late March '00 and it was the dry season. They had been in a drought cycle for a few years so it was real dry. Temps were 80's in the low desert and 50 in the mtns like Creel and the top of the canyon near Creel when heading down to Batopilas. The access from Creel to Divisaderos, which is a major rim overlook site, is paved plus something like 10 miles further. After that there are many, many miles of dirt roads down into the canyon(s). Like the Grand Canyon the CC is comprised of many canyons with the whole called the CC. Please I am generalizing and know only a little of what what I was able to travel in a few days. Dan Paulsen Graham WA

Gentlemen- I have decided to lead a small contingent of the Cal Posse and others to Copper Canyon in March 2001. One of the ride lead partners, lister Juan Ibarrha, has agreed to be the groups host in Mexico. He recommended March as one of the favored times to come. Also, he will be hosting us onto an Indian reservation near the Canyon where a several day intercultural exchange is planned. Here's my info site to date.....check it out! I will be making up a list of definite riders, and subs or alternates, as number is limited. Bueno Biaharr.....http://www.calposse.com/CopCynPost.htm Toby Slide Lampson

In a message dated 10/2/00 9:41:48 AM EST, jazranch@... writes: http://www.calposse.com/CopCynPost.htm >> FAILED TO PARSE HTTP This Web page could not be opened. Please verify the address, then try again.

Please try calposse.com click on calendar click on March 2001 Copper...... on left of calender. Thanks, Toby Lampson TLrydr@... wrote:

> In a message dated 10/2/00 9:41:48 AM EST, jazranch@... writes: > > http://www.calposse.com/CopCynPost.htm >> > FAILED TO PARSE HTTP > > This Web page could not be opened. Please verify the address, then try > again.