Tecate, Mexico

No, I have not ridden the bike to Tecate, Mexico, but I did visit Tecate whil spending Christmas with my son and his family in San Diego.  This is somewhat motorcycle related since I wanted to check out the border crossing I will be using when returning to the States in a few months.

My wife and I crossed the border easily and just strolled around looking at the town.  It is amazing how "Mexican" this town is being right on the border.  All in all we spent about three hours and had lunch at a great little outdoor restaurant called Lolo's.  Yes, we ate Mexican food but I was surprised how many Chinese restaurants were there!

Crossing the border back into the US was not so easy.  We could not find the pedestrian crossing at first and had to ask a Mexican border guard (with the biggest dang gun I've seen in some time) how to get back across. He did not speak English and my Spanish is pitiful.  Eventually we saw some folks following yellow arrows on the pavement and decided to follow them.  Voila! The arrows lead to the good ol' U S of A.

Stay tuned as I plan my trip to Central America with a tentative departure date of March 15, 2012.

The Plan

My current plan (which I am sure will fall apart on day 2 of the trip) is to ride to Texas (my home state) and get new tires mounted. From there I'm going to ride across the state to Big Bend and spend few days there. I spent time there in the 70s when you could walk across the river to Boquillas del Carmen and get a cold Carta Blanca. I understand that since 9/11 you can't do that anymore.

From there I'm going to cross at Eagle Pass and head for the eastern coast and eventually cross into Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and winding up in Meteti, Panama. Spend a couple of days there and then head back up the Pan American Highway this time riding through El Salvador back to Mexico. In Mazatlan I will take the ferry over to Baja and ride up to San Diego (re-entering at Tecate) to visit my son that lives there. My wife will fly out and we will do some sight-seeing together for a while. 

From San Diego I'm riding up to Nevada to ride Highway 50 (The Lonliest Road in America) and then over to Monument Valley. From there I think I'm going to pretty much high tail it home through the mid-west.

As I said this plan will probably fall apart faster than it took me to type all that!

Planning for Central America

I know I have not posted ion a while but I have been busy!  I have begun my planning for my trip to Central America.  Below is my current reading material.  Stay tuned because this is gonna be a great trip!

September 30 through October 2, 2011 were the dates for the annual ADV Old School Rally in Tellico Plains, TN.  It was a good time even if I did have some "issues" with the bike.  The dealer that had worked on my bike the previous week did not fully connect the ground wire to the battery.  I thought I was going to have to trailer the bike to a dealer but it turned out to be dealer error instead.  I was so happy that my problem was easily solved that I rode out and forgot to latch my Touratech bag lid.  It is somewhere on the highway between Georgia and home!  Oh well, they can be replaced to the tune of $100!!!  Here are some photos from a great weekend.

I am currently planning on making a trip to Panama in the spring. This is going to be a major trip and it is still in the planning stages.  I don't know how many more time I will get out this year but I will try to post monthly on how the planning for the Central America trip is progressing.  Check back or subscribe!  Ride safe!

Run to Loafer's Glory

On September18, 2011 I made a run to Loafer's Glory, NC.  I had just mounted new tires on my airhead and what better way to scuff them in.

 On the way back I rode through the clouds to Mt. Mitchell.  Mt. Mitchell is the highest point in the United States east of the Rockies.  At over 6,000 feet it was cool and foggy.

RoK On Rally 2011

September 9-11 were the dates of the RoK (Riders of Knoxville) Rally in Del Rio, TN. I have gone to this rally several times over the past ten years and have always enjoyed it.

Friday evening Mr. Moore, a local historian, told stories of Civil War happenings in Cocke County, TN. 

 

 

On Saturday I took a ride and got to do some forest service roads in the Cherokee National Forest. At the closing ceremonies I won a pair of sun glasses with flames in chrome on the side. Just what every BMW rider wants!!!!

On Sunday morning I packed up and went to see the Christy Mission. This is the actual "holler" where the historical events took place that led to the creation of the "Christy" television show years ago.

Eurosports Asheville VIP Grand Opening

I don't know how I did it, but I swung a VIP invitation to the Grand Opening of Eurosports in Asheville. The event was held on August 19 at the new facilities. There was music, food from 12 Bones and a first look at the BMW K1600. I saw a lot of my old friends and it was a very pleasant evening.

Dan'l Boone Rally - 2011 Edition

August 11-14, 2011 I attended the Dan'l Boone Rally in Boone, NC. This is a nice little rally that is really laid back. It is a "rider's" rally in that there are not a lot of activities during the day. You are supposed to be out riding anyway. The Snake (US 421) is nearby as are an abundance of sweet curvy roads. Dual sport riders are not disappointed either. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a mere 10 miles or so away. At this rally the roads are the entertainment. I really did not take many photos at this rally but did take one or two shots on the way home.

Dan'l Boone Rally

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Horizons Unlimited Traveller's Meeting 2011

Horizons Unlimited held their annual USA East Traveller's Meeting August 4-7 at the Iron Horse Motorcycle Resort in Stecoah, NC. This is an annual meeting of international motorcycle travelers from all over the east coast. I am very lucky to have this event only 80 miles from my home. I have attended the last several years and always learn something new. The day time events are mainly "how to" seminars on tire changing, maintenance, ergonomics, etc. The night time events are more inspirational and motivational. Most presentations are about trips our fellow travelers have made. I presented my "Solo to the Circle" presentation about my 2008 Alaska trip. If you like long distance or international motorcycle travel you owe it to yourself to attend this event next year if you are in the area. Check the web site (a wealth of information) for upcoming meetings and times.

Women discussing their "special needs" when traveling long distances.

Learning how to set the bike up ergonomically for long days in the saddle.

"How to" presentations during the day.

Bikes from all over!

The Maritime Tour (Part 8)

I took the express home and stayed in some interesting places. I did stop in Baddeck, Nova Scotia to see the Alexander Graham Bell historical exhibit. Since it was Canada Day it was free.


In Whycocomagh there seemed to be a fellow that takes the Simpsons a little too seriously! There were life sized figures of all the Simpson characters in his front yard!


One of the motels I stayed in had the smoke alarm ripped out and a "roach motel" in the corner! I gotta start staying in better places.


In Natural Bridge, VA I ran across Foamhenge. A full size replica of Stonehenge made entirely of styrofoam!


I'm back home now and really have to say I had a good time despite some of the weather!