SoCal MC TT 2017

Towards Oaxaca on an Airhead

"It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find mysellf growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul..."

-Herman Melville

Thursday June 30th, 2016 - Los Angeles to Tucson

500+ miles, 80+ mph, 100+ degree heat, 20+ year old airhead.

Friday July 1st, Tucson to Casas Grandes

No matter how carefully you prepare, Mexico always gives you an opportunity to practice "adventure" riding.

Crossing the border at Naco was easy. No waiting, polite officials. The road between Naco and Casas Grandes is a disaster. Miles of construction with trucks and cars wallowing in the mud. For a while I rode through the deep gravel of the new road bed, better than the mud. Only in Mexico would workers cheerfully move over as you ride through their construction site.

Saturday July 2nd, Nuevo Casas Grandes to Jimenez. -  328 miles

The road was uneventful. I'm doing miles heading south. Jimenez is a small town and/or a large truck stop. Stayed at the Hotel Colonial which was good.

Sunday July 3rd, Jimenez to Zacatecas -  372 miles

The roads were good, with the exception of a stretch south of Cuencame. Cars and trucks swerving all over, into oncoming traffic, trying to miss the huge potholes.

It's interesting how a two lane road so easly becomes three in Mexico. A left blinker indicating "I call the middle" as you thread between opposing traffic.

Monday July 4th, Zacatecas

Spent the day washing some clothes, getting my boots shined, enjoying Hotel del Vasco, wandering, and doing nothing in various parks and squares. The climate here is idyllic. In the morning it's cool and clear, everyone wears a jacket. In the afternoon it warms up and stays warm through the evening. Thunderstorms come late in the day and into the night.

Tuesday July 5th, Zacatecas to Mineral de Pozos (via San Luis Potosi)

It was a bright clear morning as I left Zacatecas. The temperature dropped as I rode toward San Luis Potosi. For a short while I was riding through clouds at what I assume was a high elevation. I was cold, but the road soon decended and I warmed. At the higher elevations the landscape consists of scrub, prickly pear cacutus and huge joshua trees. On the ring road around San Luis Potosi and south towards San Luis de la Paz there was a lot of truck traffic and a few rim busting, kitchen sink sized, potholes I narrowly avoided. The road through San Luis de la Paz is a typical, nondescript street with concrete buildings either side. Upon entering Mineral de Posos the typical modern Mexican town disapears. The street becomes rough, loose cobbles. The buildings are a mix of crumbling adobe, and fixed up adobe. It feels like a small, low key, San Miguel de Allende.

There was no electricity for many hours this evening. Reading by candlelight may also be evidence of a civilized place.