Jump to content
IGNORED

Canada to Cancun on the 250$ Venture - The full ride report


Recommended Posts

Posted
It does go crazy every so often. The first time my wife and I went to Puerta Vallarta I bought $300 worth of pesos before we left, and I ended up with $100,000 Pesos :mo money: My money guy said something was going to happen to the Peso, but he wasn't sure what. Right after that they printed the Neuvo Peso, and the old stuff was wall paper. Luckily we got back home before it happened, and pasted what we had left in a scrap book. I still think the printed Peso is one of the prettiest monies anywhere.

 

You know my Uncle Bob lives in Mexico with his wife, I have a half mexican cousin named Roberto... But I have never seen a Peso....

  • Replies 138
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

Posted
You know my Uncle Bob lives in Mexico with his wife, I have a half mexican cousin named Roberto... But I have never seen a Peso....

 

 

My wife is Mexican. I've never been to Mexico or seen a Peso... :think:

Posted
You know my Uncle Bob lives in Mexico with his wife, I have a half mexican cousin named Roberto... But I have never seen a Peso....

 

My wife is Mexican. I've never been to Mexico or seen a Peso... :think:

 

 

¿Por Que No?

 

http://www.focusonmexico.com/uploadedImages/Mexico_Topics/All_things_Financial/Banking_and_Money_in_Mexico/mexican-currency.jpg?n=5564

Posted

That was supposed to say "Por Que soy gringo" but I was tired and it came out wrong. Anywho, l'm a northern white boy and I got my traveling in while in the service. My wife talks about one day taking me to Zacatecas but that is reserved for after the kids are out. We both like it here in the great white north.

Posted

Day 21 - Canyon del Sumidero to Palenque

 

 

I am slowly but surely decorating my steed's topcase. This is the only tru sign of a man's affection towards his motorcycle.

 

 

32709008896_a3efc8a0a3_b.jpg

 

 

Mexican roads are hard on the bike. Blown fork seals, leaking water pump seal, leaking gas tank petcock, broken odometer, broken front blinker, ever worsening exhaust leak from hitting topes, hydraulic clutch system acting up and finaly one of the two latches on my top case has broken off.

 

 

If the last latch breaks, I will have to duct-tape it shut.

 

 

32599706082_279f35f4bb_b.jpg[/url]

 

 

Alarm system works flawlessly however.

 

 

31906830714_63c96a707b_b.jpg

 

 

First thing I did leaving the hotel was to go check out that road that goes above the canyon.

 

 

32629504991_13e3ec50a5_b.jpg

 

 

Apart from the occasional tour bus, it's a fairly nice road.

 

 

32712065996_3a49409f82_b.jpg

 

 

The view is worth the trip. It is nice and somewhat cool up here but down below in Tuxtla, it's very hot and humid.

 

 

32750045045_687cfd9474_b.jpg

 

 

Best not to drop my helmet here.

 

 

32708938586_aabb130b2a_b.jpg

 

 

It could be a long way down to retrieve it.

 

 

32708935206_3a931c951a_b.jpg

 

 

There is an observatory project in the state's plans. It sure would be a nice addition.

 

 

32750046445_889888628d_b.jpg

 

 

I ride back down to town, cross the bridge into Chiapa del Corzo and I pull into the boat tour's parking lot.

 

 

Turns out some have come from farther than I have. I take a photo of this overlanding rig from Germany.

 

 

32369800900_e799e70bdb_b.jpg

 

 

I stand in line, buy overpriced water bottles and hop on a tour boat to enter the canyon (now flooded due to a dam being built)

 

 

32708949966_01667226b6_b.jpg

 

 

First stop is to watch this sleepy Alligator.

 

 

32596455342_f579668445_b.jpg

 

 

 

 

32596451682_659963b81d_b.jpg

 

 

The canyon offers safe havens for all kinds of species. The massive canyon walls protect them from humans and other predators.

 

 

Here are some vultures.

 

 

32708960406_a96539421c_b.jpg

 

 

The sights are quite nice on this tour. Yes it is touristy but I recommend it if you want to apreciate the true beauty of this canyon.

 

 

32708968286_8871381d0a_b.jpg

 

 

Don't you just hate these guys waving huge ipads around in the air to take photos? I was secretly hoping he would drop it in the water.

 

 

32708965006_febcf26363_b.jpg

 

 

Sometimes the boat tilts in such a way that I can get a good shot free of tourists.

 

 

32750073705_faa032a7fb_b.jpg

 

 

If you look closely, you can spot monkeys up the the trees.

 

 

32596471252_df8c5497eb_b.jpg

 

 

I would also see these guys later on my ride riding around in the area close to Guatemala. Hard to wrap my head around the fact that I was riding in snow and less than three weeks later, I can spot monkeys on the side of the road. Before this trip, I had never been South of Miami. It is my first experience riding in this type of climate and I have to be honest, I don't like it.

 

 

32596474022_f6d467dcd0_b.jpg

 

 

The tour boat stopped at some kind of shrine.

 

 

31938962763_66cb527283_b.jpg

 

 

This tree looking thing is made by water deposits as it is filtering its way through the bedrock from above.

 

 

31938967733_df97b90768_b.jpg

 

 

We are headed to the end of the navigable waters here.

 

 

32629514211_006f16f81d_b.jpg

 

 

In this heat, it sure feels nice to be on the water and to get a little bit of fresh water splashing onto us to cool us down.

 

 

32373025920_86590f715a_b.jpg

 

 

At this point we turn around and we ride back out.

 

 

32753258625_1412701252_b.jpg

 

 

I recommend this boat ride to anyone traveling thru the area. The beauty of the canyon is better observed from the water.

 

 

32629525001_5842862528_b.jpg

 

 

Ok someone kill him please. I will pay you in Canadian Dollars

 

 

32753265485_55006e36f6_b.jpg

 

 

After the boat ride I headed back on 190 to reach 199. I stopped and thinking I had left my DSLR camera somewhere, I emptied all of the contents of my cases.

 

 

32708995136_9ce14249a9_b.jpg

 

 

Only to notice that the camera was under a shirt in my topcase. The heat and humidity is starting to get to me.

 

 

32712110376_385aeb6443_b.jpg

 

 

I am becoming tired and cranky from the heat but from a motorcycling point of view this is a nice ride.

 

 

32373036210_720586fe78_b.jpg

 

 

Ten degrees cooler or on a bike that allows the breeze to come in it would have been a sweet ride.

 

 

32629536811_c1025c4b32_b.jpg

 

 

A problem I had in this stretch of road was that there were not any gas stations. Not having a working fuel gauge or a working odometer made this leg of the ride a little stressful.

 

 

32712101046_41e35050ea_b.jpg

 

 

199 was more remote than the roads I had been on for the last few days. There was a lot less traffic on these roads and I guess that was both good and bad.

 

 

32712103436_ba24a581f3_b.jpg

 

 

In some areas, the vegetation would encroach a little onto your riding space.

 

 

32599688302_ae384af6a9_b.jpg

 

 

These are more hills than mountains like back in Oaxaca. Good curves but less elevation changes and more humidity.

 

 

32753280795_7371c1b3ff_b.jpg

 

 

Now was this photo taken in 2016 or in 1986?

 

 

32596486292_6102b16a79_b.jpg

 

 

I am approaching Palenque.

 

 

32596498832_8ae069d091_b.jpg

 

 

But before I get to Palenque, I stop at the Cascadas de Agua Azul

 

 

32596505522_b69a68818f_b.jpg

 

 

No swimwear and getting close to losing daylight I spend a total of 5 minutes here.

 

 

32599697692_b8e0006cd2_b.jpg

 

 

Just enough time to take a photo or two then I leave. The falls and the whole area is simply gorgeous.

 

 

31939016213_b70f918c2e_b.jpg

 

 

I ride into Palenque as night falls. I'll be blunt: I absolutely hate Palenque.

 

 

The place is crawling with snotty backpackers. I am a sweaty, dirty, weird broke biker on an old funky motorcycle wearing a black jacket and jeans. In a sea of college kids in cargo shorts and bikinis, I stick out like a sore thumb and although many here speak English, I find it impossible to have an intelligent conversation.

 

 

All of the hotels in Palenque are overpriced and/or have no vacancies. I settle for this place, Yaxkin Hostel. I pay extra for a private room with AC.

 

 

32599709642_5819864b90_b.jpg

 

 

After a shower I head to the bar upstairs and I chat with the only local in the place while downing a couple of beers.

 

 

32599703762_b0e1d0a9b9_b.jpg

 

 

Then I head to my air-conditioned room for a good night's sleep.

Posted

WOWZY WOW WOW WOW = once again TOTALLY awesome read JF!!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: Thank you for sharing again!!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

Couldnt help but notice the Vee Dub in the wrong lane???? On a corner?? Or,, do those folks south of the border drive on the opposite side of the road :scared:..

 

Loved those breath taking Canyon Shots!!!:thumbsup:

 

And brother = look at those STICKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:dancefool::dancefool::dancefool::dancefool::dancefool::dancefool::dancefool::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Day 22 - Palenque to Cancun

 

 

I leave the hotel and head to the ruins. It's very hot again today.

 

 

32684434163_369759a053_b.jpg

 

 

The place is packed. The parking lot is completely full and cars have taken to parking on the side of the roads leading to the park. I look at the ticket line and the wait seems to be well over an hour. I decided to forgo the ruins. There's just too many people and I can't see it being worth the wait, at least not in this heat and in this crowd.

 

 

33457316996_704552510a_b.jpg

 

 

Free of charge, there is a nature walk you can do there so I opt for that rather than the ruins.

 

 

 

 

32684300553_8a9da02ca6_b.jpg

 

 

This tree is quite huge (see helmet set at its base for size)

 

 

32684305823_eab064f784_b.jpg

 

 

Nice little cascade there.

 

 

32684439703_463b3c4712_b.jpg

 

 

After that 30 minute walk in the jungle(I guess it qualifies as a jungle?) I am completely drenched in sweat from head to toes. I am not dressed for this type of activity and I havent experienced this kind of heat and humidity in years.

 

 

The only solution is to head back on the road: This is 186 Leading to Campeche.

 

 

32654899544_f486880d39_b.jpg

 

 

This below I am pretty certain is a highway crossing for monkeys. I did see a dead monkey on the side of the road a few miles further down 186 but I was riding in a tightly packed group of cars traveling at high speed(cant tell because the speedometer is out but I guesstimate 150kmh.) Needless to say I did not want to pull over for a shot of the dead money because there might then be two dead primates there.

 

 

32684312013_cb5f605b5e_b.jpg

 

 

I Turned left at Escarcega to head North to Champoton to reach the Gulf Coast.

 

 

32684315573_4a57b994f3_b.jpg

 

 

I rode along the coast for a few dozen miles then I got on 180 to make my way to Cancun.

 

 

33498669335_c458f67e93_b.jpg

 

 

I rode all day and at around 10pm, yes with a day and a half to spare, I made it! I have arrived at my final destination. Time to check into a beachside grand hotel and sip Pina Coladas until I pass out from the sugar high! I pull into a fast food restaurant with wi-fi to find a hotel.

 

 

Is this Mexico?!?

 

 

 

 

33370148451_ae51e2d812_b.jpg

 

 

33115119900_74cb5fd08a_b.jpg

 

 

33115116300_dd108cf985_b.jpg

 

 

Cancun is an evil, evil place! I cant afford these prices! Massive sticker shock here. I call a few places and everything below 150$ a night is completely booked.

 

 

It's time to pull out the guerilla camping tactics. With the help of Google Maps, I spot these two unbuilt dirt roads leading to the beach about 10 kilometers south of Cancun.

 

 

I ride over to this first spot. The info on Google maps is dated and this whole area is now completely built into a gated resort.

 

 

32654924434_823eff4845_b.jpg

 

 

I luck out with this location however. Off the main road, there is an gate but there is no one manning it and it is open. I slowly ride through the gate and I then veer to the right to reach this dirt road leading to a small sea-side resort.

 

 

32654920494_2809638d47_b.jpg

 

 

I quietly setup camp on the side of the road there. The lights from the small resort remind me that I am close the property. Well that is sugar coating it... I am on private property so I have be discreet here. No noises, no campfires, no fiddling with the phone, no messing around with the bike. I quickly setup my 24$ tent that I had not yet used on this trip, cracked open my whisky bottle and sat down on my 5$ tripod chair and just looked at the stars.

 

 

Yep just me, my bike and my tent.

 

 

Pure bliss: I was happier there than in any hotel I could have been in Cancun.

 

 

Below, the ride reports worst photo: The quality of this photo is poor because I took it quickly and covertly with my DSLR to avoid being spotted.

 

 

33457336856_fbc98f879e_b.jpg

 

 

It is the worst photo of the report but probably from the best moment of the report.

 

 

The past few days had not been great motorcycling days(mostly due to the heat, semana santa traffic and the aftermath of food poisoning) but at that moment I remembered how stealth camping made me feel. It made me feel calm and rested. it made me feel like I was so far removed from my real life that its problems and annoyances could never reach me.

 

 

Why did I not camp out more on this trip? This was a mistake, one that I do not want to repeat. I will never go on a ride again where I cant stealth camp at least some of the time.

 

 

In Cancun, even at night the temps are still very warm.

 

 

33115121940_c9a59f5fc4_b.jpg

 

 

I could however feel a faint breeze coming in and looking at the moonlit sky, I could spot dispersed clouds slowly strolling high above.

 

 

I slipped into my sleeping bag and quickly fell asleep.

 

 

With a full day in the bank and camping just a few kilometers away from the airport, I had just one thing to worry about for the next day.

 

 

Ok, now what to do with this motorcycle?

 

 

33498708525_866bb33f26_b.jpg

 

 

It had made it but what to do now with it.

 

 

32654942124_1f4940942e_b.jpg

 

 

The answer lies in the next update.

Posted

Heck, I'd just ride it to the airport and park it. Give the keys and $5 to the baggage claim guy and ask him to watch it for you. Tell 'm if your not back in two days, it's his.... :-) :whistling:

  • 1 month later...
Posted

Day 23 and day 24 - Demise of the 250$ motorcycle

 

Amazing how well this bike has served me for this trip. This Venture was my first tourer but it wont be the last. I have learned to appreciate these bulky bikes during this trip.

 

33864242605_c6f3674261_b.jpg

 

Alas this trip was hard on this old hunk. It was this bikes final day into my hands so I gave it a last look-over before hitting the road.

 

The fresh seals blew on the very first day of this trip. I blame my mechanic and the frigid temps on the first leg of this trip.

 

33864244945_a4b9181e37_b.jpg

 

The seals leaked for the length of the trip but the suspension kept working as it should with no loss in dampening.

 

33020510554_f8245eb9ac_b.jpg

 

This is why you never buy 10+ year old "new" tires. This Harley tire looked new when I got it but after riding from Texas to Cancun, the thread was starting to crack and separate from the carcass. This problem showed up a few days before the end of the trip so I kept a close eye on it and hoped for the best.

 

33479737400_cacb6fe06a_b.jpg

 

The exhaust system on this bike took a bit of a beating on the Topes. About halfway thru Mexico, a leak developed down there and it was getting a little bit worse each day but it never got bad enough to make me want to fix it.

 

33823172156_71cbef6fab_b.jpg

 

Riding back towards Cancun I spotted a hotel off the highway. I pulled in and I saw a nice row of garage doors. A love motel! Perfect to work on the bike. I pulled up to the reception window and they have a vacancy and it's only 700 Pesos which is a good price for the area. This place is called Sensaciones Motel

 

This motel delivers!

 

33020520454_966a2d51e2_b.jpg

 

Round Bed, chair, loft area and...

 

 

33020531414_8d53961991_b.jpg

 

Stripper pole!

 

33050892293_e230442de1_b.jpg

 

How does this work?

 

33479760000_81a3f04b4a_b.jpg

 

Yep!

 

33823188946_4e9c9484ce_b.jpg

 

But down these stairs is the "piece de resistance"

 

33734915791_b90bd65fdf_b.jpg

 

Perfect!

 

33050894713_260d7a0434_b.jpg

 

This is your final destination trusty Venture.

 

33823181566_1273f613ac_b.jpg

 

But the day is early so I went to to town to eat and get my laundry done.

 

33734857341_b842e49bdd_b.jpg

 

Nice and tidy

 

33864273735_870ac24a34_b.jpg

 

Shot of the streets of Cancun

 

33051062433_4ef336a310_b.jpg

 

Cancun looks more like the USA than it does rest of the country

 

33864425645_b8c6b0ff0b_b.jpg

 

After this I rode North of the city to hit the beaches the locals use.

 

33864427435_2bdfb4f603_b.jpg

 

The access road in unpaved but in great shape.

 

33864430595_0b538565e0_b.jpg

 

I reached the beach and parked my steed in the soft sand.

 

33864435645_dc0faa4c71_b.jpg

 

The beaches here are a little rocky so you have to be careful when walking around and swimming

 

33864438285_61a4294fd0_b.jpg

 

I think I spent a total of 20 minutes swimming then I packed up and left. I have never liked spending a lot of time at the beach.

 

33864442345_540f49d882_b.jpg

 

I then rode south to reach Playa del Carmen. I had heard of a bar in Playa del Carmen that was owned by French Canadians so I decided to got check it out.

 

33050909823_3308e3f48d_b.jpg

 

Los Tabarnacos is what it's called so I pulled in for a drink and for some food.

 

33823201816_472654a63c_b.jpg

 

Hockey fans can watch the games here

 

33823204156_fc1f28966e_b.jpg

 

You have been warned!

 

33479781220_716c02c2fc_b.jpg

 

A few patches from local Montreal firehouses.

 

33050917713_3c08f0f9cf_b.jpg

 

The owner of the place was surprised to hear that I made it from Canada in March and promptly offered me a round (then a second) of Tequila on the house.

 

I ordered some poutine from the kitchen and hung out there with the other patrons from my home province. After spending weeks in Mexico working on my third language skills it was odd to run into a place loaded with people who spoke my first language.

 

33020714394_06b4f0a62c_b.jpg

 

It was getting late so I left Playa de Carmen and headed back to the Sensaciones Motel.

 

33020716554_ab11582395_b.jpg

 

When I arrived at the Motel, I put the bike on its center stand and after shutting the petcock valve to the "off" position, I let it idle until it quit running. Like a vet who was administering a shot to put a dog to sleep, I stared at the Venture with a sad an guilty look on my face. The bikes seemed to want to run forever, like it did not want to die. After what seemed like minutes, it started to miss a little, then the idle got rough and it finally drew its last breath.

 

I then pushed the bike into the garage, looking around and over my shoulder, like a thief who was stuffing a stolen bike into a garage in a rough part of town.

 

33823210356_17d2b74103_b.jpg

 

I shut the garage door behind me and I started the dirty deed.

 

I first pulled the airbox from the bike.

 

33479789820_d5d9e8335b_b.jpg

 

This gave me access to the carbs. Some ebay browsing had earlier revealed that these are worth a pretty penny on the secondary market.

 

33734882021_2ff2aac389_b.jpg

 

So I pulled this organ from the donor.

 

33479803400_7cda0519ce_b.jpg

 

Next I removed the coils and CDI from the bike

 

33823229106_21009e38a2_b.jpg

 

Next was the clutch.

 

33050936783_e6b98c7ffb_b.jpg

 

I removed the clutch cover just like I had done at @skizzman home in Texas.

 

33823239336_9a68d9c3f3_b.jpg

 

I removed the Barnett springs I had previoudsly installed there.

 

33050942943_5e32536e64_b.jpg

 

The mutilated beast: Not a pretty sight.

 

33864298665_ebcac72d6a_b.jpg

 

I stuffed the removed brackets, plastics and fasteners into the right pannier.

 

33864312765_d5b0c556c3_b.jpg

 

Last but not least, I removed my plate from the bike.

 

33050952713_f220957def_b.jpg

 

I then went to bed.

 

When I woke up the next morning. I started to pack my belongings to prepare for my flight back to Montreal.

 

I took the topbox to my room and, to make it lighter, I removed the metal hardware that was at the bottom of the case along with the cushion. I then wrapped the carbs in a dirty shirt and put it in 6 layers of plastic bags to make sure not gas fumes or smells could escape it.

 

33708031272_66f413025c_b.jpg

 

This is what I would be flying to Montreal with. A top box loaded with carbs, CDI, Coils, and handtools and a drybag with my camera and my clothes in it.

 

33479832500_88c6a0e87b_b.jpg

 

Rise an shine - The light of the day would expose the crime scene.

 

33734917681_fa990bdd7d_b.jpg

 

This Iguana was perched on top of the protection wall of the Motel and looking at the scene.

 

33479837060_44901c4560_b.jpg

 

This is my first time seeing on of these in its natural environment.

 

33479838420_d1afe0fab0_b.jpg

 

A tent, a sleeping bag, an empty gas can, a chair, fluids and Whiskey. These things I would abandon with the bike. I lined these items up against the wall of the garage.

 

33734896181_258b1d024b_b.jpg

 

I then walked to the front desk and asked for the hotel's handyman. When he showed up, I motioned him to follow me to my garage. I told him I had mechanical problems with my bike and I was flying to Canada. In my best Spanish, I told him he could have these belongings along with the bike for parts. He immediately fell in love with the bike and started to ask for the papers and the plate. I told him "solomente es bueno para partes" but he kept asking for the plates. I had to be firm with him and tell him "no papeles" , "no placa" He still seemed happy about the free bike. I handed him the key, grabbed my top case and drybag and walked off to the side of the highway.

 

I motioned a commercial passenger van to bring me to the airport. Only after I got in and paid, I realized he was not going to the airport but he dropped me off at the exit for the airport.

 

33734932851_e828df982a_b.jpg

 

I crossed over to the exit ramp for the airport and and a truck picked me up. I handed the guy a few pesos and hopped into the bed of the truck.

 

33823265116_6a23cbbb02_b.jpg

 

I slipped my helmet on an took a selfie while riding in the bed of this pickup truck.

 

33020602464_143f88fc51_b.jpg

 

Arriving at the airport.

 

33864344165_b3f684b2b5_b.jpg

 

They dropped me off here and I slipped them some pesos for the ride. A shuttle bus picked me up about 10 minutes later and I made it to the terminals.

 

33708058132_1519e792bf_b.jpg

 

I had a few hours to kill and some pesos left over so I ate a very expensive lunch at the airport while waiting for my flight.

 

33708060222_59b0d65ee7_b.jpg

 

When I boarded my flight (a direct flight to Montreal) I looked around at all of the tanned vacationers in t-shirts and shorts. I stuck out like a sore thumb in my dirty jeans, motorcycle boots and Joe Rocket Jacket.

 

33708062162_a4a366c76b_b.jpg

 

Last photo of Mexico

 

33020615754_f4b8fd3f26_b.jpg

 

I made it home and was back at work the next day.

 

Take away the leaks this bike was pretty reliable and required a level of attention that was reasonable considering its age. The charging and cooling system of the bike were top notch. Its cooling system was in fact better than on my Versys 1k which likes to run a little hot in certain conditions but not this heap. It was well suited for this trip. The weak points were the suspension which didn't deal with Topes well and the wind protection that was too good in this very hot weather.

 

This trip was also very economical. After I got home, I listed my carburetors on ebay along the the CDI and I ended up getting 220$USD for the carbs and 180$USD for the CDI. Take away the 100$ battery I abandoned with the bike, I rode this beast for roughly 9000 kilometers basically for free.

 

I am very happy with the outcome of this trip. I know my luck may not always be the same but I hope to try this again some time in the future.

 

jfman

Posted

Hi JF. Like many here, I have been following this thread from the start, patiently awaiting the next instalment. This was indeed a great read on what must have been a fantastic adventure. Thank you so much for posting it with all the pictures and incredible detail outlining the story. I am in awe of you having completed such a journey by yourself. Well done, sir!

Dale.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...