The Restless Biker

Day 21/22 Monday, March 29 - Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Colima Day Colima to San Jeronimito (some tiny little town along the way) Coranda Hotel, Colima. 300 pesos per night I have to say that I really love Colima. I went downtown and quickly found a convenient parking spot by deliberately going the wrong way a few feet on a one way street. I patted myself on the back for this fortunate find and went for an expensive breakfast at the Best Western. After more than an hour I returned to the bike for some more exploration. A traffic cop approached me and wanted to know if it was my bike. I proudly replied in the affirmative and he advised me that I actually wasn't allowed to park there. There was a courtesy warning note on my handlbar and he politely informed me that the tow truck had already been called. In my zeal to grab the spot by going the wrong way I had missed the "no parking" sing. I apologized to the officer over and over and considered myself lucky to only have receiv...

Day 18, 19, 20 Friday, March 26 to Sunday, March 28, 2010 Mazatlan to Sayulita Sayulita to Bocas De Iguanas Bocas De Iguanas to Colima In Mazatlan I was feeling a bit lonely and somewhat "all Spanished out". There's only so much companionship I can get when I don't speak the language fluently. Since I was staying with the regular Mexicans at the north end I hopped on the bike for the trek into town. Maybe I'd find some American food and some English language company. Not much was happening downtown so I sat on the Malecon for a few minutes and listened to some music from the restaurant across the street. Disheartened I went back to the bike and decided to go to bed early. As I was putting on my helmet A KTM 950 Adventure went by. The rider looked over at me and made a quick U-Turn and parked near me. I went over and asked where he was from "Victoria" he replied. "Wurr's thaaat?" I asked. He politely started explaining when I interrupted him...

It's been a few days, so here's a recap. Day 14 to 17 Monday, March 22 to Thursday, March 25, 2010 Creel to Hidalgo Del Parral Hidalgo Del Parral to Durango Durango to Mazatlan First a few comments on Mexico so far. Most drivers are great, some are lunatics. Mexican drivers are much more in tune with their surroundings as opposed to the dopey "in my own little world" driver frequently encountered back home. Most people are extremely friendly and helpful, if a bit reserved at first. Fuel is available all over the place. Coffee generally sucks. Their idea of coffee is "instantaneo" Lard is at the top of their food pyramid and is used everywhere. So long vegetarianism. I'll see you again when I get home. Speed limits are only to be used as a suggested minimun speed for fully loaded trucks. Beer is plentyful and cheap and available at drive through liquor stores. Drunk driving is a national sport. Creel to Parral was more twists and turns and this is where I...

Well here I am hitting the road again. This time it's a soul searching trip to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. All I know so far is that I'm heading south from Victoria, BC, Canada on my motorbike and cross into Mexico sooner rather than later. Where I'll end up just before the money runs out, nobody knows but all the way to Panama would be kinda cool. There are no fixed itineraries and no fixed timeline beyond what my meager finances dictate. Day 1 Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Victoria, BC to Lake Oswego (Portland, OR) It was the day before I left and I had to run a few last minute errands to get ready for the trip. Spring had come three weeks early and the cherry blossoms were already falling off the trees. But the weather had turned and the wind was kicking up the cherry blossom petals along with the snow that was gently falling in Victoria. Quite an interesting sight to behold. Patti scraped the ice off our car’s windshield to get to work while I loaded ...