Rode to the eye of Narcolandia, Mex.

Hey, haven�t posted recently, dodging bullets and riding takes a whole lot.

I suppose you�ve heard of the recent increase in drug kingpin related crime here. Well this weekend is the country�s largest bike fest, in Mazatlan, and organizers received threats.

Figures for Sinaloa, Mazatlan's state;
2009 1251 n-rco related deaths,
2010 597, (3 months!).
I changed my route to avoid the worst spots, and still rode here. It was great, twisty bits were 2 of the 5hr trip, but still, the straight sections are fun at warp 9.

Mazatlan expects thousands of bikers this weekend, and the organizers received a threat from one nar-co faction saying they will cause death
and mayhem. A lot of guys cancelled, but so far it looks like a great turnout.

There�s another post my son put online with pix and such, at his blog.
Hey don�t mind the nerdy gear, it�s damn hot for full leathers...

More updates and details, shots soon, we�re just getting started here. Rolling Thunder crew are here to film a special...

Saludos from Mexico!.

HB

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1270619663/gallery_18314_4851_172780.jpg

:offtopic: Just a little tangent

Hey,

I have a trip planned for later this month to Monterrey and Torreon, but I've been very unsure if I should go through with it or not due to the escalation in violence. 5 of us would be going to attend a reunion and wedding. You went to this bike get-together even though there were threats of violence, but I'm wondering if I should not go on this trip. Supposedly, all of the violence is related to drug wars and doesn't affect civilians too much, so I'm thinking we'd most likely be fine, but I don't know if it's worth the risk.

Your thoughts?

Thanks.

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 08 April 2010 - 11:00 PM, said:

:offtopic: Just a little tangent

Hey,

I have a trip planned for later this month to Monterrey and Torreon, but I've been very unsure if I should go through with it or not due to the escalation in violence. 5 of us would be going to attend a reunion and wedding. You went to this bike get-together even though there were threats of violence, but I'm wondering if I should not go on this trip. Supposedly, all of the violence is related to drug wars and doesn't affect civilians too much, so I'm thinking we'd most likely be fine, but I don't know if it's worth the risk.

Your thoughts?

Thanks.

Hi, yeah the murders are targeted, I think the highest danger for a bike is being in the way of someone in a rush. So, dial your survival instincts up 100 notches. Can�t relax and cruise really. Having said that, I never sense that thugs are out to get whoever, just hang where it�s relatively safe, not outside small bars or such. Saw some drunko throw a bottle at a car simply cos he couldn�t walk across on a red. Shit like that is pretty obvious to avoid anywhere on earth.
Oh and I�ve heard from foreigners that cops try to get fines "paid on the spot", be careful with that, if you actually did violate the law, ask for your ticket "multa" in spanish, in written form so you can go pay at a bank or transit office. Simple. and if it�s legit and the cop asks for a few bucks to look the other way, just go with it. Everyone does it. $10 to $20 for ignoring a red light is pretty much the norm.

Last night here was insanely fun, every single piece of machinery that can make noise was out doing stupid shit, wheelies, burnouts, cops just watched. 2 lane avenues andsidewalks completely packed with wrist-crazy bastards. Best of all, it�s not just your usual skull-decorated cruiser crowd, no way, -kids on minibikes, full-on tourers, euroracers, girls on dirtbikes and sportbikes, it�s an oil-wet dream of turbo compression proportions man. A dude from spain brought his ER6, euro plate and all, just to show off his girl�s curves it seemed.
When a bar or hotel sets aside their entire parking lot for bikes, you know you�ve found Nirvana.

Back to your question, try to find the online forum for local expats who live where you�re going, or contact horizons unlimited. I�m listed as support resource for south-west mexico, I�m sure someone is listed for other areas.

Good luck!

HB

Thanks for the response! It sounds like fun where you're at.

Where I'm going, I have a lot of family. I'm just worried about the airports and highways, since we're renting a car and driving from Monterrey to Torreon. I'm sure we'll be OK, but I worry about a crew stopping us on the highway and kidnapping/mugging/assaulting us. I've been to Mex many times, since I'm from Torreon, but stuff seems to have gotten much worse in the last couple of years with the war on the cartels by the feds. I used to go for months at a time when I was much younger. Last time I was there was Dec. '06, although I've gone to Ensenada and T.J. since they're across the border.

Great to hear about that many bike owners and different bikes together at one place.