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

[jfman]

Day 13 tru day 16 - Repairs and playing tourist in San Miguel de Allende

 

 

The first thing I do When I reach San miguel de Allende is get a room at Posada de las Monjas.

 

 

 

 

This is a Villa style hotel that has an antique look, great staff and very important: secure parking for motorcycles.

 

 

 

 

Cost was 730 pesos an night. A little steep for Mexico but was worth every penny now that I think about it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The view from the balcony in front of my room: Room 23

 

 

 

 

Since I am still a kid at heart and since I heard that this hotel is popular amongst the Advrider community I decided to play a little game with you guys.

 

 

I pulled the light switch cover here.

 

 

 

 

And I left an emergency fund in case someone here needs it for a ride Canada. Or if you just want it for the fun factor I don't really care.

 

 

 

 

If you happen to grab that toonie, well chime in and let us know.

 

 

 

 

Exploring the streets or San Miguel at night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No tourist hotspot is complete without a Starbucks

 

 

 

 

At the Centro, they have Mariachi bands playing and these immense costumes dancing thru the night.

 

 

 

 

I love the Parroquia there. Looks simply amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next day I wake up to this: Massive fuel leak.

 

 

 

 

From the petcock. Don't you just hate it when you have a leaky petcock

 

 

 

 

I ride to Gringo heaven... I mean Autozone and I buy this.

 

 

 

 

Autozone parking lot:

 

 

 

 

Yes I am that guy. The guy that takes his junk apart in an Autozone parking lot.

 

 

 

 

Drain

 

 

 

 

Pull

 

 

 

 

Smother: (I know it's not pretty or even the correct fix) then reinstall

 

 

 

 

While this was all curing, I went grocery shopping on foot and ate an amazing plate of seafood for 110 pesos. About 6 hours later, I walked back to Autozone, put the fuel back into the bike and I was good to go. No more fuel leaks.

 

 

The next day I decided to visit the Jardin Botanico El Charco del Ingenio. It is basically a maze of pathways with different species of cacti circling around the top a george that overlooks SMA.

 

 

 

 

It's worth your time if you want to do something nice to stretch your legs out in nature with decent views. I would not however put this on a "do not miss" list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of San Miguel from the Jardin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aliens at work

 

 

 

 

Now another issue with the bike I forgot to mention. Every since reaching the higher elevation of this area the bike has been running rather poorly. @Skizzman had warned me that this would happen as my bike was running a little rich even in the lower lands of Texas.

 

 

I inquired about how to adjust the carbs on Venturerider.org and once again they saved my butt with some important information. Canadian Ventures have adjustable needles with clips. So I pulled the slides and put the clips on the top notch for all 4 carbs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After this quick fix the bike ran a heck of a lot better.

 

 

 

 

Visiting the streets around San Miguel during the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice door:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at the Parroquia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another photo for my wooden door fetish collection:

 

 

 

 

Little bit of patina there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last morning I was in San Miguel de Allende, I went for a cup of coffee at the centro historico.

 

 

 

 

For the Semana Santa festivities, I got to see Jesus arrive on a burro.

 

 

Only in Mexico.

 

 

 

 

I really enjoyed my time in San Miguel. It's a little bit touristy but I think it is worth checking out if you are riding thru this part of Mexico. The energy in the centro is very nice and the feel of the town is something you won't forget.

 

 

[DarrinGT]

What an unbelievable experience! Thanks for the updates, Love It!

[Condor]

One of the things I like about Mex is the way they play with light at night. Thanks for the pics, and great pics by the way....

[jakester]

This is such a enjoyable write up. I am following you every step. Love the pics of Mexico (and everywhere else).

Bill

[jfman]

One of the things I like about Mex is the way they play with light at night. Thanks for the pics, and great pics by the way....

 

Thenyouwilllikethislinkfrommy2014triptoMexico

 

(spacebarnoworkie)

 

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/spending-christmas-in-death-valley-and-the-new-year-in-urique-mexico.1040296/page-8#post-26855835

[GaryZ]

Really, really enjoying your experience! I wish I had traveled more when I was younger . . .

 

On another note; Why hasn't anyone on this forum mentioned that Canadian Ventures have adjustable carb needles:confused07:

How do I get a set of these?

[camos]

(spacebarnoworkie)

 

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/spending-christmas-in-death-valley-and-the-new-year-in-urique-mexico.1040296/page-8#post-26855835

Sometimes my space bar does not work too. A work around is to arrow left or mouse left to add the spaces missed and then keep one character to the right of the cursor until you finish the post. The next post should work properly until whatever sets the condition off happens again.

[bongobobny]

Sometimes my space bar does not work too. A work around is to arrow left or mouse left to add the spaces missed and then keep one character to the right of the cursor until you finish the post. The next post should work properly until whatever sets the condition off happens again.

Yyup!! The same thing has happened to me too!! I just keep on typing and add the spaces later. Very annoying...

[snyper316]

Yyup!! The same thing has happened to me too!! I just keep on typing and add the spaces later. Very annoying...

 

Sometimes my space bar does not work too. A work around is to arrow left or mouse left to add the spaces missed and then keep one character to the right of the cursor until you finish the post. The next post should work properly until whatever sets the condition off happens again.

 

I have had the same thing happen to me, What I do on the first word when it happens is hit

enter then backspace and then the space bar works. I thought it was just me.

[camos]

I thought it was just me.

Naah!!! It's a conspiracy.

You need a Guardian Bell hanging on your computer to keep the gremlins away.

[snyper316]

Lol camos

 

Living life one curve after the other. Vroom scooting, thru the countryside.

Edited December 9, 2016 by snyper316
Had to fix Lol, Auto correct said Lola. GRRR

[cowpuc]

:thumbsup: OUTSTANDING JFMAN and THANK YOU!! Hanging right there with ya:biker: thru thick n thin - enjoying every twist n bend brother!! FANTASTIC trail tale!!!

[ddoggma]

ok I'm starting to get worried about this guy. Did I miss something, and he is done? Nice story so far.

[snyper316]

Maybe he met a nice Woman there and they eloped.

[jfman]

This summer was a litle bit sidetracked.(some here make good guesses)

 

Now I am back at it. I got an update coming for you guyz soon.

[Flyinfool]

Awesome!

Looking forward to it.

[jfman]

Day 16 - On the way to Jalpan

 

 

After a last cup of coffee in San Miguel de Allende

 

 

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I hit the road towards Tierra Blanca

 

 

 

 

Fresh pavement is a welcomed and common sight

 

 

 

 

The view does not dissapoint here

 

 

 

 

Good god I love Mexico

 

 

 

 

This is around Santa Catarina

 

 

 

 

This path was not part of my orginial route but it's too good to pass up.

 

 

 

 

I simply cannot resist these roads even not really knowing where they lead.

 

 

 

 

Bird watching is one of my passions (this is a lie btw, only here for the curves)

 

 

 

 

Sweet curves as always

 

 

 

 

I take a break to admire the view every once in a while.

 

 

 

 

At this point I come to realize that I am lost again (I meant I am exploring again)

 

 

 

 

And this is how Mexico works: one minute you are on an amazing freshly paved road. The next minute you are riding dirt.

 

 

 

 

And more dirt

 

 

 

 

Still fun to ride but the progress is slow

 

 

 

 

A road sign: for a change this one has not gone missing yet.

 

 

 

 

Mandatory burro encounter

 

 

 

 

Lazy and slow moving beasts they are.

 

 

 

 

More backcountry

 

 

 

 

 

 

No idea where I am at this point.

 

 

 

 

And I wish I was on something lighter or with better suspension.

 

 

 

 

At 40km/h it will take me all day to reach a paved road again

 

 

 

 

But I do love these types of hillside roads.

 

 

 

 

Oh look! Civilization!

 

 

 

 

But where am I? Road signs are there but...

 

 

 

 

I am not certain but I think I arrived to Penamiller using 161

 

 

 

 

If this is even Penamiller

 

 

 

 

Ok maybe it is

 

 

 

 

No more arguing

 

 

 

 

 

 

After this I get on 160 and the pavement is fresh fresh fresh

 

 

 

 

I ride this road for a little while

 

 

 

 

Not a bad ride here

 

 

 

 

At this point I know I am on the correct path to make it to 120

 

 

 

 

I plan to go east on 120 and make it to Jalpan before sundown.

 

 

 

 

There we go!

 

 

 

 

120 does not dissapoint

 

 

 

 

No plans to stop here but I cannot resist

 

 

 

 

Holy mother of god! Have you seen these dirt switchbacks in the background?

 

 

 

 

These switchbacks have made my bucket list but I can't ride them today. Not on the bike I am using for this trip. I will have to come back here one day with a proper motorcycle.

 

 

 

 

Same spot looking East

 

 

 

 

Looking West

 

 

 

 

Back on 120 I get into some more paved goodness.

 

 

 

 

These shots (with the road signs and curves in sight) are my favourites on Mexican roads.

 

 

 

 

When I get higher up I hit the clouds/fog ceiling. It is so dense that water just pools and rains down my windshield.

 

 

 

 

First gas station since leaving San Miguel. The guys in the old VW van are as interested in my bike as I am in their cool travel rig.

 

 

 

 

Soon after filling up, the fog dissipates quite a bit.

 

 

 

 

Night fall is coming soon and I have not had anyhting substantial to eat all day so I stop at this burger stand in Pinal de Amoles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stand is making burgers for a kids soccer team and they are quite slow at churning the burgers out.

 

 

This is 30 minutes later.

 

 

 

 

Another 10 minutes passes.

 

 

 

 

Here's one of my long awaited burgers. Never in my life have I waited this long for a burger... and never will I again.

 

 

I gobble the burgers then I ride further east in search of a hotel.

 

 

 

 

I ride a few km's and I pull into this spot(pic taken next morning) I go in and as it is often the case, they dont have the change needed to break the 500 pesos bill I hand them. While I am waiting on change, I start feeling a little cold and queasy. I finally get my change and the keys to my room get handed. My room is on the second floor so I bring the first load of things to carry up there. I throw the stuff onto my bed then I walk back down the stairs to go grab a second load from my Venture. As I am about to to set foot back into the building I hear a loud snap. It sounds like a firecracker or a small caliber gunshot. Then, a Mexican lady comes running down the stairs yelling and talking so fast that I cant make out any of the words she is saying. All while this is happening, I start feeling a little bit more queasy than I did before checking in; like my brain is in a fog and cannot think clearly. To top this the lady has gone completely berserk, she is yelling, jumping up and down and blocking the way to the staircase. I get the feeling that someone may have just been shot upstairs. In a moment that I can describe only as complete stupidity and lack of worry for my own life. I decide to walk up the stairs as the lady is blocking the way and telling me no to go upstairs.

 

 

 

 

I keep my body hidden and peak my head down the corridor to see... well to these broken tiles. It takes a long second to figure this out but I see that there are no guns or anyhting violent going on here. The building has shifted and the tiles have popped in the hall. from the floor having moved.

 

 

 

 

Not the most reassuring sight in the world.

 

 

 

 

I throw the second load onto the bed and before I go fetch the last load, I spot this crack in my room. I gather from this that it is not he first time that this building shifts. Afterall, it is built on a mountain side, in Mexico. you can even tell that they have fixed previous cracks that are just coming back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few of the guests are at the front desk asking for refunds because they think the hotel is about to collapse. At this point I truly do not give a crap about the state of the building. I just want to reach my bed and soon. I really dont want to have to look for another hotel tonight.

 

 

 

 

I slip into my bed and I quickly fall asleep. Around 1am I wake up completely frozen, teeth clattering, my body shaking uncontrollably. I feel terrible. I go to the bathroom and I start puking my guts out. It is bad, everyhting that is inside me is coming out. When I am done, I lay on the bathroom floor of this Mexican hotel shaking badly and out of breath, heaving, panting. After a minute of this I start puking again. This time more painfull but less puke is coming out and some goey stuff (bile?) I am not even done puking that I have to go numero dos and pronto. I grab the trash can to keep the other end covered and I lose every last bit of what I have left in me from the back end. Quite a glorious night. After this I shower up with cold water. There is no hot water nut I am not surprised as this is standard in rural Mexico. I brush up, take a swig of diet coke and got back to bed, my whole body shivering and my teeth still clattering to no end.

[Kretz]

:cool10:Great ride report, can't help thinking you maybe shouldn't have had those burgers! Ain't hindsight wonderful?

Hope it all clears up soon & there are no lasting effects & you can be on your way again. This is a remarkable adventure that many of us wish we could do, but don't have the guts. (no pun intended!) lol Stay safe!

[Flyinfool]

Love it, Thank you so much for sharing.

[Condor]

So much for that burger and food poisoning... Dam I hate that... Sometime ya gotta question exactly what they are serving in those little food stands... Hygiene can't be all that good...

Nice report BTW.... :-)

[venturesome]

Quite an adventure! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to read the rest.

[cowpuc]

Yet another OUTSTANDING followup!! Sorry to read about the food poisoning ordeal - that sounds like not so much fun but WOWZY, those trails leading there were breath taking!! What an amazing adventure on a $250 Venture

[blaine1]

i wish i was there with you with my 85 would go in a heartbeat let me know if you want company blaine

[Dragonslayer]

You didn't drink the water did you? Ain't you heard of Montazuma's revenge?

[jfman]

You didn't drink the water did you? Ain't you heard of Montazuma's revenge?

 

 

 

Not the water juste the coffee.

 

But I did drink river water in Mexico before(out of necessity) and have yet to get sick from it.

 

Saludos!