Still Ridin’ Tampico, MX to San Luis Potosi, MX

My time in Tampico was rain filled and a little boring.  I found a hotel on the beach, which had seen better days.  I paid about $55 US, and was ready to leave the next day, but I decided to wait out the rain for another day.  The best thing in Tampico was a beach restaurant departed after the rain subsided, and headed to San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  It was a all day ride, it took me about 9 hours, which included all my stops to take pictures.  I also had my first Mexican Army, and Mexican Federal Police encounters, because later I was told I was “traveling through the heart” of the drug traffic area.  The ride was full of twist and turns through the Sierra Madres Mountains, with elevation that reached over 8,000 feet.  I kept thinking the whole time, “Badges, we don’t need no stinking badges”!  It was fun, but I lost track of time, and I was trying to beat the nigh fall and the rain.  (I did manage to get some photos.)  I finally arrived in San Luis Potosi around 7:00PM, and tried to find a quick hotel, I like a fool stopped at the Courtyard by Marriot…it cost $150 US per night…no way.  The front desk recommended a newly built hotel called the Ibis, which was right down the street.  Checked in for $40 US, and think I may stay awhile.  I got up this morning in San Luis to sort out some banking issues, and to find an unlocked pay as you go cell phone.  My debit card had been giving me an error when I tried withdraw funds (did not understand why I could not withdraw 5000 pesos).  Stopped at a Mexican bank to see if they were the problem, but come to find out, it was my US bank’s issue.  I placed a call to my bank and they raised my daily withdraw limit…problem sorted.  I am still trying to get that unlocked cell phone, I was told I can get one downtown. (headed that way tomorrow)  In speaking with the hotel staff, there may be a bull fight soon…I would love to see that event!  Right now I am just in the hotel lobby relaxing, and will start my search for dinner.     

       

Into Mexico

I crossed the border in Brownsville at 9:30 AM, paid for 180 day visa ($25), temporary vehicle import pass ($400 refunded when I exit Mexico), insurance for 180 days ($100)…hour later I was on the road to Ciudad Victoria.  It was about a 250 mile ride, mostly farm land until you reach the mountains.  The city is located at the base of a mountain range, and is more modern than I anticipated.  Made it into town around 2:00 PM, and started my hotel search, stopped at first hotel and they wanted $85…not in my budget.  The expensive hotel recommended another hotel within my budget, clean but no AC for $22…jackpot!    Checked in and unloaded the bike, then started a search for food, walked a couple of blocks found a Panda Express with internet access.  Only one guy could speak English, his name was Carlos the cook.  Carlos and I conversed for about an hour, and he told me his story, he use to live in Durham, NC, until he started to sell crack.  He got locked up for 2.5 years, and then he was deported.  Carlos is a good guy who made some bad decisions, and now has since changed his ways, he now has a wife and kid and is doing well for himself.  I am glad I met Carlos, and learned his story, I wish him well. 

Decided to leave Ciudad Victoria the next morning and head to the beaches of Tampico, about a 250 mile ride east, headed toward the gulf coast.  It was another great day to ride, but the temperature started to rise, and became uncomfortable every time I had to stop.  Arrived around 2:00 PM, and got lost trying to find the beach, I ended up driving around the city for an hour.  I stopped in a small shopping, and ran into a teenage girl, who spoke some English, and she and her friends offered to guide me to the beach…that was really nice…I will most definitely pay that forward!  I found the beach area and checked into my hotel…I will have more updates on Tampico tomorrow.

My TVIP, I can now roam Mexico legally

Kid selling candies 

The night shift manager at my $22 hotel, who says he will keep an eye on my bike...hilarious!

Me and Carlos

the backside of my $22 hotel

$22 hotel room

view during ride

Arrived at Border

My ride from Victoria, TX to Brownsville, TX was relatively uneventful, but I had great weather, and I took a detour to Corpus Christi, TX.  When I headed out for this leg if my trip, I noticed that one of my auxiliary head lamps had lost some of its small nuts.  I use some small zip ties for a quick fix, and I made a stop at the Corpus Christi Home Depot.  As, I was leaving the Home Depot, I ran into Shadow and Pappy, members of a local motorcycle club (Harley guys).  Told them about my trip, we chatted for a while and they gave me directions out of town.  They seemed like really great guys.  Two hours later made into Brownsville, got my motel room, did laundry, and replace the bolts on my auxiliary light.  Did a final overall maintenance on the bike, air, fluids, ect., and called it a night.  The plan tomorrow is to hit the border no later than 9:00 AM, then head to Ciudad Victoria, MX.

Shadow, Pappy, and myself

A Good Day

I left Hammond, LA this morning around 9:30 AM, and all was well.  Today was a great riding day, 80 degrees and full of sun.  The only interesting thing I noticed today was that Texas drivers, love to speed.  I tried to maintain a steady 80 miles per hour, but kept getting passed by every driver.  Texas drivers treat the entrance ramp to the interstate like a NASCAR driver leaving the pit, they are at 80 miles per hour before they hit the interstate.  Other than that, I made it to Victoria, TX at 5:30 PM without any issues.  I will head out in the morning, and get to Brownsville, but will make a stop in Corpus Christi.  I will be searching for two pac-safe nets for the two dry bags, I have atop my GIVI side bags…just a little extra security and peace of mind.

Ready to hit the road to Victoria, TX

Getting fuel in the on Hwy 59 South

Motel room in Victoria, TX

Delayed Start

I had to delay my 15SEP12 start by 2 days.  I finally left Atlanta, GA on 17SEP12 at 12PM, due to the fact that I realized that I had too much crap.  I thought I had trimmed everything down to the essentials, but I had to send 1/3 of the so called essentials to storage.  I will probably have to trim down again before I enter Mexico.  All that being said, I made my way from Atlanta, but suddenly got tired after I had a bite to eat and decided to bed down in Carrolton, GA. (Only 2 hours from Atlanta)  I was a little disappointed in myself, but I would rather be safe than sorry.  Got up the next day and headed out, I rode for about 7 hours, and ended my day in a town called Hammond, LA, about 40 miles from Baton Rouge, LA.  The ride was filled with rain and dark clouds, but it ended with 2 hours of sunshine.  I will try and make it to Victoria, TX tomorrow, another 7 or 8 hours ride.

Getting gas in Jackson, MS

New Color, New Dimension, New Value

THE MISSION/PLAN: Sell 98% of everything I own and take a 2 year trip from Atlanta, GA to Central America (Panama).  I plan on spending most of my time in Panama, just seeing and doing whatever want.  I am a photography buff, and I would like to become better at that craft.  I have set aside some money to fund my trip, but also plan on trying to get some type of employment (maybe teaching English) while in Panama.  I will depart on 15SEP12, and take my time heading south, seeing what life has to offer in a different environment.

Me and my Doctor at my last physical in April 2012

Me at the job...just one week before I depart

Me at the health department getting all necessary shots

THE MOTIVATION: Tired of doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result.  I am recently divorced and I have downsized my worldly possessions to six boxes, that is being stored at a good friends house.  Over the past two years I have had some low times, mother and sister passing away and other things I would rather not discuss.  So, last year I got this religious email from a friend:

Stir Up Your Dreams
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you...” (2 Timothy 1:6, NKJ)

Do you need some freshness in your life today? You may simply need to stir up what God has placed on the inside of you. Stir up those gifts, stir up those dreams, stir up those talents inside. Start stretching yourself. You were created to be a dreamer and pursue the desires God has placed in your heart.

These words are my motivation for the remainder of my life.  Instead of sitting at home and felling sorry for myself…I decided to stir things up!  I started reading all of the ride reports on the ADVrider.com and Horizons Unlimited, and then decided to get a motorcycle license (took the MSF training course) in July 2011.  In August 2011, I purchased the bike, started riding, and outfitted the bike for my Adventure.  Family and Friends thought I was crazy, and I just told them this is something I wanted to do, and nothing was going to stop me.

THE MAN: My name is Raymond, and I am 45 years old in decent physical/healthy condition.  I currently work for a small government contractor as the Director of Contracts.  It is a great job, but it is not what I want to do for the rest of my life.  As I mentioned previously, I am recently divorced and have no children.  So, right now, all I have now is to depend on and take care of myself.   

THE BIKE: 2011 Suzuki DL650 – I did extensive research on what bike would best suit me, and my type of Adventure.  I heard great things about the DL650, so I pulled the trigger.  I did not have to make any major modifications, just some modifications to make the bike fit me better.

Farkles:
(Yann D) Skidplate
(Yann D) Radiator guard
GIVI Crash Bars
SW Motech centerstand
Richland Ricks forkbrace
Richland Ricks mirror extenders
GPS mount
RAM GPS shortie GPS arm
Garmin 200W GPS
Twisted Throttle Footpeg lowering kit
ALTRider Large kickstand foot
Fenda Extenda
Speed bleeder valves for front brakes
MadStad  
Lighting LED Kit
Suzuki hand guards
Givi Trekker Luggage

Central America Trip Planning

In September 2012, I plan on riding my motorcycle to Central America for the next two years.  I am selling most of my worldly possessions, and starting over.  The reason, I need a change, my current situation is not where I want to be.  So, for the past 6 months, I have been educating myself for the trip and purchasing all needed supplies.  I will be using this blog to record my entire trip, and provide my photos along the way.  I have purchased a Suzuki DL650 V-Strom motorcycle, and outfitted the bike with all necessary items.  I will keep everyone informed of all my latest updates.