Motorcycle riding in Mexico City is not for the faint of heart:
- Almost getting hit by a bus
- Four open manholes
- One guy crossing the highway with a bundle of lumber
- Twice, cars trying to force me off the road (piazza delivery guys give you a bad rep.)
- 123kph on a 150cc motorcycle, full out fifth gear
- Unbelievable construction, traffic going from four lanes to two lanes with no warning
- Every type of debris you can imagine in the road; rocks, animals, boxes, construction materials
I say it to myself over and over "expect anything at any time" I see things I can't believe, "is that guy really going to run across four lanes of a highway with a bundle of lumber?"
I rode to Tres Marías, Morelos, Mexico, today, from DF (82km one way). Once we got off the freeway and onto the road near Tres Marias, the rode was beautiful. But trying to ride a 150cc motorcycle 60mph (top speed is 70mph full tuck, with lots of time) is a challenge. It is all about momentum. Don't use the brakes, just ease off the gas and keep your speed up.
Going up a hill, Elrich waved me on to pass the truck, get around the truck to find a bus coming my way, only just made it passing the truck, missed the bus by inches, I thought I was finished, good lesson, it takes lots of time to pass with a 150cc motocycle.
When I was in college I had a Buick station wagon, I could drive that wagon faster then most people could drive sports cars. As Lance Armstrong said "it is not about the bike". Love pushing a 150cc piazza delivery motorcycle, almost keeping up with an Yamaha R6.
* P.S. I need to get a tank bag to avoid the "is that a cable lock in your pocket or are you just happy to see me look?"
* P.S. I need to get a tank bag to avoid the "is that a cable lock in your pocket or are you just happy to see me look?"
