Wednesday, July 4, 2012


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 MarĂ­as, 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?"

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