Recycled

May 1988.. I'd been riding hard all day and fatigue was heavy on me when I
began to see signs of civilization.. The lights from the city of Hermosillo
were becoming visible when a light mist of rain began to mist over the
windshield of my motorcycle.. The highway had already become slick and
treacherous, so I'd slowed down to compensate for the loss in traction..

On the outskirts of the city, road construction was everywhere.. While I
carefully picked my way through the typical construction conditions,
complications of the misting rain contributed to the increasingly dangerous
environment that I was riding through..

After I'd eased through a particularly slippery intersection that had been
excavated, suddenly the dreaded red and blue lights were flashing behind
me.. After stopping and dismounting the motorcycle, two Mexican policemen
approached me .. I'd already removed the helmet and had my visa and travel
permits in my hand.. One policeman casually walked around the motorcycle,
inspecting it .. The other examined my documents and commenced to question
me about where I'd come from and where I was going.. As he questioned me, he
was paying close attention to my responses and it was obvious that he was
looking me over carefully..

He returned the documents to me and had apparently made some sort of
decision to conclude our brief encounter.. Then, I asked the officer why
they had stopped me.. The response was surprising, somewhat.. he said they'd
observed me for a couple of blocks as I navigated those dangerous streets..
They'd seen the back wheel of the motorcycle skid a couple of times and
fishtail.. Their concern was that I may have been drinking, overly tired ..
or both.. They had decided to make a courtesy stop to determine my condition
to operate a motorcycle under these hazardous conditions.. It should be
pointed out.. the entire encounter with these policemen, had been conducted
with courtesy and professionalism..

I thanked both officers and prepared to remount and continue my journey..
One of them stepped slightly forward and told me to follow them and they'd
escort me through these dangerous streets of their city . I followed that
patrol car through Hermosillo and when we got to the outer edges, they
pulled over to the side in a well lighted area.. I again dismounted and
approached the squad car with some money in my hand to reward them for the
kindness and courtesy they'd shown me.. One of them, laughed and told me to
put my money away.. The reason they'd stopped in this area, was because
there were a couple of very nice motels located just ahead, and I could take
the opportunity to rest for a while, which I obviously needed to do.. The
hour was very late.. it was misting rain.. I'd already riden several hundred
miles over a period of something like 14 hours.. Didn't take long for me to
take their well intended advice to stop for rest..

Recent discussions on this newsgroup caused me to recall this incident in
Mexico.. I believe that I may have shared this ride report, in the past.. It
is one amongst many, positive incidents that I have experienced in that
country over many years of travelling down there..

Mexico is a country of contrast.. There are many things that are wrong, down
there.. It is also a country of good and warm people who will go above and
beyond .. Those two officers were not obligated to me.. They helped me when
I desperately needed some help.. Chances are, I'd have made it alright, on
my own.. their assistance only made my trip through their city, more
accomodating..

I have witnessed some very bad incidents in that country, but have been
fortunate enough to not be involved in them.. Usually because someone
stepped forward to intercede on my behalf..

There is no link to refer ( I don't refer links, anyway).. There are no
statistics to provide "backup".. There is no substiture for personal
experience .. Links and stats sometimes contrast greatly with what we might
encounter IRL.. Although they should be considered, those links and stats
are sometimes exaggerated to the point that one would be pleasantly
surprised when the actual experiences of real life, contradict them.

I believe the most recent trip that we made to Mexico .. me and the three
brothers who accompanied me.. are perfect examples of this "pleasant
surprise" that I speak of.. I do not pretend to be any kind of Ambassador
for Mexico, nor any kind of expert about the country.. I do recommend anyone
who cares to visit the country.. to go for it and enjoy.. You might be
amongst the ones who are "pleasantly surprised".. Qualifying that
recommendation with another little comment.. "Mexico is not for everyone"
Again.. there are many things which are wrong down there and the trip is not
for rookies.. Caution should be the rule of thumb and the trip should be
made with someone who can speak the language and has been there before..
Regards

Bill Walker
Irving

 

Whoops.. Killfile not working, I see.. ROTFL..

Well OK.. More recently.. A small group of us bikers were travelling through
the city of Torreone.. which is a city located west of Saltillo and
southeast of Hermosillo.. and east of Durango..

Due to the late night hour, we were trying to locate a motel to spend the
night, eat and get rested for our days ride, ahead of us..

One of our guys had suggested a particular motel to look for, but the
directions were somewhat confusing.. and off the highway beaten path..
Suddenly we were in streets on the outskirts of the downtown area.. Being in
the lead and trying pick my way through the narrow streets, I realized that
my companions were no longer directly behind me.. Looking back, I could see
their lights and I turned around... They were parked next to a vendor who
was cooking at the street corner..

One of our guys had become uneasy about the area that we were in.. His
concern was that it just didn't appear to be the kind of place that a nice
motel would be located.. Also.. there were some concerns about the area
could be a dangerous place for defenseless bikers..

I began to ask directions from the man who was doing the cooking and he
started giving me directions.. As it turned out, I had been on the right
track.. While the man gave me additional directions, one of the customers
who was waiting for his order to be cooked, spoke up and offered to lead us
directly to the motel.. if we could just wait for him.. In a few moments, we
were again on our way..

That man led us directly to the motel with no furthur problems . When we
arrived, he stopped for a moment, to be sure that we got inside the motel
area.. however he didn't wait for anyone to reward him for his courtesy and
kindness.. When I started to approach his car, he cheerfully waved to me and
sped away..

Needless to say, there are numerable accounts of horror stories .. I can
tell a few of them, myself.. Each one of those stories have two sides.
perhaps, the side that you'd present is not representative of both sides...

Evidently, you have missed the most important recommendations that I have
made.. "Mexico is not for everyone".. You are most certainly one of those
and should avoid crossing that border, at all costs.. Your stats and links
that you refer, have obviously biased your attitude toward Mexico and it's
people to the point that you'd certainly not do well, there..

My experiences in that country span a long period of time and range from
average people on the streets to policemen, judges, teachers, priests, nuns,
bikers.. and ranch and farm workers.. cowboys, etc. From the border at
California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.. all the way to the most southern
state of Chiapas.. That's a lot of miles, states and cities of all sizes and
descriptions.. And.. those experiences are not taken from a statistic, or
come from a reporting in a media article.. They are actual and first hand
experiences Dispute them, if you can.. hmmmm.. consistently referring links
and articles in media, while they should not be dismissed, aren't
demonstrating your expertise about the contry of Mexico..

 

post an old bike trip report)~After stopping and dismounting the
motorcycle, two Mexican policemen approached me .. I'd already removed
the helmet and had my visa and...& so 4th


Does Mex still have the Helmet Law?

'Ya'll take care'' --BJAY--

 

That's like asking if there is a helmet law in the United States.. Depends
on which state or area that you are in.. I usually wear a helmet when I am
in that country..

 

Whoops.. what's that all about, Beemer ?

Not really all that complicated... Helmets required on a motorcycle in
California ? Yes... Helmets required on a motorcycle in Texas.?. Yes, but
there are exemptions to the requirement.. Helmets required in Arkansas ? Yes
... but with exemptions.. Helmets required in Lousiana.. Yes.. if you are on
a motorcycle, better be wearing one..

Is there a helmet law in Mexico ? hmmm.. depends on which state you are
in.. It may even depend on the city you are asking about.. Jalisco,
Sinaloa.. Guanajuato .. Sonora or Baja California.. those are individual
States.. in Mexico.. Their laws vary state to state, much the same as ours
do..

To avoid any conflict of the law, I wear a helmet most of the time that I'm
in that country..

I don't know how you connect any of this with the drinking age in Mexico,
but.. it might surprise you to know that your observation about them selling
liquor to what I assume you imply is children, isn't true.. Again.. the
drinking age is different from one area to the other..The laws in Mexico are
much simpler than ours.. the penalties for violation of those laws, much
more severe.. Regards

Bill Walker
Irving

 

answers bjays question about Helmet Laws in Mexico) he says:''That's
like asking if there is a helmet law in the United States.. Depends on
which state or area that you are in.. I usually wear a helmet when I am
in that country..



I see. never thought that there are pobably providences or some kinda
states, and so 4th, is this it?
Otherwise, you wear one anyhow, huh?
Because of the rougher streets, being more of a risk of turning over, or
the eractic manner they drives down there, maybe?
thanks, over, bjay_

 

says to Beemer: 'Is there a helmet law in Mexico ? hmmm.. depends on
which state you are in.. It may even depend on the city you are asking
about.. Jalisco, Sinaloa.. Guanajuato .. Sonora or Baja California..
those are individual States.. in Mexico.. Their laws vary state to
state, much the same as ours do..
To avoid any conflict of the law, I wear a helmet most of the time that
I'm in that country.. billwalker~


I can understand that.
The many times you've rode thru that country, you've learned the
motorcycle particulars, there ya' go! Bjay~

 

Mexico is made up of many states.. which are divided into counties..
contados.. It's a big country.. Traffic laws vary from state to state, and
many times from city to city.. Many of those traffic laws are confusing as
hell to anyone who doesn't live in that city.. especially visitors from
other countries..

That's why I recommend that first time visitors, especially vulnerable ones,
like bikers.. always go with someone who has been there before and speaks
the language.. Mexico is not for everyone, and motorcyclists making first
time visits of the country should be very careful to go with someone with
some experience there.. The preconcieved notions that might be retained from
usenet, are mostly misleading ..

 

BJayKana axed:

http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/cnty/travel/index.html

"If you are on a motorcycle, remember that Mexico has a helmet law.
"

http://www.imagineadventure.com/mtc faq.shtml

"Q10. Am I required to wear a motorcycle helmet while in Mexico?

A10. Helmet laws may be enforced in some areas but not most.
However, we
highly recommend wearing motorcycle helmets while riding a
motorcycle."

http://www.bluebubble.com/island.html

"When renting a scooter always wear a helmet, it is the law,
even if others don't seem to be wearing them!. "

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mg...on=cancun@43&cur_section=tra&cache=false&pg=2

"You should receive a crash helmet, which by law you must wear."

http://www.playamayanews.com/article253.html

"...here in Playa del Carmen, a helmet rule went into effect back
in March
whereby everyone who rides a motorcycle/scooter must where a
helmet."

http://www.loscabosguide.com/activity/actv9609.htm

"Mexico has no compulsory helmet law "

 

Not sure. I was there last week. I'll probably be there for a couple
days next month, but its pretty much up in the air.