- 2016-09-15 - Day 4 - Austin, TX to Santiago, NL (690 km - 9:00 hrs)
- 2016-09-16 - Day 5 - Santiago, NL to Linares, NL (130 km - 2:45 hrs)
Can you believe that I’m riding my motorcycle in Mexico!
I left Austin around 6:00 AM to avoid traffic, heading for the Laredo-Columbia Solidarity border crossing. To use Road 255, I had to stop and create an electronic account over the phone to pay the $4.00 toll—a bit of a process, but it got me to the border.
The crossing was a breeze. Two super nice customs agents helped me with my pre-purchased import permit and directed me to pay the $28 USD tourist permit. 15 minutes later, I landed on another planet!
Surviving Monterrey #
The contrast is striking. On the highway, trucks roar by at 130 km/h despite the 80 km/h limit. People walk on the edge of the road with no shoulder, and trucks miss them by inches. Everything is chaotic, yet somehow functional.
Then came Monterrey. I didn’t need my running shoes for a workout; the traffic provided enough adrenaline. In Monterrey, “3 lanes” is just a suggestion. I was passed on the right by trucks using the shoulder and on the left by cars packed with locals, all while avoiding stopped buses and pedestrians darting across 100 km/h zones. It’s Montreal traffic multiplied by 10. I’m just glad I got out alive!
Santiago: A Pueblo Magico #
I arrived in Santiago, a charming “Pueblo Magico,” only to find the hotels full for Independence Day. I managed to snag the very last dorm bed at a small hotel for $15. I was the only one in the room, and the owner let me park the bike safely in her workshop.
The village was alive with the Grito de Dolores celebrations. By 9:00 PM, the square was packed with happy people, music, and eventually, a massive thunderstorm.
Onward to Linares #
The next morning, after a parade of musicians and horses, I headed toward Linares. I took a detour through San Miguel. The road was rough—flooded in spots and gravel in others. After 4,000 km of straight highways, I had to quickly readapt to handling a heavy bike on technical terrain.
In Linares, I found a room at Hotel Guidi for $40, which included secure parking.
I spent the afternoon wandering the colorful streets, taking photos, and fixing a wiring issue with my SPOT tracker.
I ended the day with a burger, fries, and two beers for a grand total of $3.50. Mexico is off to a great start!