copper canyon? ? ?

[chrisx]

has any one been to copper canyon Mexico?  i was thinking of going there. I'm having trouble gathering some info on the subject.  

[dave54]

Mmmm...

May want to postpone that trip until the drug wars slow down a bit...  I am not sure I would want to be an American tourist on a bicycle...

[fastmtnbiker33w]

If you want to do something more self supported, you need to contact a guy named Ray Molina.  You may be able to get his number from Crazy Cat Cycles in El Paso.  Ray has some history.  He has led tours down there for many years....long before Western Spirit or any of those high $$$ crews.  He was friends with Caballo Blanco....the ultra runner who lived down there and died in the Gila.  Ray found his body.  Ray also was one of the first to build fat tire bikes.  He used them to do tours on the sand dunes in Mexico.  He'll be able to give you some good advice.  The harvest season is a bad time to be down there.  Not sure how the drug war has been treating that area, but the way I see it, it's not worth my life to check it out. 

[the tortoise]

My friends did a tour with Ray Molina some years ago. They also mentioned going with a guide name Alturo.

I did a search for these two guys and nothing came up as far as organized tours.

Here are a few links for tour companies:

http://www.katuntours.com/copper.html

http://www.escapeadventures.com/activity/mountain-bike-tours/copper-canyon-singletrack

[caseygreene]

Seems sketchy not just due to the current cultural conditions, but because of the physical environment as well. To do a proper trip, I'd bring a packraft, hauling rope, and a backpack that could hold all of that - including the bike.

Would be a sweet trip.

Check out the new book on Dick Griffith. He was the first non-native to travel the length of the canyon system. That trip was also the first documented use of a packraft. I think it was in the 50's. Pretty cool: http://www.amazon.com/Canyons-Ice-Wilderness-Travels-Griffith/dp/1467509345

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I was given a 35 mile long gps track of a popular descent into the canyon.  I lost it.  I think there is plenty of riding with plenty of places to refuel....from what I've heard.  It's not as desolate as some think.  There are lots of villages down there.

Find someone in the town of Creel to guide you.  Creel is the Flagstaff of Copper Canyon.  Lots of Mexican mountain bikers come from Creel.

[chrisx]

So far I know 2 things about it.  There is a train from Chihuahua to Los Mochis.  People claim fear and love of Copper Canyon with emotion in their voice.  Oh, and a guy on a single speed with a 60 pound dog in his trailer told me to go in through El Paso.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I have a spare room with a queen bed.  Good trails nearby.

If you ride from El Paso, you'll want to take the Santa Theresa crossing in NM.  There is a narrow highway that isn't too bad....straight, good visibility...that will allow you to bypass the shithole of Juarez and the armpit of El Paso.

There's a shop here called Border Sports and another called Power Shots that is run by Mexicans and caters to the Mexicans who live over here.  I think they are mainly here to get parts and then take them to their shops on the other side of the border.  I have had good interactions with the guys at Power Shots....in other words...they can speak English.  They may be able to find someone who has some really good beta....as in they will find a cousin or friend who rides who will do the whole trip with you for MUCH less than those tools from Western Spirit.  I have a buddy who is from here, is bilingual, and he and his soon to be wife plan on riding down there for a couple of months starting about this time next year.  If you want me to hook you up with them, PM me and I'll give you his info.

[chrisx]

Sir
Thank You.
I plan to travel alone, as usual. 
I found the Santa Theresa crossing on google maps. Got any more ideas on getting to Chihuahua.  At the moment, my plan is to take Amtrak to El Paso.  Then it looks like a road ride of 250 or more miles to Chihuahua.  Perhaps a train ride up to Creel?  MAYBE.  Might be a good adventure.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I've never been on that highway to Chihuahua City.  I'm sure it get's lots of use.  I don't think anyone would run you over out there.  I've never talked to anyone who has ridden there bike on that road.  I know lots of people who have ridden the bus down there or driven it.

There is still cartel violence.  A party was raided just the other night by a gunmen who killed 12 or so.  Most of the violence is targeted at people the cartels have an issue with.  I don't think they'll mess with a bike tourist.....especially if you grow out your hair and beard and get yourself all dirty.  They'll think you're just some dirt bag trying to go visit your family or something.

I'd carry a SPOT.  That would make me more comfortable. 

[Mark_BC]

Cass Gilbert at While Out Riding rode through that general area, not sure if he went through the Copper Canyon or not. He seemed to have the impression that if you're just some dirty American tourist on a bike the drug cartels will probably leave you alone. But he said he got some weird vibes from some of the villages terrorized by the drug gangs.

[chrisx]

.especially if you grow out your hair and beard and get yourself all dirty.   

I got a hair cut just before reading this one. hmmmm   I like to say, a sober person could have a nice time in Mexico.
Any idea if a store in El Paso is selling maps of the canyon area¿?  I'm having trouble finding something better than a state map in San Diego, or Tijuana.  I like National Geographic maps,  but, I cant find one for that area. 

[Mark_BC]

I found Cass' posts:

http://www.whileoutriding.com/category/central-america-2/mexico/page/3

[chrisx]

http://www.whileoutriding.com/central-america-2/mexico/nuevas-casas-grandes-to-madera
http://www.whileoutriding.com/central-america-2/mexico/madura-to-creel-10-000kms-so-far

good story

[fastmtnbiker33w]

http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/elpaso/

These guys may have maps. 

[fastmtnbiker33w]

And I'd find a color printer and print these out.

http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/chihuahua-state-mexico/chihuahua-state-mexico-map-main.shtml

[chrisx]

To get maps, I went too 2 stores today.  None has maps of Chihuahua, Sinaloa,  or Sonora.  mama porfavor.  No senior nada.
Good job finding that sir!
I found
Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseachi
and
Creel
on google maps, then clicked the photo button.  wow
I found another journal.  Seems that few brave the hills.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=66909&v=25V

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Have you tried your main library?  Use a good digital camera and snap photos of the maps and other good info and then find a color printer....then laminate the stuff you think you'll use a lot.  The other resource you may want to check out is a Lonely Planet guide book on Mexico.  This ebook is $5 a chapter.  http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/ebooks/mexico/mexico-travel-guide-13/mexico-mexico-city-chapter-13/?istCompanyId=526baf85-30a1-499b-a621-4e32e1df6ea6&istItemId=qqmqtait&istBid=tzrt&mckv=i2odhJPk|pcrid|31924215455|pkw||pmt|&affil=SEM_lpcom-google-us

Get the chapter on Copper Canyon, then let us know if it's any good. 

[chrisx]

My camera is on the ... (zoom is broken).  So I'm waiting for the Sony rx100 to be on sale.  The new version is out so maybe Thanksgiving.  Taking a photo of a map works well if your zoom feature works.  
The more I google this place the better it sounds.
I have checked a lot of guide books out of the library in the past.  

found another link
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g151927-i1804-Copper_Canyon_Northern_Mexico.html
http://www.mountainbikebill.com/CopperCanyonTrip.htm

these maps print well
http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/chihuahua-state-mexico/chihuahua-state-mexico-map-main.shtml

[BiciMapas]

Hi

We can help you with all types of maps for Mexico: topo maps, gps maps ans so forth

www.bicimapas.com.mx

You can email me at

anajera at bicimapas dot com dot mx

Greetings