This is the first section of our Mexico trip, January 29 to March 5, 2007.

The first part into Mexico is flat, desert riding on highway 15, which is not a cyclist's dream. Highway 15 is a pretty straight shot, 2 lanes in each direction, with normally no shoulder. We were able to handle it by putting on our brightest clothes and using our mirrors to tell when something was going to happen, and then getting off the road. All the motorists and especially the truckers were particularly courteous, but there were a few times when a passing vehicle to the left of a truck limited their options and then we had to get off quick.

South of Hermosillo we started to head toward the beach town to the west, but got discouraged and came back to the highway.

We enjoyed San Carlos and Guaymas, and then south of Guaymas got off the highway again and enjoyed the back agricultural roads of the Yaqui and Mayo river valleys. Great roads, nice people, no traffic.

Went to the beach town of Huatabampito (not much to write home about) and then rode back through Navojoa up to Alamos, a nice colonial city with lots of gringos. We spent a week in language school.

From Alamos we rode a dirt road two days to El Fuerte, Sinaloa. This was a fine ride, but it wasn't easy. Lots of people could make it in one day. After trying it out we decided not to ride the wild back roads into Copper Canyon.