YOU WERE THERE: Manzanillo Dirt-Road Bicycle Tour delivered for Province reader
Last winter’s wish for an active sun-drenched Christmas holiday that combined our love of bicycle touring and travelling in Mexico led us to the Manzanillo Dirt-Road Bicycle Tour.
Organized by Peter Marcus of Gabriola Cycle and Kayak specifically for the Christmas vacation period (Dec. 20-31), this tour promised to appeal to travellers who wanted something other than the “all-inclusive-resort” experience.
It delivered.
Beginning in Santiago, near Manzanillo, over a period of 10 days, we stayed in four towns and villages and rode about 400 kilometres.
During this time, we experienced different combinations of paved road, cobblestones, sand, gravel, climbs, descents, flat stretches and varying degrees of traffic (mainly very limited to moderate).
Each ride was accompanied by great views and memorable contacts with local citizens and fellow travellers.
There was no requirement to ride every day. So in accordance with Peter’s philosophy, “Riders of all abilities are welcome. It’s your holiday. You decide.” Some opted for a shorter ride or for beach or shopping days instead of riding.
The rides were about 30 to 70 km, so even those who rode every day had plenty of relaxing time.
The days on the trip and the experiences generated have now become recurring snapshots in our memories; too many to recount in detail here. Memories such as:
- The sun reflecting through the morning mist as we rode past the sugar-cane fields and pineapple plantations.
More: canada.com
Motorcycling
People are generally very friendly to motorcyclists and you can make many friends by returning friendship to those who show an interest in you. Buying a bike in the States and driving down works out cheaper than buying one in Europe in making your choice go for a comfortable bike. The motorcycle should be off-road capable without necessarily being an off-road bike. A road hike can go most places an off-road bike can go at the cost of greater effort.
Security
This is not a problem in most countries. Try not to leave a fully laden bike on its own. An
Unless you are planning a journey almost exclusively on paved roads - when a high-quality touring bike such as a Dawes Super Galaxy would probably suffice -a mountain bike is strongly recommended.The good-quality ones (and the cast-iron rule is never to skimp on quality) are incredibly tough and rugged, with low gear ratios for difficult terrain, wide tyres with plenty of tread for good road-holding, cantilever brakes,and a low centre of gravity for improved stability, Although touring bike and to a lesser extent mountain bike spares are available in the larger Latin American cities, remember that in
Jones Real Estate Colleges Inc
1919 N Union Blvd
Colorado Springs CO, 80909
Gen. Ph#: (719) 473-0385
Fin. Ph#:
Adm. Ph#: (719) 473-0385
Highest Degree: Award of less than one academic year
Buying in Mexico
Title insurance can provide peace of mind for those wary of Baja California real-estate investments
The promise of lucrative profits and the allure of stunning ocean views have drawn U.S. citizens in droves to invest in Baja California real estate, but buying property in Mexico is not necessarily without risk.
It wasn't all that long ago that dozens of Americans were evicted from their homes in Punta Banda outside Ensenada after a Mexican court ruled that the land on which they were living be returned to the original, lawful owners.
he potential for harrowing property disputes, though, may well become
As America builds security wall with Mexico to stop illegal immigration, it forgets the real culprit – outsourcing from Asia
The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Dec. 16 to build a wall along the United States'' border with Mexico to stop illegal immigration. But American has forgotten the real culprit that is dragging this superpower down – outsourcing from India, China and other Asian countries.
While illegal immigration must be stopped, the same effect on the economy and may be worse is felt through greedy businesses sending jobs abroad in the name of outsourcing.
America is divided between haves and have-nots.
Newsmakers Pachuca reigns in Mexico
Uruguayan forward Richard Núñez scored on a penalty kick late in the second half, and the host Tuzos of Pachuca defeated Real San Luis 1-0 on Sunday to claim their fourth Mexican First Division championship in seven years.
Both teams battled to scoreless draw Thursday in the first leg of the home-and-home, aggregate scoring series.
Núñez scored the series lone goal in the 78th minute after teammate Andrés Chitiva was brought down inside the penalty area by Real defender Angel Reyna.
The score sent the 25,000 in attendance at Hidalgo Stadium into a frenzy.
More: chron.com
Mexico's Zapatista rebels head into jungle region marked by violence
Ski-masked rebel chief Marcos left San Cristobal de las Casas on Tuesday and led his campaigning band of Zapatistas toward the ancient Mayan temples of Palenque, a jungle region marked by violence between the rebels and paramilitary groups.
Leaving the motor bike on which he started his six-month tour, which will take him from the southernmost Mexican state of Chiapas to the U.S. border, Marcos headed out of the mountain town of San Cristobal de Las Casas in a 10-vehicle convoy at the crack of dawn.
Dubbed "The Other Campaign" because it
Brazil reverses course to close higher; Mexico rises
Brazilian equities finished higher Monday as investors took advantage of prices declines earlier in the session, and Mexican stocks were supported by a rally in U.S. markets as investors focused on a drop in oil prices.
In Sao Paulo, the Bovespa rose 174 points, or 0.5%, to close at 34,972.74.
Brazilian shares lost ground earlier in the session, reacting negatively to a sell-off in the currency, said Ricardo Amorim, head of Latin American strategy at WestLB.
The real hit 2.2377 against the U.S. earlier in the day, its lowest level since June 28,
The Conference Board(R) Mexico Business Cycle Indicators(SM)
Mexico Leading Economic Indicators and Related Composite Indexes for October 2005
The leading index was unchanged in October following four consecutive gains. Oil prices and stock prices were the main contributors to this month's weakness in the leading index, but in recent months the strengths among the leading indicators were relatively more widespread. Despite no change in October, the leading index continued to grow at about a 10.0 to 11.0 percent annual rate in recent months, well above the 3.0 to 4.0 percent rate
Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru: Latin America Local Bond Preview
The following events and economic reports may influence trading in Latin American local-currency bonds today. Bond yields are from the previous session.
Argentina {ARGENT }: Argentina's currency weakened 0.2 percent, its fifth straight decline, to 3.06 pesos per U.S. dollar as Argentines traveling abroad during the summer months buy foreign currency.
The yield on Argentina's 5.83 percent bond maturing in 2033 remained unchanged at 6.19 percent, according to Banco Mariva in Buenos Aires. {ARARGE03E121 DES }.
Brazil {BLTN }: Brazil's real rose for a second day on speculation companies
