Rally " Coffee Route" Veracruz MX - La Esperanza

[Arte]

Everything Started with an APPENDICITIS of my compadre Andres.

In order to contribute to make this event a success, it did never cross by our minds that we would have to run out of gas in the middle of Z's land, ride dirt roads at midnight to get to our destination, have bikes down, etc....

a really ADV ride! Mex Style of Tamaulipas Riders Style..


LA ESPERANZA, VERACRUZ, MEXICO

[auldublinr]

Bring it on Arte.always love the photos and great coffee too.

[Arte]

Four weeks before left for the "Ruta del Café" Rally, we went for a short ride to Bagdad Beach on Matamoros, MX. we ate shrimp coctail, and went back to home. Next day I was feeling kind of upset of my stomach, but did not give importance, I talked to Andres and he was feeling same, but not pain at all.
the next day he still feeling upset but me.
Next day, first thing I know he was at the hospital. Ready for a apencitis intervention.

He had a surgery and all went good. While in convalescence, he came up with this idea of the rally. We all liked the idea and started working on it.

[Arte]

So, Andres started doing several phone calls to Xalapa Ver, La Esperanza, Veracruz, etc..everyone down there responded for support in a terrifc way!
all the plans started taking shape, the logistics for the route annoucement thru the local authorities, the communication with the school principal for the donations that would be funded, etc.

lets begin with the "Coffee Route Rally"

[Arte]

In the mean time, please wish all good for our good Friend John from NEBRASKA on his journey to South America, trying to hit Patagonia Land. He's riding a Super Sherpa 250. you can folllow his adventures here:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

Godspeed John!!

Arte

[Craneguy]

[Andres A]

Compadre where are the report?the pic's and the beers?

[Arte]

Finally I got a break from work to start writing a little about this great trip to la Esperanza.

And I was trying to recover several pic I lost from the first day but could not. something happened to mi SD card that they are gone..

There it was a lady reporter from RTV (Radio and Television from Veracruz) that went to cover the event. She did copy mi SD card onto his laptop before they got lost. But I still being able to get them from her.

Any way, those pictures were worth to ilustrate the only two highlights of the first leg:
1. When 3 out 6 riders ran out of gas in the middle of Z land...
2. When 3 ouf 6 riders went down (at the same time) riding a dirt road at midnight on an uphill 90 degree turn..

the anxiety of get there after being on the road since 6:00 of the morning. Anyway, I'll try to get those pics and post them later.

[Arte]

You get to La Esperanza, and you feel like you are getting home from a very large absence. Everyone get together and welcome you with a huge joy! with a fascinating warm cheers and smiles, offering you a fresh beverage and a warm meal just cooked. I mean it, is like getting home back from a prolonged trip.

this time we got there, it was ready the main festivities hall prepared just for us. There they were the blankets and mattresses donated by the local authorities for all the riders that would be riding the Coffee Route Rally.

Just Great!

remember that we got there at midnight and there was people waiting for us already, with beer, food, etc.
We chatted up to 3 am, then went to sleep.

this are the next day pics








our VIP dorms... I love it!

[Arte]

I was still asleep and in my dreams I heard several kids laughing! Am I in heaven? are these laughs from angels?

oh shit!, did I die while riding to La Esperanza?


No! it was all the children from la Espereanza that went to meet us! great!!!


so I got up into my Master Suite (the only one with a huge panoramic window) to get to meet them....

















the trofeys are here!!







I love this pic!





future girl riders!!













We had specialized guard, but I was worried since this Perro was steering too much to my "Pata de Perro"





This gentlemen was all the time looking at everything.... thinking.... what a bunch of nut guys..!!!





JC got a free upgrade for his room!!!

[Arte]

That day was full of fun. Having all the kids taking a ride on the bikes inside the ballroom... then later we went to plan the ride to pre-ride the route and mark the turns and difficult split points.

but before start going, what about a little snak on the cabin of our good friend Genaro?

it is an excellent place to enjoy the view of La Esperanza, the mountains, the smell of the forrest, the smell of the coffee...







then from here we parted in the truck of Andy's cousin. Fabio's truck.

and these are some of the views we saw










then we got to one of the many water streams













if you ride too fast on this part of the road... you will end up at the bottom of the barranca... the tree is warning you to slow down...












just beautiful enchanting view... I was astonished.. despite I had ridden there before last year... I get shock every time I ride thru here...











this guy can not be enough satisfied with his own joy





misty roads




This other guy was grinning all the time.... I do not understand why...???




more mist for the rally ride!!

[Arte]

Then we got to the town named "LA SOMBRA" ( The Shadow). A weird name for a town... but typical for the towns of the area..
there was a basketball "cascarita" on the local court. Of course I had to take some shots...

Just imaging yourself playing basketball on a town on the edge of the mountains with a misty view.... wonderful!!













myself stealing the ball!!!






trying to block the little kid!!! (I'm too old already... )

[Arte]

Starting the RECON ride.....




















well... we are going to get some gas... and catch you up later guys...

[sandgroper]

Sounds like you had a great time. thanks for the pictures and story
Ed
ps i like coffee

[Arte]

The towns on the mountains are just mistic and beautiful. Surrounded by that sudden mist, that comes and goes in a blink of an eye.

Here a few shots of Xihuitlan












the library





the view from the library






the mobil-market












the border riders bargaining on the fruits



local fruit



is gettin clear! lets go!