Miles today: 293
Total miles: 3,157
Time on road: 7 hrs 45 min

Topolobampo, Sinaloa to Mazatlan, Sinaloa

Left the hotel this morning and needed to head north back up to Los Mochis. So of course I took the first left that I came to and went south. No idea as to the name of the place that I was going to but it seemed like a good way to go. All that I know is that it is an island. Stopped when I reached the beach.

When you don't put up signs, everyone wants to fish off of the bridge, or light post.

Back on the road again and heading toward Mazatlan. About the same as yesterday and the day before. Temperature soon reached 90 degrees. Larger trees, more greenery, more farm land, but still very similar.

Stopped for lunch. Went inside and they had a grill going. Asked the girl behind the counter what they were cooking and pointed toward the grill. (No English / no Espanol) She told me what it was but I had no clue what she said. I pointed at the grill again and said "Si". She then said "uno" and I said "Si, uno". She put a "uno" on the grill. It was finally finished cooking and she handed me the "uno". I paid for the "uno" and a drink. The "uno" looked like some type of sandwich. Still don't really know what it was or what it was called. Don't care. I was hungry, the "uno" was good. That's all that matters.

About 45 miles from Mazatlan and you can see water in the distance.

Got into Mazatlan and was trying to find Felipe's house. The GPS pretty much just said "You are on your own on this one, dude." It was telling me to make u-turns, go the wrong way down one-way streets, turn onto streets that did not exist, and from there it just got worse. Finally it appeared that things were getting better, but then I could tell from the neighborhood that I was not even close. Yep, totally on my own on this one.

Turned around heading back out and found a main road. Headed on toward Mazatlan hoping to find a taxi driver or a place to stop and see if I had the right telephone number for Felipe. Often for a few pesos you can get a taxi driver to lead you to your destination.

Came to a Pemex and stopped. Called Felipe and he was still at work. I had no idea as to where I was at and he agreed with me that I was lost. Gave the phone to a local and he was able to tell Felipe where I was at. Morgan was also staying at Felipe's. Felipe gave Morgan a call and Morgan soon came to my rescue.

Interesting story about Morgan. He is from Jose del Cabo and is here for the Pata Salada events. Last year during the ride, we came upon Morgan just before we reached El Salto. He was on the side of the road with a flat tire and had another rider helping him. We waited until both riders were back on the road and then headed into El Salto. Morgan's rear tire went flat again in El Salto. He got a hotel and spent the night there. Next morning he was able to repair the tire again and headed toward Mazatlan. He did not get very far and was still in the mountains when the tire went flat again. He was now stranded on the side of the road. A woman and her daughter came by and offered assistance. There was nothing that they could really do so they spent the next TWO nights with Morgan on the side of the road to "keep him safe". Marco and I were able to get out after only one night, but then again, we did not have a woman and her daughter with us to "keep us safe". When I questioned Morgan about why it took two nights for him to get out of the mountains, he suddenly lost his ability to understand and speak English. Some things may just remain a mystery.

Finally arrived at Felipe's house after being led there by Morgan. By the way, Morgan has a great color for his bike.

Felipe's House

No current neighbor so we took advantage of the additional parking.

And a few pictures of his neighborhood.

Mazatlan, Sinaloa

Today was a non-riding day. Spent most of the day with Felipe and Morgan running errands for this weekend.

Did have to go down to the malecón. Left the camera at the house so no pictures.

Had lunch while there and later returned to the house. I was told what I was having for lunch but do not remember what it is called now. Fish and shrimp with something and something else. Was actually very good.

Not a day really worth writing about.

Later I found out that Morgan had taken a picture of our lunch.

We had fish and shrimp Ceviche.

Later in the evening Lupeta and I went back down to the malecón for a walk. The Mazatlan Malecón is 13 miles long. It runs north from Olas Altas beach (the southern edge of Centro Historico) and is one of the largest malecóns in the world.

Lupeta and her "kids" - Lola and Arwen

On the way back to the house we stopped by Lupeta's parents home.

Malu, Lupeta, and Teno.

Much later on we had late night / early morning tacos with a few other riders. Seems to be one of Felipe's favorite things to do.

I have been told that I must now always include names of the people in the pictures, so here goes:

On the left, Lupeta and Felipe. On the right, Morgan. The rest of the group, I cannot pronounce or spell their names.

Mazatlan, Sinaloa

This morning was mainly "free time". It gave us time to catch up on odds and ends such as doing laundry, etc.

After lunch Morgan and I took the bikes out for a short ride back down to the malecón and over to the area where the Pata Salada party will be held.

Heading back into Zona Dorado.

Stopped by a leather shop where Morgan had a repair done on some of his body armor.

Don't think that Morgan was real happy here, he is much younger and better looking than I am, yet the lovely senorita stated to me "Aren't you hot with all of that gear on.". And of course, I thanked her for her comment.

Back on the malecón where we were walking last night.

Heading down toward the party area.

Hard to see, but there is a light house on top of the hill. We were not able to ride up to the lighthouse due to the road conditions from the recent rains.

The party area next to the ferry docks.

Another bad picture, but the ferry is in the shadows in front of the lighthouse.

Making our way back home.

Marco arrived this evening. Eric and Ivan were riding with him. We were planning on doing the ride before the official event but by the time we complete the final preparations it appears that we will not have the time to do the ride.

Sometimes I think that Felipe may be a vampire. With him, everything starts late at night, such as the 10:30 meeting with the AREM (Asphalt Rats Endurance Motorcycling) and the Pata Salada MC. A little back ground, The Pata Salada is hosting the Anniversary party and the Reto de Especialidad Pata Salada-Saddlesore ride. Finishers of the Reto de Especialidad Pata Salada-Saddlesore ride will receive certificates from the AREM and also from the IBA (Iron Butt Association). Marco (the founder of AREM) is also the official IBA Officer for Mexico. One major advantage to this is that the riders who finish will receive their AREM and IBA certificates on Saturday. If they submitted the ride directly to the IBA in the US, it could take 2-3 months before they received their IBA certificate.

Marco and I are the two AREM officers that will be overseeing the ride. One purpose of the meeting was to review the procedures that were in place for the ride and make sure that were in compliance with AREM and IBA standards.

Mazatlan, Sinaloa

Still working on preparing for this weekend.

Marco, Erik, Lupeta, the "kids" Lola and Arwen, Morgan, and Evan (Erik's nephew).

This is Evan's first motorcycle trip. Yesterday, after leaving Aguascalientes and having an incredible ride through the mountains, Evan was taken down to Zona Dorado for his first time ever visit to the beach and ocean.

Back to Zona Dorado for some breakfast. Bikes parked at the restaurant. (All people in the next few pictures still have the same names as the ones that they used in the first photo for today. This statement completes my obligation to give the names of the people in the pictures.)

Marco

Today was Jorge's (Pata Salada member) birthday. And of course there was a party tonight. At least this one ended early, like at 2:00am.

Jorge and Rodilla, the official photographer for the Asphalt Rats.

Marco

Mazatlan, Sinaloa

Another slow paced day. Late start to the day after last night's party.

We did a few short trips to stop by the bank and to get some breakfast.

Evan, Morgan, Marco, and Erik

Back to the house and just enjoyed some time off.

Later in the afternoon Hernan (Pata Salada) came to the house and picked up Marco and me. We drove us to the airport to pick up Lois, my better half. While at the airport, Vic Man and his two sons arrived from Mexico City. After all of us loaded into the car, we went to the Panama Restaurant in Mazatlan. Mario and Mariano had also just ridden in on their bikes from Mexico City and joined us for dinner.

OK, now this is just not right. I mean, maybe I might have had my picture taken with a Mexican Cutie or two every now and then, but Lois has only been here for about an hour and she is already showing me up. This many at one time? Really? There is a reason for the old double standard. It has worked just fine for many years. Just no respect for fine old traditions.