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Published: March 31st 2009
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March 27, Friday
After carefully rolling the bike back through the hotel office and out on to the street, we took off to the first “touristy” thing we’ve done, La Iglesias de Madero. This is a chapel perched high atop a rock overlooking the entire valley of Paras de la Fuente. As we pulled into the parking lot, we were accosted by 3 boys trying to sell us small models of the church on the rock. Somebody in our party is a soft touch - we bought one for 10 pesos - with no bargaining - and then I gave the ringleader 5 more pesos “por la securidad del motocicleta” and waved another 5 pesos coin for “quando nosotros returnomos” which I hoped meant “when we return”. It must have been close enough, as the bike was fine, and they were still there “watching” when we got back from the long climb up to the church. Away we went, along the rural roads towards Saltillo where we stopped for a fruit and yogurt cup from a street vendor, then around, through, back again due to wrong directions ( or at least wrong understanding one way or the other) and finally
on to the right highway to take us to the twisty roads through the mountains eastbound. Running through these mountains is tricky. If this was the US, then the road would have been filled with crotch rockets screaming through every turn, and putting decals on their bikes that said things about dragon’s tails. Since it’s not - there are no crotch rockets, and you must be alert for the stray cow, bull, goat, sheep, horse, donkey or burro standing on or next to the road, seemingly always just beyond the sight line of the curve. A leisurely speed of between 60 and 80 kph (about 35 to 50 mph) made for a beautiful ride, with rock faces on all sides that would be the envy of any rock climbing enthusiast for sure. We arrived in Iturbide, nestled in a small valley very near the highest point of this range, and found ourselves at the Hotel Iturbide, 400 pesos, bike to be parked inside the lobby, and right on the plaza again. This hotel was much nicer than La Siesta, the room was huge, bathroom nice, shower hot and strong, everything a US traveler could ask for. The restaurant was a
small two table affair on the corner, and the hotelier even spoke 2 or 3 words of English. His positive attitude was also appreciated. The huge courtyard of the hotel was still under construction, but the garden work was already gorgeous. We were awakened shortly after turning in by Las Policia, stationed across the street, who were searching a large double cab pickup truck right outside our window. We decided it was none of our business, so didn’t poke our noses very far through the curtains. Apparently there was nothing to be found, as the driver eventually got back in, made rude truck noises and roared off.
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