The nature of adventure riding usually means exploring remote, out-of-the-way areas that see few tourists. Or other motorcyclists. As such, when we all get together for a rally in a little town in Mexico it can appear to be a small invasion. We fill up a hotel or two and our bikes take up lots of parking spaces. We don’t intend to be abrasive but you can see how the sudden influx of bikes and riders could cause some conflicts with the locals.

While there have been a very few folks who have objected to our presence, it has been my experience that most of the locals have been very friendly and accommodating. Many are naturally curious about who we are and why we are here, especially the kids; they are usually excited to see the motorcycles and often want to talk to the gringos or get their picture taken on a bike.

All of this makes the entire adventure experience more enjoyable. Riding my motorcycle on remote mountain roads in Mexico is a wonderful experience made even more enjoyable when I am able to meet and interact with the locals. There is something about riding a motorcycle, as opposed to driving a car, that encourages and invites people to engage in conversation. I think it’s due to the nature of the motorcycle – the rider is out in the open versus being completed isolated in the cabin of a car – but whatever the reason, it’s real and spices up an already fun adventure.