Author Moto Photo Mexico - Two Weeks of Amazing Adventure!!! (Read 9011 times)

LightRider · **on:** January 15, 2021, 03:37:27 pm

Exactly a year ago today, I took off on the most AMAZING adventure I've had on 2 wheels in quite some time!

I was born and raised overseas and have always had a deep travel lust inside me. I'm also a big photo buff. And I love riding my beautiful Honda CB500X, named Trinity. Last January, before the pandemic hit, I decided to combine all three of these passions into a fun trip down through Mexico and back...experiencing all the culture, the history, the wildlife, the food, the riding, and the fellowship of it's friendly people. Luckily for me, my friend Jason, who is also an adventure rider and an accomplished video editor, offered to partner with me to create a video series about the trip!

So I'd like to share the story of our Moto Photo Mexico Adventure with you. And here's how it all started...

LightRider · **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2021, 03:07:19 am

Before taking off on my Moto Photo Mexico adventure, Jason and I recorded a "Farkles & Mods" video. I have a lot of friends who also ride a CB500X. So Episode 2 of my trip will be particularly interesting to you. But in reality, many of the features and accessories I've added to my bike for this journey are totally applicable to ANY bike on the market. Basically, this is episode is how to outfit your ride for an extended trip into a third world country! :-)

After a lengthy search, and a lot of test-riding, I purchased this used 2013 Honda CB500X in the spring of 2019. Having been stored in a garage, never been taken off-road, and barely ridden 2,000 miles, this beauty was in immaculate condition. From her sleek black styling to her confident attitude, she practically named herself. “Trinity” she is…an homage to the powerful heroine in one of my favorite sci-fi movies, The Matrix. And she'll be carrying me thousands of miles through a foreign country where I don't speak the language, have no idea where I'll be staying, and am quite unsure about what I'll have in the way of wi-fi or cell phone coverage. So I tried to prepare her for every eventuality I could think of. I hope you enjoy the video. Here's a list of all the farkles and mods I mention, as well as a few new ones I've added since my return:

Rally Raid L1 Suspension
Barkbuster Handlebar Guards
Shorai Lithium Battery
Akrapovic eBay Exhaust
Continental TKC80 Tires
Motea Skid Plate
Givi Windscreen
Givi Engine Guards
Givi T-513 Engine Guard Bags
Givi Top Box Rack
Givi Kickstand Foot
Givi Luggage Rack
Givi 40L Duffel Bag
Givi Outback Trekker 37L Panniers
Nelson Rigg Sierra Saddlebags
Nelson Rigg 40L Sahara Duffel Bag
Nelson Rigg 15L Ridge Roll Dry Bag
Nelson Rigg Trails End Bottle Holders
Nelson Rigg Tool Roll
Cortech Tank Bag
K&N Air/Oil Filters
Garmin Zumo 390 GPS
RAM X-Grip Phone Mount
RAM GoPro Mounts
Vortex Sprockets (16T Drive Sprocket)
DID X-Ring Chain
SW-Motech Footpegs
Super Bright Light LED Driving Lights
PIAA Dual Tone Horn

LightRider · **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2021, 04:59:57 pm

In Episodes 3 of the trip, I share about what Cameras & Electronics I'm bringing to document the adventure:

LightRider · **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2021, 05:04:22 pm

Last but not least, I go over all my camping, clothing, and supplies that I'm packing for 2 weeks in Mexico:

LightRider · **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2021, 05:05:57 pm

Finally the BIG DAY arrives and I set off on the adventure of a lifetime!!!

Swanny · **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2021, 05:18:47 pm

Lucky you, our Orwellian dictators are still keeping us locked up

Have a fantastic time and will look forward to seeing your journey

LightRider · **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2021, 06:30:40 pm

Hi Swanny!
I wish this was happening right now. It's a trip I did last January, before COVID hit. I'm just now getting around to posting it! :-) I had planned to be back in Mexico again this month for a return trip. But COVID squashed those plans. So I'm re-living last year's great memories!!!

Originally Posted by Swanny

Lucky you, our Orwellian dictators are still keeping us locked up

Have a fantastic time and will look forward to seeing your journey

LightRider · **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2021, 04:40:51 pm

Tallahassee to Baton Rouge:
Bunk-a-Biker is a fantastic online community of travelers and motorcycle riders who help each other out by offering other motorcyclists a place to crash, friendly company, and helpful advice. In this episode, I leave my BaB host's place in Tallahassee, FL, and make my way to Baton Rouge. My friend Paul, who I met through Horizons Unlimited (another awesome motorcycle community) has offered to host me for the night.

LightRider · **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2021, 04:52:57 pm

After a great night visiting with my friend, Paul, who I met through Horizons Unlimited, I strike out for Santa Clara, TX. I'm heading for my friend Hector Astorga's wildlife photography ranch! Anyone who's ever driven across Texas knows how massive that state is. So this particular leg of the journey turned into one of the LONGEST days I've ever had in the saddle of a motorcycle. I honestly wasn't sure I was going to make it!!!

LightRider · **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2021, 10:31:34 pm

After riding for 15 hours the night before, I took a “rest day” to hang out with my friend and amazing wildlife photographer, Hector Astorga! Hector runs the Santa Clara Wildlife Ranch, where he hosts photography workshops. He took me out to a couple of the blinds, where we had a great time capturing crested caracara, Harris’ hawks, road runners, green jays, and so much more!