Day 4 - Galeana, MX to Tula, MX

For Day 4, we rode from Galeana, MX south towards our first Pueblo Magico - Tula, MX in the state of Tamaulipas.

We left the quaint town of Galeana and its Benito Juarez Plaza and made our way south. We would be riding on very sparse populated roads and we really enjoyed this riding in rural Mexico.

For lunch we stopped in the small town of Miquihuana, MX and had some difficulty in finding a restaurant but eventually we found a gem. We were served by a lady that was not very friendly but the food was delicious. On the other hand here husband was very nice and he lent Jim some tools so he could fix a bent wheel on his RT.

After lunch we made our way to Tula, MX where we arrived with plenty of time to visit the plaza and enjoy our first Pueblo Magico.

Pueblo Magico towns are usually much cleaner and everything is well painted. 

Tula, MX is considered the oldest city in the state of Tamaulipas and in 2011 was declared a Pueblo Magico. 

We enjoyed this town and were even lucky to participate in fiesta time and see a show, about the state of Oaxaca, on its main plaza. “El Palomo Miahuateco” is a dance from the town of Miahuatlán de Porfirio Díaz, located in the southern part of Oaxaca. This dance is inspired by birds and represents courtship and fertility.

We also loved the hotel (Hotel Rombos) where we had a very nice room overlooking the main plaza.

Morning view from hotel room in Galeana, MX 

Lunch in Miquihuana, MX

Drone photo of Miquihuana, MX

Fixing bent wheel rim on the road

Drone photo of Tula, MX

Our hotel for the night in Tula, MX

Tula plaza

Bracelet artistry in Tula, MX

Fiesta time in the Tula Plaza honoring the beautiful state of Oaxaca, with typical dances of that region

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Day 3 - Pharr, TX to Galeana, MX Ruta 20

For Day 3, we left Pharr, TX quite early into morning and made our way south towards the Mexican border. We would end up the day in Galeana, MX in the state of Nuevo Leon.

We had decided that as we already had the documents done from the day before we would cross the closest border to Pharr, Tx, which is in Reynosa, MX. The crossing was totally uneventful although we had to queue a bit to get across the bridge and had the opportunity to see the wall that was built. I was very surprised that the wall in certain parts is indeed very tall and looks the part but in others is very short and can easily be jumped and in other parts there is no wall whatsoever so I left wondering what was the strategy behind its construction.

We entered Mexico in a not very nice part of town of Reynosa and I was quite happy we were all together as a group. Had we been by ourselves on a single bike, I would have been quite worried. The area was very poor, there was a lot of bad smells in the air and we had to be careful not to go over any liquids on the road as we did not know where they had been what was in them. We eventually made it out and started our travel towards Monterrey, MX. 

We did not get in this large city and went around it towards Santiago, MX which is south-east.

We stopped for lunch in a very nice hotel - Hotel Hacienda Cola del Caballo on the Ruta 20. We walked through its gardens and had lunch with a beautiful view of the valley below. We were even treated to someone doing bungee jumping.

We then rode in one of my very favorite roads in Mexico, the Ruta 20. 

We then rode a bit through the cuota (57) where we saw a massive traffic jam. It went on for miles. We were happy we were going in the other direction.

The approach to Galeana, MX is very beautiful as the town is surrounded by mountains all around.

We stayed in a very nice hotel (Hotel Jardin Colonial) overlooking the main plaza and left our motorcycles just outside it.

For dinner we went to a restaurant within walking distance and we took the opportunity to do a group photo by the Galeana sign. 

I personally enjoyed the town and the people and we had a very good evening to start our visit to Mexico.

Lunch in Santiago, MX at the Hotel Hacienda Cola de Caballo

Bungee jumping

Negotiating to get through to Ruta 20

Riding south of Monterrey, MX

Riding through the mountains on Ruta 20 south of Monterrey, MX

Paula's boots shine in Galeana, MX

Guys enjoying life just outside hotel in Galeana, MX

Group photo in Galeana, MX

Drone photo of Galeana, MX

Dinner in Galeana, MX

Relive of day's ride

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Day 2 - Kingsville,TX to Pharr, TX South Padre Island Nuevo Progreso

For Day 2 of our trip we rode mostly in Texas and also finished the day in Pharr, TX (15 minutes away from the Mexico border).

Although we would only be crossing Mexico the day after, we had also decided to do immigration and customs on this day so we made our way to Nuevo Progreso, MX as there was a smaller and less busy border post there. It turned out to be the right approach and we were able to quickly do our papers. We also enjoyed walking around and seeing a bit of Mexico. It is very popular medical tourism location and reading on the internet there are over 100 dentists and 100 pharmacies in the five-block center of the town. Most tourists cross the border on foot.

We then made our way to South Padre Island which is accessible via the Queen Isabella Causeway from the town of Port Isabel. We went to eat in a restaurant with a view of the sea and had some great seafood. We then made our way towards the northern part of the island to see the dunes and also ride until the end of the road. We had also the opportunity of riding he bike on the beach sand.

At the end of the day we made our way back to the hotel in Pharr, TX to get ready for the next day.

Quick trip to Nuevo Progreso, MX

Lunch in South Padre Island

Having fun by the dunes in South Padre Island

The sea in South Padre Island

Enjoying the sea in South Padre Island

On the beach in South Padre Island

Some of the best photos of day's ride

Relive of day's ride

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Day 1 - Colleyville, TX to Kingsville, TX

For Day 1 of our trip we all left from our different homes and met in Waxahachie, TX so we could ride together in a group until Kingsville, TX. There were 4 bikes and 4 of us (Colin, Dave, Jim, Paula and I) as Bo would meet us only at the end of the day.

For lunch we stopped at the Highway 77 Cafe in Rosebud, TX where everyday is a veteran's day and we can also pin where you come from in a giant map. The food was also very nice.

We then made our way south towards Kingsville, TX where we arrived at the end of the day. On the way we passed the Spoetzl Brewery, makers of Shiner beer in Shiner, TX

Getting ready Jim Grubba

Getting ready Colin Josey

The Batman is with us

Having lunch at Highway 77 Cafe in Rosebud, TX; Great tribute; Great dessert; More

Some of the best photos for day's ride 

Relive of day's ride

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