Most people who know me would agree that I'm not a particularly risk-averse person. Some might even call me adventurous. I will admit, though, that there are limits to my adventurousness and after following Alisa Clickenger, aka MotoAdventureGal, on her trip through Central and South America last year I concluded I have no desire to do what she did. One of the things that put me off the most was her stories of the bureaucratic hassles of going from one country into the next, to the next, to the next . . . .
I came away thinking that I'd really like to ride a motorcycle through numerous of these countries, but I don't want to do that kind of trip. Let me fly in to one country, ride, and then fly home.
Fortunately, we have one really big country right on our border--Mexico--so if you're like me and would like to ride somewhere new and only have to cross the border twice, we're in luck. That's where Ben Slavin comes in.
At roughly the same time that Alisa was making her ride, headed for the southern tip of South America, Ben was making a similar ride. In fact, the two of them met along the way and it was through that connection that Ben ended up contacting me about his newly released double DVD package, "Motorcycle Mexico: Get Inspired. Get educated. Get on your way!"
What Ben has put together is really not anything you couldn't get for yourself. The point is, though, that he is saving you a heck of a lot of effort. The two DVDs are pretty much just other motorcyclists who have ridden Mexico extensively telling you of their experiences, sharing their tips on different topics, and filling you in on the kinds of things it really helps to know before you cross that border.
Granted you could get the same kind of information on the Adventure Riders and Horizons Unlimited sites, and even if you watch the DVDs you really ought to visit those sites as well. But Ben has collected so much information in a well-designed package that you'll be miles ahead if you start with the DVDs.
The topics covered include just about everything you could expect: weather, clothing, border crossing, accidents and insurance, safety, the kind of bike to ride, mechanical issues, gasoline, maps, accommodations, food, dealing with the police--you name it. And rather than just having one person's thoughts on these matters, you get the ideas and opinions of a bunch of people. They don't always agree on some things, but that's good because it gives you a broader perspective.
If you're already made up your mind that you want to ride Mexico these disks are something you should really consider. Even more, if you have thought about it but are still undecided, I would strongly recommend them. Not surprisingly, these experienced visitors to Mexico urge you to go. They tell you the ways in which you need to be careful, but they're sold on it themselves. Let them sell you on it and you may be in for the trip of your life.
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