Kathy & Eric's travels: It was bound to happen at some point.

Eric and I decided to take a ride to Concordia for lunch today and it didn’t turn out to be the best trip we’ve ever had.

We started by heading up towards the new Wal Mart so we could try out the new route to the highway south.

Heading over the first bridge heading up to Wal Mart. I walk this route every morning as far as the other side of this bridge.

They are building a series of overpasses that will connect to the bypass route that will take you around the city of Mazatlan and Villa Union as you head south.

Lots of signs but some of them are for the future when all the roads and overpasses are built.

A new portion of the road looking back at the city.

At this point the bypass is not finished so you still have to go through the city.

A small motorcycle shop along the way.

Today is Sunday which is sometimes quiet but today is the last day of the Christmas holidays and many people are heading home. The Mexican drivers are insane at their best and today they were even more insane! They must pass everyone who is on the road and that includes us.

So….we managed to bypass part of the main road heading south and then when the sign said turn left to Villa Union we did but it actually meant turn left in about a block so we got the scenic route. Eric had the GPS running so we did have a little help.

Following a bus along the “scenic” route back to the highway. We ended up coming out near the power plant.

Onward. We passed through Villa Union without getting killed even though the traffic was coming at us from every direction.

When you reach the end of Villa Union and turn left towards Concordia and Durango the edge of the road is dotted with people selling dried shrimp and burned corn.

The free road to Concordia, Copala and on to Durango. It is quite quiet now that the new Durango Toll road is open.

Concordia is noted for it’s hand made pottery and furniture. These shops are along the road as you near the town.

Getting close to Concordia….you can see the big church way off in the middle of the picture.

The gate heading into the town of Concordia. No it isn’t 5:25 it’s actually 11:30 and a bit early for lunch so on to Copala.

At this point you can turn right to the Cuota (toll road) to Durango or take the free road. As we were only going to Copala we took the free road.

This map is not accurate as there is a toll road running adjacent to the right (northeast) of the free road from Villa Union to Durango. Our route out of Mazatlan was also new so this is just a rough look at where we went.

Pretty winding road without too much traffic.

Rivers.

Small villages.

Big mountains.

The occasional burro at the edge of the road and then….

The right turn into Copala and lunch at Daniel’s restaurant.

Down the cobblestone road which is murder on a big Harley.

The right fork is much better as it is concrete.

Up the hill.

And then disaster! We get to the top, the road is blocked by the rubble from work on this wall so we can’t get through. It is steep, all soft sand to the left, rocks and rubble to the right and the road is covered in slippery sand and …..over we go. When we stopped there was no footing and with me aboard Eric couldn’t hold the bike upright. Damn, this was not a first we wanted to happen. No damage to me, I just put my foot down and Eric was fine too. Now to get the bike back up. It weighs 900 lbs. and I tried to help but then Eric called over the worker. He was strong enough but then the danger is that you lift it too far the other way (over centre) and it goes down the other way.

This is after the bike is up and Eric is trying to turn it around so we can get back down the road. I didn’t take pictures of when it went over as I was too shocked. Eric said it was very difficult to turn it around on the steep, slippery footing without dropping it again. Crummy!

So….back down the same road. I walked down and got aboard where it was flat.

Back up the other road for lunch and….Daniel’s is closed. No signs but you wouldn’t think he’d be closed on Sunday. Maybe there isn’t enough business with the traffic now on the toll road instead of the free road. Who knows.

So….back to Concordia for lunch.