Would you like to go on a ride to Copala?

Yesterday was lovely and warm and a perfet day for a ride to Copala.  We left just after 10am with about 80 km or 50 miles to go.  

Heading out to the toll road to head south and there is no Jeep behind us.  Sandi has a cold so Eric and I were on our own.  We've been to Copala many times and it's one of my favorite rides.  A better ride for me yesterday as I got my motorcycle boots fixed.  The soles had come unglued and I found a cobbler in centro who fixed them up good as new for 200 pesos or about $16. 

Our route which will take us about 2 hours as we don't go very fast on the twisty mountain roads.  Copala is at about 1700 ft. elevation and we were starting at sea level.  

The Mazatlan bypass which has a 30 peso toll for a motorcycle. 

Lots of food growing as we get closer to Villa Union.

A tricky little retourno to get on the highway to Concordia and then Copala.

You get off and head west, turn right onto a pull off....

....cross over to another pull off and then head east.  Clear as borscht ....right!

To the right Tepic and south. 

We go up and down and around as we head to Concordia.

One of the many roadside furniture stores coming into Concordia. 

We start heading up.

This used to be the only highway to Durango but now there is a new toll road which avoids the highway past Copala known as the "Devil's Spine" as it falls off on both sides of the highway. 

It's lovely and green after so much rain this summer.  Usually it's brown and dry.

Big open valley with the Sierra Madres in the background. 

There are many little villages on our way.  I think this is Magistral.

Built on the mountainside over the river. 

We're only doing about 50 km per hour as its so twisty.  The tiny motorcycles buzz by us like swarms of bees!

I love the rock!

Coming up to Copala.

Heading down into town on the cobblestone road.  

Eric hated this on the big heavy harley but this bike half the weight and easier to handle. 

I'd guess there is a female in heat!

You go way down before you go back up.  

The bougainvillea are lovely.

Tight, narrow little streets with not much room.

That's where we're headed for lunch.

Coming into the square to park and you can see the very old church at the end. 

Getting parked.  Lots of cars so we thought the restaurant might be busy but most people were just finishing breakfast.  Also, it is a very large restaurant that was once a large hacienda. 

Looking into the kitchen. 

Eric had camarones rancheros  (shrimp) and he said the shrimp were the most tender he has ever had.  😋

I told Eric to smile...this is his Stan Laurel impression and he looks just like him.  For you youngins this is from the old comedy team of Laurel and Hardy😁

I had chicken fajitas. 

The clean up chicken!

Lunch done and a relax in the square.  It was lovely and warm so we sat for awhile.  

So pretty.  Everything neat and clean and all painted. 

Copala ....I missed the C as we road by!

Back down the narrow road. 

Way down and then back up to the highway.

As we head down the highway you can see the open valleys below. 

Here we pass under the toll road to Durango.

The corners are tight but there isn't much traffic.

Back through Concordia.

It doesn't look busy but it was as it's Saturday. 

Onto the Mazatlan bypass to head home. 

A really tight turn when we get off.

This road goes down by Walmart and the Liverepool mall and it is rapidly being built up.  

Rampant building everywhere here. 

Walmart and Sam's Club.  

The high end Liverpool mall.

Getting close to the bridge and home and there's building here too. 

Along the beach and the 360 tower on your left. 

Through the gate......

....up the road to the house and...

....and we're home. 

A really nice day and a really nice ride.  Next time......?

        This was Friday night!