Mexican MC Rally

Mexican Motorcycle Rally

In September of 1996, Mexico's annual all-brand motorcycle rally happened to be held in Queretaro where we used to live. I don't remember how many bikes attended the rally. There were probably around 400 bikes (guesstimate). Many BMWs, sport bikes, Harleys, dirt bikes, and 7 to 8 Gold Wings. Most people on BMWs seemed to be German riders who live in Mexico. I found many European expats living in Mexico. The rally lasted for 3 days. During the day, there were all sorts of contests and events. There were also a few vendors, much like the rallies in the U.S. Evenings were spent drinking tequila by the pool at the headquarter hotel, and of course listening to Mariachi bands. After dinner, there was entertainment. One night was cock fights! I don't know about you, but Amy and I thought cock fighting was just cruel and sickening, but Mexican riders just love it! Amy and I stayed there to experience it. After the cock fight, it was time for the rally organizer to give out plaques and prizes. Unexpectedly, my name was called. I received "The Most Responsible, Role-Model Rider Award" for wearing my helmet, gloves, boots, and using the turn signals all the time... You need to realize this is a country where I saw THREE police officers on ONE Kawasaki KZ1000! I wish I had taken a picture of them. During the rally, I met several Gold Wingers from Mexico City. Caesar, Mary, and Eduardo. Very nice people. We invited them over to our house and we talked till early morning. Since then, Amy and I got to know Caesar, Mary, and his children very well. They now live in Aguascalientes, Mexico and we still see each other once in a while. They are now like a family in Mexico. The rally was covered by Mexico's largest newspaper, Reforma. Amy and I were featured in the article and received 10 minutes of fame at my work place. You can click on the thumbnail above to see the page if you can read Spanish!

Local Motorcycle Club in Queretaro

In Queretaro, there was a motorcycle club. I joined their Sunday morning rides a couple of times. This club had its own club house. It was a two-story building. Upstairs had a shower, lockers for each member, a dining room, and a pool table. Downstairs had a foosball table and a bar. Every Tuesday night, they had dinner catered in so that club members could have dinner there. Unlike in the U.S. or Japan where you can find average people riding motorcycles, motorcyclists in Mexico who ride large bikes are often very wealthy people. There are so many people there who don't even have water and electricity in their house! Only wealthy people can afford to enjoy motorcycling in Mexico...

Anyway, I thought the club house was very neat. Some of the club members ship their bikes to Europe and tour around for 3 weeks every year. What a life!