Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Touring
Reload this Page >

Small country road

Notices
Touring Have a dream to ride a bike across your state, across the country, or around the world? Self-contained or fully supported? Trade ideas, adventures, and more in our bicycle touring forum.

Small country road

Old 11-24-22, 09:24 AM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Small country road

I am planning a trip to Mexico up to Cancun with Ride With GPS. I know that it is more preferable to use small country road with no traffic but RWG put me on very tiny road very small dirt roads so small that they look like tractors path (if I do Street View)! Is it safe to ride on those road; I mean is it reliable to use them?

On a different note, do bikes are allow on toll road in Mexico? I dont plan on using them all the way, but sometimes, they save a lot of mileage and allow to skip very small villages or steep slopes.

Last edited by denis_987; 11-24-22 at 09:32 AM.
denis_987 is offline  
Likes For denis_987:
Old 11-24-22, 01:48 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
mtnbud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Salem Oregon
Posts: 1,027

Bikes: 2019 Trek Stash 7, 1994 Specialized Epic 1986 Diamondback Ascent 1996 Klein Pulse Comp, 2006 Specialized Sequoia Elite

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 510 Times in 283 Posts
Originally Posted by denis_987
I am planning a trip to Mexico up to Cancun with Ride With GPS. I know that it is more preferable to use small country road with no traffic but RWG put me on very tiny road very small dirt roads so small that they look like tractors path (if I do Street View)! Is it safe to ride on those road; I mean is it reliable to use them?

On a different note, do bikes are allow on toll road in Mexico? I dont plan on using them all the way, but sometimes, they save a lot of mileage and allow to skip very small villages or steep slopes.
I have no clue, but could you add a link to your route? It'd help if you want advice about your route.
mtnbud is offline  
Old 11-24-22, 02:57 PM
  #3  
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,008
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 283 Post(s)
Liked 118 Times in 86 Posts
In the past, I was allowed to ride on a toll road in Mexico. It was free. I was directed to go around the vehicle sensors when I approached the toll booth, I assume so the money accumulated by tollkeeper added up correctly. There was only one time when I biked on a toll road. It was deemed to be a better and safer road than the free road, which had a lot more traffic and no sholders.

As for safety, much of Mexico is pretty safe, but some Mexican states are best avoided.
axolotl is online now  
Likes For axolotl:
Old 11-24-22, 09:21 PM
  #4  
mev
bicycle tourist
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 2,267

Bikes: Trek 520, Lightfoot Ranger, Trek 4500

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times in 167 Posts
Originally Posted by denis_987
On a different note, do bikes are allow on toll road in Mexico? I dont plan on using them all the way, but sometimes, they save a lot of mileage and allow to skip very small villages or steep slopes.
In 2016/2017 I cycled across Mexico has part of a longer trip.

My route included some toll roads. I would bypass the toll booths on the right side and nobody gave me trouble.

In my research prior to that trip, I read a number of journals/books of other cyclists. There were accounts where a cyclist was asked not to use the toll road. More typically, accounts were similar to my experience.
mev is offline  
Old 11-25-22, 05:17 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
saddlesores's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Thailand..........Nakhon Nowhere
Posts: 3,646

Bikes: inferior steel....and....noodly aluminium

Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1050 Post(s)
Liked 337 Times in 227 Posts
crazy guy gots the answers. see travel reports for mexico.

crazyguyonabike.com: Bicycle Touring: A place for bicycle tourists and their journals
saddlesores is offline  
Likes For saddlesores:
Old 11-25-22, 07:21 AM
  #6  
djb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montreal Canada
Posts: 13,175
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2725 Post(s)
Liked 948 Times in 781 Posts
Where are you starting from and when? What kind of bike, and more specifically, what width of tires are you thinking of using?
I would recommend 2inch tires, helps for when on very rough or soft surface stuff.
Are you French speaking?
Cancun does get pretty darn hot and humid, and is fairly flat.

I too have never had a problem riding on toll highways. Generally it's been ok, just ride up confidently with a smile and follow instructions. As noted , do not ride through the actual car spot, but walk your bike on the sidewalk area to the right.
djb is offline  
Old 11-25-22, 08:08 AM
  #7  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by djb
Where are you starting from and when? What kind of bike, and more specifically, what width of tires are you thinking of using?
I would recommend 2inch tires, helps for when on very rough or soft surface stuff.
Are you French speaking?
Cancun does get pretty darn hot and humid, and is fairly flat.

I too have never had a problem riding on toll highways. Generally it's been ok, just ride up confidently with a smile and follow instructions. As noted , do not ride through the actual car spot, but walk your bike on the sidewalk area to the right.
Yes, I am french speaking. I live in the province of Québec, Canada
Hybrid bike with 700x35c tires
Starting at Reynosa in december, actually my bike is already at Mission (TX) on a RV park (my brother in law bring it there and it (my bike) is waiting for me)

"but walk your bike on the sidewalk area to the right" : that is a very good tip!
denis_987 is offline  
Old 11-25-22, 08:15 AM
  #8  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by mtnbud
I have no clue, but could you add a link to your route? It'd help if you want advice about your route.
This is my planned route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41481974 Any advices are welcome
denis_987 is offline  
Likes For denis_987:
Old 11-25-22, 08:29 AM
  #9  
Full Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 451

Bikes: Co-Motion Americano Pinion P18; Co-Motion Americano Rohloff; Thorn Nomad MkII, Robert Beckman Skakkit (FOR SALE), Santana Tandem, ICE Adventure FS

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 169 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 48 Posts
If you want a cool and very relaxed crossing into Mexico, cross here: https://goo.gl/maps/an1tv8rwV2chKHaw7 . It is a hand-pulled ferry crossing with very little traffic and a small border town so now issues. You can mostly take county roads to get there. Be sure to get your long-term visitor card and you may have to ask for it since they assume most people crossing there are going to stay withing the border exclusion area. Once in Mexico, I would stick to toll roads over the free road. I would personally avoid "two track" types of roads when possible, just because they are slower, sandier, and are typically near less services. Of course, if riding on one to avoid a major congested area then fine. Have a great trip!
John N is offline  
Likes For John N:
Old 11-25-22, 08:34 AM
  #10  
djb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montreal Canada
Posts: 13,175
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2725 Post(s)
Liked 948 Times in 781 Posts
Originally Posted by denis_987
Yes, I am french speaking. I live in the province of Québec, Canada
Hybrid bike with 700x35c tires
Starting at Reynosa in december, actually my bike is already at Mission (TX) on a RV park (my brother in law bring it there and it (my bike) is waiting for me)

"but walk your bike on the sidewalk area to the right" : that is a very good tip!
dac, chuis un bloque de Montreal, j'ai fait deux voyages du vélo en Mexique. Si tu as des questions spécifique, on peut jaser. J'adore le Mexique, les gens en compagne sont ben gentil, mais il y a toujours des soucis et les choses ŕ éviter, ou au moins faire attention. M'envoi un message privé si tu veux discuter plus.
djb is offline  
Likes For djb:
Old 11-25-22, 03:01 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,078
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 407 Post(s)
Liked 481 Times in 286 Posts
Bonjour Denis, bienvenu ŕ Bike Forum.
I know nothing about Mexican roads, but here, in Vermont, large trucks will get stuck by following their GPS into "roads" that are entirely unsuitable.
The prudent tourist does not rely on only one source of information,
Pratt is offline  
Old 11-26-22, 09:39 AM
  #12  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Pratt
Bonjour Denis, bienvenu ŕ Bike Forum.
I know nothing about Mexican roads, but here, in Vermont, large trucks will get stuck by following their GPS into "roads" that are entirely unsuitable.
The prudent tourist does not rely on only one source of information,
At least it is easier for cyclist to turn around, but implied more milleage/fatigue. When I look on the satellite view, I see that those roads go somewhere... Sometimes they are shortcut, but other times, they make us do a large deviation.

I think since it is my first trip to Mexico (by bicycle) that I will stick to states roads instead of those dirty little roads as much for my security as for the services along them. Maybe I will try to explore a few of those roads just to see what they look like for my next trip (if there's an upcoming trip)
denis_987 is offline  
Old 11-26-22, 09:53 AM
  #13  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by John N
If you want a cool and very relaxed crossing into Mexico, cross here: https://goo.gl/maps/an1tv8rwV2chKHaw7 . It is a hand-pulled ferry crossing with very little traffic and a small border town so now issues. You can mostly take county roads to get there. Be sure to get your long-term visitor card and you may have to ask for it since they assume most people crossing there are going to stay withing the border exclusion area. Once in Mexico, I would stick to toll roads over the free road. I would personally avoid "two track" types of roads when possible, just because they are slower, sandier, and are typically near less services. Of course, if riding on one to avoid a major congested area then fine. Have a great trip!
thanks for the tip! After verifying, this will lengthen my road because I'm going to the east coast... maybe next trip I will go west and enter Mexico there
denis_987 is offline  
Old 11-26-22, 11:17 AM
  #14  
djb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montreal Canada
Posts: 13,175
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2725 Post(s)
Liked 948 Times in 781 Posts
Denis, and Pratt, in rural Mexico on smaller roads, the vast majority of truck drivers are very courteous and careful around bicycles, much more so than here in Quebec.
Especially in rural areas, they are used to slow moving trucks, pickups, horses, people on foot etc.
The toll highways have more traffic, but generally have quite a wide shoulder, and so are pretty good to ride on, although noisey. Trucks do often straddle the wide shoulder to give more room for cars and other trucks to pass, so one must be careful.

I highly highly recommend using a good mirror while touring, this is indispensable.

Your route map idea shows you starting in a city on the east coast, but are you thinking of crossing the border at Texas and riding down through North East Mexico? I have a friend how lived in NE Mexico and described to me how bad it was for illegal activity. I also know a Mexican who actively discouraged me from riding in the north.

look up Crazy guy on a bike, you will be able to find trip journals , hopefully with some of the areas in the NE, and for sure, some from the Cancun area.
djb is offline  
Likes For djb:
Old 11-27-22, 12:30 PM
  #15  
djb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montreal Canada
Posts: 13,175
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2725 Post(s)
Liked 948 Times in 781 Posts
Typical one lane each way toll road, no divider. Truck on right straddling shoulder to make it easier for passing cars.
With a mirror, it's pretty easy to keep an eye on this and just move over more on shoulder.

Last edited by djb; 11-27-22 at 12:52 PM.
djb is offline  
Likes For djb:
Old 11-27-22, 12:38 PM
  #16  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by djb
Denis, and Pratt, in rural Mexico on smaller roads, the vast majority of truck drivers are very courteous and careful around bicycles, much more so than here in Quebec.
Especially in rural areas, they are used to slow moving trucks, pickups, horses, people on foot etc.
The toll highways have more traffic, but generally have quite a wide shoulder, and so are pretty good to ride on, although noisey. Trucks do often straddle the wide shoulder to give more room for cars and other trucks to pass, so one must be careful.

I highly highly recommend using a good mirror while touring, this is indispensable.

Your route map idea shows you starting in a city on the east coast, but are you thinking of crossing the border at Texas and riding down through North East Mexico? I have a friend how lived in NE Mexico and described to me how bad it was for illegal activity. I also know a Mexican who actively discouraged me from riding in the north.

I always ride with a mirror and a Garmin Radar. I have read the warning for Mexico from the Canadian gorvernment. Tamaulipas and Nuevo León are some of the many many (14 of 32) states to "avoid non-essential.travel" . When I cross check the states with the map and my route, I can see that except for Tamaulipas, all others states that I will cross are not on the list. I will be 4 to 5 days in Tamaulipas, so I will stick to national roads and ride only during day and will stay in hotels for those nights.

Last edited by denis_987; 11-27-22 at 12:47 PM.
denis_987 is offline  
Old 11-27-22, 01:02 PM
  #17  
djb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montreal Canada
Posts: 13,175
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2725 Post(s)
Liked 948 Times in 781 Posts
Originally Posted by denis_987
I always ride with a mirror and a Garmin Radar. I have read the warning for Mexico from the Canadian gorvernment. Tamaulipas and Nuevo León are some of the many many (14 of 32) states to "avoid non-essential.travel" . When I cross check the states with the map and my route, I can see that except for Tamaulipas, all others states that I will cross are not on the list. I will be 4 to 5 days in Tamaulipas, so I will stick to national roads and ride only during day and will stay in hotels for those nights.
Good on the mirror. While the Canadian govt warnings just have some merit to them, I'm sure I've biked through places not recommended, but they were fine.
Yes, riding only in day and generally just using common sense , is for the best.
JUst be really on the ball.
What travel experience do you have?
How is your Spanish?
My wife has done a bike trip in Mexico once, with a supported group, in a state that was not recommended, and all was fine.
I highly recommend reading some crazy guy trip journals, ideally with some recent ones, to get a better idea of what you are getting yourself into.
Again, don't hesitate to ask specific questions to those of us with experience riding in Mexico.
djb is offline  
Old 11-27-22, 01:22 PM
  #18  
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,008
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 283 Post(s)
Liked 118 Times in 86 Posts
Another thing to keep in mind is that it's typically extremely easy to take a bike on Mexican buses. 1st class buses have luggage areas underneath the passenger area with lots of space. On 2nd class buses, they always seem willing to find a place for a bike. Tips are appreciated.
axolotl is online now  
Likes For axolotl:
Old 11-27-22, 01:24 PM
  #19  
djb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montreal Canada
Posts: 13,175
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2725 Post(s)
Liked 948 Times in 781 Posts
Before I forget, as of 4 years ago, when you enter Mexico, you are given an entry paper with the stamped date on it. You MUST keep this paper to present for when you leave Mexico, or you have to pay a fee.
Like a lot of stuff in Mexico and other nearby countries, things like this are pretty wishy washy or unclear , but you will get a fine if you don't hold onto this.
I really encourage you to learn some Spanish. Don't know when you are going, but it makes a difference.

Oh, you may find it cold in December or January, perhaps less so on the coast, I been usually higher up in altitude but had some really cold days in January. Nights of 5c or less and cool rainy days sometimes. Just be prepared and look up weather.
djb is offline  
Likes For djb:
Old 11-27-22, 03:51 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,501

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5216 Post(s)
Liked 3,555 Times in 2,325 Posts
country road?
rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 11-27-22, 04:00 PM
  #21  
djb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montreal Canada
Posts: 13,175
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2725 Post(s)
Liked 948 Times in 781 Posts
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
country road?
His first language is French so some spelling errors are to be expected.
djb is offline  
Likes For djb:
Old 11-27-22, 08:11 PM
  #22  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by djb
What travel experience do you have?
How is your Spanish?
My wife has done a bike trip in Mexico once, with a supported group, in a state that was not recommended, and all was fine.
I highly recommend reading some crazy guy trip journals, ideally with some recent ones, to get a better idea of what you are getting yourself into.
Many solo bike experiences but always in Canada. 100% camping (wild or commercial)
I have also been to Cancun many times (sure it is not representing to entire country)
Spanish? just enough to start a total immersion
denis_987 is offline  
Old 11-28-22, 11:52 AM
  #23  
Full Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 451

Bikes: Co-Motion Americano Pinion P18; Co-Motion Americano Rohloff; Thorn Nomad MkII, Robert Beckman Skakkit (FOR SALE), Santana Tandem, ICE Adventure FS

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 169 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 48 Posts
Originally Posted by denis_987
thanks for the tip! After verifying, this will lengthen my road because I'm going to the east coast... maybe next trip I will go west and enter Mexico there
It only adds 100km max and gets you immediately away from traffic but of course do what is best for you. Also, if you can get a copy of a Guia Roji atlas (I think the most current is unfortunately 2014), it is a pretty good reference between paved, non-paved roads.
John N is offline  
Old 11-28-22, 12:47 PM
  #24  
djb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montreal Canada
Posts: 13,175
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2725 Post(s)
Liked 948 Times in 781 Posts
The majority of small hotels have WiFi, so helps with being able to plan ahead your route for a few days. Google maps Street view is generally available on most roads, and you will get more used to judging if a town of X size will have a hotel or not.
Often hotels will show up on Google maps, maybe not the tiny ones, but a lot of them.

As for camping, you'll have to decide if it's worth it. I'm not convinced, but even if you do, you do have to use common sense of theft risks.

4 years ago, little hotel rooms were in the 5-10,15 dollar range. I'm not fussy, so slept in a wide range of them.

Of course, getting into touristy areas will be a different story, especially gringo touristy areas.

Last edited by djb; 11-28-22 at 12:52 PM.
djb is offline  
Old 11-28-22, 02:30 PM
  #25  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
country road?
A day when I learned something is not a wasted day...What should I have used instead?
denis_987 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.