Nov 26
Thanksgiving
Creel-Batpolias
Moving time: 6:34
96 miles

I woke up SUPER early–I was the first one up in the place for about an hour. I’d had a dream of how to fix my computer (I’d worked with an Aussie guy the previous night for over an hour to try to get the internet to connect) and I wanted to connect to be in touch. I could see my breath outside, and since I only had less than a hundred miles to ride, I figured I’d ride when it got warmer.

The guy at the hotel told me to go up 5 blocks, then go left, to get to Batopilas. This was completely incorrect, and pissed me off. After a few circles round about town, I got onto the right road and headed south.

I took a side road to ‘downtown’ Cusarare, where I was told by some backpackers that there is an excellent museum of religious paintings

I was not allowed to take pictures in the museum, but I did take some in the church

back out to the main road (cough, cough combo of diesel and dust)

And I ride ~60 miles of pavement

I start seeing canyons…is this the real Copper Canyon? Why does everyone make such a fuss? It’s *easy*…

Gosh, the road is like new…sure I am on the right road?

Hmf. Second time this trip I find myself thinkig “gee, this is easy” and then it actually gets quite difficult.

I get to the little village of Quirare, which seems to me a Teohuitan village, and WOW! The road does a complete change, just around one bend.

And proceeds to amaze for the next 60 miles. I mean, it does on and on and on and on and finally alright already I am on panoramal overload.

Dodge the donkeys in the road.

And I still have more to go

Finally! I see the river at the bottom.

I’d read that you have to cross a bridge to get to Batopilas. Great. Almost there.

NOT!

Another bridge

NOT!

I ride out onto La Bufa

And it turns out La Bufa is STILL like 30 miles away. I must be crawling!

And yet there’s more valley to traverse

A herd of goats

How agile they were on the steep cliffs!

Finally…Batopilas!

But wait, I still have to go another km to get to “The Bridge”

Good thing I got a lot of practice on the TAT putting my front tire where I want it

Errrrr. Back up, take pic. I see a signs about early detection of cancer. NOW I KNOW I AM IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

Go Mommas. Remind your loved ones to do their self exams and get regular mammograms. Early detection is the best prevention!!!

“Downtown” Batopilas, which actually stetches or about 2 km along the river

I met some nice folks at the Hotel Batopilas from the USA, Australia and NZ bicycling the same route I am. We chatted at the hotel, and then walked about the town and I had dinner with them.

Ah. I’d finally made it to Copper Canyon.