Motorcycle Diary: Riding a bike in Oaxaca, Mexico
Alvin Starkman MA, LL.B.
My passion has long riding a motorcycle was almost twenty years before taking up residence in Oaxaca. I ignored the early warnings. While my story pales in comparison to the epic journey of Che Guevara popularized in the movie The Motorcycle Diaries is not a story to tell, with comments and advice for people with such thoughts of suicide.
To Oaxaca, part economic necessity and the permissiveness culminating part, jams and street crisis parking factor, and, dare I say, a somewhat different attitude toward life and the life among people with and below a certain socio-economic … fatalistic. What is surprising is the shortage of pilots with helmet, and the prevalence of whole families (the record number of family members seen on a motorcycle is currently five years) taken to negotiating clogged streets on a motorcycle often only mechanically fit, each member, including young children with head uncovered and wearing unsafely (no gloves, leather, jeans, etc.). To enforce the helmet law and compulsory education might help. Educators must remember that teaching the helmet is to be worn on the head, and not just hanging on his arm. In addition, owners and provide services such as for example, Mas Tortas Chuchos and, if of check your emails leave the premises to ensure helmets are worn and not made.
For my part, I have been charged to take another life in the crisis of the median of 55 years, recently bought a 150 cc. Honda "Bros", off road bike for use in the streets, in addition to our car and pick-up. Maybe each stated the reason this applies to me, despite leading a middle class existence.
I sold my Suzuki 550 in the mid-1980s when my wife became pregnant. But now, almost retirement, family grew, life insurance policies keeps up, I was only minimally perturbed when Canadian Consul May Frances said that she has lost three friends to motorcycle accidents. And compadre Pancho was in three accidents in about two years. Once he took me on a trip with some of his fellow motorcycle through the mountains to the town of Sola de Vega,. It was the first time in 15 years who had been on a bike. I forgot the cardinal rule: never brakes while negotiating a turn on land. I remember regaining consciousness, covered in blood, with severe knee pain in the back room of some pharmacies, watery eyes Pancho, I shook hands on my shoulders, shouting "buddy, buddy!"
But, by adopting and adhering to a set of simple guidelines to assemble, some of which are certainly difficult to follow, I have idea to stay outside the hospital and my daughter 20 years old, never "benefit" of my being over-insured. My less brash and surprisingly sane woman enjoys riding with me though serious reservations.
For those loose and in the 20 and 30 years, I will indicate which of the following rules that I set for myself as probably want to break up and how to minimize the negative consequences this way:
1) Do not ride at night unless absolutely necessary. Related to alcohol and other driving deaths increase when road conditions are less than perfect. Lighting and road markings are often absent.
2) If you know that time is likely to become ill (ie, during the rainy season) to consider other means of transport, or at least dress properly and check your tires.
3) Try to follow the rules of the road as far as can be discerned, and when in autumn new doubt on the laws of the freeway that I grew up.
4) Try to resist the temptation of armor, as difficult as will be. Once at its fifty probably have lost much of its range of neck motion, so if you must knit, trust your peripheral vision and mirrors.
5) Always wear helmets, appropriate footwear and leather, gloves and jacket at least. It is better to be hot and uncomfortable that require surgery of the mandible and extensive skin grafting. Leather provides the first layer of defense and gives … cotton, wool and polyester each just rip it, along with your skin.
6) Do not allow a passenger to ride with you unhelmeted.
7) If you are a tourist and have the opportunity to rent a motorcycle, unless you use only cross-country skiing, or if you have a great experience driving in congested cities and third world are convinced of the status of bike, resist the temptation. As my dad used to say: "Do not be an idiot." Not worth the risk.
When buying, make it a new cycle and keep it in good condition.
9) Do not buy a small scooter or anything under 125-150 cc. You may be able to leave your own risk caused by other drivers. The most popular bike in Oaxaca is the Honda 125, used by a plethora of companies. If you can afford a Japanese brand, or better, go for him. Many Oaxacan friends have warned against, for example, the Chinese models. My SUV Honda 150 was carefully selected, despite being smaller than which had been used to riding in my previous life. It is a model all-terrain due to the numerous stops and poor condition of the streets. The engine size is 150 because the engine is smaller I feel like my wife and I get up the steep hill to our house, is light and has enough power for defensive maneuvers. Is small enough to help me resist the temptation to make road trips.
10) Think twice before opting for a larger bike that you can use on the road. There is nothing like traveling the open road, but the danger increases exponentially the greater the speed of vehicles. By contrast, while living in Toronto always I felt safer riding on the roads in the cities … more control, more attentive drivers, experienced, and easier to avoid hazards potential. By contrast, in Oaxaca the roads are not so good, many motorists driving under the influence, and vehicle mechanical condition generally questionable, as leading to less control of drivers. If you look at the tour, that at least a 550 cc. model, the minimum power with which I felt comfortable and safe on the roads open with a passenger.
Apart from the organized groups that meet regularly cycling for general weekend off-road challenges, at least one traditional motorcycle club in Oaxaca, The Knights Templar. These riders are the exception to most of what I have mentioned. Individuals, at least when tour out of town, follow almost all the rules we have proposed. The group is composed mainly of traders, merchants, restaurateurs and professionals such as doctors and accountants, the average age is 40 something. Their bikes are kept in excellent condition, dress appropriately, with leather embossed with the club and the name and logo jockey, and host and attend national conferences and frequent meetings to enjoy local and regional excursions of one to several days. The camaraderie is strong, warm and welcoming. And so, with my little Honda 150, which continue to resist invitations to meet the requirement of initiation and join … until the purchase of a motorcycle larger, and thus a divorce.
About the Author
Alvin Starkman received his Masters in Social Anthropology in 1978. After teaching for a few years he attended Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, thereafter embarking upon a career as a litigator until 2004. Alvin now resides in Oaxaca, where he writes, leads small group tours to the villages, markets, ruins and other sites, is a consultant to film production companies, and operates Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast. ( http://www.oaxacadream.com ) .
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