Topes and Lamb roast.

With a sore back from the Mexican affliction known as topes (topes are speed humps of varying sizes, typically located every 5 meters through the main streets of villages, or at the turn off for any lane, footpath or hell, just for the sake of it. Some are visible before you bounce over them, most are not!), I head for a rendezvous with Gary. Gary is an English guy who has lived in Mexico City for 30 years. He has talked me into visiting (It only took one email and an offer of somewhere to stay and somewhere to work on the bike - oil change this time) the big bad city of Mexico, explaining that it isn't as bad as people made out. Gary is very much into his bikes and met me in a small village outside of the city, enabling me to follow him for the 45 minute ride into what is the vastness know as Mexico DF. So, now I can sit here and write, Mexico City isn't so bad to ride in.


Mike, on the otherhand, didn't make the rendezvous. So whilst I sat there in airconditioned comfort playing on the internet at Gary's work, Mike had the displeasure to ride in the vastness of Mexico City, not really knowing where he was going. He arrived several hours later, very tired and frustrated. It was good to see him again!

I'm not the only one having problems with my bike. Mike's having problems with the BMW but as usual it's nothing major and we've time to spend chilling out and enjoying the sights and atmosphere of Mexico City.

How the local women do it. Mike takes me for a ride, old school style!

For the next few days we were looked after with all the creature comforts. A hot shower that worked, cute dogs to play with and delicious quesadillas. Gary and his son, Lloyd, took us to the world's third largest pyramid, just outside of the city. We also met Leslie, Gary's daughter, and basically, we were made to feel completely at home. A perfect antidote for my homesickness. Even Mexcio City obliged us when on a lazy Sunday, it started to rain as we tinkered with the bikes, just like London. AND we had a roast lamb for dinner with roast tatties and gravy. Mmmmmmmmmm...............................yum!

It was very hard to say goodbye to such hospitality. And Mexico City is great. It's just that it's vast!

Sadly we have to say goodbye to Gary and his hospitality.