The Filmmaker
In October 2009 I left my home in NH in search of adventure and exploration all in the name of living life to the fullest. Over the course of 6 months I rode my motorcycle more than 23,000 miles through 15 countries until I reached the southernmost city in the world – Ushuaia, Argentina. Along the way I saw some of the worlds most beautiful landscapes, met genuinely friendly people, and made memories that will last a lifetime.
Before leaving home I spent countless hours researching for the trip. What happens at the border crossing? What paperwork do I need? Can I get by with only a few words of Spanish? What do I do at military checkpoints? Do I need insurance? Where will I buy gas and oil and spare parts? What if I need a mechanic? Will I be robbed or kidnapped? What about all those Drug Cartel news stories? How are the road conditions? What’s the weather like and what clothing should I bring? I scoured the internet and talked with as many veteran travelers as I could to seek out answers to all my questions.
I vividly remember the day I crossed the border into Mexico. I was extremely excited and slightly terrified. A new culture, language, and driving style. It was like a flick of the switch, I crossed into Mexico and all the English was gone. After making it through immigration and customs I rode 200 miles, non-stop, until I was far away from the border in a safe little town. It took me a few days but I quickly realized that not every old lady was looking to rob me. With some simple safety precautions, I toured Mexico for 6 weeks before continuing on to Central and South America. The food was delicious, the people hospitable, the riding fun, and the experience amazing.
Since returning back to the USA in April 2010, I’ve been contacted by many motorcyclists about to embark on a Latin American adventure of their own. I’m envious of their excitement and terror as I look back on my initial leap into the unknown. They have many of the same questions I had.
In September 2010, I went back to Mexico to ride and film. I wanted to create a film and resource center that I wish I could have seen before I left on my trip. I hope it will help riders get inspired, get educated, and get on their way. Motorcycle Mexico is not a normal travel documentary where we talk about beautiful city after beautiful city. Instead, we are looking into the dirty details to make your Mexican Motorcycling experience a reality. In addition to what I learned on the road, I interviewed veteran travelers and local experts who share their knowledge.
Ride & Explore!