This week was about trying to sell a motorbike in Cancun whilst staying in cheap hotels and battling the language barrier.
Our 3 days of Spanish lessons did not make us fluent.
Goneriden
10
4 Jan 2002 – 10 Jan 2002
Mexico
Cancun - Cancun - cursed Cancun
Trip distance10,177 kmWeek 10 of 32
The modern week-by-week edition
Mexico Cancun
to cursed Cancun.
This week’s route
Cancun - Cancun - cursed Cancun
- 1Cancún
- 2Cancún
- 3Cancún
- 4Cancún
- 5Cancún
Week 10 routeMexicoRegional context
Approximate route using modern roads · OpenStreetMap contributors · route via OSRM
Week 10 in the full journey
See this week in the complete 32-week route.
The preserved 2002 maps provide full-trip context while the modern interactive journey map is developed.
Memorable moment
Memorable moment.
Selling a motorbike
We decided to try the Yamaha dealership once more in order to sell the spare bike. After ten minutes of rabbling our best Spanish to the non-English-speaking grease monkeys, one of them decided to make a call. That night he took us to see his brother who, in turn, knew of someone who may be interested.
Two days later we met the "ex Cancun motocross champion". (His words, not ours.) As it turned out, he was very keen to buy the bike and so requested the original title papers which we did not have. It took three more days for our friends at Mountain Motorsports California to send the title through FedEx via overnight delivery. As soon as the papers were in our possession, we promptly brought them to the attention of our prospective client.
Naturally happy at the thought of owning such a piece of machinery, he organised us to meet him again the next night, where we would exchange the bike for cash. Unfortunately for us, we had to find out two days later that indeed he had no money and our last six days were wasted in Cancun.
Original Week 10 accountPictures of the week
Three moments from the road
Quote of the week"Get me out of Cancun" - Martin. "I hate Cancun" - Martin.
"My bottom feels like when you put sandpaper between your cheeks" - Boxy, with an unusual explanation of the discomfort experienced from the KTM seat.
CompetitionTrying like crazy to escape the uninhospitable rat race that was Cancun.
Winner: Cancun
HighlightThe purchase of two lambskin dog coats to rectify a problem we have been having for the last 10,000 kilometres - hard KTM seats
Risk activityAttempting to sell a motorcycle illegally in Mexico, whilst battling the obvious language barrier.Risk factor7/10.
LowlightSpending our days on the internet or on the telephone, or chasing potential buyers for the extra bike, whilst the beach was begging for our attention.
Road tallyNone
Week 10 photo diary
The week, in event order
The mosaic follows the numbered sequence in date-and-time order. Select any image for its full-screen view and comment.