Who would be interested in a 2012 "End of the World" Maya Rally?

[RMP&O]

As I'm sure many of us know, very limited options exist for getting into and out of Belize. If the previous chatter about twenty million visitors being in the area for this event bears any fruit (or even partial fruit), then things could get really crazy at those choke points. These are pretty small crossings, especially the San Ignacio one, and they could really turn into nightmares if we're trying to pass them with ten thousand other people who are also trying to get to their favorite ruin.

For me, I'm most worried about the hundreds of thousands of people (gulp... maybe millions?) trying to get out from their favorite ruins so they can rush back home for Christmas. Don't even get me started on how this might affect the countless northbound toll booths back in Mexico.

Just food for thought.

Excellent points.

I have crossed a number of the borders that may be crossed during the event. These borders can take 1-5hrs, even when they are fairly lacking of people crossing. It just depends on who you deal with at the border, from my experience. My point is I can't imagine how long it will take if there is tens of thousands of people crossing too!

However, I have crossed at the Nicaragua to Costa Rica border more then once when there was hundreds of people in line to get your passport stamped. It didn't really take all that long, a few hours of standing in line max.

Some border officials I have met can be very moody and or grumpy. I can't imagine they will be in good moods during the holidays when they are having to work extra hard dealing with thousands upon thousands of people every day. A moody border official can slow things down! Just saying....

I would almost be temped to go down a week or two early to avoid the crowds. I guess that kind of defeats the purpose of the event though since from what I am gathering this event is about traveling not just showing up to the ruins and partying.

I have driven through mexico around Christmas time. Not as close as some of you to X-mas but I didn't notice any problems with traffic or congestion until I hit Chiapas.

 

[RMP&O]

On the other hand most won't have off road vehicles so I'm guessing if we stay away from the tourist areas and are in the more remote parts we shouldn't have the same problems.

Warning: I've never been to that part of the world and may not know what I'm talking about.

Actually you are spot on man. The advantages of doing an event like this via vehicle at a time when there may be huge amounts of tourists in the same areas. Well, having your own vehicle(s) means off the beaten path, off the bus routes and away from tourist hot spots. That will cut out a lot of logistics and problems that could arise.

I hope any organizers keep in mind the problems that may be encountered if there really is a huge influx of tourists into these areas for the Mayan 2012 event. If it really ends up being as big and crazy as the hype I am starting to hear, it could be a nightmare logistically. People getting lost in all this, can't find accommodations, slowed down by as much as a day or two due to traffic and possibly things like slow border crossings. Can't find or get to check points or the like due to traffic jams or crowds of people. You could end up with only 4-6 people at the final destination on the final night with a few dozen lost or stuck somewhere in between. That would be a bummer. Then again if this is planned right I am sure it could all work out nicely and be easy going and relaxing.

If you are going to participate and fly home for Christmas you may want to book that flight now. I suspect getting a flight during this time is going to be pretty difficult if not impossible as we get closer to the end of the year. I am willing to bet this event will get many participants if the organizers make some kind of arrangements for vehicle storage at the end. Simply a place you can put your vehicle, head home for Christmas and then deal with your vehicle be it drive home or ship home after the holidays. I don't think people would mind paying a fee for some nice safe storage place. The organizers don't have to make all the arrangements for this kind of thing, rather act as a middle man. Yet, I think if leaving it all up to the participants in terms of where I stay, when and what route I take and what I do a long the way, attendance will be less. A lot of people who may want to do the rally don't have experience with all these kinds of things plus add in the time of year, ie Christmas and it could hurt the number of attendees a lot. I guess my point is people like structure a "plan" so the more the better if this is anything other then a very casual event. With the hype I am starting to hear I doubt it will be hard to find lot's of people to participate if you advertise and spread the word as well as organize this right.

Obviously you are doing this and going for it Christian, building a website and so forth. I am really interested to know more about what exactly is going to take place on the rally. Will there be check points along the way, hidden things to find to pass a check point? Is this time based, ie how fast can I do it? Or will it be just more like a tour with a bunch of people traveling together? Is this something I will need 4wd for? Or could I just buy some cheap $800 Honda Civic or Subaru and be ok? Is it going to be GPS orientated? Like will you have a route with GPS coordinates and I will use this itinerary to not only find my way but meet up with the group as we go? Will the GPS be even more important than that, such as needing it to find way points or check points or hidden items? Is the focus on camping or will it be left up to the participant? What is the ultimate goal here? I know fun but are there events planned each night as a group and then a big grand finale at the end? Are there prizes and an actual 1st place, 2nd place, ect? Are you thinking more casual with just some fun and maybe silly prizes or more serious with sponsors and actual bigger ticket items for 1st place? I am also curious how big of a rally do you think this might be? Are you picturing (or planning) on a dozen or two dozen vehicles? Or do you foresee it being as large as possible with maybe a few hundred vehicles?

Apologies for all the questions. Just trying to get an idea on what this is exactly all about and how it will take place as well as what vehicle and gear I might need if I wanted to participate.

 

[bobDog]

Call me a skeptic about the end of the world this year...

I love the idea for the trip and party though

Yes me too! But I want to stay in the mood till the next day.....:coffeedrink:

 

[bobDog]

Oh hey.....since we're approaching the end I don't want to let this slip by. I had heard that when you reached a 1000post that Scott Brady sent you a nice gray and black letter mans jacket embroidered W/ the sites logo on the back and you're 'name on the front. I'm up over 1200 and I have yet to get an email requesting my size....you folks hear anything about delays or anything? I would sure like to be wearing one of those to the great beyond come December.
That's a XXL Scott....... looking forward to it.
:coffeedrink:

 

[trump]

Oh hey.....since we're approaching the end I don't want to let this slip by. I had heard that when you reached a 1000post that Scott Brady sent you a nice gray and black letter mans jacket embroidered W/ the sites logo on the back and you're 'name on the front. I'm up over 1200 and I have yet to get an email requesting my size....you folks hear anything about delays or anything? I would sure like to be wearing one of those to the great beyond come December.
That's a XXL Scott....... looking forward to it.
:coffeedrink:

Way to muck up a thread buddy... move along.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

The Calukmal ruins are looking interesting and meet several criteria discussed earlier.

As you can see, the ruins are relatively isolated from the main hwy of the region. Sat images show a dirt road going in. Photos linked to the area (on googlemaps) show a chipsealed road going in, and signs pointing to it at the hwy... What I don't see in the google image search are places to camp, especially for a crowd.


Another place that looks favorable, the ruins of Tonina.

Tonina apparently has the tallest of the temples in the Mayan world? Its also relatively central to several other regional highlights including the larger ruins of Palenque, Agua Azul, and relatively close to San Cristobal de las Casas.

In all reality I think the latter would be an ideal location (or region at least) for incoming and outgoing travelers based on the scenarios discussed earlier. It would provide enough flexibility for those who wished to continue south to do so, and those who needed to return home the ability to get onto major routes with relative ease. While its not as adventurous as crossing into Guatemala or even Belize, there is the added benefits of NOT having to cross those extra borders as discussed before.

These are just a couple of suggestions from this evenings research. Does anyone have any personal experience with these locations that they would like to share?

 

[Christian P.]

Obviously you are doing this and going for it Christian, building a website and so forth. I am really interested to know more about what exactly is going to take place on the rally. Will there be check points along the way, hidden things to find to pass a check point? Is this time based, ie how fast can I do it? Or will it be just more like a tour with a bunch of people traveling together? Is this something I will need 4wd for? Or could I just buy some cheap $800 Honda Civic or Subaru and be ok? Is it going to be GPS orientated? Like will you have a route with GPS coordinates and I will use this itinerary to not only find my way but meet up with the group as we go? Will the GPS be even more important than that, such as needing it to find way points or check points or hidden items? Is the focus on camping or will it be left up to the participant? What is the ultimate goal here? I know fun but are there events planned each night as a group and then a big grand finale at the end? Are there prizes and an actual 1st place, 2nd place, ect? Are you thinking more casual with just some fun and maybe silly prizes or more serious with sponsors and actual bigger ticket items for 1st place? I am also curious how big of a rally do you think this might be? Are you picturing (or planning) on a dozen or two dozen vehicles? Or do you foresee it being as large as possible with maybe a few hundred vehicles?

Apologies for all the questions. Just trying to get an idea on what this is exactly all about and how it will take place as well as what vehicle and gear I might need if I wanted to participate.

I am not sure I can answer all these questions right now....but here are a few pointers/ideas.

-there won't be any check point or any establish route. you will be on your own - with or without GPS
-that being said, I would however like to schedule a couple of optional activities and parties (about 2 or 3) along the way.
-it will be doable by any type of car, including $800 civic and motorcycles, but will try to make it so people can also use their 4x4 if they want.
-right now I am thinking of limiting the number of entries to 50. this number is totally out of thin air but I suppose it would make it more manageable.
-there will be an entry fee, not sure how much yet - but will make it accessible for sure. there are already some expenses to cover and we want to make sure we have a good party at the end!
-the goal is pretty much to have as much fun as possible...but I also want to make it so we can make a charitable contribution.
I am thinking that a donation to the local organization that maintains the Maya Ruins (Tikal for instance) could make sense.
My ultimate dream would be if a couple participants could drive a firetruck or an ambulance, and give it to a local village. Even a hearse would do...



Obviously, this is still all just shaping up so nothing is definitive.

We should have the general guidelines by next week. I am working with 2 solid guys who have many years of experience planning rallies.

In the meantime, don't forget to check the site...it should be up soon!

www.mayarally.com

The MAYA RALLY will confront you with the fact that
the world could end for you before it does the rest of us.

 

[roboter]

I'm sure you'll be able to find some sexy promiscuous German back packer chicks to NOT sacrifice! I would so go if I were on that continent. I'll be there in spirit gazing from the Inca ruins.

 

[bobDog]

Way to muck up a thread buddy... move along.

:coffeedrink:

 

[RMP&O]

Cool, thanks for clearing some of that up Christian. I am beginning to picture how this will all take place!

 

[REDrum]

hmmmm Stephen King fan.

Actually...not at all. Its just a screen name. It started >10 years ago when I bought a new red Mt Bike. Now its ubiquitous on ~20 forums...can't stop it now. The screen name I really wanted was Goto Dengo (but was taken), that should give you a hint of who I'm a fan of...

Sorry for the thread-jack

 

[upcountry]

I have been following this thread for a few days now and it seems like you all have a great plan. I was just wondering why, with a backroads type adventure group you dont consider a destination to a Belizian Mayan Ruin like Caracol? (http://www.belizereport.com/map.html).

Benefits:

-They speak English (or a fornm of it) in Beleize.
-Remote location away from the tourism bling.
-Good camping locations and beaches nearby (Placencia within a days drive).
-Good backroads perfect for a "challenge" (the roads in tis part of Beleize can be very challenging).
-A huge Mayan Ruin with good history.
-Off the beaten path.
-Still get the adventure of multiple border crossings.

I spent my last semester of College in 1999 in Beleize working on a filed study, part of it included anthropology. We spent around a two months in the south part of the country. It is an adventure wonderland.

Having been to several of the Guetemalan and Mexican sites I just dont see the Overland Adventurer fitting in at the mainstream sites that have turned into a sort of Disneyland with hardened "built" facilities. If you want the token pictures of Tikal, then visit it after the main event after everyone has gone home.

Dont get me wrong, one of my favorite adventures is sneaking around Tikal on a full moon with my then girlfriend (now wife) who was involved in a cooperative program with our university and had access. It is an amazing place, altrhough in my opinion most amazing when it is quiet and without hordes of tourists.

 

[Airmonger]

I thought of the Mayan rally poster/logo when I saw this. Maybe extra points for each Elysian Apocalypse beer brought to the rally.

P.S. The Yerba Mate Trippel was awesome.

 

[upcountry]

Excellent points.

I have crossed a number of the borders that may be crossed during the event. These borders can take 1-5hrs, even when they are fairly lacking of people crossing. It just depends on who you deal with at the border, from my experience. My point is I can't imagine how long it will take if there is tens of thousands of people crossing too!

However, I have crossed at the Nicaragua to Costa Rica border more then once when there was hundreds of people in line to get your passport stamped. It didn't really take all that long, a few hours of standing in line max.

Haha! Comparing the effective Cost Rica border to the Belezian government and Guetemala government is not a fair comparison!

 

[Christian P.]

At this point every site is being considered. I personally find Belize to be my favorite country in Central America and I would love to end the rally there.

We are working closely with an expedition company based in Guatamala (I let you figure which one...) and will make sure to look at every possibility.