While there are some dangerous areas in Mexico, there are plenty of safe places. Mexico City, is just like any big city in terms of crime. I feel safer there than San Francisco honestly. Merida, Puebla(not super exciting), Oaxaca, Guanajuato (a little sketchy state, but the city is safe/awesome) among others are all safe. The center of town is where you want to be, no need for a car. Just stay away from Michoacan, Guerrero, Jalisco, the Northern border states, don’t do drugs or get super drunk and wander around town, and you will be fine.

Getting between larger cities via first class buses is easy. Uber, Metro, buses, etc. My wife grew up in Mexico City and never needed a car, I’ve traveled solo (male) in almost every state in Mexico without a car for 25+ years. We still go and take our kids for a month every few years.

All that being said, you will be hassled or whistled at, etc as a woman. Macho male syndrome. Dress conservatively and leave jewelry at home. There is crime, don’t go out drinking alone at night, and watch for pickpockets in mercados and subways. If you’re cool in New York, etc you will be fine in Mexico City, it’s a blast. It’s intimidating but the food and people are awesome. As a solo traveler you can stay in some hostels which is a good way to meet other travelers to go explore. You could easily spend two to weeks in Mexico City area itself - Taxco, Coyoacn, Chapultpec, Museums, etc

I don’t have any advice for Central America other than a relative of my wife lives in Costa Rica and likes it.

If you want to continue in the vein of old timers, check out, “Walking Up and Down in the World : Memories of a Mountain Rambler” by Smoke Blanchard. I read it years ago, and it’s really just a collection of writings of his memories. It jumps around a bit, but there are some good stories in there. His recounting of one of the Sierra’s most famous early mountaineers, Norman Clyde, was interesting - he’d pretty much move into the Sierra high country each year and set up a basecamp for fishing, climbing, and adventuring. Lots of little adventures from the Himalaya to the eastern Sierra.

Also, going way back…“Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada” by Clarence King - is another old interesting book about the early exploration of the Range. King was an abolitionist, unfortunately, some racist viewpoints of the author still pop up a few times. Read it in context - as a historical document of the late 1800’s it features fantastical accounts of first ascents, being chased by bandits, etc… If it was a movie it would be John Muir mixed with Die Hard. Lol

You could probably find an ebook of this one, as it is now in public domain. All in all I spent $1 or $2 on each of these at a used bookstore eons ago. I wouldn’t spend too much on hunting them down, but I like reading history/old books too!

Thanks for the recounting of Colin Fletcher’s book. Sounds interesting!

Check with your library. Most systems in the US have online catalogs you can check, and if your branch doesn’t have it, they will can place it on hold and transfer it to yours for you at no cost. If they don’t have it, ask if you can get it via LINK+ (an inter-library loan) from another system. This is also provided at no cost with most systems.

A quick internet search can get you in touch via chat, phone, or email with your local library and someone to help you find a book.

I work at a library and people reach out to us looking for books all the time. It’s our job and we like to help people connect with information. Don’t be afraid to reach out. We serve everyone from retired boomers, little kids, unhoused, and people with special needs all day long. It’s a big club and you’re invited.

For, example - in my county we have over 20 branches (big and small) and allow you to check out up to 100 books (ridiculous right?) free of charge for three weeks (that you can re-new) for twice for 3 more weeks each time. That’s over two months to read a book! (I’m a slow reader too!).

Go get yourself a library card and use it to unlock the world.

However, the DLC does get discounted often - so there is that. They tend to keep the prices higher on the more recent DLCs and lower it substantially for the older DLCs - purchasing the older DLCs first is a good way to build them up.

The developers also listened to user input/complaints about the distance scale of ATS vs ETS2 when it came out and completely redid the content/game for free. I think they are on their 3rd revamp of California, and often rework or improve existing content.

Pretty cool developers IMO and I appreciate and support their business practices. The game is good with a controller, but way better with a wheel!

I appreciate the built in mod support, custom game settings (no speed enforcement! - thank you very much!), ability to quick save before passing at 90Mph on a blind mountain curve, custom music,etc. Fun and chill game!

TLDR; Old schooler on fancy dad bike

I currently use my bike for recreational riding. My previous living arrangement was at the top of a steep hill, then up three flights of narrow stairs is thankfully a thing of the past. I can now go for a ride without much fuss.

Generally I ride the cycle paths with my kids, but am looking to do some light gravel tours with or without them in the future. Currently, I ride a newer Surly Bridge Club that has front and rear racks which helps carry snacks, jackets, tools, and 4 different sized replacement tubes! It’s the ultimate ‘dad’ bike that can outpace the kids while also carrying a ton of needless stuff.

I’m also looking to build up/repair a used hardtail mountain bike for my wife and fix up my old mountain bike for an around town grocery getter I don’t need to worry about being stolen.

Previously, I rode a 1985 Schwinn High Sierra Mountain bike. (Back when power-sliding turns on fire roads while wearing jeans was the norm!) Broke the frame on that in the early 90’s. Rode a discarded random 3 speed with a bent frame for a few years, a 1962 Schwinn American for a few more, then a Novara Hartail, and a few prototype (Haro, Elsworth, & Cannondale mountain bikes) somewhere around Y2K working/touring/promoting BIKE magazine.

I’ve had a few other random bikes and generally missed riding as part of my daily life the last ten years due to an injury/recovery/stairs from hell. I’m working to reintegrate cycling into my life - while encouraging the kids - without breaking myself. Lol. A bad back, kids, and heavy traffic full of people driving their phones - not their cars - keeps me from getting out on the road like I did when I was younger. My back keeps my off the gnarly trails, so gravel and bike paths are where it’s at for me. The freedom of the wind and the wheels leads wherever you roll!

Glad to find this community here. I am normally a lurker, but I’m glad to participate and help build something better for the cycling community as a whole.