Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North America
HELP! Passport, driv lic, bike paperwork stolen! HELP! Passport, driv lic, bike paperwork stolen!
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North America Topics specific to Canada and USA/Alaska only.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Nov 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Eurasia - whoppeeeee!
Posts: 169
HELP! Passport, driv lic, bike paperwork stolen!
Unbelievable, lockable top box pannier stolen of fell off today travelling from Santa Cruz - 150 miles down hwy1 in big sur -stopped for gas, filled her up, got a coffee, approached the bike and noticed it was gone!

Laptop and clothes, all gone. Anyone know how long it might take to get a UK passport re-issued, I have a copy of that and other paperwork luckily.

Will call embassy tommorrow, site says 10-12 days turnaround!! Got a spanish course starting in 10 days in Mexico - just to add pressure to my poor head.

Thanks for any help, going to drink some tea and chill out.

Brian
http://colesyboy.tripod.com
__________________
http://www.trailsunexpected.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Nov 2003
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,226
"Stuff" happens huh?!

Kind of sounds like it just fell off. Thieves don't usually try to take the whole thing - they don't want to be seen carrying a big motorcycle box around! Go for a drive, you might get lucky.

Tip re documents - scan them all and put the .jpg's in your webmail file - if the docs ALL get lost/bike stolen and all copies etc gone, just login and download and print.

I suspect the Spanish class folks will be kind enough to reschedule in the circumstances. Worth a try.

Good luck,

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
Horizons Unlimited - THE Motorcycle Travel site
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Nov 2003
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,125
Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

You might find that the loss of the passport is not as great a problem for border crossings Canada-America-Mexico as you may first think. It is possible that if you have sufficient other picture ID (driver's licence, etc.) and photocopies of your passport, the Mexicans will let you in if you explain what happened. Reason I say this is because Canadians and Americans don't need passports to enter Mexico, so it's not too much of a stretch to imagine a border official letting you in also, because having people present a passport at the land border crossing into Mexico is the exception, not the routine.

Whether the Americans would let you back into the USA or not is another question...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Nov 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Eureka, CA USA
Posts: 323
You could try to back track to your last stop and try to find the missing panner. Unlickly, but possable. Also call the local sheriff office in the counties you went through. Someone may have found it and turned it in. Again not likly, but it is worth a shot. I recentl dropped my ATM card and it was turned in, so don't lose hope yet.

------------------
John
__________________
John
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20 Nov 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Eurasia - whoppeeeee!
Posts: 169
Thanks for all your help guys.

Thanks to a HU meet last year in Derbyshire, I did scan my docs to a safe location on the internet. Thanks Grant, it made my doc retrieval speedier. Got my passport back today - 4 days after I reported it stolen from the consulate. Now just got to wait for the driving lic. and registration docs.

Anyone know if a need the international drivers lic. to get through Mexico to Argentina (I know it is a lot of countries to consider)

Been calling the Highway patrol every day - no sign of it yet.

Cheers again,

Brian
__________________
http://www.trailsunexpected.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 20 Nov 2003
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,226
Happy to help Brian!

Good to hear the idea works too! You won't need the international drivers licence - it's good to have, but unlikely to need it. Get it when you can, but don't sweat it. So long as you have your national drivers licence and registration - errmmm photocopies that is - you'll be fine. NO need for the originals unless you've really blown it big time and in jail... and probably not even then.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 20 Nov 2003
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,226
By the way, the documents should always be on YOU - as you discovered, the container can be lost, or someone could steal the whole bike.

Keep a muggers wallet in an easily accessible and obvious pocket to protect the real docs, (well hidden in a very slim wallet under your clothing,) and short of a strip search that's the safest you can get.

The loss of the laptop is a bummer - I have heard of other top boxes coming off, and even saw one fly off over a big tope in Ecuador, right past the shocked rider.

I like to keep my laptop in the saddlebag, in close to the bike. Less risk of crash damage or loss.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20 Nov 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Eureka, CA USA
Posts: 323
To get an international drivers lic here in the states go to a AAA office with two passport photo's that you can get taken anywhere. It costs about $20.00 US if I remember right. I'm not sure if they issue you one since your not a US citizen, but it wont hurt to ask if you want one.

------------------
John
__________________
John
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20 Nov 2003
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,326
throughout my trip (incl the americas) i pretty much exclusively used colour photocopies (which were laminated) of bike reg doc and dl (i had one of the old pink, non photo licences)...

if your scans are of high enough resolution and you find a good enough printer, then you might not need to wait for new originals.

just about every border person was so desinterested/ uninformed as to what the real mccoys look like, nobody ever checked.

good luck
ChrisB
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 20 Nov 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Mesa /San Diego,caUSA
Posts: 49
Did you ever check with Cal-Trans or the county maintence crews about finding your box? They do the maintence and clean-up on the highways and do not communicate with the police about lost and found. Just a thought. Sorry for you troubles.

------------------
Rocket Ron
__________________
Rocket Ron
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 22 Nov 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Eurasia - whoppeeeee!
Posts: 169
Thanks for all your help and kind words guys.

I've taken ALL your advice and have bought a security wallet, p/copied docs - and am now armed with a sense of security that I have not posessed before - even when travelling around Asia!

Got all my docs back - bar one and am picking up a new notebook on in a couple of days. So all in all, back to speed 10 days after it happend.

Will call the Trans-co road guys on Monday, got their number.

Getting colder along the south Cal coast, so next week I'll be southbound, Go Go Go!

Brian

http://colesyboy.tripod.com
__________________
http://www.trailsunexpected.com
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 14 Dec 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Eurasia - whoppeeeee!
Posts: 169
My god, would you believe it, the givi box has turned up on Santa Cruz broadwalk. I got a mail from the british consulate in San Fran....apparently it was open when found and the only thing missing is the notebook pc. No suprise there then.

So it either fell off that day when I set out from Santa Cruz, or it WAS nicked 3 hours later from Big Sur and then dumped in SC. Hmmmmmm I've heard a lot of stories recently about the fact that givi make poo racks.....
__________________
http://www.trailsunexpected.com
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 15 Dec 2003
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,226
addendum/correction to my earlier note about "other top boxes coming off" - they were all Givi...

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:08.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top