Troy hows the Giant loop bag working out for you so far?
Give us an update on pro's and con's of the bag when you get a chance.

Enjoying your reports, keep em coming!

Cheers,

James

The Adventure Begins... Giant Loop bags
 

Hey James, I've been meaning to do a review of the Giant Loop gear, but I wanted to wait until I had a little more experience with it so that the review would be objective. I am using the Great Basin bag and the dry bag. My impressions right now are that the gear is solid. It definitely fits on the bike tight with no movement. It also is pretty durable. It doesn't look like anything else out there so it does have some cache. I haven't had any problems with security so far. I will say that the company has great rider support. I didn't say customer support on purpose. Before I was a customer these guys answered my questions and steered me in the right direction as a fellow rider. They didn't try to over sell me. And most importantly, these guys are riders. I believe that they will continue to innovate their products and product lines not with gimmicks, but with useful features.

The Giant Loop gear I currently have is great for dual sport use. I'd highly recommend it. I'd still like to reserve some time for a fair review of the equipment for extended adventure riding.

The Adventure Begins...Crossing the Sierra Madre Mountains to the Pacific Coast
 

Here's a short 3 minute video documenting my motorcycle ride from the interior of Mexico, Oaxaca, to the Pacific coast, Puerto Escondido. It was beautiful day that was mostly sunny and a few clouds. It seemed like I traveled through a number of ecological zones such as highlands, pine forrest, cloud forrest, desert, jungle and coastal plains. Hopefully it provides a feel for the journey.
Crossing the Sierra Madre Mountains to the Pacific Coast.

More stories at the links below.
Puerto Escondido and Fishing
A Ride Along the Pacific Coast
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The Adventure Begins...Dangerous Curves
 

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On my first day in San Cristobal de Las Casas, I came across this.

I honestly didn't know what to think or say or do. But I thought that some of you guys that are into fashion might have some critiques.

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OK, no one really took the bait. Here's the full image. Still, I don't know what to think.

The Adventure Begins... San Cristobal de Las Casas
 

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I'm not really sure what to make of San Cristobal de Las Casas. It's a town nestled in the highlands of Chiapas.
Here is the full story... San Cristobal de Las Casas

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And while staying in San Cristobal I decided that I would check out some ruins in an area called Palenque. The site was about 5 hours away. I didn't really feel like riding there, so I did the more typical tourist thing and booked a day tour.

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And was able to check out a few sites along the way.
Here is the full story...Palenque Day Trip

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And there's always stories about the people you meet along the way.
Here are some of my impressions on...Travelers

The Adventure Begins... On The Road
 

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After one month on the road and it appears I've traveled about 3000 miles along this route. This line looks pretty straight, but believe me there have been a thousand twists and turns along the way. Sometimes it seems like it was only yesterday when I started, but there have been some long days too. I've had some amazing rides and some that I'd rather not have endured. I think that my little accident slowed me down for a week, but I'm almost fully recovered now. What lies ahead...Guatemala.

The Adventure Begins... Todos Santos Cuchumatan, Guatemala and All Saints Day
 

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On November 1 in the cloud covered mountain town of Todos Santos Cuchumatan, Guatemala there is a horse race to celebrate Dia de Todos los Santos (All Saints Day).

Here's a link to the story with photos and a video

The Adventure Begins... Motorcycle Maintenance
 

I was in the town of Panajachel and staying at a hotel called Hotel El Sol.

Emi was looking pretty haggard from traveling 4000 miles over asphalt, gravel, dirt and through rain. I thought for this 4000 mile anniversary that I'd treat her to a little tender loving care.
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Across from the hotel was a moto taller (moto service shop) called Multiservicios Dany. The manager's name was Elesao. Nice guy. He offered me a package maintenance deal for a cleaning, oil change, air filter cleaning, chain and sprocket lube. The total cost was about $45. I felt like it was a time saver and bargain for me. They did a great job and Emi came out sparkling.

The second thing to which I wanted to treat Emi was a shorter pata (kickstand) which would result in a lower lean and more stability. Down the street from Multiservicios Dany was a metal taller called Adulam Soldaduras. I spoke with one of the fabricators named Isaac. He said that he could do the work.
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Now Emi is all cleaned up with a new shoe and ready to hit the road.

For the full story visit this link on Motorcycle Maintenance

The Adventure Begins... Santa Catarina, Lago de Atitlan
 

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While I was at Lago de Atitlan I took a little day trip to Santa Catarina, Atitlan. It's a small town that sits on a hill along the lake.
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Traditionally the town has been a quite fishing village. These are some of the traditional lanchas (boats).
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The town is also noted for having master weavers that produce hand woven brilliant blue textiles.
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It was a fun day trip and a scenic ride around the lake.

For the full story visit this link on Santa Catarina Lago de Atitlan

The Adventure Begins... Chichicastenango
 

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Some travel guides claim that the largest outdoor market in Latin America takes place in Chichicastenango. I don't know if it is true, but I went to check it out.
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Chichicastenango is well known for its famous market days on Thursdays and Sundays where vendors sell handicrafts, food, flowers, pottery, wooden items, pigs, chickens, machetes, and other tools. In the central part of the market plaza are small comedores (eateries)
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Among the notable items sold are textiles, particularly the women's huipiles (blouses) and masks, used by dancers in traditional dances, such as the Dance of the Conquest.

For the full story visit this link on Chichicastenango

The Adventure Begins... Antigua
 

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Good Old Antigua.
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Beautiful colonial architecture. The center of all the best things about Guatemala.
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There's lots of motorcycles here.
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There's even a Moto Cafe (6 Calle Oriente #14 Antigua, Guatemala Tel: +00 502 7832 9638). Check it out if you get a chance. Nice folks there.

For the full story visit this link on Antigua

The Adventure Begins... Lightening the Load
 

I have decided that it was about time to lighten my load. I've been on the road for about two months and have just about figured out what I need and what is a convenience. There's probably still room for some trimming, but this is what I'm losing.
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Some books, map of Mexico, iPad, camera light, frisbee, tent, backup harddrives, souvenir textiles, fishing gear, some kitchen gear, extra hat, extra long sleeve shirt, knee brace and light hiking shoes. In total it was about 8 kilos or 18 lbs. And it is weight that I was carrying up high on my bike... not good.

For the full story visit this link on Lightening the Load

The Adventure Begins... Crossing the El Salvador Border
 

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I got up early to start my journey. I had packed my things the night before so it was relatively easy loading my bike. Plus, the fact that I had lightened my load by 18 lbs made my task even easier. I stopped at a gasolinera on the edge of town to fill my tank. And then I headed south.

For the full story visit this link on Crossing the El Salvador Border or The Coastal Road

The Adventure Begins... Juayua Street Food Feria
 

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I decided to chill for the morning and soak up some sun on the beach. The arena (sand) in this area is black sand due to the historical volcano activity. To me the sand gets much hotter under my feet, but it seems to have some crystal elements that make it sparkle which I like.

While hanging out I learned of a town called Juayua. Every Saturday and Sunday they have a street food feria (festival) that attracts people from all over El Salvador. They have typical food, but also some unusual items like alotes loco (crazy corn), rana (frog), culebra (snake) and iguana. The only issue was that the town is located in the western highlands which I had already passed. I made some quick assessments and figured out that it was only about 50 miles away. Nice! I could do 50 miles. I didn't realize that it would be so easy to get around this country. I packed and set off on the road. I backtracked along the coastal route.

It was Sunday morning, and like in the states, it appears that everyone with a motorcycle was out riding. I latched on to a group of four riders. It's typically safer riding in numbers. One was riding a standard, two on choppers and one on a dual sport.

I headed west then north. The route north is called the Ruta de Las Flores (Route of Flowers). The road wound through some small towns and the fuana along the road was lush. I noticed some flowers, but perhaps not as many as I expected. Maybe I just needed to go further along.

I found the town and checked into Hotel Anuhuac. It was about 1pm. It was the perfect time to go get me some street food.
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For the full story with additional photos check out this link Juayua