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Pan-American Highway Pan-American Highway
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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
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



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  #1  
Old 13 Sep 2008
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Pan-American Highway
I know this isn't the "normal" type of trip most travelers make but I am extremely limited on time. I wish to ride from Canada to Brazil. I am thinking that heading straight down the Pan-Am is my quickest route. Although once in SA I want to ride Peru-Bolivia-Paraguay then into Brazil.

I know some would say "why bother" but I say is it not better to have ridden fast, seen what one can even fleetingly, than to not have ridden at all?

Any help and information will be greatly appreciated...........
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  #2  
Old 14 Sep 2008
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To find out why this is very difficult to do fast look up "Darien Gap".

Personally, I would prefer to ride slowly to Central America and see more.
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  #3  
Old 14 Sep 2008
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I agree and would love to but that isn't an option. I have search much and will plan to go to Girag (sp) and then fly with the bike to Quito or possibly Lima.....

One day I'll retire and then do the trip as it should.......one day.........
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  #4  
Old 17 Sep 2008
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Confused (me)
I'm uncertain as to exactly what you are trying to do or where you intend starting from and where you are now?
Probably my age - I am approaching dotage (my wife says into my dotage).
However flying a bike isn't cheap. If you are going to Brazil, have you considered buying a bike there?
Honda has a factory in Manaus. Check out their web site for models.
I bought a new Brazilian Honda 125 in Mexico and rode 46000 kilometers circumnavigating the Americas. The bike never faltered - not even when climbing to 4700 meters and I am anything but a light-weight. Spare parts for Brazilian bikes are available throughout Central and South America. I probably post too often on the availability of spares - however I met a goodly number of bikers on my travels who were waiting for parts to arrive by air or were struggling with Customs and Customs Clearance agents.
www. simongandolfi.com
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  #5  
Old 28 Sep 2008
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Agree w/ Simon
Same goes for me. I rode Brazilian made 250 for 10k last summer, NEVER a hitch. Go where you want to visit and buy or rent and take your time!
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  #6  
Old 28 Sep 2008
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When are you thinking of leaving?
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  #7  
Old 6 Oct 2008
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I get it
I like your comment: better to ride fast than not at all. I rode from Phoenix to the Canal in January and yes, I definitly wish we had had more time but..... that wasn't an option so doing the trip faster than we'd have liked beat the heck out of not doing it at all.
A couple of points: In some area's of CA calling the PA Hwy a highway is like calling Queen Charlotte City a city. Neither is remotely accurate. Crossing the border in the various CA countries is VERY frustrating. It took three of us a minimum of three hours each time to get in and at least an hour to get out. It may not take as long for just one though, because we always left at least one person with the bikes so it added to the time. So, even though it's not a long way count on at least a week to get through CA.
Have a GREAT trip - wish I was going with you
Cheers
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  #8  
Old 10 Oct 2008
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Pan Am
are hotels and b&bs pretty easy to hotel to hotel through Sa
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  #9  
Old 10 Oct 2008
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Ride on
You will love the trip even at a fast pace. I encourage you to enjoy all you can, and even if that is fast, it will be great! I took the trip fast and I am very glad I did. I would like to go back sometime and do it slower, but that will have to wait until I have the time and money. I value my trip tremendously. The pan-am is hard to keep track of, because there are not too many signs. Here's a few of my notes. South America 2006




Quote:
Originally Posted by 412driver View Post
I know this isn't the "normal" type of trip most travelers make but I am extremely limited on time. I wish to ride from Canada to Brazil. I am thinking that heading straight down the Pan-Am is my quickest route. Although once in SA I want to ride Peru-Bolivia-Paraguay then into Brazil.

I know some would say "why bother" but I say is it not better to have ridden fast, seen what one can even fleetingly, than to not have ridden at all?

Any help and information will be greatly appreciated...........
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www.bogriffinrides.com
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  #10  
Old 23 Oct 2008
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Pan-am is great and easy. If you have a Michelin map or a GPS its no probs.
Road conditions are mostly good or excellent. Only need to fly or ship darien gap. Its about 600 dollars. You just go straight to the airport cargo terminal in Panama City and find the cheapest price of the day. There are 3 companies that does it. Contact fx. Manlio Lara at Copa Airlines Cargo at 507 238 45 10. Has office right there in the cargo terminal. Should be able to leave same day for Colombia. Options: Bogota, Medellin or Cali. Its easy to get the paper work in Colombia and head south. The Pan-am is good all the way down on the coast to Chiloe!

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