Anyone in Colombia going south?

[maria41]

We have heard from Paul, in Casa Kiwi (Medellin), a couple of weeks ago that a brit couple in a 1150GS had left just days before we arrived. Then in Salento again we missed them just by few days! I was told they are going all the way down, like us.
Curious to know who they are? We are currently in Popayan, trying to find out if the roads to San Agustin are doable by bike (torrential rains and landslides going on!) If not we´ll be crossing the border with Ecuador pretty soon. Anyone around let me know.

[tedder]

We just left Colombia a couple of days ago, we are in Quito and will be here for a month. If you are coming this way, let us know.

-ted

[maria41]

Hi Ted, was that you in Casa Kiwi and Plantation house?

We should be soon in Quito. We are currently in Popayan. If we cannot find a way to get to San Agustin by bike we will get through the border within a couple of days and should be in Quito in a week time I think.
Keep in touch. Our emails are on my website, and the journal is updated regularly so easy to see where we are!
See you soon hopefully !

Maria

By the way as you are in Quito, have you found a hotel with safe parking for your bike? Any recommendation welcome !

[The Big J]

Hi Maria

I am in Quito, plans to leave today thwarted by a high altitude hangover. Have been cooling my heels with Ricardo Rocco who is a pretty fun guy. aroundforpeace at yahoo dot com
He´s been busy with a moto expo (See my website), but that wraps up Sunday, good advice, good knowledge of the roads.

I am going to Baños, Rio Bamba to try to ride up to the snow level then looping over the cordillera through Macas coming out near the border called Lajo (something like that name) Red KLR650. Say hello if you see me or email josh dot forde AT yahoo dot com

Paul´s visitors are the Poole duo http://www.pooleglobaltrek.com/
Really nice, they left Quito Thursday. Send them a note on their guestbook, they got in touch with me stuck in Baños for a day by some heavy rains.

[maria41]

Originally Posted by The Big J

.... stuck in Baños for a day by some heavy rains.

does it ever stop to rain!!!! I was hoping that crossing the border the weatehr woudl get better! Ho well just need to carry south.
Josh I sent you an email.
Cheers,
Maria

[tedder]

No real help on moto parking- we are staying in an apartment for a month. It has parking, so that's easy for us. I did notice a hostel down the street with parking. Or if you wanted to share our parking space and stay nearby, or crash on the floor, email me.

I don't think we were at Casa Kiwi.. we have a very orange DL650.

[Mr. Ron]

Originally Posted by maria41

does it ever stop to rain!!!! I was hoping that crossing the border the weatehr woudl get better! Ho well just need to carry south.
Josh I sent you an email.
Cheers,
Maria

Still raining, huh? I travelled the route you mentioned to San Augustine back in April, was raining then also. The road was do-able then, can't be any worse now i supose, hope you have good raingear! From there, there's paved road south to Mocoa, friendly moto-happy town (Claro!!) The mountain pass from Mocoa to Pasto is spectacular dirt road, not to be missed! Beware of crazy bus drivers and suicidal dump-trucks, lots of trafic on this pass. You will reach over 3k meters, don't hold your breath. Keep your eye open for my camel-back...i forgot to put it on during a washroom break and dropped it somewhere...finders,keepers

[maria41]

Originally Posted by Mr. Ron

Still raining, huh? I travelled the route you mentioned to San Augustine back in April, was raining then also. The road was do-able then, can't be any worse now i supose, hope you have good raingear! From there, there's paved road south to Mocoa, friendly moto-happy town (Claro!!) The mountain pass from Mocoa to Pasto is spectacular dirt road, not to be missed! Beware of crazy bus drivers and suicidal dump-trucks, lots of trafic on this pass. You will reach over 3k meters, don't hold your breath. Keep your eye open for my camel-back...i forgot to put it on during a washroom break and dropped it somewhere...finders,keepers

A hell a lot of rain! Road to San Agustin was in very bad conditions and we decided not to go, and I´m not getting in a truck or bus anymore (See my blog for THAT adventure!)
I agree with you regarding murderous bus drivers, we had a close encounter and crash precisely on the road to Mocoa (my hubby got lucky, his pannier was hit but he managed to stay up, there would have been a big fall if not.)
We had enough of rain in Colombia and are trying to get dry in Otavalo for the next few days.

In comparison Ecuadorians drivers seem very gentle!

[maria41]

Originally Posted by tedder

We just left Colombia a couple of days ago, we are in Quito and will be here for a month. If you are coming this way, let us know.

-ted

Ted,
We are now in Otavalo, planning to rest here until saturday or sunday and have a look at the Inti Raymi festival and saturday market.
Ted, are u staying in Mariscal or old town?
I´d rather avoid driving all around Quito (always stressful to get in big towns with fully loaded bikes and very shiny panniers! ) Were is that hostal with parking next to your place?
See you soon probably,

[The Big J]

Hola Maria

In Ecuador they`re less aggressive, I`ve noticed a lot more vacant in terms of not seeing you, not bothering with indication, mirrors.

The locals use their horns at intersections and it`s a good habit when overtaking trucks as they`ve often swerved.

take care, hope to see you on the road. I`m in Baños. Raining here. A bit pointless when you can`t see the scenery. If wet tomorrow will go south through the jungle.

Josh

[tedder]

We are staying close to Mariscal, at the SW corner of Parque La Carolina. I don't know the name of the hostel offhand- it is on Av. Rio Amazonas, directly across the street from CC El Jardin (the mall at the S end of Park Carolina).

I'm one block further down, address is 31-75 Amazonas, apartment PB4, if you decide to stop by. The hostel is just one block north. They are on the right side as you are headed south, and even have a sign in the median.

[maria41]

Josh, we should be in Baños by end of next week for few days. then we will make a rush to the border. we will get to Quito on Sunday and only spend enough time there to find pirelli or some dual / off-road tyres for Bolivia.

Ted, will let you know where we will stay on sunday. Planning to get around Av amazonas. Should be fairly easy to find for what I remember of Quito...
Cheers,

[tedder]

FWIW, the name of the place is "Hostel Your House". Kind of hard to google for it, but that is the name :-)

[tedder]

sheesh, it's me, again. Here's a hostel in the old town that has parking. I was cleaning out my bookmarks and found it.
Hostel Revolution Hostel in Quito, Ecuador

[maria41]

Hi Ted,
just saw your post now! We arrived this morning. We found a hotel with a big front garden in the heart of Mariscal. Called "Hotel Crossroads Cafe". It´s in all the guides. address: Foch 678 y Juan León Mera.

We are busy today but let me know if you want to meet tomorrow or Tuesday or drop a note at the hostal. I think we have the room 16. We are not planning to stay long. We met a biker who leaves in Quito this morning, and he recons we could find tyres in Cuenca.
see you round!