I'm looking for someone to travel with in Central/South Amer

[Iain]

I did post an ad a while back and have had some great replies, tips and advice and I know quiet a few people are going to be on the trail through Canada, US, Central and South America, however I'm quiet keen to team up with someone for the trip.

I did a similar trip from The UK to Australia a few years ago, via the Middle East, Tibet, China and the rest of Asia, but the chap I did it with last time is now married and not in a position to come along this time.

I'm pretty flexible on the dates and the start and finish locations and have the cash in place once the sale of my flat goes through.

I've seen the add for the filmed trip, but this is not really my cup of tea, as I'd rather be low key and not have any schedules to keep to. I'm pretty laid-back and easy going and in my thirties. In the past have made up a lot of the route on the fly, free camping along the way and stopping a little longer if a particular place is very friendly and welcoming.

I'd even look at Africa if someone's half way through planning and I've got time to get my visas and bike set-up.

Like I say, I've done a big trip before so know what's involved, so if you're planning your 1st trip and have never ridden a bike before or are on you 10th and want some company, drop me a line.

Cheers,

Iain.

[Forsellini]

Iain
It looks like quite a few of us are planning a trip for next fall. I'm still doing a lot of reading and at this time plans are still rough but I'm hoping for a 60-70 day trip starting mid-October. Roughly two weeks to panama and another 5 weeks to Terra Del Fuego, then up to BA and a flight home. By the way, how's your spanish?
Bob

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000836.html

[MichelleS]

Forsellini, when do you plan on passing through Santiago? I'm still looking to hook up with someone/some people in Santiago heading south tehn to BA in October/November.

Iain, Africa? What's happening to the Trans Am route?

[Forsellini]

Michelle
A very rough guess at this point would be around Nov. 20-25. Are you going to continue to TDF before going to BA?
Bob

[Iain]

I'm learning Spanish, so it's not very good at the moment, but I have a good course on my mp3 player which I listen to on the way to and from work each day.

If my plan all comes together one way or another I'll email you once I'm on the road, to see if you're near by for a or a Guiness.

[mattmbishop]

Howdy All,
I'm planning to fly into Argentina or Chile late this year and then ride down to TDF as well. I'm riding a Honda XR650, will look out for you all closer to the time.

Iain, where did you find your Spanish MP3 course? That would be just the thing for the Aussie outback roads that I'm travelling before SA.

[Iain]

If you send me your address off line I'll burn you a copy and put it in the post.

[AndyT]

Iain,

I think you'll find that plenty of people are doing the Latin America thing this fall. I put up a post similar to yours awhile back, and talked to one person who is very serious, and several who are in the thinking about it stage (hmmm, I need to write back to some of you, sorry about the wait). If you don't hook up with someone pre trip, just put your feet up in someplace sexy like Oaxaca or Antigua and see who happens along. We should set up a thread in a few months to keep track of who is where.

If any of you Brits (or others) need a place to get sorted after or during buying a bike over here, I have a place to stay and workshop space, tools, etc. Realistically, I am several hundred miles from the interesting entry points to Mexico, but wanted to put the offer out there. I will be working till late May or early June, then here (south Texas, near San Antonio) off and on till August, then on the road south.

[Iain]

AndyT,

Great idea on the thread front, that would be an nice way to see who's on the trail and close by.

Iain.

[davidR]

been visiting this excelent web site for a while now but this is the first time ive posted anything, so let me start by saying a big hello to everybody!
I have done a bit of back packing using local transport but love the idea of having the freedom of a motorbike. I am very much in the planing stage at the moment but have decided that I want to travel canada; north, mid and south america.

I dont currently have a bike in the uk so I have not yet decided wether to buy one in the us/canada or in the uk and ship it over (suggestions please?), Im particulaly interested in knowing what Iain decided as I noticed you were resurching this in other forums.

can anyone tell me, in order to be eligable for the 90 day exemption visa for north america it states you need to show on onward ticket however if Im riding out the country on a motorbike will they still grant me this visa exemption or do I have to waste money on a ticket Ill never use?

I know motorbike insurence is needed in the us and canada but is it neeeded in central or south america and if so is it something I buy along the way or before I get there?

I plan to spend about a year (or until the money runs out) on this trip and will leave as soon as posible. Just need to sort the bike and paperwork and Im off, I would like to meet up and travel with other people so if anyones interested, Ill post my progress.

Any replies on the questions Ive posted will be much appreciated.

David.

[Iain]

DavidR,

A very warm welcome to you.

I'm not 100% on the bike I'll use, but I am most likely going to buy a KLR650 in Canada or the US. Taking panniers and all other kit from the UK.

I'd recommend you by the "Adventure Motorcycling Handbook" by Chris Scott and reading it cover to cover, as it will answer a lot of the questions you might have, then post any other queries on the web site.

I'm in London if you want to give us a bell (email me offline for my mobile), I'd be happy to help in any way I can, plus there are regular meetings people set up, just going for a or bigger Horizon Unlimited meets in the UK and beyond. I haven't been along to any meets yet, but plan to later this year.

The main thing is to realise that it is all very possible and there aren't many other times in life that you'll feel so free and alive. Sounds a bit flared, but it very true.

Cheers,

Iain.

[haggeo]

davidr
you could buy a cheap greyhound bus ticket to mexico, say laredo tx to laredo mexico or los angeles to tijuana. buying a bike here is super easy try www.craigslist.org

[davidR]

Thanks for the replys, after what you both said I will now be looking into buying when I get there rather than shipping from the uk.

can anyone shed light on how a u.k. resident goes about buying in the u.s.? is any state easier than another?

Iain, Ill be sure to check out that book. you mentioned possibly buying in canada, from what Ive read you need to have a canadian address, Ive even read you need to be a canadian resident to register a motorbike. Is this duff info, do you know different?

Haggeo, thanks for the link! I wasnt quite clear what you ment though, were you suggesting that I buy a bike in mexico or the u.s.

David.

[haggeo]

davidr
buy a bike in the usa or canada. craigslist.org has sites in most major usa cities so you can look for a used bike where ever you are. you don't have to be a usa citizen to register/insure a vehicle. states may differ a bit in the process but the main things are tax, title, registration, and insurance. the first three are had at the state DMV (dept of motor vehicles) on one visit. some states make you show proof of insurance right away and some give you a period of time. anyway, it's not hard after you buy the bike it's just a few hours or minutes at the dmv depending on the crowds or lack thereof.

[haggeo]

Originally posted by davidR:
Thanks for the replys, after what you both said I will now be looking into buying when I get there rather than shipping from the uk.

can anyone shed light on how a u.k. resident goes about buying in the u.s.? is any state easier than another?

Iain, Ill be sure to check out that book. you mentioned possibly buying in canada, from what Ive read you need to have a canadian address, Ive even read you need to be a canadian resident to register a motorbike. Is this duff info, do you know different?

Haggeo, thanks for the link! I wasnt quite clear what you ment though, were you suggesting that I buy a bike in mexico or the u.s.

David.

about the mexico thing. i was refering to the onward ticket requirement. might be cheaper to get an onward ticket from the greyhound bus than a plane ticket.