Finally In The Us

[simongandolfi]

Hi to everyone. I have reached the US after this dumb ride from Mexico via Tierra del Fuego on my Honda 125 ( Blog at home). Right now I am in Galveston and about to talk with University students. I plan heading to New Orleans next, then Nashville and north to Kentucky before heading east to the coast and on up through Washington to my daughter's home in Duchess County, NY. Anyone on the route have time for a cold with a very old Brit?
simon

[dzguy]

Simon-

if you change and come to Milwaukee the s are on me!

John

[petefromberkeley]

Let us know if you are heading to the west coast

[charapashanperu]

Simon,

I think that is a record, at least in the recent past. Well Done! I am in Manie, so I don't think you are coming this far....

I am curious which way you chose to go north in SA. I responded to your "Architecture and Shrimp" blog, but didn't hear back???

Toby (charapa) Around the Block 2007 |

[JimD]

Simon,

As long as you are headed east and north there are three roads you don't want to miss -- ideally suited to your 125. The Natchez Trace, runs from Natchez, Miss. to Nashville, Tenn. and the Blue Ridge Parkway, runs from Cherokee, North Carolina to Waynesboro, Virginia. The Skyline Drive from Waynesville to Front Royal, Virginia. Look em up on your map.

If you dont mind a short detour- 40 miles- I can offer a warm bed, washing machine, workshop and a good southern meal.

[smitty]

Originally Posted by simongandolfi

Hi to everyone. I have reached the US after this dumb ride from Mexico via Tierra del Fuego on my Honda 125 ( Blog at home). Right now I am in Galveston and about to talk with University students. I plan heading to New Orleans next, then Nashville and north to Kentucky before heading east to the coast and on up through Washington to my daughter's home in Duchess County, NY. Anyone on the route have time for a cold with a very old Brit?
simon

Sorry I missed you. If you're going to be there for awhile, I could show you a little Galveston hospitality... I'm up in Austin right now but I'm selling my house in Galveston and have to come down there in the next couple of days to do paperwork. If you're looking for good cheap eats, try Nopalito's on 42nd and Postoffice. For a cold brew, try Woody's on Seawall blvd. You'll have them scratching their heads, kicking the tires on you scoot and saying "Said you came from WHERE on that thing??????". Good luck!!!! Smitty

[DaveSmith]

I'm in Sacramento but I'll be crossing the US in May. Any idea where you'll be? May 4 - May 18 or so. I plan on flying to India around May 20th to start Round 2. Still need to buy a ticket for that but still haven't figured out exact date I'll be back.

--Dave

[Lone Rider]

Congrats to you, and great writing. :thumb

[Indoors]

Congratulations, Simon. I've been reading part of your blog, it seems to have been a heck of a ride so far.

[simongandolfi]

Originally Posted by charapashanperu

Simon,

I think that is a record, at least in the recent past. Well Done! I am in Manie, so I don't think you are coming this far....

I am curious which way you chose to go north in SA. I responded to your "Architecture and Shrimp" blog, but didn't hear back???

Toby (charapa) Around the Block 2007 |

Hey, thanks and I'm sorry. Please put my bad manners down to Old Age and forgetfulness. I rode north thru Uruguay into Brazil, down the Madera River to Manaus and the Honda factory, then to Venezuela, Colombia and by yacht to Panama. The full account is on the Blog at home

[simongandolfi]

Originally Posted by Possum

Simon,

As long as you are headed east and north there are three roads you don't want to miss -- ideally suited to your 125. The Natchez Trace, runs from Natchez, Miss. to Nashville, Tenn. and the Blue Ridge Parkway, runs from Cherokee, North Carolina to Waynesboro, Virginia. The Skyline Drive from Waynesville to Front Royal, Virginia. Look em up on your map.

If you dont mind a short detour- 40 miles- I can offer a warm bed, washing machine, workshop and a good southern meal.

Jim, thanks for the route advice. Will do and forty miles is no distance. Would be a pleasure to meet. simon

[simongandolfi]

Originally Posted by Indoors

Congratulations, Simon. I've been reading part of your blog, it seems to have been a heck of a ride so far.

Mostly what I learnt in actually riding was how very small the world is. I didn't ride a direct route, crisscrossing from Pacific to Atlantic. The trip so far is only 40,000 Ks. Biggest pain was in the butt. Every time I see one of those big bikes I ask the owner if I can touch the seat. You know? Those great wide comfortable Banker's chairs you get on Harleys and big Hondas. I have no other complaints as to the bike. I changed the chain three times and the drive sprocket once. Oh, and much of the rear that was smashed by the truck in Tierra del Fuego when my leg got broken. The crash wasn't down to Honda. I was stupid riding on ice and enormously lucky to be alive. The truck slid 40 meters with me pinned under the front fender. There is a description on the Blog at home - some time in June, 2007. I was wearing Alpinestars boots. No doubt the boot saved my right leg from a serious smashing. simon

[speedmaster58]

What a great trip & Blog Simon. Hats off to you. there was I getting depressed about turning 50 this year..lol

There is not enough mad dogs & Englishmen left in the world now!

Martyn

[simongandolfi]

Originally Posted by Lone Rider

Congrats to you, and great writing. :thumb

Many thanks for kind words. A lot of the writing is lazy. I did get increasingly tired and having to write up the ride meant that there was never a real let up. I am staying now in Galveston a week with a friend (Prof at Texas A & M) and finally getting the writing up to date and talking with the Prof's classes. Great students...

[simongandolfi]

Pete, my butt wouldn't last as far as the West Coast. Dave, sorry to miss you. I plan catching a flight home to England from NY the last week in April. I am anxious to discover how much damage my wife has done to my roses...and the first volume of this travel trilogy is due for publication in May. Have a great trip, simon