USA to Central/South America, Aug '06
 

The Trip: Texas to Tierra del Fuego over a period of 6-7 months or so. I have taken several previous trips to Mexico, and have taken one trip as far as Panama, so I am not a total rookie at this, but don’t claim to be an expert either. I envision taking 2 months or so getting to Panama and the rest of the time in SA, probably shipping out from Buenos Aires in February(ish) ’07. Plan to hit Mexico, Guatemala, Belize(?), Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia(?), Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile.Would like to hit Brazil and Venezuela, but that will be another trip, someday. Planning on hitting the HU meet in Argentina in December, and Ushuaia for New Year’s. I want to spend at least a week, maybe 2, in a Spanish school, probably in Mexico, or in Guatemala, or both. I prefer mountains and beaches to big cities, but expect to spend some time in the cities, just not making them the focus of the trip. I am a reasonably athletic person, and will always jump at the chance to go hiking, mountain biking, whatever, and hope to find opportunities on this trip, but again, not making that the focus of the trip. I will take basic camping equipment, but intend to stay in cheap to moderate hotels/hostels most of the time. I am budgeting $400/week, plus transportation home, but hope to spend 2/3 of that. I see this as mainly a road trip, but I consider gravel and dirt to be road too, just not much if any real off road stuff. I am going whether I find someone to do this with me or not, but would prefer to go with a partner for company and security, as well as saving money by splitting hotel bills. I have been in contact with JSherm, from the Horizons Unlimited board about partnering up for part of this trip, but we don’t have any firm plans yet. Everything is negotiable at this point, so I want to hear other peoples plans too. I will be riding a KLR 650, if it matters. It doesn’t.

About me: I am 45 years old, and live near San Antonio Texas. I have been riding motorcycles for 30+ years. I know enough Spanish to order food, buy gasoline, and get a hotel room, but not much more. I design machinery for a living, and have driven in Sports Car and Stock Car races, so I am a pretty serious gearhead, but I like experiencing other cultures and the natural world as well. I have worked all my life and lived below my means, so I am not wealthy, but have enough of a bank account to make this trip happen comfortably. I bicycle as much as I have time to, to stay in some kind of shape. I have ridden in Mountain and Road bike races, and run a marathon. I like my beer, and want to go out and party on occasion, but will not be doing any illegal drugs. My only serious defect I know of, as a travel partner is I am told I snore when sleeping on my back, but I’m not offended if you throw a shoe at me and tell me to roll over.

About you: The hardest part about travelling with someone is finding a speed that both parties are happy with. On a trip with no fixed itinerary, if one person is always trying to speed up and the other is trying to slow down, neither has any fun. With that in mind, I think you should be at least 30 years old, with enough motorcycle experience that you can focus on the trip instead of the bike, and not gauge a successful day by how many miles we cover. That said, I think someone with more travel experience and little motorcycle experience would do fine on this trip. It really is “not about the bike”. No drugs or weapons. I used to think this went without saying, but past experience tells me to spell it out. This is really my only hardcore rule. I will not stay in a hotel room, or ride with someone who is carrying drugs or guns. Don’t ride like an idiot. I like to go fast too, but not on Latin American roads, it’s too easy to throw away the rest of the trip with an avoidable crash.


Let’s talk: Andy Tiegs, Seguin, TX, USA, AndyT on HU and advrider, ajtiegs AT tiegs.com, ajtiegs AT yahoo.com , 210-347-1831 or find me at the Creel meet, I’ll be at the evening programs, for sure at the one on Colombian travel.

Hey Andy,

I'm still targeting May 1 to depart NYC, head to Alaska, and cross the Mex border in August and studying spanish for one month in mex/guat.



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Brooklyn Dakar
http://motorcycleramblings.blogspot.com/

"This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do." J Kerouac

Hey guys -

I posted above to Ian's topic as well. I'm in my early 30's, and next year will be taking a much needed sabatical from my career. I'm looking at an early May departure from the NY area - heading up to AK - and then heading down to CA and SA.

One issue - In Dec I will be abroad for a few weeks with a business partner. Depending on what transpires, there is a possiblility that I will be needed overseas for all of 2006 - which would end my plans for the afformentioned "much needed sabatical". I'd say it's about 70/30 I'll be good to go though.

Let's get in touch via email.


[This message has been edited by expansion (edited 17 October 2005).]

Andy, you have to visit Uruguay (Punta del Este) for sure, you'll love it!!

I have a KL650B Tengai and live in NY.

I wish you alot of luck and be safe!!

John C.

So many places to visit, so little time. Thanks for the tip.

Hi Andy: I am planning to attend HU meeting in Viedma, Argentina, December 16-18 and then continue to Ushuaia. If I can be of any help keep me informed of your whereabouts.
Good luck and be safe.
Roberto Thomson
Age 65 Yamaha XTZ750

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Ride with nature

Greetings AndyT -

Check your yahoo email . . . .

Expansion

I assume you are talking about this year. I won't be leaving until August of '06. I put up this post this far in advance because I wanted anyone going to the Creel meet to know I would be there and if they had similar plans we could talk things over there. Thanks for the offer.

I assume you are talking about this year. I won't be leaving until August of '06. I put up this post this far in advance because I wanted anyone going to the Creel meet to know I would be there and if they had similar plans we could talk things over there. Thanks for the offer.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Hi Andy,

I was planning my trip for July '06 but I think I might move it back to Aug '06. Unfortunately I plan on taking my family with me so we will be driving the Rover instead of the KL650 Tengai. I might bring the bike with me but I haven't decided yet.

What shipping company are you going to use to send back the bike to the US? I need to find a company that will ship my Rover from NY or FL to BA or Montevideo. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Maybe we can meet somewhere in Argentina or Uruguay!!?? I have family down there and a place to stay so your always welcome to stay with us.

Good luck,

John C.

I haven't looked into shipping back from S. Am. yet. I'm not even sure I will ship the bike back, might sell it down there, as I expect it will be pretty well used up by then. I would like to have it as a conversation piece, but finances and my attitude at the time will determine things. I know there are car ferries that run between Arg. and Europe, but have never heard of one to the US. Guess I'm not going to be any help.

Andy

Did you try the trip planning section or th 4wd forum.

Andy,
I continued on to Houston when my buddy through in the towell in McComb. Spent two days there with another friend trying to do
a hookup with someone headed to TDF. Wish I had known we were that close, we could have got together for lunch or dinner.
BTW, I don't pack a weapon or do drugs, the bike gives me a natural high!

Harold


[This message has been edited by hillcityrider (edited 11 January 2006).]

Harold


Yeah, too bad we didn't get together. I am about 2-1/2 hours west of Houston. Current plan is to work to the end of May or mid June. Probably ride my Concours up to my brother's place in Portland, maybe catch the HU meet in Colorado if the timing works. Then head back to Texas, switch bikes, and head south of the border around August 1.

I've resolved myself to the fact that TDF isn't in the cards for me this winter. Retinking the trip now, heading for Prudhoe Bay in June, then turn south to TDF looks better. A layover at home until late fall or early winter would probably work for me. I'll
check into some Spanish class in the mean time. That way I can go on alone if necessary.
May be possible to hookup with one or more of you guys along the way.

To all,

I'm at a very early stage of preparing a trip from Houston, Texas (where I live) to Cochabamb, Bolivia (where I grew up) in December '06-January '07. So far its just me; I've got four weeks vacation to do a one-way trip and fly back. Would appreciate any comments on routes, schedules, costs, etc.
Any of you are welcome to stop by and stay over a night or two in Houston on the way and I would be very happy to find people interested in travelling with me in December. I'm a native spanish speaker with a fair amount of travel experience in south and central america, very little of it on a bike though. Just a bought a bmw r1100r and am dead serious on doing this trip.

cheers,

email: marcos.flores at gmail.com

Any of you are welcome to

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[This message has been edited by marcosfb (edited 11 January 2006).]