Newbie, on 4 Wheels
 

Hi, I am new on here, but not new to travelling. Had bikes for years - First 4 cylinder bike in Dubai (Honda CB500/4), and first BMW in Dubai (R65) back in the early1970's. Then an RT100 in Europe / Aus. Finally found I was feeling vulnerable, so ended up on 4 wheels, but at least a fun one - Lotus Elise !! After 15 years with car all over world, (used to go to 'Ring every year in early noughties) in Jan 2012 shipped it to LA, started trip on track at Laguna Seca, drove out to Colorado and drove Pikes Peak on a perfect day, then wandered north to Alaska - First ever Lotus up Dalton / Ice Truckers Hiway, and crossing Alaskan Arctic Circle - Got almost to the Atigun Pass before turning back due to a glacier crossing the road ! Got back to Aus in late 2012 and HAD to go back to Alaska - So am selling up everything, have bought an old Toyota Troopie 4WD that is set up as a camper, and am fixing it up before shipping it back to Seattle in Feb 2014, and will do all the dirt roads in Alaska that I couldn't do in the Lotus, and am then heading south to Tierra del Fuego. Time is immaterial.
Need a bit of comfort now as am passed retirement age, and want some protection from the wildlife this time !! (Had a few close encounters when in tent last year !)
Currently soaking up advice and tips on the southern part of the trip, and learning some Spanish. Can't wait to get back on road. As usually a solo traveller with a similar approach to travel, I end up travelling in company of bikes a lot - Esp when in the (roofless) Lotus as is possible to chat when passing !!!
Look forward to gleaning information from here, passing on what little knowledge I have that may be of assistance to others, and meeting fellow travellers on the road in 2014. The people I meet are a big reason I travel. Anyone interested in my 2012 Alaska trip can find my blog and pics at Australia to Alaska in My Lotus Elise, by Giles Cooper - Suggest you read just the summary post of the whole trip at the end otherwise you will fall asleep !!!
Giles