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Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 30 Jul 2007
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Location: Ripley, Derbyshire
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Two Days to Go
Hi All,

Well I leave on the 1st of August as I've had visa problems for Russia, no big deal just time consuming and extremely frustrating.

For those that don't already know here's my site

F650 Ride the World - A journey of Global Proportions

It's going to have loads more information added to it on a regular basis, so if you want an update on what's going on out there over the next Horizon then visit often. Also I have to say a great big thank you to my sponsors for helping me out, it would have taken so much longer to save up and buy everything that they have donated to my trip. *Note that I’ve only asked for sponsored items that I WILL need on my journey and are thus considered essentials and not silly things like iPods.

As a thank you to everyone who have helped to sponsor the trip I’ve added a review section so that you can see exactly who helped me out, what products they sell, and more importantly if the product is worth spending YOUR money on. My reviews CAN be trusted 100% as all of the sponsors have had to agree that I will write completely unbiased reviews before offering me their support.

Thank you to All the lovely people at the Horizons Unlimited meeting in June for all of their help and advice, and a massive thank you to Grant and Susan without them and their Amazing Website Site, I wouldn’t have know where to start planning Love you both

So with that final note, all I have to say is “Two Days to Go!”


Ride Safe

Lee F650 Ride the World - A journey of Global Proportions



BMW Garmin Hein Gericke Metzeler
Hex Code Touratech Scottoiler Rainbow Motorcycles
Wunderlich Hennessy Hammocks O'Neal Caberg
Advanced Designs Outdoor Research
Mr. Funnel Dobeck Performance MotorEssentials Green Leopard
BW Technologies
Last edited by juddadredd; 30 Jul 2007 at 14:55.
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  #2  
Old 30 Jul 2007
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Excellent! Many people will be envious. Especially as you haven't done anything like this before and here you are getting all this sponsorship! I'm including myself in the envious catagory. ;-) It sounds like you just decided to go for it, and people responded accordingly, yes? That does seem to be the way it works. Best of luck to you,
Lorraine
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  #3  
Old 30 Jul 2007
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stand up on those pegs....
Hi Lee,
Luca and I (Dan) (the HU UK meet) wish You good luck, lots of great experiences, loads of new friends (not as envious as me) and....all in all, a bloody good ride! and love and peace!!!! Lol.
Cheers mate,
Dan
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  #4  
Old 30 Jul 2007
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ok
drave safe and have big fun .
i hope the best for you, practise your off road skils along the way.
Dirk (uk meet african twin )
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  #5  
Old 30 Jul 2007
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And Good travels!


Cheers and keep the rubber side down!
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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 06:01.
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  #6  
Old 31 Jul 2007
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Hi All,

Thanks for the encouragement

Very valid points MollyDog, Barkbusters were on order but didn't make it in time unless they arrive tomorrow But my folks can post them on, the BMW ones are really poor, I learnt that while green laning with Dirk, didn't I Dirk, oh so are the bars, and switch gear. (looks very sheepish)


I've been sponsored for a Hein Gericke Voyager Suit (Gore-Tex and Thermal Linings) and have my Long Johns on, I'm ex-military so I understand that the cold is a killer and reduces reaction time, the Bike has heated grips and I have really great gloves from Europe. But the main thing is I'm catching the west side of Russia then going south through the Middle East to Africa for Xmas, so I wouldn't be out in the cold too much, but really good advice and it was taken to heart.


After riding all of SE Asia sometimes at night the HIDs WILL be needed I've had people over here in the UK pull out and say "I didn't see you" LIGHT = BEING SEEN = SURVIVAL. (2x35w each about the same as the BMW high beam when both on together but 4 times brighter than the standard lights)
Plus they are not really much heavier then the unit they replaced I can recommend them, as for out riding the light the main is set to 25 feet so that I have no choice but to go nice and slowly being a new rider and all, the dipped light is a circle of light which is good for seeing the sides of the road for roads without the stripes down the sides I really did my research on these babies. The Hella Fog spots are for emergencies only (if the HIDs die and are 55w each but run independently of the other lights) the battery can take the 110w drain as I was running the same bulbs in my Dual Lights before I modded them to HID like you say the unexpected happens and IF I have to ride at night in the 3rd world I will need that light.


I have all of Patricks Baja rules memorised as they are set in stone form God himself, and the bike was prepped accordingly for the Horizons Bash although I might need a new battery on my trip I will really have to keep an eye on it (good save that man). I've added a rule In Case of Emergency kit (ICE) Dog tags Names Address of Family and Insurance, Bike Paper work all in a Tupperware box.
Hex Code sponsored me with their GS-911 diagnostic code reader for monitoring my fuel injection, it also monitors my battery levels so I will be using that more than I thought.


Spares: fuel, all fluids, levers, universal cables, fuses, 2 meters of wire,spark plugs, chain links, misc bolts and spare tubes. (am I missing anything major?)

Tools: are the ones I've used for servicing my bike and are under the seat, I can field strip my bike and put it back together again even at night with these tools (I sometimes work on my bike past 10pm so have got into a habit of putting things on the ground in order) if I need any other tools then I really have to find a garage as it will be out of my Technical know how to fix the problem anyway.

Fight as you Train is the family mantra, My tire change is now down to 5 minutes off rim (C Clamp), 3 minutes tube replacement and 10 minutes back on rim, this I can do in the street at night in the rain, as that's where I've been practicing on an old set of rims, If anyone hasn't changed a tire then I urge you to learn it's essential, even with ultraseal fitted you will have a problem one day and you will be far from a garage or recovery service.


But all very good advice MollyDog, my main muse has been Complete Guru Mick Wheeler who is tireless in his ability to answer all of my stupid questions about the bike, kit, spares, destinations and visas etc. Without people like you and Mick who are willing to actually go out there and do the trips then come back and share your knowledge with the rest of us there would be a bloody lot less of us following in your footsteps, so a big thank you to you both.

Warmest Regards

Lee @ http://www.f650ridetheworld.com
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  #7  
Old 31 Jul 2007
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Excellent prep Lee. You are far ahead most of the rest!
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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 06:01.
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  #8  
Old 31 Jul 2007
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Hey mate,

Just posted under another topic asking if you had a blog and then seen your post here giving your web address! That'll teach me not to pay attention.

Good luck with the trip and stay safe. I'm really excited on your behalf and hope that you have a great time.

Ben
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  #9  
Old 1 Aug 2007
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Sounds like a good trip and well thought out. Keep us posted.
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