Mexico to Guatemala
 

Hi all,

I'm sitting here in a Dallas motel waiting for the local dealer to finish the service on my BMW f650.:(

I left it 2 weeks ago while I took my bro, who had flown in from uk, for a sightseeing tour of Texas and New Mexico in a hired 4x4


Anyway apart from being peed off just sitting here beside I-75 at Plano, I am planning my route west to Tucson and then to Guatemala where I want to take spanish lessons in mid january.

Any suggestions? My US visa runs out december 17th and I think there is plenty of time to get to Antigua just outside Guatamala City. I'm not very good off road, having injured my arms in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, but the last 10,000 mls has been ok including a 10ml gravel road in Montana.

Anyone heading south into Latin America want company during that time frame ? :scooter: :scooter:

I both motel and camp as is required and can rough it with the best if necessary. Although I've only slept in one ditch so far:cool4:

Otherwise I shall just muddle through like always:rolleyes2:

So, how is the F650 performing?

Also, with two "offs" what damage to the bike? - I have always thought that there are a lot of plastics on the 650, but my wifes' has been dropped (at slow speeds) a few times, including once by me, and all is OK apart from scratches on the bar ends.

Good travelling,

Around Panajachel there are some really good spanish schools, It's next to a big crater lake, same name, with a bunch of Volcanos, before Guatemala City. I paid US$135/week, included a place to stay and 3 meals a day.

Have a nice trip.

Thank goodness for duct tape
 

Well after high siding on some gravel and ending up in a ravine in NFLD, me not the bike, I mended it by using a rock to beat out the instrument support, and a hot crosshead screwdriver to stitch the fairing together. Quite difficult when you have a paralyzed arm, but it was only the left arm and I got the feeling back after a few weeks.

2nd off was in NS when the chain broke at 60mph and sent me through what was left of the windshield for a 2nd time. I guess the chain was weaker than I thought as I wanted to change it but motorcycle dealers are few and far between up there. Anyway my repairs stood up to that second crash better than my right collar bone and pannier mounting latches, both of which broke.

You can read about it in my blog, the first one on the RTW list.

After that I added red duct tape and that has been fine, most people I stop and talk to about it tell me to leave it as it adds character to the bike. I'm leaving it because it's almost bloody impossible to get the spares here in the USA without a weeks delay.

In general it has taken the beatings quite well, did I mention the back axle breaking up, well that's in the blog too, but it's a fiesty little bike.

San Pedro on Lago Attitlan is, IMO, the best place to take lessons and hang out for a bit. $55 per week, 4 hrs/day for 5 days.
If you pay more that $4 for a meal you're eating large.
Nice hotel rooms are about $10.

I've taken lessons in both Antigua and San Pedro.

hi, i am planning on leaving san francisco around the 8-10 of december and be in san pedro guatemala no later then the 22th of december which means 10 days to race along mexico, not really my kind of trip but have to be on time...
would love some company. i am planning to cross into mexico at nogales and into guatemala at la mesilla. i am ridding a ktm 640adventure.
guy.

Stagbeetle Crawls onward
 

Hello there from Montana. We would of liked you to stay longer here as you can spin many tales. In other times you could have been quite the Bard. Good luck on the next part of your journey. Did you ever tell anyone how you waved at another rider with your damaged arm and couldn't get your hand back on the bar at 60MPH? The mental picture of you blasting down the road with your arm flapping in the breeze is one I enjoy telling other riders about. Via con Dios.

Late reply
 

Hi all,
I've been offline for a week or so mainly due to camping in the mountains of south New Mexico and Arizona (very cold at night though) and staying at motels that advertised wi-fi but either didn't have it installed yet, I was too far away from the set, or 'it's broken'.:(

I'm now in Hurricane, Utah and about to head south to cross the border near Yuma, then head west to Baja. From there south and catch the ferry (at the bottom somewhere:confused1: ) to the mainland, then on to Guatemala.

Your ride looks a bit frantic to me Guy, I had a slower pace in mind,
:Beach::palm: however you never know, we could just bump into each other,

Bill knows all about synchonicity, don't you Bill :eek3: .

I will probably get my spanish lessons in Guatamala, recommended to me by German and Austrian riders as the 'purist Spanish' in Latin America, 'understood everywhere' - before going further south then returning to enjoy a visit to the town of Antigua from family members in February. Then I have to find someone to ferry me from Guatemala to Columbia, or past the Darian Gap anyway. I have been told that Guatemala is the best bet if I want to go by sea. Any comments?

I may lay up the bike in Guatemala and fly back to the UK for a few weeks to sort out my Carnet for S.America, yes I know it's not a legal requirement any more, but is 'recommended'

Another question, a bit in advance I know, but anybody shipped themselves and bike from Chile to NZ by freighter? As you can see, I like sea voyages.:boat:

BTW thanks to all who I have met on the road, especial thanks to those who have allowed me to share a little of their lives, that's the really fine thing about my travels.

For those who have seen me or followed my blog, (well out of date now, but I hope to add some more today), I have my replacement windshield fitted and boy does it make a difference on those windy days :thumbup1:

Another question, anyone heard from Del Boy lately? last heard of heading for Mexico. The way my journey is panning out it'll be Australia before I catch up with him:cool4:

guatemala to colombia ,what happened to the rest of central america
 

what have you been smoking there ,best bet is cruise all the way down to panama then head up to the panama canal yacht club at colon ,but dont hang about in colon AT ALL unless you want to ger mugged its dodgey,hang around until you find a sailboat ,plenty of info on here about that ,don't rally need to get stamped out of panama ,then go down to the dock get your bike stamped into colombia FREE , NO carnets needed for central or south america

Panama!
 

Hiya Staggie!!!

I´m in Panama City. Doing the tourist bit at the moment. Will be arranging to fly the bike to Quito in the next couple of days. I see you spent some time with Bill Ryder. The bloke´s a star ain´t he? Can you send me your e-mail address coz I´ve lost it. Keep in touch old pal and ride safe.
ATB Derek

hey del boy
 

not heading to comombia ,best place in my humble opinion , just flew back home ,heading back in april ,enjoy your trip
aussie dave

Check out couchsurfing.com I have used it here in the states, you get a warm place to sleep, good company and alot of the time great food, beats motels anytime. Have a great time If you are coming through san francisco let me know.