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Swiss long time globetrotter arriving in the U.S. Swiss long time globetrotter arriving in the U.S.
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North America Topics specific to Canada and USA/Alaska only.
Photo by James Duncan, Universe Camp, Uyuni Salt Flats

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


Photo by James Duncan,
"Universe Camp"
Uyuni Salt Flats



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  #1  
Old 1 Aug 2019
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Swiss long time globetrotter arriving in the U.S.
Good day fellow american bikers

My name is Thierry, I’m 59 years old and from Basel, Switzerland. Since January 2008 I am living my dream and ride my motorbike around the world. My epic journey started in Mexico-City and will also end in Mexico-City. The 1st leg was Latin America, the 2nd leg brought me from Europe all the way to Far East following the south route, on the 3rd leg I explored Ozeania and then drove back from Far East back to Europe, this time following on the north route. The 4th leg was the crossing of Africa and now I am on my 5th and last leg riding across North America back to Mexico-City.

For the first two legs I used a BMW F650 Dakar, the third leg I did on a BMW F800GS. For Africa I rebuilt and modified a Suzuki DR650 because I wanted to have simple and lighter bike for that continent (which proved to be a very good decision!). And now for North America I use again the BMW F800GS…

If you are interested to see some pics/footage from the previous legs you are welcome to visit my website or check out my Facebook timeline.

Website: www.worldbiker.ch
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thierry.wilhelm


So for the last leg I shipped the bike to Anchorage, Alaska, early June this year and I am now on my way south back to Mexico-City. Currently I am in Vancouver. I think to cross the border to the US in about 1 week from now. My goal is to arrive in Mexico-City approx. by end of next year – end of 2020. So this and next year I want to do the 3-corner loop (skipping the northeast) around the Unites States - including a winter break when I will store the bike somewhere (probably in Florida, depending how far I will get until end of October / beginning of November and I find somebody who is willing to store my bike at his place).

Why I am writing all this? Well, I would love and was hoping to meet some of you fellow bikers somewhere in the US. I will stay quite a while and cover a decent distance in the US, hence it might be possible that I will pass near your home town. Wouldn’t it be nice to meet, have a few together and exchange stories? That’s all part of the adventure and travels, isn’t it?

It’s a long time dream of me to visit and travel the US on my motorbike. I’ve read and heard too many great stories of bikers who travelled the US – now it’s my turn and I can’t wait to see all these fantastic places with my own eyes…

So hopefully I’m going to meet the one or another of you. I wish you all the best, good luck and always safe riding!

Cheers from Vancouver

Thierry

PS: You can follow my trip here: I'm here right now!Good day fellow american bikers




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Old 2 Dec 2019
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Salut Thierry
Its probably too late for this...but still, here goes. There are 2 useful sources for finding places to stay:
1) ADVRIDER has a page called 'tentspaces' for motos hosting motos
2)FB page 'bunk a biker -US' (there may be abunk-a-biker canada as well) also hosts travelling motorcyclists

Of course there is always couchsurfing...

Bonne continuation
Chris
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2023 back in Japan on the road after COVID, 2019 Paris Siberia Japan tbd -2010 WR250R; 2015-2016 Paris-Mongolia and Paris-Silk Road; 2011-2013 Canada Ushuaia
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Old 2 Dec 2019
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Hi Thierry,
Beware that when you go to enter the US you may well be questioned about your intentions and reasons that you have to leave the US after your visit when they usually expect something like a job and family to go home to. They might not like or understand your answer that you are a long term traveller and if you don't have another reason may decline your entry, it has happened before even when people have had large amounts of money to pay for their stay and no intention of working there so be careful how you answer any questions of this nature.

As has been said this is a useful resource with many friendly and hospitable people on it.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/tent-...ap-v2.1215147/
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Old 2 Dec 2019
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The above advice is solid, and applicable throughout the world. On the other hand, the OP was headed for the US border approximately four months ago, and he appears to have negotiated the crossing in good shape.
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Old 3 Dec 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
The above advice is solid, and applicable throughout the world. On the other hand, the OP was headed for the US border approximately four months ago, and he appears to have negotiated the crossing in good shape.
DOH!
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Old 3 Dec 2019
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Hi Thierry,

It's been a few years ago, since you called in, here in the SW of Western Australia and we had a few rides together. Great hearing about you, still riding, healthy and living the dream, absolutely fantastic.

Just keep riding along, as long as you can and want, we all keep our fingers crossed.

Best of luck, always stay upright and look after yourself.


Cheers

Helgo
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