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All Roads lead to the moon Argentina to Alaska & Beyond
So tomorrow we leave a very Cold and dark Scotland for South America, after a few days in Buenos Aires we will hopefully start South to Ushuaia via the Viedima meeting before heading to Anchorage via various places then back South to tour the US. I'll be updating when I can, a trip I've been planning and dreaming about for a long time!
Gino & Fiona Rondelli www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Hi Rondelli
Good riding and keep us posted. Planninng Alaska to Ushuaia in 2014/2015. so will keep a close watch on your trip:scooter: |
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Need to meet up with Delbert for a beer later in the week bier |
Welcome to Argentina! hope it stays nic and warm in BA for you, we had rain late last week when we were there. Just in cast you thought it was too good :-)
Merv. |
Fantastic guy's,
Look forward to the details of your trip. Currently in North-Africa and hope to be in BA beginning of next year. Keep on rolling !!!:scooter: |
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Liberated the bikes from Customs today (thanks to Sandra from Dakar Motos) had our first ride in South America , all 40 miles of back to Dakar Motos (I got lost)
Pic of Sandra and the bikes at Dakar Motos http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pi0q_GyZp3...00/Dakar+2.JPG Full story on Blog site www.ginoontour.blogspot.com Gino & Fiona |
So after a week spent chilling and acclimatising at Dakar Motos nd taking in the sights of Buenos Aires we are finally on the road. A short hop to Azul first to stay with “pollo” at the famous La Posta. This haven for travellers is indeed worth a visit, we were glad to be in the company of Karl, Marriano and his wife Natalia from Buenos Aires. Beer was taken, bikes were talked an we were lucky enough to be there at the same time as the local classic bike meeting, being a classic bike nut myself this was perfect. The weather up until today has been scorchio, last night and this morning its a bit cooler with heavy rain. Tomorrow we set off for the Hubb meeting at Viedma. Already we’ve settled in to the genuine warmth of the locals and the long straight and I have to say sometimes boring roads, we are in Sierra de la Ventana just now, a nice town with a great campsite “Camping Pariaso” just off the min street, the owner is very friendly and helpful and the toilets clean
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DLcFX0iuWB...0/s1600/c2.JPG La Posta http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLylvaHvCl...A/s1600/c7.JPG Nice bikes and weather http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IM0cBoliET.../s1600/c14.JPG Making tea! (beer after) More pics and stories on www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
if you need some kind of help, want a beer o anything just PM me. jeiger
I live in Rio Gallegos and i'll leave after Christmas. |
Sa 2013
Hey look for us on your way up we will be on our way down! We left vancouver for Alaska June 22 and we are headed to Guatemala next week. Hope you have as great a time as we are. Look forward to your posts.
Sara |
will do I'm sure we'll pass somewhere!
Manilito, in Rio Gallegos at some point, I'll contact you when we're there maybe for a beer |
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Manolito is a great guy. Say hi to him from me when you´re in Rio G. Ride safe Pat |
So after a fantastic time at Viedima at the HU meeting (Thanks Oscar & Nancy) we headed on Ruta 1 out of town for our first bit of ripio, at times it felt more like the Sahara!
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-utjVt6tpyo...s1600/a1+2.JPG Oscar & Nancy, great hosts for the Hubb meeting http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6p9_45iMO...1600/a1+11.JPG Needing a wash http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B4X2om3KFY...1600/a+pv4.JPG Perfect More pictures & story on our blog Gino & Fiona Rondelli www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Hi Gino+Fiona!
We can't get on your blog...is that our problem or is something wrong..?? Cheers Werner+Claudia |
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Werner, should be OK, where are you now? we're in Rio Gallegosbeer
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leave the bikes here and get 2 kayaks lol! 10 days raining :censored::censored::censored:
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Ha Ha, just like Scottish weather, makes us feel at home, catch you later today for a bier
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Patagonia, big big big and wet oh and windy, if agoraphobia is your thing then this is not for you, more pics on the blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com
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It's raining again and if it continues like this, i' wont go with the bike... i have the worst tires for wet pavement :oops2: |
Hi Gino,
Looking forward to following your posts. I'm near Dundee just up the road from where you've came from! Hoped to meet you this year as I've just got myself a Fastback...but I guess that'll have to wait. I'm planning the same trip in a few years time so it's going to be really interesting to see how you both get on. Best wishes - Alan |
And I forgot to add that the weather here just now is very very wet and windy. Don't think your missing anything in Pategonia!
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you guys have a great Christmas and New year!
Pat |
Merry Christmas! and enjoy Ushuaia
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Gino |
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Merry Xmas and have a happy New Year
Hi Gino,
I have been following your ride reports on this site since you started. I am looking forward to more of your postings of this inspirational adventure. Have a Happy Xmas and good New Year. Ride Safely Best Regards Dennis Jackson |
So we made it to Ushuiia, a great night at the ruta 40 Hostel in Rio Grande with the gang and then two nice days camping near Tolhuin at camping Hain, well recommended for a stop. Today we made the obligitory trip to the end of Ruta 3. Reflections on Ruta 3, boring as hell in the main but glimpses of scenery, the last 200 miles are the best (apart from the potholes on the ripio section between Cerro Sombrerro and the border with Argentina again) Speaking of Cerro Sombrerro , if you do need fuel we got well ripped of as we didn't have Cheilean Pesos, we got an exchance of 60 Chilean rate to 1 Arg instaed of the official rate of 97, thats life and if you need fuel then you have to pay, but be warned if you are here thats the order of the day. Chilling for a week in Ushuaia now. More stuff and pics on the blog at www.ginoontour.blogspot.com
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Yeah
Congratulations you guys!!! Safe riding.
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This ws the easy bit, now all the way North, see you on the road :scooter:
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Heading North again after a great New Year party with the guys at Rio Pipo, muchos whisky and some Scottish dancing to entertain the locals, pity I didn't have my kilt with me. Heading Northwards and another stop at Rio Grande at Willie's Ruta 40 Hostel and a nice evening in the company of LaRoche (Christian and Mary) before heading on the ripio to Porviner , we met some of the guys at the border crossing and they told us the ferry was at 2pm, no chance we thought, made it with 6 minutes to spare! Woo hoo.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7VO8TwYnY...8/s1600/b2.JPG Fiona, willie and lolo saying goodbye http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NnCM4SUjYq...U/s1600/b4.JPG Leaving the island of Fire http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LY5KG5oBtv...w/s1600/a6.JPG Out for a stroll!! From Punta Arenas we headed to the Torres Del Paine national park, in my opinion expensive and crap ripio, also it rained like home so not much fun, if the weather is good then go, if not avoid!! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7R1aTOmoec...o/s1600/b6.JPG Wet wet wet http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhLm5XtyiU...U/s1600/b7.JPG Nice when the rain stops Heading up there we spotted these Gauchos moving Sheep http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-meTsQW3wZU...k/s1600/b1.JPG Then onwards to El Calafate to see the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, very impressive and also a great paved twisty road to get there, the best yet! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLDRguDyX9...g/s1600/a3.JPG More pics and more stoty on the blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Howdy guys, great to see what your at. Will give you a shout when we start rolling again to have the other half of that drink!
Merv and Sarah |
Look forward to that Merv, where you guys at just now? Carratera is a bit rough in bits!!
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After a couple of days in El Calafate we headed up Ruta 40, had to get petrol from a guy in Tres Lagos as there is NO fuel herem no lakes either and quite a desolate road to get back onto the very gravelly Ruta 40, a stop in Gorbandenor Gregores, met Marcus again and got free camping (go to the tourist info) Onto Perito Moreno and then onto the Carretera Austral at Chile Chico. Stunning ride up the Carratera but pretty rough in bits. Now we're in Osorno hoping to get the bikes looked at tomorrow at Motoadventura (Hot starting issue on Fi's bike AGAIN!!!!)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0SSt63qD6...g/s1600/c2.JPG Ruta Quarenta!! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy4guDJzBZ...8/s1600/c6.JPG Chasing birds!! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFPTobYVpS...A/s1600/d6.JPG Man at work http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vv-_TIKWdw...Y/s1600/a5.JPG The carratera Scenery is stunning http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cIiaXm9ROM...4/s1600/b5.JPG And so is the wildlife http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tq8qNz4_gM...Q/s1600/b3.JPG Scenery!! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GDVyISU5yV.../s1600/b13.JPG Volcano at Chaiten performs for us More stories and pics as always on the Blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com Gino & Fiona |
Holy cow! didn't realise you were in a race! We are still in Torres del Paine making it 8 days in the parc. nice weather every day bar 2.
pretty sure we will not catch you now, hope your bike problems are behind you now. Merv. |
Hi Merv, In Antofagasta now, been taking it easy (but not as easy as you!) having a day off, hoprfully update this later. Looks like we'll see each other in Ireland then (or Scotland!) bier
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After getting the bikes serviced at Motoadventura in Osorno, Fiona's lasted a day before having serious overheating issues, all down to a wire rubbing on the frame I believe stopping the fan working. We headed into Santiago, a nice place, to get the bike picked up and fixed. Another week hanging around waiting for BMW to get their act together, adventure bike my ass, the biggest adventure is finding the dealer in every town and figuring how long you will be held up for!! But an opportunity to look around so not all bad. Now we are in Antofagasta, great run up through the Atacama especially alongside the Pacific, and there is Petrol at Taltal so the road from Caldera to Antofagasta is not a petrol desert plus taking Ruta 1 is better than the new Ruta 5.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ljgj1cvBF9...g/s1600/b1.JPG Salta del laja falls north of Osorno, no health and safety here! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axTyT2FlJ4.../s1600/c13.JPG Unrideable bike gets picked up ! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H_TNVxtRPf...I/s1600/c2.jpg Political protest makes for Sunday entertainment http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORa2vrOSs_.../s1600/a13.JPG Santiago from the big hill Fi made me walk!! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1m5xl0MFSV...Q/s1600/a8.JPG I Like the uniform! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TDPJXtpQx...k/s1600/a3.JPG Santiago is a nice City http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjlI8XNOtp...0/s1600/b3.JPG Just outside Santiago in the mountains, 36 180 degree hairpins! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XsJ-tZ2RWM.../s1600/b11.JPG The Atacama http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FKr4FG6w41.../s1600/b13.JPG The road is Diverse, just after fuel at Taltal http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JgfPuGKHIi.../s1600/b15.JPG The must have photo, Mano del desertio 70Km's South of Antofagasta As always more words and pictures on the blog at www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
next time, travel with your Norton :biggrin:
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After leaving Antofagasta we headed up Ruta 5, spent a night in a very noisy hotel in Arica then made the border crossing to Peru the next morning. Remember if you are doing this you need a relacion de passjeros form which you get at the bus station in Arica, not at the border. The crossing took 2 hours with loads of faffing around plus it was busy with Chileans going on their holidays. We headed through Tacna where the police were giving out tickets mob handed to speeders coming into the busy and Chaotic City. Glad to be free of that we headed to Moquegue, a nice little town for the night before heading to Puno. Puno is a crazy place, busy as hell and hard work avoiding the other lunatics on the road. A day spent on the Los Uros floting islands had us playing tourists which I hate!! Now we are in Cusco doing the same thing! A word of warning, we got stopped yesterday in a small town about 70 miles from Cusco for speeding, the police were pulling everybody, I acted stupid (easy for me) and got away with it but we slowed down to the pathetic 35KM/Hr speed limit aftr that and just as well as the police must have been out to get their Saturday night beer money!
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XsJ-tZ2RWM.../s1600/b11.JPG The desert, a BIG place! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--z-5ADxbBW.../s1600/a11.JPG An hour waiting for fuel in San Pedro De Atacama, driest place on Earth my Arse http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3FJWWcULj3...A/s1600/a9.JPG Main street in San Pedro, does this look DRY? http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1r_lxBdHZN...E/s1600/b3.JPG River crossing on Ruta 5 North (a huge mudhole across the road, great!) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oL-TZN5YmV...w/s1600/a9.JPG Heading on the Altiplano to Puno, great to be out of the desert http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ToN3fM2M5k...o/s1600/a3.JPG Head for heights required!! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GTLkWG5pMX...4/s1600/b8.JPG The ladies from Los Uros say hello http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XkJG_zxcL...M/s1600/b3.JPG Colourful! As always more pics and full story on the blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Shity ripio is following you :oops2:
Love that desert picture. |
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:D |
After Puno we moved North along the high Andean roads to Cusco, a tourist trap and hell for me , I'm a motoryclist not a tourist, touts everywhere trying to sell trips / hostels / food/ anything in fact! A trip to the famous Norton Rats tavern was dissapointing, being a Norton owner in the UK I expected some banter but none! A trip to Machu Picchu was worthwhile but once again tourist hell, I thought Aguas Calienties was particularly rip off city. The ruins though are spectacular and well worth a visit. Desperate to eascape the cold we headed back to Nasca and had some welding done on the pannier frames and on the route North had a look at the lines.
Back in the desert now we headed to Paracas for a stay (Nice seaside town) then to Trujillo, in retrospect we should have stayed in Huanchano a few Km's away, much nicer and less manic driving. Now in Chicalayo having a day off, nice city worth visiting. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIrh78QERE...8/s1600/c2.JPG The road from Puno to Cusco, could be Scotland! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNYBHyRkmw...s/s1600/c6.JPG Nun calling her pals to have a beer in the Norton Rats Tavern http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zWirbQEVzs...0/s1600/a7.JPG Machu Picchu, worth a look ! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ci221YGCoW.../s1600/a18.JPG Stunning scenery http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tHDID-Egxa.../s1600/a22.JPG Road to Nasca means the sides of the tyres get some wear! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aXqrYyX_ei...8/s1600/b4.JPG Nasca lines, this one is "hands" http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-71As5uvR1S...Y/s1600/a7.JPG Desert, desert everywhere!! As always more words and pics on the blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Now in Equador and already a huge contrast from Peru, desert is behind us for now and enjoying the amazing roads in the Andean mountains.
Couple of Video's we've put together but as always more details and stories on the blog, www.ginoontour.blogspot.com All Roads Lead to the Moon Episode 5 - YouTube All Roads Lead to the Moon Episode 5 - YouTube |
Nice one Gino. Cuenca is a fantastic place to take a break. :clap:
Pat |
It sure was Pat, great time there! :D
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Equador was fantastic, great roads, nice people and awesome scenery, even had the privelidge of watching a Volcano get angry!! Now in Cali Columbia but unfortunately need to fly home for a family emergency for a week or so, meanwhile,
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ss5bTABrTa...0/s1600/c7.JPG Awesome display of nature! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UErh2vgfYR...Y/s1600/c4.JPG Crap roads! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KMJdlhI1n...s1600/aa12.JPG Awesome scenery http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEafW1uXR3.../s1600/aa3.JPG Mad Jumpers!!! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nAFoo14ij...I/s1600/d4.JPG The Equator, another milestone http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ER0n2f8uTu...0/s1600/a3.JPG Surrounded by inquisitive and friendly Colombians As always more pictures and stories on www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Now back in Cali , Colombia having returned from our week back in Scotland (Bloody freezing) Great to be back in the heat of South America and we took the opportunity to bring fresh tyres and spares back from the UK.
Ready to roll again. A short vid of our time in Equador All Roads lead to the Moon Episode 6 - YouTube And as always full story and pics on our Blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
We headed from Cali to the nice town of Salento, wonderful place, nice people and my recomendation is to stay at te plantation House Hostel, go for the coffee tour its worth it. Afte a few days we made our way to Bogota and organised the bike shipping with Girag (by plane) $750 US each and $30US to pay at the Panama side so not too bad really. Super efficient Girag staff make it easy, the police however........
Sad to have left Colombia, fantastic country and very friendly, warm, open people. After extricating the bikes from Girag Panama (no more than 2 hours) and a day off we headed to just outside Santiago and met up with Sara & Dan www.worldwideride.ca for a day of drinking and general story swapping. Heading to Costa Rica in the next couple of days, full story as always on www.ginoontour.blogspot.com http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufWzNnd3as...0/s1600/a1.JPG Plantation House Salento, recommended! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TfVofwqOng...s/s1600/a6.JPG Bikes in the Girag warehouse Bogota http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Pw5QQZzH7...U/s1600/a7.JPG Waiting 4 hours for the Police to check the bikes....Boring although Gianni keeps smiling http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoCiOizfGm...k/s1600/b7.JPG Panama City, big AND busy!!! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXcQs0DJFt...4/s1600/b9.JPGT This ship paid $100,000 US to get through the canal, good work if you ca get it!! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aXJJMMKe6u.../s1600/c11.JPG It's not all hard work!! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4BXxKFVv5...c/s1600/a3.JPG Team photo before going our separate ways http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4zvRu_RAUv...M/s1600/a1.JPG. Unwelcome visitor More pics and the full story on our Blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Latest video on our time in Colombia
All Roads Lead to the Moon Episode 7 - YouTube Enjoy www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
We headed up through Costa Rica , stopped over in some cool places and were amazed at the wildlife, flora and fauna that abounds there. Worth spending time in this country and to cool down get to Lake Arenal, the road around the Lake is amazing! The border crossing to Nicaragua was done in just under 2 hours so not too bad although we did pay a fixer $10, you could do it without but to be honest in the near 40 degree heat I just couldn't be arsed playing the where to go next game. This crossing is the first we had to pay taxes and all in all this came to $32 Dollars which includes $12 for compulsory insurance $3 fumigation (the bike not me!) $12 immigration $1 for travel tax sticker and finally $5 Tourist tax.
I know some people whinge about paying these taxes but those are the rules so just smile and pay, likewise the fixer, if it saves me an hour standing doing an impersonation of a waterfall in the heat then ten bucks is worth it, everybody has to make a living somehow! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UQqX6w86hS...4/s1600/c2.JPG Bikes at rest by the shores of Lake Arenal with the Volcano in the background http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIMltU9Rzj...k/s1600/c6.JPG One of the reasons I'm happy not to camp just now! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YTiW4VIktJ...8/s1600/c8.JPG And another http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMZ0FJG7ix.../s1600/b19.JPG And another!!! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZxOviTTWw.../s1600/b17.JPG No kidding!!! Somebody's feeding them, they're massive!! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYrYHytMA5...A/s1600/b5.JPG It doesn't have to be hard! I'd recommend this place, Cascada Verde Hostel in Uvita Costa Rica More pics and full story on the blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Great to see you're still on the move - but now I'm feeling a bit guilty that I still haven't loaded up all the border information! :oops2:
The next two are probably the trickiest - and I do agree with you about the heat - pretty relentless and a good reason to try and get to the borders as early as possible. Have fun and keep blogging. Pat |
Hi Pat, yes one more crossing to do now Friday to Mexico the no more for a month!!!:D
The stuff you did put up was very helpful so thanks for that, what I noticed is that even stories from a few weeks ago are out of date now as the border staff play musical chairs with their offices! |
Hi all, sorry been a bit lazy as we passed through mexico, the Blog is up to date on www.ginoontour.blogspot.com
We did find the time to make a little video of Central America All roads lead to the Moon Episode 8 - YouTube Hope you enjoy! BTW the Bajercito to cash tvip's in Tijuana is no longer there, its moved to near the Otay crossing a few miles away (past the aiport) I had a farce trying to find the place , the GPS coords are N32 32.746 W116 56.426 They didn't tell anyone and the signs for the old place are still there, Otay's a easier crossing anyway! |
Apologies for the lack of updates, we left Mexico at Tijuana after riding up the Baja and we are now just into Colorado having gone a round about route to get here. Some pics of the journey to date
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dpe7Lvaj_6...8/s1600/b5.JPG Thw Baja was great riding, here in the boulder field http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Dege0LQ2o...E/s1600/a3.JPG A quick stop in Hollywood LA for a pic of the sign http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XmjgDfR2A.../s1600/b17.JPG Then San Fran, the Golden gate bridge, some bike problems here with Fi's bike rectified by BMW Livermore http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYT_BDbyTK.../s1600/b18.JPG Death Valley, damned Hot Shttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogFSpDvk7P...0/s1600/b6.JPG Saw our first bear! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciTwBcX7at.../s1600/c10.JPG More Bears & Sharks here, Las Vegas!! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nphP6KsewG.../s1600/a16.JPG The Grand canyon....certainly is http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EmTUB2abMU.../s1600/a12.JPG Getting our kicks on ...... http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qohBnO0vWr.../s1600/b14.JPG And then Monument valley Full story and more pics on the Blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Been in the USA for a few weeks now and currently on a 2 week break in a hire car as we have a visit from Fiona's parents. Must admit I'd rather be on the bike!!
It has though allowed us to get Part 9 of our video sorted out which is about our ride through Mexico All roads lead to the Moon Episode 9 - YouTube And I also got to go to Bonneville Salt flats which was cool http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yc1gI_l1nB...w/s1600/b3.JPG Colorado roads, awesome http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7ReI2D2Vo.../s1600/b19.JPG Never made the Salar de Uyni but Bonneville has more motorcycling lore! Full story on www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
After Bonneville we visited grand Teton Park, the ever impressive yellowstone and Rocky mountain park, great motorcycling roads but the traffic I'm afraid goes too slow for me to maintain concentration. A brieff spell back in Denver (and a Norton meeting) and we have wobbled up via Sturgis in South Dakota (quieter roads and fantastic scenery) Now back in Wyoming we have a week at the Norton meeting in Buffalo to catch up with old friends before the push up into Canada. We are now at the 18500 mile point and looking forward to the rest up to Alaska and beyond.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--VkpwdXcUX...-c/s640/a2.JPG Jackson Hole http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swInJlp-lX...Jw/s640/a3.JPG Grand Tetons http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMo36lT14M...o/s640/a14.JPG Yellowstone http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7zRla0r6OU...A/s640/a15.JPG Old Faithful http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgPVbAOu0K...k/s640/a26.JPG Saratoga, a good place to stop for a night http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Xhk2EincE...1Y/s640/b3.JPG Rocky Mountain National Park http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J9Yu17Hugo...9w/s451/b8.JPG Nature in charge at Estes Park http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YgLOpHgDq...g/s640/b12.JPG Colorado Norton meeting http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opLrYIdMF4.../s1600/a16.JPG Back in Estes Park for July 4th http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5CuLiOKYe...c/s1600/a7.JPG Fiona using the BMW's carryng capacity!! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfDqWuXI_y...o/s1600/a9.JPG Mount Rushmore As always full narrative and more pictures on our blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
We headed to the International norton meeting in Wyoming then cut up to Cody WY to see a rodeo, great fun! Across the awesome Hwy 20 and then into Canada, our 13th country this trip. As always issues with the BMW and shops worse than useless. The G650 GS has the potential to be a good bike IF BMW listened and heeded to the customers that actually use them.
It was great to meet up with Dan & Sara in Vancouver who are taking a short break from their worldwide ride www.worldwideride.ca Now we are heading for Prince Rupert to catch the ferry to Haines. As always fuller story & pics on the blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-waMCiebXhC.../s1600/a16.JPG Cool Norton spotted at the Norton meeting http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qP6-w877QM...8/s1600/a2.JPG We hit our first rain in Months.... but 30 minutes later it was sunny again http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MiDRWoVfAN.../s1600/b18.JPG My first Rodeo (spectating) was an impessive experience http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-p0rv9HWe.../s1600/b25.JPG Changing the waterpump in the campsite, not so impressive!! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqwuBIvE3W...g/s1600/a6.JPG Scene from Hwy 20 North Washington (brilliant road) http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E45GNAAM9w.../s1600/a13.JPG Great to meet up with Dan and Sara again http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dFPUfWJ3A9.../s1600/a15.JPG This is what you need!! Hope!! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ww-WUJ-bW...Q/s1600/b2.JPG When you have one of these!!! Another cool down stop on a busy Highway!! |
I am enjoying your ride reports! I ride an 07 f650 and have had a few cooling system problems which I have been able to sort out. If you need help email or PM me
Cal |
Cheers Cal, will do
Thanks Gino |
So we have made it to Annchorage, 22000 miles from our start in Buenos Aires, its been a hell of a trip so far but not at the end yet, bike problems again (Damn you Mr BMW) but we will get over it and carry on to our final destination in Miami. The blog has been updated and I apologise for not keeping this trip report up to date but it can be difficult.
More details on the Blog, www.ginoontour.blogspot.com Or if you can't be bothered our latest video update All roads lead to the Moon Episode 11 - YouTube Enjoy!! |
So we ended up in Anchorage for two weeks waiting on parts, not good enough Mr BMW!! Or as we now like to call him Broken Motorcycles worldwide! we broke free and made our way out of a very wet and increasingly cold Alaska to Calgary and today back into the Montana USA, cheaper Gas & Liquor so thats good! Now at over 24000 miles and still enjoying it. The whole story and pics on our blog at www.ginoontour.blogspot.com oh and sorry Cal for not looking you up! overheating seems to be fixed now :D
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Apologies for the long delay in updates but there is only so much IT I can cope with on a trip. To briing you up to date we are now in new York City for a week and had some great riding across the USA and Canada to get here. As always pictures are best so here goes;
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VI3Qa5MbAO.../s1600/a17.JPG Indian Pow Wow en route http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdMQyO7s3d...w/s1600/a7.JPG Impressive outfits and displays http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lUJkRLeqTq...E/s1600/b9.JPG We stopped in Minnieapolis with fellow Adventure rider Kevin Stratton who took me shooting, great fun! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7IB1mVgiw.../s1600/b12.JPG Stopped by the cops! We only got off because he couldn't figure out how to write us a ticket on our UK licences! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOmktdS-a_...0/s1600/B8.JPG Stoppped by Niagra, impressive falls but tacky town! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0C9ef7xQd.../s1600/a12.JPG Another small town, another lunchstop http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1bd5xLSuT.../s1600/b10.JPG Impressive skyline of Boston http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0LhQABctg...g/s1600/b3.JPG Fiona & I throwing tea in the harbour http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e_Tjz5KrHP...g/s1600/b7.JPG And now New York, Empire state building We have now done almost 28,000 miles this trip and its been great the whole way (breakdowns excepted!!) The full story and more pics on the Blog www.ginoontour.blogspot.com |
Apologies for letting this thread slide
We completed our trip Early November in Miami and took our bikes to the shipping agent. The ride has been fantastic , 13 Countries, 28 States in the USA 3 Provinces in Canada. We met amazing people all the way. Our favourite was South America and I'm pretty sure we'll be back sometime to visit old friends and to see the bits we missed. I'd say to anyone contemplating the trip, be careful what you read, too many people make it out to be more difficult than it is, people are nice everywhere, if you come across an asshole you've been unlucky but its no different from home wherever Home is! This time last year we were arriving in Ushiaia for Christmas and now we are back in Scotland moaning about the weather and wishing we were still on the trip. Re ajusting to normality (whatever that is) is hard but I suppose you need the "normal" bits (boring) to make you get off your backside and plan the next one. It's been a hell of a ride and to those still lucky enough to be on the road, I'm envious, to those like me planning the next one we'll see you on the road. Travelling by motorcycle is addictive so stay away if you don't want an exciting unpredictable life. The latest is our bikes are still in Miami despite being dropped off at the end of October, not good, a bit of advice, hassle your shipper all the time, my hands off they know what their doing attitude didn't pay off. Looks like it'll be the end of January now before we see them again, three months must be some kind of record!! Catch you on the road sometime, somewhere Gino & Fiona www.ginoontour.blogspot.com http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wyYNzyB8F...w/s1600/a1.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhQ8XMhhhN...Q/s1600/b7.JPG |
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