Cultural Journey Through The Americas
 

Like many people (especially on here) I have been dreaming for ages of taking a LONG trip by motorbike. I've done a few smaller trips that I've really enjoyed, however the thought of going away for more than a couple of weeks, of going somewhere really foreign, of having time to really explore has become increasingly strong. The time is now right for a number of reasons to take this trip!

I'm not going quite yet, I'm in the trip planning stage, for a trip that will start in October. I'm lucky enough to work in a job where I could apply for extended leave, so earlier this year I applied for 10 months and plan to travel around the Americas. The good news is that my leave has been agreed, and more importantly when I return I should hopefully still have a job.

I chose the Americas for several reasons. Firstly I've worked in South America in the past, I've really enjoyed the experience and also know a few people on the same continent. Secondly, the Americas are one of the few places where you do not require a Carnet to import and export a bike (something that generally puzzles me). I'm a musician and I'm also heavily involved in arts education; I hope that the richness of musics and number of social/educational projects will ensure I meet interesting people with whom I'll have lots in common. Finally my favorite riding is through beautiful countryside, I've experienced some of this when exploring Brazil on a motorbike a few years back, so I'm hoping to see even more amazing and beautiful things on this trip.

In between dreaming about the trip I'm doing a number of practical things, such as slowly getting rid of unneeded belongings. CD's are on Amazon, whilst other things are being prepared for EBay. Getting rid of things is a pain, but it's also somewhat cathartic in nature.

I've pretty much bought all of the new things I need for the trip. I already had most of the essential gear but wanted to update a few things. Buying a few new toys has been fun :clap:, these have included a Hennessy Hammock, VIO POV HD camera, new boots and helmet, and a macbook pro. As I travel I may do some reviews of the gear.

I've also got hold of some 'Learn Spanish' CDs. I'm guessing it will be useful to have a few words before I leave, however I've never been that great at languages. I'm hoping that immersion in a different language will help, I've also been considering doing an intensive course in Mexico or Guatamala as part of my trip. Spending 10 months by yourself and not being able to talk with anyone would be really isolating, so getting some language is probably as essential as the motorbike!

Talking of which, I've been thinking about this trip for so long that certain aspects had been decided literally years ago, and this includes my choice of bike. I intend to ride a KLR650. it does pretty much everything, I've heard it described as the Swiss Army Knife of bikes, it's also far cheaper than a BMW, which would likely have been my other choice. Having done a bit of searching on the web I've found someone looking to sell his KLR who lives in Montana. We've been in contact, so hopefully the bike is pretty much sorted out and will be ready to go when I arrive in the states. Montana is also the perfect starting point. Having got to the coast, the trip 'real' will begin with a ride down the west coast of the USA...something I've dreamed of for a long time!

I officially finish work on the 1st October, my flight to Seattle is booked for the 6th...route still to be decided, some work finished up, and then I'm free to travel!!!!

I just bought a replacement for my 2007 KLR (which is pretty much finished at almost 100k miles): a 2005 KLR with 6000 miles on it, I'm pretty familiar with what they're selling for in my area. I paid $2900, but will need to change out the doohickey, the battery and a few other odds and ends. There are 2008-2010 KLR's available with similar low mileage for another $500 to $1000.

Knowing the foibles of the bike will be very helpful. Don't neglect the doohickey. Note that 2007 and older models need the headlight fuse changed out for a larger one. Note the need for a carb vent hose "T." Most people also do something with the seat (I did not), and many insist on upgrading brakes and/or suspension (I did neither). Anti-vibe mirrors will make your life a lot easier, too, plus the usual overlander stuff (barkbusters, baggage, headlight upgrade, crash bars, etc.). All this is discussed on line at excessive length, so a bit of research will pay off.

You'll also need to factor in pannier racks, skid plate and random other stuff. I spent a couple of thousand dollars outfitting my first KLR, and I didn't include a lot of things that many folks consider essential (see above). When making a bike choice, especially sight-unseen and far from home, these factors are worth considering carefully.

Hope that helps. I'm near Seattle, just in case. I don't want to upset you in your bike shopping, but there are plenty of KLR's for sale in this area: check craigslist.com and use their search function. Montana is 400 to 1000 miles from here, i.e., neither close nor convenient.

Be aware that October is getting somewhat late if you're heading for Ushuaia, but 10 months is a good trip unless you're also planning to return, in which case it will be hurried all the way.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your reply and advice.

The bike I'm looking at has had most of the 'essential' stuff taken care of, it's one of the new ones with just a few thousand miles on it. There is a flight I can take to Montana that puts me pretty close to the bike, so getting there's not too much of a fuss. Getting back to the West Coast...well that will be nothing but pleasure (I hope)....I love trying out new bikes for the first few hundred miles. As you say, if this fall through then there will hopefully be lots of bikes in the Seattle area looking for a new home!

I'm only going one way on the trip, so 10 months should be enough to head pretty far south. If I don't make it to the bottom it doesn't really matter...as they say the journey's more important than the destination. My biggest concern is spending a lot of time in the 'Summer' weather..however there's not much I could do...really needed to take the trip when it fitted in with other things.

Cheers

Rob

Mex City
 

If your trip includes Mexico City you are welcome to stay with uis. We will put you up. show you around and give you breakfast.

Hi Garry,
That's really kind...as my planning progresses, and I know where I'll be and when, I will contact you.

Rob

Sounds good - a new fresh angle on bike travel. Have fun.

The Waiting Continues
 

So, about a month on from my last post and various things have happened, but broadly I'm simply meandering around waiting to leave.

My house is getting more and more messy. I'm starting to break my flat apart and sell things. CD's were the first to be put online, and now various other things have been put up for sale on eBay. Over the coming week or two hopefully my flat will start to become less messy and increasingly empty.

I've been fiddling around with the website (Home), which is now pretty much updated and ready to go. It's been good fun getting used to working with Photoshop and Dreamweaver. It would be easy to waste a great many hours doing things like this and not actually getting ready to leave...indeed I think that this is probably one of my biggest issues at the moment.

That said, in the next week I will start to have my jabs for going abroad. I'm taking a drug that interferes with some of the normal inoculations but my surgery have been pretty good. They suggested that maybe I shouldn't go as I can't have the Yellow Fever jab, I told them that this was not going to happen. Still I will need to be a bit careful!

A couple of weeks ago I bought maps for the trip and spent a day with a friend looking over possible routes. Whilst I'm still not completely fixed on an exact route, I've got a fairly good idea of where I'm likely to be traveling. Part of the my trip is about visiting education and arts projects. I've been in contact with the British Council and I'm in contact with a few places that I will hopefully be able to visit during my trip. I"m sure that things will materialize whilst I'm on my way, I don't like planning too much.

I've also been testing my new camera, a VIO POV HD. In the end I got myself a microphone, which tucks nicely into my helmet, and a charger kit which will allow it to run from my bike battery. I've taken it for a couple of trips and am starting to get to grips with how it works. I think that once installed on my new bike, it shouldn't take me much time to get it up and running each day.

Speaking of bikes, this has been giving me the greatest headaches. I thought that I was sorted, in that I found a bike I really like in Montana and had arranged to buy it. Having found someone willing to allow me to use their address to register the bike I was then told that this wouldn't work as I would need to show a driving license. I've been doing more and more research and it appears that legally I shouldn't buy in Montana, however in practice I can probably get away with it. Either way it looks likely that I will buy the bike. The worst thing that can happen is that I will have to take it to another state to register it.

Well, in a month's time it will almost be time to leave, I'll probably post again before then with even more information about how my planning (or lack of) is going!

Rob

Hi Rob. This sounds great, and I'm not a little jealous that you've got a full 10 months to travel. If only! I look forward to following your journey as it progresses. All best, M

Passing through the Americas - Learning Spanish
 

Hi Rob
Great to hear about your trip.
We are studying spanish:smartass: in Mexico right now at Spanish Schools-Ensenada Baja California Mexico-Spanish classes immersion programs. which is located in Ensenada. We have just finished day 1 and we are thoroughly enjoying it while staying with a Mexican family. We are traveling very slowly and will be on the road for a while.
Look us up when you are on the road and find out where we are.:Beach:
All the best

Nick

Hi Nick,

I've just had a little look at your site...your trip sounds great. It is very possible that we will bump into each other on the road. I've added your site to my favourites, so if we appear to be in a similar area I'll be sure to drop you a line.

Thanks for the heads up on the language school, this is definitely something that I'll be looking to do whilst in Mexico or Guatemala, so if the school you're attending is good and I'm near by I may well book myself in for a week.

Best Wishes,

Rob

Trip
 

Hey Rob,

Wish you all the best and I will be keeping up with your adventures:

Lead the way and I hope we will meet.

Grz,

Lucien

Just written my latest blog on my new site, which you can find here. The departure is getting closer and closer, and I'm getting increasingly excited!

Tik Tak
 

Hey Rob,

I'm counting the days for you to, so you won't forget to get on that plane in time;-)

Grz

Hi everyone. So the trip has kind of started. I've been in Seattle a couple of days, and tonight I'm catching a Greyhound Bus and travelling to Montana where I'm going to pick up my bike!!!

I've done a couple of new blogs on my website, which you can find here:

Blog : Robert Wells - Cultural Adventurer

Rob

I've now really started my trip, I've got a bike and have already travelled more than a 1000 miles on it. You can find out how I bought the bike here:

Montana…and Buying a US Motorbike : Robert Wells - Cultural Adventurer