Weather: How important in C. and S. America?

[msamsen]

I’ve read a lot about the rainy seasons, heat, etc. encountered during a Pan American trip. My question is how critical is the weather consideration in overall planning?

We will be traveling on a Ural Gear Up. We are not wimps when it comes to adverse weather. But, we would of course prefer to be comfortable than not.

Weather: primary consideration or secondary???

[Tony LEE]

Depends how flexible your timetable and route is. Your route covers from the tropics to the arctic, from sea level to 5000m, and all possible climatic zones - tropical lowlands and will also pass through one the driest and hottest deserts which can also be one of the coldest and highest 6 months later and will cross Andes passes that can get blocked by snow most of the winter or are closed by high river levels. Bolivian and Brazillian secondary roads will be subjected to monsoonal wet seasons and can be impassable in any vehicle. Patagonia in the middle of winter may not be to many travellers liking although there are a few blogs detailing riding to Ushuaia in the cold season.

Trouble is there are plenty of other natural catastrophes to give you grief - widespread destruction of infrastructure such as in Peru, not long ago. Similar in Ecuador, earthquakes and huge landslips such as blocked the way south in Chile several weeks ago and is still not resolved. Then there are the roadblocks set up by locals with a grievance in several countries - Mexico, Peru and Bolivia being the main ones.

All part of the adventure, but a major factor will be how much time you are allocating. Three months gives you no allowance to react to the weather or the climate, while 2 years gives you more than enough flexibility

[msamsen]

Thanks Tony. We're anticipating a year on the road. We won’t spend much time in the US or Canada with the exception of Alaska and the Yukon Territory. After some weeks up there, we'll make a "beeline" for Mexico. We'lll be traveling on a Ural, so our definition of beeline is more like a causal meandering on a two-wheel bike. So, I’m guessing we’ll have 9 months south of the border.

You’ve made a convincing argument that we should pay a reasonable amount of attention to temperature and rain cycles. Of course with climate change, who knows what will be the case?

[mollydog]

Here is a post I wrote on another thread here. Covers similar stuff to what Tony mentioned. IMO, weather should be carefully considered. You are a brave man riding an outfit.
Good luck!

Originally Posted by mollydog

May is fabulous for Alaska ... but assuming you hit Mexican border in June or so ... this is where things may not be ideal ... Weather wise. By May Mexico and Cent. America really HEAT UP. May/June are hottest months there.

If lucky Rain may hold off until late June or even July (or not!). As I said above, heaviest rain typically falls in Aug./Sept. This varies year to year.

With clear global warming going on anything can happen and typical patterns don't always work out, less predictable.

Even in normal years rain always creates mayhem on roads/bridges in Cent. America, with global warming could be even worse. Problem in Cent. America is very few main roads going North/South, so when a main road washes out, it can be MONTHS until repaired (even years).

Mexico better in this regard. More roads, better road crews, more money.

Best months for travel in Mexico and Cent. America are October through
April. Fairly dry, slightly cooler temps (it's never truly "cool" in Cent. Am save in highlands of Guatemala)

If you DO ride in rainy season plan to START EARLY each riding day. Typically, mornings can be clear (unless a storm blows in). Stays clear usually until Noon, after that, anything can happen. Typically it clouds up and you can have rain anytime until after midnight.

This happens almost every day. So, you typically get maybe 4 or 5 hours dry riding. Make best of it. Rain can last from an hour to 8 hours. Varies a lot.

If a storm comes in it can rain, non stop 3 days straight ... and everything can wash away. Been there, done that.

I lived in Guatemala and El Salvador off/on for 3 years, traveled quite a bit up and down through all the countries. Also several trips and living in S. America.

Remember the sub-tropical lowlands have heaviest rain, Highlands the least rain.

[msamsen]

Originally Posted by mollydog

You are a brave man riding an outfit.
Good luck!

Hi Mollydog! Thanks for the info.

I’m curious why you think riding a Ural requires more "bravery" than other motorcycles. The newer ones (2014 and newer) are pretty darn reliable. I’ll work a deal with my dealer for support in the event that I need a part that cannot be sourced locally.

IMHO, it’s jist another machine...

Mike

[mollydog]

Right you are Mike, I'm just afraid of them from a couple of dodgy outfits I've ridden previous. Been ages.

It was the handling (or lack of?) that got me. But neither were Urals.

One was a 750 Triumph ... don't recall who made the rig. Other was an old BMW from the 70's, maybe a Steib rig? (not sure ... but it was black!

For me, both were a nightmare to ride/drive on a twisty road (we have many here in California!) I lifted the chair when I didn't mean to ...
plus neither one of them had what I'd call real brakes. Speeds over 60 MPH seemed risky.

Hey, But I'm a total amateur at side cars ... know nothing about them regards how to pilot one. Had zero training, just had friends who thought I could do it.
I did ... after a fashion! scared the crap out of me.

I was never so happy to get back on my TDM Yamaha ... a horrible handling bike!

But I see experienced guys do fine, riding quickly and handling the corners with NO problems. So I'm sure it's just me ... or maybe the rigs I rode were not properly set up? I've heard proper set up is critical?

Anyway, no worries, have a great trip! PS: you'll do great on muddy roads where a bike would suffer.

[msamsen]

Originally Posted by mollydog

It was the handling (or lack of?) that got me. But neither were Urals.

Speeds over 60 MPH seemed risky.

Hey, But I'm a total amateur at side cars ... know nothing about them regards how to pilot one. Had zero training

I've heard proper set up is critical?

Anyway, no worries, have a great trip! PS: you'll do great on muddy roads where a bike would suffer.

LOL
I am a total newbie to sidecars...just getting my first Ural. I have a year to get trained (formally) and get a bunch of riding and shorter trips in.

The Ural is, of course, purpose designed. It and its clones are the only manufactured sidecars out their to the best of my knowledge. So, it's handling is good...as far as sidecars go...which maybe is not very far!!

Even Urals are best limited to 55 mph or so. And, they are more tiring for sure!

We're getting a Gear Up model, which has on-demand 2-wheel drive which we may find handy in muddy terrain. (And, the reverse gear is nice with a heavy rig like that!)

Everyone I know that has one wears a constant grin while riding it. And, as importantly, my wife no longer hops on the back (or front) of 2 wheeled machines. So, this is a nice option for our trip!

Take care!!