4Likes
-
2
Post By mollydog
-
2
Post By Grant Johnson
|
17 Apr 2016
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Brisbane Queensland Australia
Posts: 6
|
|
Choices
I am new to this site and as previously posted have 4 months to play with from Aug. to Nov. I was previously thinking to fly to Lisbon and purchase a bike there and ride Portugal a bit of southern Spain then cross to Morocco. Now i am thinking as I will already be in the US for my sisters wedding to buy a bike there ride to BC and pick up a friend then drive from BC to Panama. Will ride solo from California to Panama however. Seems like a good run from what I have read in the forums here already.
What do you all think of these routes and what would your preferences be? I appreciate your advice.
Regards
Colton
|
18 Apr 2016
|
|
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoPe
I am new to this site and as previously posted have 4 months to play with from Aug. to Nov. I was previously thinking to fly to Lisbon and purchase a bike there and ride Portugal a bit of southern Spain then cross to Morocco. Now i am thinking as I will already be in the US for my sisters wedding to buy a bike there ride to BC and pick up a friend then drive from BC to Panama. Will ride solo from California to Panama however. Seems like a good run from what I have read in the forums here already.
What do you all think of these routes and what would your preferences be? I appreciate your advice.
Regards
Colton
|
Good plan and if can you keep on the same time schedule, you should do well weather wise as well. Riding up to Canada in August is good, probably best weather of the year. That good weather should hold all the way through California.
But keep in mind the rainy season (starting at around Mazatlan in Mexico)
will go from roughly May/June until roughly October, where it will taper out. By November it "should" be mostly dry, but never count on that. Heaviest rain typically in September. Also, by November temps "should" moderate a lot, but before that ... it will be HOT and HUMID. Dress accordingly.
You can spend a lot of time exploring everywhere along your route. Just keep weather in mind regards riding a motorcycle. The sub tropical rain in Cent. America is TOUGH to ride in, but if you have to (I did) ride EARLY in the morning (usually not raining then) and plan to stop around Noon or 2 PM when it may cloud up and POUR ... all night. (This is just typical pattern)
The good cool and dry weather should last until April at least, but best months for Cent. America are November to March.
I highly recommend exploring the Caribbean side of Cent. America in early dry season. Also, see central highlands of Mexico and of course Baja. Indigenous cultures are still alive and (sort of) well in Guatemala Highlands. I don't know Panama at all and my info on specifics is old. Get current info from travelers currently ON THE ROAD.
Get off Pan American highway if you can (busy, congested and dangerous), do some looking around in more rural areas. That's the beauty of a motorbike. You can easily get to just about anywhere.
|
18 Apr 2016
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Brisbane Queensland Australia
Posts: 6
|
|
Great thanks for your advice i am still sitting on the fence in regards to Portugal and Central Amer. but this certainly kicks me closer to one than the other.
|
18 Apr 2016
|
|
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,300
|
|
mollydog has done a good job describing Central America, I'd just add that just about anywhere off the Pan-American Highway is really good. People are very friendly and helpful, but it does help a LOT to learn a little Spanish. Good Spanish schools in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico and Antigua Guatemala. I always recommend doing both - stop at the first one and spend a week to get the basics, ride to the next one, then you know what you don't know and can really make good use of it.
Have a great trip!
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
|
19 Apr 2016
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Brisbane Queensland Australia
Posts: 6
|
|
Thanks Grant I have a bit of Spanish and working on it before i go but staying would be a good idea as well.
If i do this trip i should be crossing the boarder at San Diego around Sept 10 as I will be coming from Burning Man. My 17 yo daughter will fly to meet me and I was thinking to meet her in LA and drive south with her to Baja. she will have 2 weeks with me. Could we make it to Cabo within that time?
I am not to worried about traveling in Mex but just wondering about bringing my daughter. Thoughts?
Also I will do most of this trip solo but have had a few people suggest i find a travel companion again what are your thoughts? I don't usually travel with others but going to virgin territory now.
So far comments are mostly about Central America does anyone have suggestions or preferences for the other idea which is Portugal/Spain/Morocco?
Thanks again all.
|
19 Apr 2016
|
|
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,300
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoPe
Thanks Grant I have a bit of Spanish and working on it before i go but staying would be a good idea as well.
If i do this trip i should be crossing the boarder at San Diego around Sept 10 as I will be coming from Burning Man. My 17 yo daughter will fly to meet me and I was thinking to meet her in LA and drive south with her to Baja. she will have 2 weeks with me. Could we make it to Cabo within that time?
|
Easily! But if you want to stop and enjoy on the way, it's up to you how long you stay.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoPe
I am not to worried about traveling in Mex but just wondering about bringing my daughter. Thoughts?
|
No more issue than anywhere else, I wouldn't personally worry - most of what you HEAR about safety in Mexico is based on "border town nonsense by drunk college kids getting into the trouble you'd expect," OR drug related incidents that are unlikely to be an issue for you, anymore than any other place - in other words, s**t happens, but don't expect it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoPe
Also I will do most of this trip solo but have had a few people suggest i find a travel companion again what are your thoughts? I don't usually travel with others but going to virgin territory now.
|
See comments above about travelling with your daughter, same. If YOU like travelling solo, go solo - you'll certainly meet more people and have much more of a "meet the local people" experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoPe
So far comments are mostly about Central America does anyone have suggestions or preferences for the other idea which is Portugal/Spain/Morocco?
Thanks again all.
|
Portugal/Spain/Morocco is all excellent and I can certainly recommend them all! Depends on you and what appeals to you. OR plan on doing both - but it's hard to decide which to do first
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
|
19 Apr 2016
|
|
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,300
|
|
By the way, go to "User Options" on this page near-ish the top and "Edit your details" so we know where you're from at least - that can help with giving you relevant information!
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
|
21 Apr 2016
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Brisbane Queensland Australia
Posts: 6
|
|
Thanks for all your input Grant. Have updated info even put up a pic and all. I am not worried about travel much just thought i would inquire about my girl she has done 2 months in Peru with me already so seasoned.
I will do Europe but in the future now. I think i will try to do Central and South America over the next 12-18 months then look at Singapore to India.
I will be trawling through all the pages to get informed of all i will need for the trip and then start looking for which bike.
Thanks again.
Colton
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|