Ken & Carol,

The listed eMail does not work.

I am currently riding with Brucella and Peter, who started this post. I am hoping to arrange storage for my moto in Venezuela for 10 months and then rturn and continue riding.

I have tried the eMail for the moto club but got an "address invalid" reply.

Do you have a correct eMail?

Thanks,
Neal

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India Himal, 3mo,2x; Kazak/Krygyz/Tajik, 3 mo; Kashi-Lhasa, China 219! 6 wk; Nepal, 4 days/trekked 55; Santiago-Ushuia-Cusco, 7 mo; Peru, 3 mo; Chile-Medellin 3 mo; Medillin-Arica, 3 mo

Greetings from Juan Griego, Margarita.

Sorry Neal.

Picked the email address up from the web site but now it looks like they use the following. motoclubzulia(a)hotmail.com. The web site is Moto Club Zulia :: Motociclismo de Aventura Maximiliano does not speak English (we speak little Spanish) however we used GoogleTranslator and this worked.

Road to Colonia Tovar was OK, read better than the one to Puerto Colombia. VERY STEEP but dual lanes made it better than the P. Colombia road. Cooler in the mountains. Road from C. Tovar to coast was great without going to Caracas. Followed coast towards Higuerote. Vague information on this road but was a great ride. Mostly paved (see below), coastal cities were busy but after Naiguta less traffic, hilly, twisty with great coastal views. Could have camped here for a week if we had the time. Less than 10kms of good dirt between Chuspa and Chipumena. Signage was OK although we did ask directions a couple of times. Reached Cumana following day and booked ferry and Hostel at Juan Griego on Isla de Margarita.

Safety. No issues on the road. Cumana...no walking streets at night as advised by Tourist Information. Colonia Tovar and Juan Griego OK at night.

Updating accomodation details now.

K & C

Hi you two, we spent many weeks in Juan Griego about 19yrs ago, going back every year for 4 yrs, where are you staying there and is the island still as chilled out as it used to be, great beaches and very friendly people.
We used to rent a house there on the beach but I can,t remember the nameof the people we rented off.
Glad to hear your enjoying it.
Pete n Brucella

We spent a week on Isla de Margarita and found it very pleasant. Juan Griego was safe and we walked around in the evening under the advice of our Hostal owner. Returned to Cumana for one night then headed East to Rio Caribe. Arriving we found this to be similar to Isla de Marg. so continued South towards Pto Ordaz. Got stopped by a huge storm after riding in a downpour for over an hour. Reached Pto Ordaz following day. No issues with Police often using them to get directions.

Met with HU Community member Roberto who advised us on road conditions and places to stay on the way to Merida. Two nights in Pto Ordaz then onto El Sombrero for one night then Barinas (not safe at night) for one night. Merida for three nights... Safe at night. Information advised was given to us by local people or Hotel/Hostal owners.

Sunday we rode to San Antonio del Tachira and stayed one night before crossing into Colombia. Got caught out with Customs (Dian) again on the Colombian side this time a Public Holiday and we had to stay one night in Cucuta. Met up with a bike shop (USA Motors) owner James Ospina (650 Dakar) who happened to be open. Actually stopped to ask for directions. Booked into a hotel before he gave us a tour of the city including the location of the Dian office. Very helpful guy who's shop is on the main road from the border.

Our experience in Venezuela was an excellent one with no problems at all. We were stopped twice by the Police in 3 weeks and 4000 kms for a document check. People were helpful and friendly. Would recommend the ride to anyone.

Please ask if any other information is required.

Ken and Carol