family travel through central and south america
 

Hi everyone,
we are a family of four just beginning to plan a 6-12month trip via motorcycle. We want to leave the fall of 2019, and our boys will be 8 and 11 at that time. We will be leaving from the Pacific Northwest and traveling east to Saskatchewan and then south from there, hovering in the western states until hurricane season passes in Mexico.
We made this decision 3 days ago, so really, the plan is the loosest it can be. We plan to rent our home to help fund the travel, I speak fluent (But rusty) Mexican-accented Spanish, my husband is a gear head and can fix bikes, and my kids love a laugh, adventure, and meeting new people and seeing new places.

Do any of you have any kind tips to offer, of what type of gear you've used, what kind of experience you have had through various countries, where we might want to avoid?? Our plan, having barely taken shape yet, is to make it as far as Peru (chile seems a stretch, considering how far it is... Though perhaps we could save time shipping bikes and flying home partway...)

Nothing is out of bounds, but remember there really is no specific plan yet, we are just gathering intel at the moment. Both of us are seasoned street-bike riders, though my experience off-road is zero. We plan on rectifying that over the next 2 yrs.

Thanks all, I look forward to to reading your ideas and suggestions.
D

Riding South
 

Admirable, planning a ride of six months to a year while two of you are still under ten years old will be exciting in itself.

Language, begin learning Spanish now, all of you , but it will be much easier for the young boys. Learning Spanish will teach the discipline needed to carry out the mandatory routines of overland motorcycle travel. Be sure to include geography, map reading and how to use GPS. Explain to the boys that
wi-fi/internet may not be available for days/weeks at a time if you are camping. Do not neglect cultural studies - learn about the unique culture of each country you will be visiting and some of its' history.

Health,. Research the wide variety of travel health plans available (check the Hubb) to find one that suits the four of you and any special needs you might or will have. Start saving money now to be able to afford a health plan with low deductibles and offers care in all the countries you will be visiting and make sure it includes emergency medivac. You owe this to your children.

Begin exercise routines now - The Canadian Air Force Plan is excellent and easy - things like running in place etc etc. Start building the immune system you will
need to combat new and different diseases you will encounter.

Check Canadian/ and other embassy data on suggested immunizations for each country you will be visiting. For example: you will all need a yellow fever shot if you will be visiting Bolivia.

Begin altering your diet to include the foods you will be eating during your ride. get off the fast foods and go for rice/beans and veggies - cut back on the meat and include in your diet food you can pack, rosa del desierto and I were stranded, living in our four man tent, in the the Peruvian Andes for three days due to a land slide and survived on soup provided by villagers, taking pity on us and our own meager reserves.

I assume the boys will be riding pillon and not in side cars... this will require endurance - begin now riding with the boys to build up their stamina and ability to sit still. I suggest teaching some basic yoga and even a basic martial art or two.

Gear I would not worry about the "gear" Since you will be in Canada and the States prior to entering Mexico,you will be able to purchase whatever you need en route. Each of us have different needs for stuff, I know guys who carry only a small pot, one fork and a knife for cooking and eating and others have a whole array of culinary utensils. I would begin the trip with the little or nothing and just buy what you need once you are on the road and have some idea of what you might need in terms of camping gear, gadgets etc.

I am sure the bulk of the responses you receive will be related to "gear" - read the reviews and use your common sense. In general those who post here know of what they speak.
For example Quick Clot - a bandage that stops severe bleeding and a water purification unit are mandatory, as are good hiking boots that can double as motorcycle touring boots. Depending on your bikes, you may need to carry spare parts and tools. Remember the gas canisters for those fancy camp stoves probably will not be available south of the border. A good hobo stove or mountain stove MSR that uses the same gas as your bike will be invaluable for boiling water and cooking.

Please don't forget the nature of international travel. You are going to be guests in a foreign country and you are representatives of your country.

Your ride will be a soul stirring experience - especially for the boys, who will come to understand at a very young age that not all the world rejoices in the luxury of "cargo" and most of the world has very little.

Got to go - we are entertaining our Airbnb guests tonight. More later

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