Back from the Alps
 

Just to say we are back from our mini trip round Europe (France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany) 3000 miles in 12 days, I know that's probably small fry to some of you pan continentals but as we are complete novices to touring we needed to see if we could do some serious mileage without killing each other! Glad to say we loved every minute despite some minor problems, the bike (1200GS) was a dream, so much so we went back to our dealer on Monday and swapped it for a 1200GS Adventure (bigger tank etc, or maybe me just wanting more toys!) We are now even more excited about next year's trip and I will post a progress update soon, I have posted some pics of the trip below, I hope it works unless someone can advise me of a better way.
Picasa Web Albums - gwhittington - Euro Trip 2008

Regards

Graham & Sue

Mexico Border Crossing
 

Hi Graham and Sue,

I live in San Diego and have crossed the border at several locations. Mainland and Baja. If you are passing this way and want a few tips, let me know.

David and Jessie
San Diego

G&S2up,

I live in Anchorage Alaska. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. otternorth@hotmail.com
Headed to SA in Dec 2008 for a ride north.
Paul

Hope to see some of you on the road
 

Hi all,
Me and the Mrs are starting our RTW in Jan 09. Riding through France and Spain, then down the West Coast of Africa from Morocco to Cape Town. Not sure when we will be leaving SA, but we want to be in Ushuaia for Christmas 09. If it's still winter down south when we leave SA we will probably fly into Northern Brazil and work our way down. We'll try to post regularly on here and on our WebSite, and hopefully be able to meet up/ride a while with some of you on the way.
Kev & Lorraine

fellow traveler?
 

I left Texas last June and rode to Prudhoe Bay. I rode back to Dallas then headed south. Now I'm in Campeche.

Where are you?

Check out my site at The Digital Nomad

Also looking for a riding partner or two
 

Hello everyone. I am also looking for a riding partner or two or three. I live in Fort Worth Texas and would like to head south in Oct 09. If anyone wants to stop by Fort Worth for some good BBQ on the way south, I'll join up with you here or I can meet up with you somewhere south. Send me a message if you'd like to start planning. It sounds like there's a bunch of us heading south at about the same time. The locals should get used to the steady stream of Gringos going by their houses. Ushuaia sure will be hopping in December. Are any of you planning to take the boat ride to Antarctica?

Wayne

Life without adventure ain't life:D

Who said that timing is everything?
 

The timeline for an Alaska to TDF run couldn't be better. By this time next week I will have officially taken an early retirement at 52 and will be heading somewhere warm for the winter as has become my custom for the past 3 three years. Took in the HU meeting in Chiang Mai Thailand last year. This years destination as yet unknown.

Getting back on track now my plan is to leave Ottawa at the end of June '09 and head for Alaska before turning left and meandering down to TDF. Did a 14k KM ride around North America in '06 but next year will be my first of many trips of that magnitude and I would love to meet up/travel with other riders.

I'll keep an eye on this thread for sure. Looks like it's shaping up to be something.

Greg

Alaska to TDF
 

I'm looking for some riders to join up with, either in Alaska, or, if I do that sooner, I'll join up with them on their way south as they pass by Los Angeles where I live.

I speak Spanish, and lived in Costa Rica and Bolivia, if that's helpful to others.

Chris

hello everyone i've just registered as i get ready for my trip next year so bars open:thumbup1:.


i'm going to be heading down central and sa next year. My current plan is flying in with my bike (dr650) to toronto then doing a month across north america taking in the south and across to utah then l.a.

Once there i plan to stop for a fortnight and get ready to head south, possibly baja then across to mainland mexico.

I will be flying into toronto mid to end of april and will be leaving l.a heading south towards the end of july.

If anyone fancies some riding or a drink when there would love that.

About me 22 year old electrician from the uk mainly travelled europe and a small portion of north africa looking at a 6/7 month travel although will be very flexible.


hope to at least see people on the road

I have been following this thread. My wife and I have been planning our ride to CA & SA around October 2009. I have previously PM'd G&S2UP indicating our interest and flexibility. We completed our shake down ride to the Guatamalan border in May 2008.

I am currently reading and map planning for CA & SA. I would be willing to exchange information. We reside in Colorado and usually cross into Mexico through Texas. jjw.

Cali to TDF
 

I to am planning a trip with no schedule from California to TDF (and beyond?) around the end of summer'ish 2009, I'm flexible. I would like to spend new years in TDF. I'm currently in Iraq getting some money together for the trip. I'll be riding a DR650 solo. I'll be camping or staying in cheap hotels hopefully near a beach as much as possible. Good food, good wine and beer, and easy livin'. Let me know if anyone wants to hook-up!

-Shane:Beach::palm::cool4:

Hey Gang I wouldn't mind hearing some of your ideas on fun sites to see and routing on the way south. I'm going to start serious planning. As I uncover information, I'll post it. I'm excited about the upcoming fun. Have a safe holiday.

Today I was less than a tenth of a second from a head on colilision that would have instantly killed me. A left turner on a rural road close to my house almost took me out. I was looking into the sun and didn't see his blinker. He didn't see me until he had already turned into my lane. At the last nano second he saw me and swerved back into his lane. He was executing a high speed turn across my lane to a crossing street. The trajectory of the SUV was perfectly matched dead center with my bike. The combined closure speed was probably about 90 to 100 mph. I didn't even have time to react. Never, never stop scanning for traps. I've had lots of close calls in my life but this was the closest. I'm still trying to digest what happened. I can't figure a way that I could have avoided the crash. It makes you think about how quickly you can step into the next world. Live every moment like it's your last. Be thankful even on the tough days.

Godspeed,

Wayne

Keeping the schedule clear
 

Flying in to Anchorage 2nd week of August '09. Have my sights set on Dalton Highway/Prudhoe Bay as the literal icing on the cake. Then 6 months solo crossing the continents to TDF and back up to BA on my '00 XL650V. The only appointment I have to keep so far is meeting up with friends in Las Vegas, and even that date still has to be set.

So, too early to start scheduling meet-ups, but I'm looking forward to perhaps meeting you and fellow travellers along the way!

Vincent

VKEMP your AK trip is a bit late in our summer for heading north to the ice blue waters in the north. You very likely will have snow..I know that is home.
There is mucho info on the AK forum of ADVRIDER.
I am in BsAs now waiting for a bike shipment..then it is south and north to the north. otternorth@notmail.com

Hello All,

Im planning a similar trip from July 2009 starting Anchorage heading for Prudhoe Bay about turn and all the way down :thumbup1: Im from Fermoy Co.Cork Ireland... looks like there will be plenty people travelling and to meet up with for the craic all going well ! My plans are in very early stages but will be in touch with some of you guys n gals closer to the off..:mchappy:

Ride Safe Jonny.