Canada to Argentina or UK to Australia Summer 2009
 

Hi All!

I'm based in Leicester in the UK but am planning a trip for the summer of 2009!

The title I guess says it all but nothing set in stone and the UK to Australia is just an idea as will probably spend between 6 months and a year on the road and may just turn this into a RTW trip!

If anyone is interested in coming along than please get in touch! We can meet up, discuss our ideas and if everything fits into place for us then lets go for it! Would like to stick to roads with no real plan....just a general direction! All ideas welcome!

Fall in love with a place and maybe stay there for a week or so?!

Hope to hear from you

Nick

Hi there,
I'm also looking to do a similar trip this summer, although am aiming to end it in Chile as my sister lives there. I've only just begun to plan my trip, have you a route in mind through?

Ste

Alaska to Argentina
 

Hi Nick

Sue and I are heading to Anchorage sometime in June on our way to Tierra del Fuego, no set schedule and I've got as far as Central America planning wise at the moment. Have a look at the thread we started below, seems like there will be plenty of like minded travellers on the road so hopefully our paths will cross at some point.

Stay Upright!

Graham and Sue

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...o-beyond-36138

Hey Steve!

No route planned as yet! I would like to see as much of the States and South America as possible. I guess it's all dependent upon timescales. What are your timescales like? Would be good to may be hook up as far as Chile and then I'll make my way to Argentina?

Nick

hi mate i'm doing a similar trip leaving boston at the end of april 09. Will spend a couple of months in the states heading east to west heading through the south then itah and across to san fran.

From there aim to ride through baja and across to mainland mexico then down to argentina, stopping in various places in central and south america for mini holidays if you excuse the expression.

i'll be on a rough timescale to start with at least 6 months. easygoing like a beer at night and a friendly atmosphere.


Think there are a few people doing similar journeys or at least planned for next year. UI'm currently travelling alone am 23 but not a yobbo! will be taking a prepped dr650.

Hi Nick,

Sounds like I am at a similar planning stage as you. Have spent a fair amount of time in Europe and fancy an adventure across the pond. Have time and am in no Nick Sanders style hurry. Happily stop somewhere for a week or two if it suits. RTW or wherever the winding road ends up.

Are you thinking early or late "summer" ?

All the best

Ross

Hi Ross (and all that have answered!)

Sounds good to me mate! Is the approach I'm looking to take as well! No real plans or timescales and destination unknown.

Departure date I'm pretty flexible. I need to swap my bike (Yamaha R6) for a more suitable tourer and get the house rented. Once we get New Year out of the way will start getting my ass into gear and sort all this out.

There are a few answers on here to this. Graham, Steve and Graham and Sue all seem to be thinking along similar lines! Am thinking I guess best if we could may be meet up for a few beers, chuck around ideas and perhaps split research on carnets, visas, shipment etc?

Thanks to all for the reply! I'm getting excited lol We can make this reality!

Speak next week! Happy New Year to you all!

Nick

Hey

Have posted a reply above!

Chat soon i hope

Nick

a meetup could probably be arranged with little problems, i was planning heading up to scotland for a long weekend to get used to riding the dr after spending since i was 17 on sportsbikes and off road only enduros, a chunky dualsport is erm quirky lol.

seeing as most of the people doing this trip are around the midlands maybe a pub night could be sorted out for a meet and chat to calm nerves-hype people up-frustrate at the waiting to go.

getting closer......

Plan Plan and then some!
 

A meetup sounds fine, Sue and I are now having to arrange our B2 visa for the US as the visa waiver programme won't work for us (we won't have return tickets) and 90 days may not be long enough. We live in Yorkshire but don't mind a run out if someone has somewhere in mind.

Stay Upright!

Graham & Sue

Hey Graham (and all interested)

Let us know when you are planning on doing your Scotland trip as I guess a meet up around this is the best way forward!

I have a spare room (and sofa/floor) if you or anyone else wants to stay. I'm in Leicester but flexible on locations?

Take care all!

Nick

Nick,
My time scale is also pretty open, my basic plan is that i graduate from uni in July and want to set off shortly afterwards. I'm only just beginning to research and plan my trip, and still no where near sorting a bike out (i doubt either my ninja or crosser would cope too well) the only definbate i have is to end up in Santiago to visit my sister. I like the idea of a meet, im in Yorkshire and/or Preston but am always up for a ride out and would really appreciate advice etc from those with experience as this will be my first trip on my bike out of Europe.

Steve

maybe look at sometime mid feb then?

I'm from Calgary, Alberta and am considering a similar tour from here to Argentina. We should talk. I am prepping my KLR650 right now and would take a leave of absense from work (and home) and get outta here to escape a depressing reality. lol. we should talk...

Hey

What are your timescales like? When are you planning on leaving?

I'm starting all the planning next week (part exing my sports bike etc)

Nick

Guess i need to get my arse in gear then! On account of me having done bugger all prep thus far. Nick, can i ask why asre you p/exing the bike so soon? I was thinking of waiting till march time.

Steve

i would have thought because march is cutting it quite fine. If you need it to get a new bike then that has to be done, any prepping of the bike and a few miles to see how you get on with it and expose any problems. Plus if shipping/flying then that has to be booked quite in advance including the reg no.

Plus its one less thing to worry about maybe what with the market problems and getting other things ready.

Gents

I agree. Am part exing as to just get one job out of the way! Plus I've had my R6 for a few yrs now and fancy a change anyway so was gonna change it regardless. I'm not really a speed freak and have never really felt suited to this bike

I'd love an Aprilia Pegasso! Have always adored these bikes but am thinking a Honda or Suzuki may be a wiser choice as these spares will be easier to get hold off in the remote parts of the Americas I've got in my mind!

Just been chatting to a mate who has done all of the americas! She recommends to follow the rockies to Arizona and then head west to pick up the Panam highway south towards Argentina! Idaho, Montana etc all seem perfect biker, traveller country!

chat soon! Will post a date for possible meet on here tomorrow

Nick

Right thank you Graham, i'll get on the case then.

Steve

Nick,
What are you thinking of taking? Have you any ideas regarding modifications to the bike?

Steve

Hey Steve

No idea mate lol This is the biggest part of my research! I've not done anything abroad except Europe and that was france and the nurburg ring.

Was planning on looking at this site and checking out some of the guys that do the custom prep for u. Just taking their advice! Was planning on sticking to mainly roads so really can't see how much there is to do except making sure it's had a good service and taking the essential spares

Nick

Afternoon All!

Thinking of arranging a meet on the 7th Feb in the Leicester area.

I've got a spare room and floor space for anyone who wants to kip over

Please let me know your thoughts! Or another location if you prefer!

This is obviously for everyone who has (or may) expressed an interest in the Canada to Argentina trip

Hope to see and hear from you all

Nick

I'll be there, I have an old flame who lives down that way so kill tow birds with one stone.
Nick have you considered buying a bike when over there? I've been looking in the for sale section and there seem to be alot of bikes for sale in either S.America or Canada.
As for the bike im looking for a lightish 650 type thing, like a BMW 650 Dakar or similar, light enough to be fun on the rough bits but still good for long days in comfort.

Steve

Cool! Like ya style mate! lol

Yeah I've given a lot of thought to buying once i get over there and am thinking along similar lines to you in terms of bike choice!

I guess just a case of doing the maths and see what makes sense. Main advantage with buying and shipping I guess is that i'd know for sure about the amount of luggage that I can get on the bike and chance to give it a test run over here

Is defo a thought though

Nick

I've been looking at it and i could save at least £400 by buying in country, however it seems all the bikes are at the wrong end of my trip, so that idea will only work by going south to north which im not especially keen on but i'm speaking to my sister who lives in Chile to try and work out the feasability of this with regard to weather. On the subject of her if anyone is passing through Santiago i shall pass on her details incase of any problems.

Steve

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the message, not quite trusted enough yet to send a reply! Need some more posts under my belt.

7th Feb sounds good, although there is an overland bike meet at the Ace Cafe down here in the smoke on the 8th. Guess I/We could blast down in the morning.

Thanks for the kind offer of all of us meeting at yours. No old flames for me in Leicester, but have some family in Nottingham, not quite as exciting but hey.

You missed a nice looking Pegaso on ebay over the weekend. Seemed a steal. But even with a Rotax engine, the rest might not be as 'Heath Robinson' friendly as a Jap or German version.

I have just sold a 1200GS as it was to heavy for off road antics. Stuck between a rock and a hard place now... Light nimble single that buzzes slowly-ish down the motorway, or a slightly heftier and more comfortable twin, that takes more effort on the dirt.

Anything is going to feel different to the BM, that was an awesome bit of kit!! Very sad to see it go.

I need to get my guide books and red marker pen out... and a big map. Your preliminary route sounds good. I wonder if we could find a Dakar road book after the rally is finished down there!!

Lets speak more for sure. mail@rosssharp.com is better for me though as I dont get much chance to log on here on a day to day basis.

Thanks again

Ross

as said in my email to you nick i'm travelling up from london for this on the 7th so thats fine, i'll bring my dr650 to show you all what i've done if anybody fancies a go. Quite rare in this country but i ound one and done a full stripdown and rebuild to check it all over and know every nut and bolt and mod i've done to it.

Rough outline of my route across the states would be,

toronto (canada)
new york
tennesse
transa am trail across to utah for a weeks serious trail riding in the desert.
up to colorado
san francisco
pacific coast higfhway to l.a

Baja then mainland mexico and down trying to stay off the pan am to go on the lesser travelled routes, better culture

I've just been looking at an Aprillia Pegaso on ebay, dirt cheap needing a new shock. Any body got any experience or opinions on these bikes?

Steve

Hey Steve

Sorry mate no thoughts other than that I love em! :-)

Was thinking the same myself...the only thing that puts me off is the ease of sourcing spares in the more remote parts of the Americas! So will probable go Honda, Yamaha etc

May be it's not such an issue? May be we could get Aprilia parts?

if its one of the older pegaso's i.e not a 2005 onward model then spares will be fine. The rotax engine is pretty reliable and parts can be sourced and replacement bearings will be hardware shop sizes available.

If you buy one before your trips just check the basic wiring loom and suspension parts that once sorted should prove no further hassle

Cheers Graham will have a look.

I've managed to sort my route through the US, now starting in Boston and crossing into Mexico at Nuevo Laredo. From there my plan is to head down the west coast of Mexico stopping in Mexico City and then towards Panama City where i shall be flying myself and the bike to Quito and continue my trip towards Santiago.

However i'm struggling to find accurate road maps of central and southern america. Any ideas?

Cheers,
Steve

stevie when are you departing boston? i'm flying in at the end of april to start my trip??

AS for maps i was planning on buying some from the usa when i'm there to save on luggage going unused and hopeful to get better scaled ones for the beaten tracks i hope to take

Graham,
I plan to fly into Boston August 10th and would be entering Mexico within a months time (roughly). The climates further down in SA will be more hospitable by the time i arrive, finishing the trip in early december (very roughly). Are you flying/shipping your bike in? I've had a quote from James Cargo for both. I'm quite keen to work out a route prior to setting off, ive sorted the USA but can't find decent road maps for SA anywhere, oh well, i'll keep trying.
PS.. I assume you will also be needing a B2 visa, as you will not have a return ticket? Very daft idea but it is the law.

Steve

i'll be flying in with hc travel seem to be the best price and ease of use.

Visa wise have done the esta test to qualify for the waiver programme. Then i will sneak in without a return ticket because i land in canada and will enter by road at niagra where i can get the 3 month waiver on condition i declare where i'm heading.

HI Graham and Steve: I have been following your thread and G&S2UP. I have previously communicated, by email, with G&S2UP about his trip. My plans are similar to his and I am wide open about time frame. I have completed most of my research (maps and reading). My wife and I took 7000 mile shake down ride through Mexico to the Guatemalan border, in 2008. We reside in Colorado, USA.
I will offer this information just for your consideration. There are some serious risk problems that exist in three border areas between Mexico and the USA, regarding the drug cartel. Everyone has there own opinion about the degree of the risk that is posed. I prefer to manage the unnecessary risks with a reasonable alternative. The three areas that posed the greatest border crossing risk were Tijuana, Juarez, and Nuevo Laredo. The federalas, military and Mexican government are serious about their efforts to reclaim control of those areas. It still isn't under control. My wife and I were stopped no less than 15 times, within Mexico, by the military at their road blocks. They were very nice and after a short series of questions we were on our way. They were fascinated with the bike.
There are several other better crossings. The one I used was McAllen, TX, not far from Nuevo Laredo. I am sure others have other good recommendations, and I hope others pass there experience on. Customs was easy (8am crossing) and the road (Cuota) was good.

joe,

thanks for the heads up on this as it has raised awareness to me, i knew of the military stops but little of their frequency. I will have to keep an eye on that like you said check the border options.

I was hoping to head through at tijuana but my plan was to get there early a.m and get a few hundred clicks from the border and not stop in tijuana itself.

I'm not sure if you have information on the current state of the mainland ferry crossings? someone told me that one of the services from lapaz is now defunct.


Sounds like another on the road! looks like i'll be a few months ahead but i do plan stopping on the west coast for a few weeks so somehwhere on the road i'm sure we'll meet:thumbup1:

I don't have any personal information regarding the route between Tijuana and La Paz. I am sure someone else on the forum has first hand information and will clear the matter up. Good Luck.

Baja ferries
 

Grahan,

Just read this thread. I too am planning to head south in 09. I’m starting from the US, Eastern Washington sometime during the end of 09. If you guys are in the area stop by. Anyway, I thought I’d pass some info regarding the ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan. Based on a trip report over at ADVRider Southern Exposure: Seattle to Argentina - Page 2 - ADVrider the ferry just reopened in December. The route down Baja is one that I’m looking into too but I would suggest checking of the ferry status first.
-Jeff

Planning Canada to South America too.
 

Hey Nick and others

I've been planning a trip south from Canada or thereabouts all the way through south america. Done a fair bit around europe and just feel its the right time to get away.

About to trade in my K1200R for probably a KTM Adventure or F800GS and then......

I've done some preliminary planning and reading so i guess the seed is starting to bloom. Im flexible as when to go as I have no ties here and i have no plans as to how long to be away.

Would love to talk more. PM me or email me at craig.s.wake@gmail.com and we can talk more.

Cheers

Craig

Meet!
 

Hey Gents!

Sorry for short notice but had a cancellation on the proposed meet for this weekend and what with the weather an all best to call it off i think?!

I met Craig a couple of weeks ago and we got a rough idea of a route! Halifax (Canada), head west, then north and then south down the Pacific coast highway towards Mexico

Seems we quite lucky on the visa front re South America and we're both thinking we can sort a lot of it out when we're in the states!!

chat soon all interested

Nick

leo
 

Hi my name is Leo and have just arrived in Calgary, and am planning a similar trip from Calgary up to inuvic then down to T.D.f stopping in L.A to see my son in august for the X games, i am looking for a bike at the moment and have no concrete plans or timetable for the trip, maybe doing some of the trans american trail etc. I would love to hear from you or maybe meet up for a beer, the guy i am staying with has already done most of the world and is a font of knowledge. i look forward to hearing from you, but either way have a great trip and maybe i willsee you on the road.

BC > South
 

I'm planning on taking off from Vancouver August-September 09. If Any of you guys/gals are passing by Vancouver or more specifically the Sunshine Coast and wanna meet up with a friendly local. Send me a message. I'm riding a little 225 but love it!

Similar trip
 

Hi everyone, i am a brit staying witha friend in Calgary, i am in the process of getting ready to do a similar trip, i plan to ride to Vancouver to see some friends about mid april and then head up to Alaska about mid may, i will probably go to Inuvik and then start heading south slowly, i do not have a time scale or general itinary, so am free to meet up with other travellers along the way, please contact me if you would like to meet, thanks.
Regards, Leo

hello nick.
 

hello nick u still leaving in june ? im up 4 it...give me a bell on 07884 330 257..or mail me on snowdogjohn@yahoo.com...let me know dude..

Hi Steve
I used a Garmin CS60 and found any gps-maps (for free) , look here:
Proyecto Mapear
ViajerosMapas - Mapas gratis para GPS
GPS de Argentina y del ConoSur

hardware:
Landkarten für die ganze Welt vom Reise Know-How Verlag online

Iam also on Tour, may2009 - march2010:thumbup1:
Halifax-Alaska-USA-Zentral and Southamerica (Equador,Peru,Bolivia,Chile,Argentina/Terra del Fuego)
Iam the German with a red Honda Transalp XL650V.
see my page: - Fernweh

maybe we see us on the road
Greetings from Germany sends
Ingo