NYC- ARGNTN -NYC: Late Oct (give/take)
 

Hello Adventure Riders (& Would-be Adventurers)--

Me, a one-time eager beaver in corporate NYC who, jaded at 28 years old decided to take take up two exciting/dangerous endeavors: I became a vol. firefighter and started taking my R1100 GS off-roading in prep for the trip to Ushuia.

After doing the prerequisite research and reading about the trip/route I felt confident I could do the run solo. I still feel I COULD do it solo, but I think it would just be more fun (not to mention safer) to roll with a companion or two.

Without getting too much into the logistics, here is the basic outline...

Depart: Late Oct/Early Nov (Best due to weather)

Duration: I estimate 6 months

Route:
1) Through Central America
2) Fly machine and self from Panama to Quito, Ecuador
3) Continue down west side of continent to Ushuia
4) Celebrate
5) Continue back up east side of continent
6) If all goes as planned...Rio for Carnival (have people there)
7) Figure out how I am getting back to USA...or just keep riding through Fr. Guyana, Suriname...etc.

If you are thinking about this trip seriously and can take the time off I would love to hear from you...many more plans and ideas I will expand upon then...

Xavier L. Rozas
NY

One pice of advice- continue up the coast of Brazil to the north. Very nice beaches, drinks, girls, etc...

Thanks Jim,

Bahia has had a STAR on my wall-map for years...

Perhaps it would be better to just head straight for Fortaleza/Belem/Recife and forgoe the mining roads of Chile and steaks in Argentina...If they only offered a Carvival Cruise Lines package...

Anxious anticipation!--Xavier

Xavier,

You may have noticed that your last post ended up on the page twice!

a tip - if your post doesn't show up, don't resubmit it - it is actually there, but your isp has cached the previous page and isn't delivering it to you (saves them money).

Cure: hold down the shift key and click on the refresh button with your mouse. This forces a refresh of the page, and you should get the latest version of the page. If not, do it again a couple of times - eventually you will get it.

Also, you CAN delete a duplicate post YOU have made. Just click on the edit/delete button (with the pencil/paper icon) above your post and select delete.

Check out the blogs under the travellers stories link to the left - you could have a blog for your trip!

Also plan on hitting the Mexico Travellers Meeting on your way south. Timing should be perfect.

have fun,

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Mr. Johnson-

I feel honored you 'administered' my blog!

Thanks for the tech insight...and as always...Thanks for HU.com--Xavier

I am contemplating a trip through Central America and/or South America this fall. I was planning the trip around an intended month in a Spanish school in Guatemala. Right now I don't think I can go for more than 2-3 months but that might change. I am also in NYC if you want to do some riding together and talk.

Hey JSherm-

2-3 months seems just about right to really give Mexico and Central America a good go! If you are going to secure bike shippment around "The Gap" you best maximize your efforts and $$$ by not rushing South America.

The more I learn about the varied terrain and the ubiquitous 'out of the way' attractions I begin to wonder if 6 months is enough!
Drop me a line if you find a way to stretch your trip a few more months...Either way, don't rush your adventure for anything!

Ushuaia or Bust--X

OK, here is my plan, see how it meshes with yours...

Quit my job, selling the house, should close mid August. As soon as the house closes I will be bumming around the western US in my pickup camper, towing a trailer with my KLR 650 and my bicycles. (I know, that's cheating). I will be doing a bicycle tour from Bozeman MT to Portland OR, then working my way south to San Antonio TX, where I have friends. Planning on doing the HU travellers meeting in Copper Canyon, and heading south from there, although I am toying with the idea of running the San Antonio marathon the 2nd weekend of November.If I am by myself I will probably turn around in Panama and head back north. Under the right circumstances, I might be convinced to go to South America, though.

I have taken a couple of motorcycle trips into Mexico, and speak a few words of Spanish, so I am not a total rookie, but am not a global traveller (yet!). One of the things I would like to do on the trip is spend a week or 2 learning Spanish. I found on my last trip that I would have got a lot more out of it if I could have communicated better with the locals.

Let me know your thoughts.

After reading my previous post, it sounds like I am taking the truck south of the US border. to clarify, I am planning on leaving the truck and trailer in San Antonio in November, and continuing on by KLR.

Andy-

Good to hear from you.
Sounds as if stationary living has outgrown its luster for you, cool!
I too have been kicking around the idea of Copper Canyon meeting, but need to do some more reading on it.

Where (country) were you thinking about taking Spanish lessons?

I have over the years of living/traveling in Spain learned the language enough to make my thoughts known to Spanish speakers, so I think I will brush up my skills on the road (not to mention free!).

If you did decide to cross the Gap into South America, would you make the push to Ushuaia and up the East coast?

Drop me a line, looking forward to hearing from you!

Wanderlust will guide the way!--Xavier

I also may travel South around this time as previously mentioned. My current plans are slightly different as follows. Kick off with Cooper Canyon meeting then travel South and study Spanish in San Cristobal travel the Yucatan and move on to Guatamala for more Spansish lessons. Then, depending on other factors I would push on South.

Jsherm-

Sounds pretty promising. You still in NYC? We should rendezuous and talk travel... For that matter, maybe you could make the 45 min ride to Pound Ridge (roads here are absolutly unbelievable/challenging!


Got some other ideas I would like to expand upon with a fellow rider--Xavier

[This message has been edited by xlrdexter (edited 16 July 2003).]

OK, I will try to email you.

Count me in...K75s that doesn't mind tasting a little dirt.

I am heading to SA for 3 months starting 1/1/04. I am heading in the same direction you have planned. Let's talk. I went LA - Peru last January.

480 797 5672

JD

Hi

I'm a brit coming over to NY in Sept (sale of house permitting)to start a trip all the way to the bottom of SA mostly west coast then back up the east coast to finish in Brazil where I have friends.

It would be great to meet up sometime along the way.

richard

------------------
Richb

If you need any help in NY feel free to contact me.

RichardB--

One if by land...

Since you will be in town and are heading deep south too, we should most definatly get together to discuss itineraries.
Got bike already?
When you think you will be stateside?
JSherm (local overland traveller) is up for a pow-wow too...Drop me a line sometime as I am still looking for some company on the first leg of the journey...etc.
Tally-ho!--Xavier

[This message has been edited by xlrdexter (edited 29 July 2003).]

[This message has been edited by xlrdexter (edited 29 July 2003).]

Hey. I'm planning on a RTW tour (see post World Tour - August 2004) beginning in August 2004. Grant's trying to talk me out of going to BC, Alaska from SoCal for the first 4-6 weeks and eventually crossing the border in Mexico in September to time the best weather through Central and South America. So if your plans get delayed at all or you wish to try to Rendezvous later in 2004 in SA, let's stay in touch. -- allan


[This message has been edited by DigitalTavern (edited 06 August 2003).]

My departure date is becoming iffy. Problems purchasing a satisfactory bike and possible job complication may delay my departure. I may go to Cooper Canyon as a test run and then have more time for a longer trip. I douubt I will go South of Panama in either case.

Too bad you couldn't swing the grand tour, Copper Canyon and back is no day trip though so don't sweat it.
When you thinking getting on the road...I am still looking for a partner for the first leg of the trip (all trip actually)...November 1st was my estimated departure...you up for it?!

X

Hey, is Andy T out there? E-mailed him several weeks ago and have not heard back.

Anyway, my KLR is on order and departure date from NYC is tentatively set for second week of October for the Copper Canyon meeting and then further south.

Well, after all my worrying about Mexico my 3 week old KLR gets stolen! Not sure what I will do.

Major bummer! Sorry to hear about the bike theft.

And here you were, worrying about it getting stolen in the third world, weren't you?

So here's your chance to see how you are at solving problems as they come up. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Option 1: give up.
Option 2: order another bike and hound the insurance company to pay up asap. If your bike shows up after the NEW one arrives, just sell it. You probably don't want it anyway - who knows what they did to it. But mainly - just do it.

Good luck, hope it all works out, and see you in CC!

NOTE to all - everything you need to know about the Copper Canyon Meeting has been posted on the Meetings / Mexico page - including all details on border crossing etc. Easy!

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Looks Like I'm hading back to South America!

Here is my plan:
Early November-
Fly to Ecuador where The Great White Pig (my mostly trusty '95 Honda XR650L) patiently awaits my return.
Ride around Ecuador for a week or 2.
Ride south thru Peru, Bolivia, Chile.
Jan 1st- be in Ushauia for moto party with Simon Milwward and others
Ride bac north to BA.
Possibly continue north thru Brazil again, possibly thru Central Am.
Most of the schedules I Have seen are a bit fuzzy. Anyone's schedule fit this one? I prefer a partner in foriegn countries.

PS
I consider myself experienced, having ridden Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru Ecuador earlier this year.

For those heading for South America, check out the Meetings page - link on left - there are TWO great HU Travellers Meetings planned - La Paz, Bolivia, November 8th, and Viedma, Argentina, December 5-7.

Both should be well worthwhile going to!

Note the dates and locations were picked carefully http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif - makes a good schedule to be in Ushuaia for Christmas!

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Yep, I am almost running out of 'to do' items and the road is calling my south...especially as the weather decided to skip fall and go straight to winter...
I see beaches and dusty red clay roads in my immediate future.
Date of departure is Oct 26th, which should put me in near Mexico by Halloween...scary huh?!
Still looking for some company to ride with, but I am all but certain that I will hook up with some of you respondants once on the road... Either way, drop me a line if you are interestedin solidifying a rendezuous over brews on the 'other side'.
Best to all of you--Xavier

The famous Ricardo Rocco is having a moto caravan around the Ecuadorian Rally Race.

November 8-15, riders can watch or race. All riders get to ride fantastic roads of Ecuador (paved and dirt) with big parties on the 2nd and 4th days.

Looks like the Great White Pig is goin' Racin', baby!

Excellent...

I have forwarded off the note to my Ecuadorian counterparts.
Not sure I will be there quite yet, I was thinking end of November freight/ship arrival from Panama. Either way, I hope to catch up with you.
Talk soon--X

I am now the proud owner of a 03 BMW Dakar and plans for the trip are back on. I will be in the HU meeting in NC also.

------------------