Riding NORTH back to California from Argentina
 

Hello, I'm currently in Argentina heading north back to California.
I've been four months on the road and looking for quick return along the Pacific coast through Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, then Central America (?).
I'm looking for travel companion/s for the return leg, anyone headed north?

Daniel

heading north
 

Hey Daniel.
Where abouts are you now?
I'm in northern Chile. I'm currently waiting for clutch part. for my DR 650. Will leave from Calama, next week Tuesday or Wednesday, I hope. General route for starters, Iquique, Arica, Arequipa, Puno, (possibly La Paz for a few days), then Cusco, Lima and north from there. Maybe a side trip to Huaraz-Yungay to ride to Punta Olympica. then north along the coast into Ecuador. Side trips depend on weather conditions.
Let me know if you would like to meet up somewhere. Also what you are riding.
Cheers,
Andy

Hey Andy,
I'm at the beach about 500km south of Buenos Aires, debating whether to ride or ship the bike back. Having escaped a couple of situations in Tierra del Fuego while traveling alone, I don't want to go back through the deserts of Chile & Peru on my own.
Plus, having done the entire Patagonia alone, I want to have some company for the return.
Central America I did with others with no problems, but the borders get complicated alone.
As far as your route, the only thing I will not do is Bolivia, I've been there and I'm not interested in going back.
I crossed on the Stahlratte on the way down and I don't want to repeat the experience (bad), so I would need to find an alternative.
As far as side trips, etc, I don't have a problem except I would like to be back in California by mid-April, although not set in stone.
I'm riding a 2010 BMW R1200GS, which has been flawless in every way, I think she loves the Latin American (95+) gas!
I left California Oct. 1st and have ridden so far about 32,000 km.
On the way down I came along the entire Pacific Coast, but it was two weeks of nothing but rain, so I would not mind doing Central America again to enjoy the beaches.
Cheers,
Daniel

riding home?
 

Hi Daniel.
I was on the road with 11 friends from Germany for the first 4 weeks. We were too many, which slowed us down a lot. Anyway, I've been on my own for 3 weeks now and miss having someone else around to share the experience with. I speak a bit of Spanish but not well enough to strike many good conversations with the locals.
Also, with the long distances between towns and gas stations, high altitudes and sometimes rather extreme weather and winds it would feel a lot safer having a riding partner around. Looks like you feel the same way.
I'm also more likely to do a bit of off the beaten track exploring if I have someone else to go with.

You're still quite a distance away from Peru. It will probably take you a week to make it to Puno /Cusco or there abouts, should you decide to come that way. I hope to get going from Calama by next Tuesday or Wednesday, heading that way. So the timing could work out, give or take a day or two for one of us to wait somewhere.

I'll keep an eye on the post. If I don't respond for a day or two I may be camping with no internet. But I will keep in touch when I can.
Cheers,
Andy

Arequipa tomorrow
 

Hey Daniel.
I'm up and running again. In Arica now. Will head to Arequipa tomorrow for a few days. After to Puno, if the weather is decent in the mountains. Otherwise up the coast towards Nasca. Where are you at now?
Still want to ride all the way home and looking for company? Let me know.
Cheers,
Andy