Try it again
 

In the fall of 2006 I made it to Panama. It took 19 days from Missouri (4200 miles) That was too quick for me. I was worn out mentally and physically. We were in CA in early Nov. and it was still quite rainy which made for treacherous riding in the mountains a number of time. Of course thats part of the adventure. I would like to try again in 2008. This time I would leave closer to the end of October and take about 30-35 days to get to Panama. I'm not a camper but there were pretty reasonable hotels along the way. For those that enjoy reading blogs of other travelers my web-site (journal 6) is logging e-mails from Ben Holland, an Aussie, that bought my KLR and is now in Peru and heading south.
Bob

Bob's Adventure

Hi there...
 

I'm doing the pan american in July 2008... if you feel like bolting on that section let me know...
would be great to hook up for some of the journey..

bike trip 2008
 

Hi Mike,

I hope you got great time in Peru !!

I agree It could be fine if we meet somewhere in Montreal. I got 2 weeks of vacation in january (from Jan 3-15... I think ) ( if we didn't have snowstorm) after that, the week-ends are good for me.

Will it be possible for you to go in Montréal on one thoses dates ?


FranK

I am 19 years old from Long Island NY. I am looking to do a trip down to TDF with a departure date in the next 18 -20 months. I was just wondering if any of those who have done the trip or are planning a trip could give some sort of breakdown on their budget. Any input would be appreciated.

budget
 

Hi Guys,

I am also doing the same trip. Heading through Mexico in October 2008 and down to TDF by Jan. I would be keen to start off from LA with others or meet up along the way.

Mike who just finished doing the trip kindly put some budget figures in this post
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...1-2#post158171

Annette

It is interesting to see this thread. While I have no questions of my personal sanity for wanting to ride to TDF, my family thinks I'm nuts. Fortunately, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

Anyway...

I'm going to leave Houston in Nov for TDF, hopefully getting there around March. Early in the trip, I plan on taking a language class in Guatemala for 3-4 weeks before continueing south so I can go beyond ordering from a menu in Spanish :cool4:.

It would be cool to split a room/flat with someone somewhere while taking a langauge class. Anyone interested?

Guatemala. . .Spanish lessons
 

Antiqua is a most wonderful town. Lots of fun and spanish schools as well. I recommend one of the two hotels owned by Darryl Hicks a bike enthusiast who has "Casa Rustica" and a second hotel near by in the center of town. The second (smaller) hotel has a Spanish school adjacent to the hotel.
casarusticagt(at)hotmail.com.

Budget
 

The question of expenses is extremely hard to answer but knowing what someone actually spent and what the conditions were might be helpful. Last year myself and another fellow rode to Panama. I returned home from there and Harold continued to TDF. We choose to stay in hotels and only 5-6 times did we share a room. The following is the average expenses for one person per day. 21 days/4200 miles

Food - 12.00 (we ate pretty well)
Fuel - 10.00
Lodging - 26.00
Toll roads and borders - 9.00
Misc. - 3.00 (less if you don't get a speeding ticket)
Average Total Daily Expense - 60.00 (dollars)
We had no bike expenses

If you camp or share rooms each day lodging will obviously be much less. Border crossing charges ranged from 3.50 to 75.00 (don't ask me why the difference)
Bob
Bob's Adventure

how much are the spanish classes?

Spanish classes
 

I don't know how much the classes cost at the school by our hotel, but there are schools on line if you do a little searching. Antiqua has several schools and I suspect there is a range of prices.

ACADEMIA DE ESPAÑOL GUATEMALA, Spanish Language School Antigua Guatemala courses Education lessons classes
Ixchel Spanish School in Antigua Guatemala

Hey Annette & all -

This is pretty much my timing as well, and a couple of others' also I think. I'll be starting off with a trip across the US from NY to LA. I'm also interested in doing a language course. I've been to Antigua and it's a great town to hang out in.

Andy

Budget
 

I have a spreadsheet linked to my South America Page. It will give you an idea of some costs. South America 2006