Central/South America Jan 2017

[vintagefrank]

looking for some one who has been on this trip from Canada who would join us (4 guy's @ in there 50's) thanks

[mollydog]

I'm sure you'll hook up with several riders in the one year before your departure. If you've now got 4 riders on board ... I'd leave that number alone.

In my experience traveling with groups in Latin America, a small group is best.
4 max IMO. I led a group of 18 from San Francisco down South to Copper Canyon in Mexico on a 3 week ride.

The first thing we did was break the group in half ... 9 riders per group. Guess what? 9 was too many as well! Everything took FOREVER!

Long waits for food, almost never enough rooms at Hotels, and borders can take forever with a big group. In small towns especially, they are not set up to handle a big group. They will even struggle serving 4. Trust me on this one.
Big groups can be a nightmare.

IMO, 3 or 4 is about the right number for motorcycle travel. If one or more of your group drops out you will run into riders along the road. Also, it's possible one or more of your group will bail out mid trip. No big deal. Others will be there to take his/her place.

Keep it loose and friendly and ALL your guys should be capable ... and willing to go SOLO if need be.

[octopusenvy]

Originally Posted by vintagefrank

looking for some one who has been on this trip from Canada who would join us (4 guy's @ in there 50's) thanks

Gday (from NZ),

I've been planning a trip like this for around that time. I have a bike in California recently purchased for the trip (my 2nd bmw g650x challenge). I'm riding the Continental Divide north to Banff and back to Cali this July/August. I wanted to ride Baja afterwards, but extreme heat of this time of year made me postpone.

So I will return and plan to ride south from early 2017, possibly Feb. I'm an experienced rider with tours in the States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and of course NZ. My spanish is fairly basic, but I'll be freshening up between now and then. Not a requirement, but helps a lot. What are you all riding and what is your plan so far? I'm a young 41...

[Greg Browning]

Hey...retired, in my 50's and starting my CA ride from Phoenix mid January. Crossing into Mex at Agua Prieta.
Let me know your route and timing...we may cross paths.
email ridetheworld@live.com
Cheers,
G.

[dalewalk]

Haven't done S.A. yet, but very much want to go. January works for me, leaving from So. Cal down Baja and ferry over to Mazatlan/Puerto Vallarta. Let me know if you're interested in a 5th without S.A. experience. I recently retired and anxious to stretch out on my R1200GS.

Thanks,
Dale

[uvsdirector]

I see a few people in these posts looking at a similar route and timeline as I am for a trip south. I am planning for a late January trip from southern California, down the Baja crossing over to Topolobompo then south to Panama and back up the East side of the Countries. I only have about two months for the trip though so I will need to keep a good pace... I am from Calgary, Canada, mid 40's. Lot's of motorcycle experience however this is my first long adventure tour.

Cheers,

Aaron