Seattle-TDF
 

I'll be heading south by mid-September, no itinerary, no rush.

Gary


http://r1150rt.smugmug.com/photos/608819756_SYjTf-M.jpg

Hi all,

it looks like there will be a lot of us heading down!
I am leaving Canada early October to reach Ushuaia late March, I'll see you on the road...

Yannick

Leaving Tucson Aug/07/2009 to Argentina and Brazil
 

Hi dedyaga
I'll be driving my Toyota Tacoma from Tucson to Argentina.
I'm leaving Tucson on the 7th and planning to stay on the road for 2 or 3 months. I do a lot of photography. Let me know your plans.
Thanks
Nino
dbrandolizi@yahoo.com

Gidday All
I am about to leave Canada for the US and the HU meeting in N.C.
Then it's back to Boston to fly out to join the missus for five weeks in Europe.
AFTER which I will be heading for Sth America in mid October (from Boston)
The route down through the US is undecided, however linking up with someone would be a good idea.
I'm on an R1200GSA which has so far gotten me to Inuvik (from San Francisco) and over through Quebec and Nova Scotia without too much drama.
While I have all the camping gear, I wonder whether it's needed in S.A.?
My blogsite is errolsadventure
Cheers
Erol G.

Hi Errol,

Camping gear is also something I've been debating whether to take along or not. From what I gathered on the HUBB and ADVrider, it's not necessary in any part of CA or SA. However, if you like camping or want to travel cheaply, it is nice to have, especially on the souther part of SA on the way to TDF.

Security is of course a bigger issue when camping. I read that in general it's less safe to camp in CA but have no personal experience with this.

My plan is to not bring camping gear and once I get to South America, I'll buy the cheapest tent I can find for the few times that I'll camp.

Cheers,
Torben

SA camping
 

Gidday Torben
It's not just the tent that is the problem, it's all the other "stuff" that goes with it.
Like the sleeping bag and Thermarest mat.
This stuff is bulky and therefore becomes a security problem.
Just a thought.
Cheers Errol

G'day all,

This is a some what related question, I'm also planning a trip from the USA through to South America, following a similar method to Torben, but I need to know whether it is possible for a foreigner to legally own a motorbike bought in the USA?

I am currently sitting in Australia weighing up different options, freighting a bike from here is rather expensive!!

Any help appriciated.

Hi Torben, I have done that run 3 times and am about to set off on a 4th. Your idea about buying down south if you decide you need it is a good one although you might consider taking a lightweight bag and bivi sheet for emergency bivvies. Anyway, your bike gear will keep you alive unless you choose to bivvy in really extreme conditions (half way up Aconcagua say). While I am on this thread a request, any solo or groups of riders want to group up for the CA part of the trip please get in touch, I have done CA solo and in a group and the hassle reduction by travelling in a group or even a two ship is "just sublime" as a certain puffer skipper would say. I'm picking up my moto in Calgary at the start of Sep. '09 and will be bimbling south just ahead of the winter. (I hope) Ride safe.

Hi all,

Yes a lightweight bag and a bivi would be good for emergencies. I really like to avoid too much bulk though like Errol said. Since I still have to buy the bike in CA, I'll see how it is loaded up, and if it's not too full I'll add a small sleeping bag and bivi.

Maja, riding in a group is definately more fun. And makes border crossings easier as well! I suggest signing up to the mailing list Platon66 mentioned in post #15 of this thread. It's not too active yet but there's 13 other people there making this trip so it shouldn't be too hard to find riding buddies :)

Daccadict, yes it is legal to own a morcycle in the USA. It is good to be aware of this different rules and procedures in each state though. For instance, in some states you will get the title of the bike when you buy it, in others it will be send to an US address within a few weeks. There's quite a bit to find about it on this forum and on the DMV websites of each state.

Cheers,

Torben

Grup riding to SA
 

Gidday all
Ducaddict, I spent a year or so setting up a bike for a length of the Amercas trip, including a letter to the US embassy in Canbera (Australia) asking what difficulties I may encounter.
After about 6 pages of rules and regs. they told me the inspecting customs officer had the discretionary power to allow or refuse entry of said bike.
You guessed it, I copped one who decided to be difficult and it took me 5 days, with the help of an agent, to get it in!
I'm still not sure why it was refused in the first place.
I would still recommend bringing your own bike, but hire an agent from the Australian end.
It cost me Aust.$1700 to fly it from Sydney.(Qantas)
Mike,I am at prsent in the US and am very intereted in joining up with other riders for, at least the CA leg in late October or early November.
I will be at the HU rally in Nth Carolina in August if anyone there wants to touch base.
Cheers Errol

Yet another Canadian heading to TDF this fall. Leaving Peterborough, Ontario early October (date flexible) on a KTM990. Very interested in linking up with others. Planning to take until March to complete the trip with a possible flight home for Christmas.
On the subject of camping gear, I have been able to put tent, mattress, sleeping bag, cooking equipment and coffee press in one side bag with room to spare for replacement front and rear tubes and some dried food. I am not planning on a lot of camping but you never know?? If you want some advice on the most compact equipment out there let me know.
I will continue to follow this thread. If you are interested in linking up please let me know.
Peter

Hi Folks :D

I read this thread and think for my self... evrybody is on the way to tdf.

Me too :-)

Today (Monday August 24) i stay in SF, left tomorrow to the NP's Yosemite and Death Valley. And after this i will turn down to Mexico.

Maybe i meet somebody on the road?

more infos about me? visit Motonaut.ch - Start

cheers Markus

Leaving LA 1st sept
 

Hi there...
Myself and my buddy Helmar will be heading south on the first of september.
If you want to meet for a beer along the way no problem.
You can see where we are at this link
Oisin's Blog
Stay safe on the road...
Oisin

wow!
 

Markus,

we have the same bike (mine being somewhat older!), how's the riding with that HUGE top box you have on there? I don't think I have ever seen a Super T carrying such a load...

Hope I'll see you on the way south,

cheers,

Yannick

gands2up heading South
 

Hi All,

Sue and I are in California at the moment heading into LA tomorrow or there abouts, we have ridden from Anchorage via Deadhorse over the last 3 months. We need to be out of the states by Sept 8th and will head down the Baja before catching the ferry to Mazatlan. we are not on any kind of schedule but have another 8 months to finish out trip to TDF. If anyone fancies a chat and a beer let us know where you are and we'll get in touch.

Stay Upright

Graham and Sue