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Welcome to the 48th edition of the Horizons Unlimited E-zine! It's almost officially spring here in Western Canada. The car still hasn't made it into the garage, but it survived the winter. The weather out here on the coast is much improved, up in the low teens Celsius, or low 50s Fahrenheit. Susan got carried away last autumn and planted almost 1,000 spring bulbs, and is finally seeing the fruits of her labor. Crocuses are in full bloom and daffodils and tulips are coming up quickly. Our neighbour has already cut his lawn a couple of times, and I'm sure that's a hint that ours needs cutting too. Of course, the fact that the rest of Canada is still in the deep freeze makes us even more cheerful out here. Riding season coming...

Now is the time to get planning and preparing for your summer travels. Make sure you've marked your calendar for June 18-20, when the first Eastern USA / Canada Motorcycle Travellers Meeting will be held in western North Carolina, USA. We hear the riding is superb in that part of the country, "a short 30 minute ride to the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and the scenic Cherohala Skyway, two of the best motorcycle destinations in the United States". We plan to be there! Of course this does mean mucho bike prep for Grant to get our white elephant on the road ;-)

Why not start - or finish - your cross-country or RTW trip from one of this year's meetings? We guarantee a great reception and a free t-shirt! Anyone from overseas who plans to be in North America this summer, we'd love to see you at a meeting. (Grant will also be at the Portugal Meeting this year, as well as Intermot for the big motorcycle show.) Bring your stories and pics and show us where you've been! For those of you who haven't been to a HU travellers meeting, it's a great experience, different from any other motorcycle event, described as a "...uniquely typical travellers atmosphere that's an odd ball combination of mellow, and tail wagging enthusiasm." Make 2004 the year to get to one, two or more events and meet your fellow travellers!

If you are planning on coming to one of the meetings this year, please register early. The UK and Eastern USA Meetings registrations forms are up and rolling, with lots of registrants already, and the rest of the forms will be up in the next couple of weeks. Also let us know if you'd like to show a few slides from one of your trips too - it doesn't have to be a fancy multi-media presentation, a few slides and a few words about the area is great. Length can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 45 minutes.

We have lots of stories this month to inspire your plans, including some from places no one has reported from before: the first independent motorcycle travellers into China, and across the ice in Siberia. There are muchos viajeros in Mexico, Central and South America, a very popular area this time of year. Before you jump in, please take a moment to read the following.

Thanks to all our loyal supporters

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Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meetings 2004 - time to plan ahead!

Mark your calendars for at least one of these events. This is your chance to meet your fellow travellers, share adventures and travel tips, and incidentally to help support your favourite website! We are going to try very hard to be at as many of the meetings as possible ourselves, so we hope to see you there!

2004 Meetings so far:

Eastern USA / Canada First Annual Meeting, North Carolina, June 18-20, 2004

Details and registration here. Richard and Karen Fawcett and Jim and Liz Donaldson are organizing the meeting. It is on, so mark your calendars, and register early!

UK 2004, Fourth Annual Meeting, July 9-11, 2004

Get in on the fun at the 2004 Meeting! NOTE fantastic NEW Location! Last years event story here.

Western Canada / USA, Third Annual Meeting, September 10-12, 2004

Carol Palladino and Peter Cameron (RTW 2002) will be hosting this event again, in beautiful Revelstoke, BC. Some of the best riding country in the world, rides of every description, including one to a local hot spring. Watch for new location in Revelstoke. Details and registration here. Last years event story here.

Australia 2004 in progress, October 1-3, 2004

Several people have responded to our request for volunteers, so this event is in progress, same location as last year, and date is set. We could still use volunteers, though. Last years event story here.

Portugal, Second Annual Meeting, September 24-26, 2004.

Contact Gonçalo Pais if you're interested in attending next year or helping out. If you wish to put on a slide show let us or Gonçalo know. Full Details of the 2003 event and pictures here.

Copper Canyon, Creel, Mexico, tentative date: Oct 14 - 17, 2004

Yes that's 4 days - we're extending it - too much to do and places to ride! Main 'events' will still be Friday night, Saturday and Saturday night. Planning in progress, expect lots of exciting things, trail rides, tours of the area and more. If you wish to put on a slide show let us know! Last years event story here.

Viedma, Argentina, December 3-5, 2004 - Details coming.

Oscar Knecht, HU Viedma Community is the organizer of the meeting. Oscar's is a favourite stop with travellers on the way to Ushuaia - if you're headed that way be sure to add this event to your plans! Last years event story here.

See the Meetings page for more details on all events.

Rayko Moritz and Markus Rohling, LoMo Expedition, Germany to Shanghai and back, in Mongolia and China, XT600's,

"Thanks to the Mongolian help, a three month China visa that shines in our passports, the Chinese immigration requirements, we now resolve to use trick 17. We want to look for a Mongolian truck, that will carry our motorcycles, declared as transit goods, through the border. By this we can, like normal tourists, cross the border...

The first turnpike opens and we stop in front of the Mongolian customs building. The truck driver crosses the border every day and probably knows every male and female officer by their names. While this young Mongolian guy is flirting with the uniformed girls, we get our papers examined in the building and are stamped quickly. Super! We've solved our first problem: We can't go back to Mongolia. Our truck driver is already waiting and on we go. Nobody wants to see our motorcycle documents so we don't ask silly questions. In the no man's land, the line of trucks is unusually long.

On the Chinese side there's a power failure and we still have 60 minutes before the border will close. We are waiting and nothing happens. Finally the first trucks get started. Still a half hour to go! Slowly we crawl closer to the Chinese checkpoint. Long before the turnpike an officer approaches us. So, the game seems to be over! He will probably ask us to turn around. But he smiles and sends us to the front of the line.

As on the Mongolian side, we have to go into the customs building, while the truck driver is waiting at the checkpoint. The completed forms are accepted without any complaints. While I'm waiting for Lo, somebody touches my shoulder. It's our Mongolian truck driver, who tells me that he's waiting for us - on the Chinese side - near the exit. How? Where? He points to his truck in the distance with our Yamies beside his truck. I think I'm going crazy! How did he pass Chinese customs with our bikes, since he had no documents for them? We can't believe it.

We are in China - we are really in China! Close to the border, we find a construction site, where we unload our bikes from the truck with the help of some Chinese site workers. We say goodbye to our Mongolian guy, and give him a tip.

Our tension dissipates and we can't control ourselves any more. We have tears of joy in our eyes, and like two little kids, we jump on our bikes in high spirits. I take a deep breath of the mild evening air; it is especially nice to feel it. Inner Mongolia shows still a strong desert character, so we try to find a site for our tent with a view. We're calmer now and the road tension disappears. Our new goal is Beijing. From there, it's not far to Shanghai. The city is now within reach and I write in my diary excitedly: Shanghai, we're coming!

Camels have right of way

During the first days in China we had little rest. The unusually fast pulse of the country takes some time to get used to. Still a long way to Beijing, but the high population density seems to increase rapidly. One city changes into another. Place signs are non-existent. But some billboards eventually tell us we are in Beijing. Mrs. Rose Tian, a business partner of Lo's former company Dresearch, puts us up for more than a week in her country house near the city. Her magnificent hospitality shows us a different China. Many times she invites us to local restaurants and helps us whenever possible. We bid Rose a fond farewell and express our immense gratitude for real hospitality.

Then we are off to our final destination, Shanghai, now only 1600km away. The traffic on Chinese roads takes us brutally back to reality: high traffic volume moving at a leisurely pace, couple with the totally unpredictable behaviour of drivers forces a change of our attitude. With our new outlook, traffic flow seems to improve at once, but then we're faced with another problem: rain. But why does everything in this country have to be so extreme? High humidity beggars description. Our riding clothes labelled 'water proof' disappoint us. The pants get wet at the most sensitive spots. Not a chance to dry our clothes, and after the 4th day of rain, we put on our last dry set of clothes. We search unwillingly for a cheap hotel and when we hear the price for a twin bed room, it's easy to say 'yes'. Two Euros gives us a little luxury. The motorcycles are parked in the reception hall, and we warm up our clammy hands on our camping cooker. The word 'heating' doesn't seem to exist in Chinese.

Shanghai! We made it!

A truck behind Lo is honking and goes one cm too far. Boom! In the mirror I just see the motorcycle falling. Shit! I run towards them. We've fallen a few times, but today somebody wants to teach us a lesson. Lo's right leg is jammed under the side box. I wave the truck driver over and together we get the bike vertical. I'm seething with rage, but this doesn't help us. His foot hurts and must be x-rayed, but the diagnosis at the nearby hospital is encouraging. No fracture, just over-streched ligaments are the reason for the pain.

We discuss the situation and decide to attempt the last 150 km to Shanghai. Dusk makes us nervous, and dark figures on the street are hard to see, so we try to calm down. It's dark now and speed doesn't matter. Kilometre after kilometre we draw closer to Shanghai. Street signs show the famous 'People Square' but there's still 20 km to go. The roads of this huge city are a labyrinth.

Skyscrapers announce the centre of the city and we then turn into a parallel street of the 'Bund', normally closed for two-wheelers. Halfway along the 'Bund', we search for a parking place on the sidewalk and dismount. We finally made it! Our dream had come true. Shanghai is reality. It doesn't seem that long since we left Wildau; now we're in Shanghai, journey's end.

Shanghai, as a world metropolis is especially interesting. Western culture and Chinese traditional ways of living meet here with brutal sobriety as a matter of course. Still, as though we've taken root, we are standing beside our motorcycles in the middle of Shanghai."

And a note on the HUBB from Lo and Mo...

"China by motorcycle - forget all the plates and guides and whatever the official requirements are. We've done it successfully, just by our own and spent almost 3 month and 9000 km in China. I guess the most difficult part is to get in, but once in, we had not even one single problem with the police riding in the streets. The people are incredible friendly and interested, but to get used to this unbelievable (no rule) traffic, it really takes a while. Even when the PSB or the police were checking our documents while camping, they never had any questions concerning the ride by ourselves on the bike through the country. To read the whole China story (and more will come soon) have a look on our website at: www.lomo-expedition.de"

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Arno Backes and Sian Mackenzie, Germany and UK, Australia via USA to South America, in Argentina, on BMW R100GS PD and Yamaha XT600E,

"We took our time leaving Cajón Grande, but we were still quickly back onto the Ruta 40, which according to our information, was paved but with lots of potholes. There were more potholes than tarmac in fact and riding in the gravel that lay at the sides of the road was preferable to the rim-wrecking road surface.

In contrast, the scenery was again spectacular, rocky desert suddenly gave way to a valley filled with lava, at one point the river, which had previously meandered, shallow and wide through the valley, was forced through a narrow gap in the lava which had all but blocked its path. In the distance, the source of the lava flows, we counted 6 or 7 volcanic cones, all now dormant, having spent their energy a long time ago.

Riding by lakes and volcanoes

We had hoped to reach Zapala, however the bad road had put us behind and a chance meeting delayed us again. Two bikes were coming towards us, loaded up with luggage - must be travellers! And so we met Bernd and Jörg from Germany on BMWs of course. Their luggage system was one of the largest I'd seen so far, aluminium panniers with extra compartments attached plus a huge extendable aluminum top box. Plenty of room for all those travel luxuries!

Bernd & Jörg, with their large panniers

...We rode slowly back to San Junin, found the campsite and signed in for the 4th International Encuentro de Motos. No sooner had we pitched up our tent in a relatively quiet corner, than two other travellers rode in our direction. Jürgen and Sabine, from Germany but not travelling on BMWs, Yamahas in fact.

Juergen and Sabine arrive at the campsite

We all really enjoyed the meeting, everyone was friendly and wanted to chat. There were the obligatory bike games and then the ride around the town, much tooting of horns, especially past the police station, and then by the main plaza everyone parked their bikes for all to see. Sunday morning and it was time to leave, we were all sent off with stomachs full of pastries and hot chocolate (supplied by the army in a huge 500 litre tank)."

For more stories, check out Arno and Sian's blog here on Horizons Unlimited!

Jim Stanley and Xavier L. Rozas, USA, in Colombia, Bolivia and Chile, on Honda XR650L and BMW R1100GS

"...Making slow progress in a driving rain, we came upon a roadblock. This scared me more than a little bit, as the kidnappings happen at roadblocks. But this was an Army roadblock, not a Guerrilla roadblock. It seems there may have been guerrilla activity down the road, so the army was stopping all traffic. We waited for daylight at a small restaurant with a roof and no walls, with several other buses and trucks. The army men there were a bunch of pimply kids with very large guns. I wanted to take pictures, but decided against it.

...We made it to Medellin at 7:30 AM. It is famous for the Medellin Cartel and until, the death of the cartel's leader, Pablo Escobar, in 1993 it was the world center of cocaine traffic. Today it is much safer.

Photo by Xavier Rozas

...we headed east to Cusco, via Abancay. This is possibly the best road in the world. About 400 miles of twisty mountain road with incredible scenery and perfect pavement. Xavier is doing very well with his big Beemer and dragged his aluminum sidebags around most of the turns. We finally arrived in Cusco after dark. The next day was spent sightseeing in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and the following day we went to Machu Picchu and back via train.

Baptizing the bike? - Photo by Xavier Rozas

The Salar Uyuni Salt Flats are the biggest in the world. We wanted to ride directly across them, but we are told they are currently under 12 inches of water so that is not feasible. Instead, we will skirt to the south through a great desert. We needed to stock up on supplies. The Bolivian shopping list for crossing the desert is this: extra cans of gasoline, extra bottles of water, spaghetti noodles and sauce, whiskey, coca and dynamite. Xavier will carry the extra gas and I will carry the dynamite. Somewhere in the middle of the desert will be some new craters. Xavier is a bit apprehensive, as this next leg will take us about on 300 miles of dirt roads ending in Chile. He is not very confident on the behemoth BMW but I think he will do fine, and we can trade bikes if necessary.

Stuck in the Salar - Photo by Xavier Rozas

...I am back in Buenos Aires. I am currently in the process of trying to get myself and the bike back home. I may leave the bike here to come back next year for Carnaval, in Brazil. Depends on how much it will cost to ship etc... I should be stateside in a few weeks.

Photo by Xavier Rozas

Xavier has stories and lots more pictures on his site- please check it out."

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Simon Milward, UK, around the world, in Argentina, home built Rotax,

"Ushuaia, Argentina 02 January 2004
Ten adventure motorcyclists celebrated the New Year with a motorcycle race on Tierra del Fuego in Argentina last week. The first 'Fin del Mundo Cross' took place at the Rio Pipo campsite west of the town of Ushuaia on 31 December 2003. The two part competition, consisting of a trial course in the forest and grass track circuit next to a river, was the first of its kind at the end of the world, probably the first worldwide.

A Swiss on a TDM leads 2 Germans on their Africa Twins at the Fin del Mundo Cross

Six Germans, two British, one Dutch and a Swiss unloaded the luggage from their heavy bikes to accept the challenge, which separated the men from the boys. Karsten from Germany won the event on his cut down BMW. He was presented with a bottle of schnapps to make him feel at home. Local television showed up and caught some spectacular crashing on film. The course was laid out by Dutchman Maarten Munnik, (www.maartensworld.com), riding round the world on his Africa Twin, who honorably stepped out of the prizes after winning.

Me going too fast on the trial at the Fin del Mundo Cross

We hope it will mark the start of a new tradition among the riders who venture down to Ushuaia each summer. Needless to say, it was my idea, and needless to say who did most of the crashing.

Hair pin bend through river at Fin del Mundo Cross speedway event

The campsite, where Ruben and Marie have been looking after us all and letting us use their warm kitchen, has been a lot of fun. In total, there have been 18 motorcycles this New Year. It has been really nice to meet and travel with like-minded people for a while. Bob Morley from the UK (www.worldtour.overpro.co.uk) has just started his RTW tour by 650 Funduro. He and Maarten Munnik have volunteered to train health workers in Latin America in basic maintenance on motorcycles they use for their job, as they pass through over the coming year.

Fin del Mundo Cross participants

It took me fours years to get here so I am going to stay a few more days. Perhaps it is the thought of having just one more continent to go, which is slowing me down. So here's to another year on the road. I plan to get to South Africa in March and head north towards Morocco or Egypt."

Bernd Hoffman and Joerg Kauschke, Germany, in Argentina, R100GSPD,

"We are heading further north on the Ruta 40 to Las Flores and Chilesito to Cachi. Always on the Top of the Andes with spectacular landscapes and 50 percent terrifying corrugations and sand passages. The region around Cachi is really beautiful and there's a hot spot for staying overnight. The finca La Paya near Cachi, in the middle of a great mountainsite is a rebuilt finca from 1890, with lovely restaurant and a Primera Categoria. We paid 18 Euros for an excellent room for two people. Pool use included. It's worth every cent. Highly recommended if you are in this area.

Going further via Salta and Paso de Sico at an altitude of 4080 meters where I got the 'famous' Soroche. I got really sick from the high altitude, but some Coca leaves helps great. Always following the Ruta 40 half pavement, half washboard and sand. Coming to San Pedro de Atacama we found no reason to stay any longer than 2 days. The 'Valle de la Luna and the Geysers of Tatio' are really disappointing and this little town has become a typical Backpackers and Freak hangout. The only interesting thing to see is the Salar de Atacama, a salt lake with pink flamingos. Nearly every second house is a Tour Agency for Jeep Tours around the town...

We went south from Salta to Oscar's place in Viedma. There we joined the Horizons Unlimited Argentina rally. We had a lot of fun and Oscar is a really polite and helpful guy. Every bike traveller is really welcome in his house and he is very hospitable. I am taking this opportunity to say another thank you very much to Oscar for the rally.

From Viedma we rode down to Punta Tombo and watched the huge Penguin Colony over there. It's a great experience to see penguins 1 km away from the sea, crossing the road. At this time they had babies and were taking care of them.

Further on to Punto Pyramids where we took the opportunity to see some whales. Another great experience, but unfortunately we had bad weather, so the waves were really high and the water rough. It is a big tourism rip off, but anyway I can highly recommend taking a boat trip to see the whales, if you are there at the right time to watch these incredible animals."

Bernd has some tips on riding in South America in the Travellers Tips section.

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Gail and Eric Haws, USA, in Brazil, BMW R100GS,

"First we rode to Canada to attend the Horizons Unlimited rally in BC, then to Vancouver where we stored our moto and flew to Argentina. Gabriel and his family met us at the home of Javier, owner of Dakar Motos where we had stored our BMW. A good contact for all visiting BA.

...It is easy to eat in Brazil even if one can't read the menu because most lunch places are truck stops and buffets, with no menus. You go in, go to the buffet line and help yourself. When you sit down a waiter comes up and asks for your drink order. Then in a Currusosa, they come around with various meats on a spit and cut off what you want. You will not lose weight in Brazil. Most hotels, all we stayed in, have large breakfast buffets , which will contain more fruit, and sweet cakes than most northerners are used to. Dinner may be a little more complicated.

We had left our tent in Greece and had a choice to buy another or cheap hotel rates. Several of our friends in Argentina said because hotel rates where so low in Brazil that one might as well stay in hotels rather than camp. So this is what we did. Consequently we did not pay much attention to camping sites and saw little evidence of such. Those that we did see were basically in tourist areas and were vacant, we assume due to the weather. So we spent our time in hotels or in the homes of other motorcyclists, Brazilians are very friendly and thanks to previous travellers and Horizons Unlimited we had contacts.

Everything in Brazil is about 1/3 the cost of One Euro or One USD. So money goes a long way. A good place to retire, vacation, or moto. Using the three criteria, food, people and scenery, we would rate Southern Brazil very high. This part of Brazil, has little crime, nice beaches, deserted in the winter, friendly people, and scenic places.

... We must say a short word about Uruguay. We believe that most travellers take the coastal route. But we took the inland route as it was somewhat shorter and we thought the weather might be better. Immigrations and customs are actually about 1 km south of town. Because our front tire was quite bad we took the ferry to BA. We were worried about the Argentina Aduana so asked the Uruguayans to take care of our paperwork. This was a mistake because Argentina did not care but the aduana at the port in Uruguay tried to scam us out of 5 Euros saying it was a fee."

Simon Kennedy, Ireland, RTW, in Peru, Transalp,

"Some good news. I have found the solution to the bike's altitude problems. Sometimes the solution is staring you right in the face. Just go downhill. Big improvement. It works a treat. After weeks in the sky I drop to under 1000 metres. The mosquitoes are man size, but it is great to be in the clouds. It is a joy to take on a cumulonimbus-see one on the horizon and then ride right through the middle. Spooky, mesmerising, unbelievable fun.

Ecuador is like Wales. The spectacular mountains, green hills, and lots and lots of rain. I swear that was a pint of Albright I had back there. I give the country two and a half days, which is unfair, but I am keen to get moving after all the delays. More the fool me.

Overlander conundrum time: you lose your keys. Thankfully you have thought to put a spare set in your left pannier. Trouble is, they are locked in the pannier. Get out of that sunshine.

I ask in town for some tools in order to break into the box. 'It is not necessary' says Juan. He takes a hammer and a small screwdriver to my padlock, and gives the latter a gently measured tap. It springs open obligingly. 'Te doy las gracias' says I, thinking that it is definitely time to rethink my security system.

We chat for a while. He wants to go back to the USA.
'Why did you leave?'
'I was reported. Illegal'.
'Why would anyone do that? Who did it?'
'My wives'
'Wives?'
'Yeah. They met.'

For a few days I cross paths again with Didier and Catherine. A familiar division of labour emerges. She takes the pictures, adding wry encouragement and quiet smiles. He throws a charming French version of Australian manhood into the mix, 'no inquietudes mate', and I have lots of obscure adjectives for sand. But they want to go east to the magnificent Inca ruins and onto Rio's fantastic carnival. I want to keep south into Chile looking for solitude and altitude. It makes sense. Just doesn't sound like it.

I find plenty. The open deserts pull together all those dissolute thoughts and creeping doubts around biking travel. Huge spaces; the feeling of covering miles without danger or difficulty; the sheer amount of nothingness. Just me and lots of absence. Motorcycle emptiness. I adore these vast landscapes: blissfully lost in my helmet, tracking kilometers on the map, enthralled by the thin black line winding forwards like a discarded leather belt. I am very happy."

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Zacharias Ditoro, in Panama and Colombia

"We were supposed to be leaving Portobelo (Panama) for South America with our bikes today, but our captain has decided to borrow another boat. (There are 12 of us going and the seas are quite rough.) John and I are going to work and sleep on the yacht for the next couple of days. The new hombre we are traveling with, Joseph, complements our team just nicely. His perfect Spanish will keep us out of trouble for the next leg of our journey. Oh ya...forgot to mention, John and I have been staying with a Colombian hit man for the past 2 days! He is a retired artist now.

...I have been in Medellin, Colombia for almost two weeks now. (Pablo Escobar's hometown.) When I first arrived, I tried to sell my bike. At first, it looked like I was going to be in the money. Unfortunately, because I only had a temporary importation certificate for my bike, it HAD to leave the country. Yesterday I sent my bike to Vancouver via DHL. I thought I was getting a deal at first, only 710 US dollars. The catch was that I had to pay in pesos at their exchange rate. (Another 200 dollars US.) At least my bike is on its way home.

Medellin has the same flavor as every other bustling city: pollution, the sickly rich and the chipper poor. My hotel is downtown and most of the people I have met will not even venture down here alone. (Not a good sign.) While I was packing my bike up yesterday, a schoolteacher stopped to chat for a minute. Two hours and a meal later, he was on his merry way. I grilled him for the dirt on what is actually happening here in Colombia.

Turned out, his father had been killed by guerrillas 10 years ago, along with 21 other Colombian VIPs. They were travelling in the south, by bus, when it happened. Next, we got on the subject of my motorbike. Apparently, he used to own one, but 4 years ago he was riding home from work and was bike-jacked. No insurance for that down here. When he finished lunch, I saw he was riding a pedal bike!

I have managed to stay out of trouble so far and plan to head home in the next few days. Key word is plan. You never know down here. Best wishes, Zach"

Lois Pryce, UK, Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, Yamaha XT225 Serow,

"Ruta 40 folklore abounds; mainly concerning the howling 60mph winds that sweep across the bottom of the continent at this time of year. Motorcycles and their riders blown clean off the road, flying rocks causing untold damage, hundreds of miles without fuel stops, unavoidable crashes. The horror stories go on. Naturally, I assumed it was all wild exaggeration as so many of the 'road ahead' tales turn out to be. On this occasion, I was wrong. A more unsuitable journey for a couple of fully loaded, travel weary 250cc motorcycles, one cannot imagine.

We emerged from around the corner of the last hill we would see for a while and sure enough, a furious side wind immediately slammed into us sending me flying across the road. Rachel fared a little better with her bike's lower centre of gravity but we both fought and struggled our way onwards using every ounce of physical strength in our upper bodies just to keep moving in a forward direction. The bikes leaning at a forty-five degree angle, the engines screaming at full revs in second gear; it was the only way to achieve a grip on the road whilst battling the ferocity of the wind.

Without warning a strong gust would regularly whisk my bike round by ninety degrees, sending me careering across the road, sliding and skidding in the gravel, banging through potholes and eventually off the road altogether, sometimes dropping the bike, sometimes not. I soon devised a method to deal with these incidents by simply steering the bike in the direction the wind forced me, which usually involved riding up or down the steep bank or for yards across the scrubby plain until I could safely come to a controlled stop.

Oops again!

This worked well enough until such an occasion coincided with Rachel overtaking me on my left. As the wind spun my bike around, the front wheel drove slap bang into her back wheel. I crashed. She looked around to see what had happened. She crashed. It must have been a comical sight, the two of us sprawled on the floor next to our supine motorcycles. We crawled across the gravel, yelling enquiries as to each other's well being, the sound of the wind rendering our voices almost inaudible. With the bikes upright again, we attempted to decant the contents of my fuel can into our tanks, but to no avail. The wind sprayed the petrol into our faces, on to our clothes and all over the bikes. And then once again, straight off the Pacific Ocean, a howling beast of a gust slammed Rachel's bike to the dirt, the filler cap still open, precious gas issuing forth to be soaked up by the dry earth. Exhausted and aching, we lifted her bike from the ground for the second time and sure enough, another vicious blast howled across the plain, this time sending Rachel herself flying to the ground. 'We've got six hundred bleeding miles of this!' we shouted at each other above the roaring in our ears, laughing with adrenalin-fuelled hysteria.

...I made it! Today I was greeted by glorious sunshine as I arrived in Ushuaia, the most southerly town in the world; eight and a half months and sixteen thousand seven hundred and ninety eight miles since leaving Alaska. The bike and I are starting to fall to bits, but I think I'd feel a bit cheated if this wasn't the case!

Now it's a mere two thousand miles up to Buenos Aires, then back home to Blighty for a decent cup of tea. The only way is north..."

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Rob and Dafne de Jong, Netherlands, riding the ice in Siberia, on Yamahas with a sidecar,

"... and our eyes go to the horizon. In the wagon of the train our sidecar is impatiently waiting to be released in the Siberian landscape. We watch the swampy landscape passing by, enjoying the thought to go back here in winter to ride the roads that are impassable now. The horizon is calling. We have to go!"

...It's painstaking to start the engines, despite all preparation. The solo runs first; the sidecar always needs some more attention though. After a few tries the block runs for a short moment. Again I push the start button and the engine starts to run. Suddenly I see oil streaming on the snow. My heart skips a beat. "What's going on here?" We light our flashlight to see.

Because of heavy over pressure in the carter, a rubber closure plug has been pushed out of the block. With a tyre lever we carefully try to push the plug back where it belongs. We measure the oil and add some more. Again another cautious attempt. The plug comes out immediately! Rob and I are having an urgent deliberation. "What can be the cause of the over pressure in the carter?" I have a few thoughts but the idea to play mechanic and repair right here and now is not an option. Besides, it's even colder than we've thought. The thermometer points minus 32 degrees Celsius. Luckily the sun is shining, but for now the shadow is still with us.

...before we could even plug in the visor heaters into the plug box, our breath has been deposited and froze on our visors. This morning our visors are frozen much longer than usual and we ride large parts with our visors open. While we ride in the sunshine, some melting holes carefully appear in the ice. We stop several times to defrost the visors. Except for a little help from the sun, you can also achieve this when you place your helmet with open visor, in the smoke of the exhaust and clean it afterward with toilet paper. During a tea stop we see a little brown spot on both visors, and we get the spare ones out. Dafne sighs relieved. Her visor stays clean now. Again mine freezes immediately but I ride on. We've almost reached the river Shilka. I can smell the ice. Ooh, what a lovely day. We glide over the ice. Dafne's somewhat quicker with the sidecar than me on the solo. We fully enjoy this moment.

...We had asked different fishermen again and again about the ice in the South and every single one of them had raised his voice: "Don't go! It's very dangerous." Also the so called ice watch, the MCHS, which also has a rescue helicopter service and who watch the ice very closely gave negative advice. Nikita, our host at the gastinitsa on Olhon island also asked around and almost made us promise not to go South over the ice. Only a few days ago a car had gone through the ice..."

Ed. Rob and Dafne's RTW trip story and pics are on Horizons Unlimited. Their IceRide story is here.

Dean Bordigioni, USA, to South America, Harley-Davidson,

"I've been riding my 2001 Harley-Davidson Dyna Police Special from San Francisco, California to Tierra del Fuego and home, on and off again, for the past two years. The only way I could run my business and scamper about South America on a bike was to ride for three or four weeks, store the bike with a dealer-friend, then fly home for six months, then back and forth yada yada. It didn't work out, aduanas and all not liking an expired bike visa, so I sold my business, Golden Gate Harley-Davidson, eight months ago and have pretty much been on the road since.

Since it is an unusual choice for this crowd, I feel I should also address the why in selecting a Harley. Obviously being a dealer advanced this position, but way before throwing my life and wallet into my passion, I was an enthusiast. I like and prefer the mechanics, even the mechanical tintinnabulation of a pushrod engine. Archaic, noisy (mechanically, I prefer stock pipes), heavy and relatively underpowered, it does, however, maintain that untenable quality of sitting in a '57 Bel Aire and closing the door. You know you closed that door. I've also ridden Harley's for almost 20 years, and even though being a poor natural mechanic, can keep them running under most circumstances. After 250,000 miles on everything from my '47 Knucklehead to my 'Bocito', ...my South American steed, I'm just used to riding a big fat Harley. So there.

My 'enduro' Harley, slightly modified with full undercarriage skid plate, dual-sport wheels and spare gas tank, has weathered a lifetime's riding of desert sand and rain forest mud and creek and river crossings and hotel staircases and on and on and is now safely with me in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. We've successfully endured 20,000 miles from San Francisco, California to Tierra del Fuego and the end of the road. We're now predominately pointed north towards the sunny Golden Gate and my sweet little fem Victorian high atop a hill in The City By the Bay.

Since this route has been well documented in literature and this web site by far more adventurous motorcyclists than myself, I'll keep to the somewhat anachronistic glory and tragedy associated with my particular steed and circumstances.

Lovely ride through the most remote of the Valley Elqui, then a long gravel road through surreal beautiful country. It was amazing. Somewhere in the very high altitude (the pass was about 15,000 feet) I acquired a bad case of altitude sickness and I guess the lack of oxygen to the brain makes you paranoid. Top that off with the most frightening road I've ever been on, sheer cliffs and gravel and falling rocks, all drugged with the sickness. It was the first time in too many years where I truly felt afraid, again the sickness?

Then I wrecked the bike, at slow speed at least. I went through what I thought was a muddy stretch of road between frozen ice fields and found out that under the mud was a sheet of ice. Hit that thing and flopped over like a dead fish, skidded off the road and hit an ice field, directly on the engine as I was falling down and flying over the handlebars. Amazing that I didn't get hurt, but the altitude had me exhausted and it took a good half hour to right the bike, all while freaked out and huffing and puffing. Another half hour down the road, still at high altitude and freaking, and the bike dies, completely. Apparently the impact broke the battery cells. I pushed it up the hill for a kilometre or more as I was on the downhill from the pass and I knew eventually I would descend. No cars on the road for 4 hours and no one to help. I was the only one at the border, earlier, who crossed that day.

An hour or so later, exhausted, and I rolled downhill without the engine for over ten miles to the military crossing for Argentina. We loaded the bike in a monster 4X4 transport van and the one hombre drove me to the first town, another 60 kilometres with me in the back of this rough riding troop transporter holding onto the friggin bike bouncing down the road. Nice huh? It was the longest, weirdest day I've had in years, but the bike is running again and I'm hitting it tomorrow for Mendoza, then direct to Santiago because I'm running on a dirt-bike battery and it barely starts my beast. Again, amazing, and grateful I wasn't hurt."

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Leif Mortensen, Denmark and Heather McKay, UK, learn a very expensive lesson in Guatemala, Harley-Davidson,

"Arriving at the border, getting the immigrations stamps without problems, going to the SAT (customs) counter, initial confusion by the clerk since he couldn't find my temporary import license in the computer, papers being shuffled into the back office and then the nice woman Jefe calling me over and saying that we had a 'pequeño problema!' My temporary vehicle import permit had expired on Dec 4 and it was now Dec 11! Our tourist visa was 90 days and the vehicle permit a month and 10 days, very logical, so much for being the big world traveller! A long day went by, long talks in Spanish, the staff at the border just as confused as us, having to call headquarters (apparently first time they had ever bumped into a situation like this) and finally by 6 pm the situation got clear.

Because I had overstayed, I had to pay the full importation tax of $3,500 to get the bike back, the bike had to be impounded at the border and we had to go back to Guatemala City to sort out the paperwork. I tried to get it sorted out at the border with an 'on the spot fine', but computers are everywhere nowadays so that was not an option. The staff was actually very friendly during all this and suggested that we go back the el grande jefe in Guatemala City, plead our case as stupid, non Spanish understanding tourists that had gotten into this situation unintentionally and maybe get a fine instead. To make sure we totally understood the situation, we called our old landlord in Antigua and he acted as a translator.

By now the time was after 7 pm, the nearest town was 50 kilometers away, at the border there was only a couple of comidors etc. and the buses stopped running at 5pm! We finally found a room at the back of a restaurant, checked in and could finally have the long awaited consolation beers. Up next morning to store two big bags with leather gear, tools etc. at the customs station and the chicken buses back to Antigua, long times since I had such a depressing day.

Once back in Antigua I called the Danish consulate for help and was invited into a meeting with him. The consul Robert Gandara was helpful at the meeting, called the different official offices and put together a letter to explain the situation and ask for a fine instead of paying the full tax. I delivered the letter to the ministry of finance in Guatemala City and got a case number. Since then nothing has happened, my consul has called them every second day, but always mañana...

Ed. Much, much later...

...Hurrah, finally made it, have the bike back after that horrid experience. I can't count the times I had to take the chicken bus between Antigua and Guatemala City, not a nice experience, they are all old school buses from America, but the seating arrangement have not been changed, so leg space for kids, always crammed in 3 persons in a seat for 2, bumpy ride etc. I won't bother you with the whole stressing story, but there are a couple of highlights.

The vice-consul kept in steady contact and apparently over the phone was promised a reasonable solution for me. After two weeks we were told we could come in to hear the verdict, turned out the conclusion was still, no escape clause, pay up the full amount, with reference to an enormous list of law paragraphs. So after 5 weeks I was in exactly in the same spot as I when we started talking to the ministry.

Decided to cut my losses, got in contact with my consul's import agent (he owned a big import company) They analysed the situation and the result was I had to pay 'only' $2500 due to a 40% write down for age, but this was almost eaten up by agent fees of $525! Paying the tax was only possible by importing the bike and all imports had to be done by a registered agent, so they had me by the balls (but why did they have to squeeze so hard?)

In order to pay the tax I had to get registered as a Guatemalan tax payer; the agent had to visit the border twice for paperwork; and finally I was required to register the bike in Guatemala, get Guatemalan plates and titles! This posed a bit of a problem, since to get the Guatemalan title I had to hand over the original title (which meant I would be unable to get the bike back into the US!) The agent arranged some kind of system where I signed an affidavit that the bike was not stolen in another country and I would hold all Guate authority free of any guilt if this was the case.

Took a lot of valuable time and valuable money, not only the import tax of $2500 + import agent fee of $525, but also our hotel/food/travel etc. for over 1.5 months, money we could have better spent on travels in Nicaragua, Costa Rica etc. Always read the small print (even if you don't understand the language)."

Ed. It is often the case that the vehicle permit has a different validity than the person's visa or entry permit, because it is two different departments involved. It's up to you to check this when you enter the country and make sure you ask for the same length of time for the vehicle. If you can't get it, then you must leave the country before the vehicle permit expires, because renewing them is usually a bureaucratic nightmare. And as Leif discovered the hard way, if you run afoul of the rules, you don't have any good options if you want to leave with your bike.

Maarten Munnik, Netherlands, around the world, in South America, Honda Africa Twin,

"I am going to learn the Tango. This dance has originated in Argentina, Buenos Aires to be precise, but El Calafate seems to be as good a place to learn as BA. I am stuck here. My tyre blew up, so why waste time? In the background some tango melody and my instructor tells me the first basic things: In the Tango the man is the boss. He laughs and says: This is the contrary of real life. This is where we men get even. Now we are in control... for 5 minutes.

It takes two to tango.

We had to make the passage to Tierra del Fuego, the famous island at the end of the world. We were just on time to see the last ferry before low tide leave. Without us. Ahhh well, a 4 hour wait in a heated restaurant is not a big punishment in Patagonia.

Once we got in the ferry we saw, with a tear in our eyes, the last bit of the American continent disappear on the horizon. Of course the tear in our eye was caused by the cold and biting wind in the Strait of Magellan. Since Tierra del Fuego is occupied by both Argentina and Chile, we crossed the border 4 times in one day. That's a lot of paperwork and a Lot of stamps in the passport. But, it is all in a good cause - our Christmas dinner in Ushuaia, and a new thermarest for me.

The last hundred kilometres we got to see something we had not seen for a long long time; trees! Real trees! Wow, I almost forgot what they looked like. And they are so big. At least 4 meters high! And what's that? There is something on the horizon. It's a mountain! Wow! Look at that, it's just growing there. A big, big snow capped mountain. And there is another one. And another. This is amazing! Yes, after spending some time in Patagonia, trees and mountains (even little hills) are miraculous.

After crossing the mountains, Ushuaia was in sight. It's kind of a big city... much bigger than I imagined, I guess tourism has done its thing. Huge cruise ships dock in the harbour and many rich tourists 'own' the streets. But it's fun to be here.

Of course we went straight to the 'end of the road', where Ruta 3 stops. You can not go further south (by road that is). It's a nice idea. Too bad you have to pay 12 pesos to see it. And to bad you have to pay 12 pesos a day to get to the free campsite. So we stay at the expensive 8 peso a day campsite. Now who is crazy?

Somewhere on Ruta 40

About 15 minutes after arriving, a sort of bike/contraption came driving into the place. That could only be Simon, and it was. We also met Peter (Calama, Chile) and Mirko. And all we have to do now is wait for Daniel and Mick. And then Party Time! Feliz Navidad!

... It is clearly not my month, or maybe I have such good fortune all the time (which I can't deny) that my share of bad luck just arrived late. Visiting El Calafate (Argentina) to see the Glacier Perito Moreno, the place where icebergs are born with thundering and roaring sounds. Big chunks of ice break off the glacier and crash 50 meters lower into the icy water. An awesome sight.

Leaving El Calafate to visit the famous mountain Fitz Roy, the first bad luck struck, my new rear tire blew up. OK, not too bad, but this is Patagonia. This is the land of the wind and today was a typical windy Patagonian day which means a 80 km/h blizzard sweeps across the flat land. No place to hide, nothing, nada. Trying to repair a tire in these conditions is to say the least, difficult. It felt more like hopeless, but I got as far as taking the tube out, only to discover it was almost ripped in half. The spare tube? Well, I threw that away a month ago after discovering it was deteriorating and had not replaced it yet.

The obligatory photo

Like I have mentioned several times before I am stupid and naive. Anyway, I returned to El Calafate in the back of a dump-truck. Very embarrassing. Got a new tire via mail from Rio Gallegos, but of course they had sent the wrong size; so I drove the 300 km to Rio Gallegos as if I were driving on eggs and was able to exchange the tire for a correct one.

Then I followed the Carretera Austral which is a road in south Chile which crawls alongside lakes, rivers, glaciers and snowy mountains. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. The road is absolute crap. No corrugation but ditches across the road.

So on day two I had a flat front tire. No problem, I'll get that fixed in no time! Ehhh, why is the tube with solution (tire glue) broken? Well, luckily I had a small spare tube somewhere and luckily I remembered approximately where. With some delay (unpacking all my luggage to find it) I was on the road again.

Day 4 it felt like a flat rear tire. But it could not be, it was full. Ahh, my rear shock had died. Luckily I made it to Bariloche, a big and touristy place nearby. (Big and touristy means they have a motorcycle shop). Unluckily, they could not repair or replace the shock. Well, one guy said he could but after two days admitted he was wrong. So, now the shock is on its way to Buenos Aires by airplane and should return here in three days. Will my bad luck continue or did I have enough? I guess we will know in three days."

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Glen Heggstad, USA, suffering in Mexico, R1150GS

"We were at the halfway mark to the US border in Navajoa. While out searching for an Internet Café, an SUV packed with screaming young women pulls up alongside at an intersection. Some things look so good to be true you don't even bother considering them. Assuming the hooting and hollering must be meant for someone else, we smile and wave as we continue on our way.

It's a rough life...

I don't know why Mexican college girls are so attracted to motorcycle riders but I'm glad they are. (Nothing like youthful adventurism.) They all seem to be trying to out-smile the other. The pick of the litter is hanging out of the sunroof shouting something about where are we heading and can she come along? Time to pull over and talk things over.

I'm glad I ride a motorcycle

Unfortunately, my best friend, road dog is very married and although he enjoys the attention, can't participate in what was looking like a mighty sure thing. Too bad his wife is my sister. Each of the half dozen beauties is trying to upstage the other in hopes of climbing on the back of one of the bikes. They bombard me with questions like don't I have any other friends so we could all take off together? There I stand by the side of the road in frustration praying five other bikers pull up to help me shoot these fish in the barrel.

Where were my fellow adventure riders when I needed them most? I was so desperate for backup to help me contend with the overflow; I was looking for anyone on two wheels to flag over. Sunday night-the streets are empty. I end up spending two hours doubling them up for rides around the city with no way to divide and conquer..."

Ingo Cordes and Claudia Suleck, Germany, in New Zealand and Australia, BMW R100 GS PD and F650,

"...we are on a 4-5 month camping trip through New Zealand and a little bit Australia. Our homepage (sorry only German, but with maybe nice pictures)

Matai Bay, New Zealand

... Ingo has a problem! Better said a bread problem. It has the nose fully from the labbrigen weissbrot, all the same whether with or without grains, it knows or brown, cut or as whole loaf. 'I want correct whole-meal bread!' Stubbornly it runs by the supermarket, grazes to course for course off on the search for the impossible one. The 750 gram package full grain flour in the shelf starts it formally. Hey, why do not bake!"

Ed. We sympathize with Ingo - it's hard to find good bread in some parts of the world! Sorry, the translation is by AltaVista - Ingo and Claudia's website is in German only.

203 Mile Beach

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Geoffrey Siehr, USA, in South America, Kawasaki KLR 650

"I had pavement all the way to Rio Mayo and then the fun began. I had pictured compacted dirt in my head for some reason. The road was actually loose gravel with two tire tracks. As advised I went from 42 psi on the back tire to 20 psi and from 32 psi on the front to 25 psi. It helped, but not nearly enough. If I just had the road to deal with it might have been acceptable, but there happened to also be a 50-60 mph wind that 90% of the time hit me from the right side.

The cars make two tire tracks down the road. If there is not any loose gravel in one of these tracks you have some sort of traction. When the wind was at my side the bike was at an approximate 45 degree angle with the rode. If you happen to hit some loose gravel in one of the tracks you are at such an angle that the bike cannot stay upright. As a result you have to upright the bike and let the wind take you with it. Heading south the wind was hitting me on the right and would drive me over to the left side of the road. As soon I would start loosing the front I would go with the wind, get the bike perpendicular with it, lock the rear tire and hope to stop before going into the ditch on the other side of the road. When I came to a stop I would put the bike in first gear and head back over to right side of the road and continue. I must have done this move 20-25 times.

Late in day one it happened. I came over a small hill and the road slanted a little to the left. With the wind coming from the right I was done for. I tried to lean right, but the front drifted into the soft gravel in the middle of the road and that was it. The bike landed on my right foot and I was stuck for a few moments. That whole thing about adrenaline and super human strength is true. I was able to somehow lift the bike off my foot and with the next gasoline station 100 miles away I immediately reached under the bike and turned the fuel line off before the precious gas spilled all over Ruta 40 and stranded me in the middle of nowhere.

I had pictured Tierra del Fuego in my mind, but light wind, 60 degrees and sun was not one of the pictures.

... All I keep thinking about was how anyone could tell someone else this road was 'acceptable' and how I could be sitting on the deck of a ferry drinking a strawberry daiquiri. I was in total and utter despair.

As I am standing over the bike covered in dust and completely exhausted I look up and in the distance see a car approaching. The young driver jumps out and asks me what he can do. The wind is so strong that I have to tie all my bags together to keep them from blowing away. I have him put his car in a position to block the wind and then put all my bags in his car and then after we have the bike up, put all the bags back on the bike.

After we have the bike ready I still don’t know if I can continue. My savior gets a bottle of water and two candy bars out of his car and then asks what he can do to assist me. I know he sensed my despair. We stood there in this incredible wind considering options. He was headed in the opposite direction, but offered to take my bags in his car. I would follow him back to the town about 100 kilometers away to regroup. After about 10 minutes of contemplation I knew I had to continue. The question was whether I could physically keep the bike up.

100 days and 12,278 miles later I arrive at my final destination before heading north. Thanks to everyone who made this happen. You know who you are and you were with me every mile.

I thanked him profusely and he took my email address to find out my fate. I proceeded at 5 mph constantly performing the maneuver whereby once I lost the front I let the wind take me to the opposite ditch, lock the rear brake and hope I stop before actually going into the ditch. After another 10 times of doing this I am completely exhausted and wonder how long I can keep saving the bike.

I eventually make it to Tres Lagos after 9 hours of riding the 210 miles. I stopped outside of town and stared at a spectacular sunset knowing that this was probably the hardest portion of the trip to Tierra del Fuego. I pretty much broke down. The day had been so demanding both physically and emotionally. I had come so far and I think I knew at that moment that I would be able to complete the journey to Ushuaia. I keep those candy bars that were given to me by the car driver whose name I will probably never know. The incident truly typifies the entire journey. People going out of there way for me without any possibility of me being able to pay them back. Truly inspiring."

Patrick and Belinda Peck, Australia, RTW, in Malaysia, Harley-Davidson,

"We have travelled down the Queensland coast to Brisbane, stopping in and seeing all Pat's BOUGI Boys mates (motorcycle club- stands for Bad, Old, Ugly, Guilty, Insane) all along the east coast of Qld. Highlights included: Ninbin is a hip, little town from the 60's where even the kids greeted us with 'pease man, wanna buy some pot?!' We thought it was a hoot! Byron Bay was also fantastic and the surf was pumping.

In Brisbane the work started on the bike- getting the crate, putting the bike (a Harley full dresser) in it without having to dismantle it, change the tires, install the Autocom intercom that works brilliantly and heaps of other last minute jobs- thanks to Gary (Doctor Wilson - our motorcycle mechanic with a passion for Super Tenere's). We partied with Karen and Rodney, Jenny and Michael, Leive and Murray (again) and Ken and Carol Duval (Horizons Community contact).

We flew out to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We went directly to a lovely little beachside village called Cherating (on the East coast of Malaysia) and stayed put for 5 days. It was fantastic- we had a beautiful bungalow right on the beachfront with private bathroom and verandah for AUS$16/night! We had a choice of about 10 superb seafood restaurants to choose from with fresh seafood and fresh fruit and fruit drinks. We really chilled, reading, sleeping, walking along the beach, canoeing along the river spotting monkeys, generally taking it easy.

We are now in Kuala Terengganu, heading north up the East coast towards Thailand. Tomorrow we are going to Perhentian Island group which is supposed to have fantastic snorkelling and diving and lovely bungalows and food again!"

Ed. See Patrick and Belinda's blog here on Horizons Unlimited.

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Juan Carlos Ibarra, Mexico, to South America, in Colombia, KLR

"The most dangerous thing for a traveller's trip is for the traveller to fall in love. This happened to me with the City of Bogota. It has positively been the highlight of my trip so far. The warmth of the people there has created a debt of affection that I will find very hard to pay... I'll definitely be back at some point.

... As I was getting my paperwork started a very friendly guy approached me, he told me he was a biker as well, the proud owner of a Virago 750. We immediately started talking bikes and trips. The bike was released smoothly and Germán agreed to guide me to my hotel. He then invited me to a 'Harlistas' ride on Sunday. I immediately agreed, of course.

We were about 80 bikes. Most of them Japanese cruisers, but there were a few Harleys there as well and only two dual sports: mine and a Suzuki Freewind 650.

The road to the city of Tunja was wonderful... people ride and drive like Juan Pablo Montoya (the F1 Colombian pilot) all the time; they have absolutely no respect for speed limits, lane lines, speed bumps, oncoming traffic. It was a teenager's dream ride. Lots of risk and total freedom.

As we made our triumphant entrance into Tunja, we were met by 10 police bikes. My heart stopped for a few moments, I could see myself in a Colombian jail for breaking every traffic law in the country. To my surprise... they were there to escort us into town!

The reason for our trip was to donate a bunch of toys to the town's poorest children. So we paraded through the main streets with sirens and horns and firecrackers.... it was incredible!

We all parked at the main square and hundreds of people cheered us in. As I was the only foreigner I sort of became a one day star. I gave away autographs and kissed a bunch of babies... well I did kiss some babes as well. Then we took children for rides on our bikes. The look on their faces was of sheer joy. At one point I had three children on the bike as I rode down main street roaring loudly at very low speed... "

Daniel Todd, USA/Puerto Rico, second around the world tour, KLR650,

"I shipped to Singapore this time because the shipping itself was dirt cheap but we knew this would be offset by the mandatory insurance (70$ for one week) and the port charges (100$) and a trip to the Singapore AA to organize everything before release of the Bike. Luckily, we were given a ERP machine by the local maddogs which is required while in Singapore. The radar-looking contraption is mounted on the handlebars and deducts money as you pass under the tolls. We decided to take our chances without it as the maddogs thought maybe you can use the tollways during certain hours without one. Ully and I crossed Singapore without incident.... probably the most civilized driving I've seen in years!

After four crossings of SE Asia, I finally found my favorite runs in Malaysia and Thailand! We were in the Cameron Highlands and we heard about a new highway that still had a couple of unfinished sections with dirt detours around them. It was the perfect two-wheeled adventure; a virtually deserted four-lane highway with perfect pavement, long mountainous sweepers going up and down under a canopy of rainforest trees of 200 feet plus height. The solitude and the views were so outstanding that I went back to make another run a week later.

This same section that descends West into Ipoh was closed due to avalanches so I descended off the other side, traveling East and crossing Peninsular Malaysia at it's widest point. The East Side was just as dramatic and I stopped several times to swim in rain forest rivers.

The Southern Part of SE Asia receives two seasonal monsoons instead of the single Southwest Monsoon further North, so this run was no different than all the others: I got drenched all the way to the Coast and into Kota Bahru! The yearly Muslim traditional observation of Ramadan was in full swing so many places to eat/drink were closed until six o'clock. And on four occasions I had the bad fortune to bed down on mattresses riddled with bed bugs. I spent the next week walking around soaked to the bone, looking for food and scratching the many red marks all over my body! Most mornings I awoke to find blood splotches all over the sheets. More later about the great runs in Thailand that I found..."

La Vuelta al Mundo por la Paz - Un Sueno que se hace Realidad,

by Ricardo Rocco Paz,

Ricardo's adventures in South America, in Spanish. There's two tapes and a book, contact him for details. Some photos here.

One Year on the Road, Cinq Continents en Moto, by Manou Emringer and Ellen Spencer, in English and French. "This travelogue illustrated with over 400 photos follows their journey through North and South America, West Africa, Europe and Asia."

Available only through Manou and Ellen directly. Don't forget to tell them where you heard about it. It's a very nice book, well done - I have one! Grant

From Nordkapp to Cape York on a Motorcycle, by Werner Bausenhart. Werner, 66, was born in Germany and worked in Canada until his retirement. He has authored a number of books since getting bit by the motorcycle travel bug, including 8 Around the Americas by Motorcycle, Into the Den of the Bear and the Lair of the Dragon on a Motorcycle, and Africa Against the Clock on a Motorcycle.

Werner's latest book describes his travels from Nordkapp to Australia overland, and back to Canada to complete the RTW trip. Should be an inspiration to any of you who have been thinking you're too old to go around the world on a motorcycle!

All his books are available directly from Werner. Tell him we sent you and get US$5.00 off the regular US$20 price!

For details on his books see here. Contact Werner via this link to get the deal.

The Producers of Mondo Enduro present Terra Circa, Around the World by Motorcycle (6 x 20 minute episodes).

Regular readers of this newsletter will remember Terra Circa's adventures around the world, and especially the Zilov Gap. Now's your chance to see it in video. Austin Vince is a very funny guy and the video is hilarious, as he leads his intrepid crew through misadventure after misadventure.

"This is adventure motorcycling" says Chris Scott, who wrote the book, so he ought to know!

Contact Terra Circa video distributors for the PAL video or all format DVD. Don't forget to tell them where you heard about it.

Looking for a travel book for someone special?

Go to our Books pages, where we have listed some of the best motorcycle travel books, as well as a number of BMW books, general motorcycle books, and travel guides.

There's links to Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada, and Amazon Deutschland, so no matter where you are - you can order books at great prices, and we'll make a dollar or a pound or a Euro, which goes a very little way to supporting this e-zine.

There's also links to search Amazon sites for all their products, books, CDs etc., and yes, we get a tiny piece of that too. We really appreciate it when you start your book search from our website! Thanks for the support!

NOTE: If you buy a book starting with one of our links below, we get a little bit to help support the website!

Book suggestions please!

If you have a book or want a book that you think other travellers would be interested in please let me know and I'll put it on the site. Thanks, Grant

This month we have some great links for you!

Insultingly stupid movie physics! Thought this might be interesting - that is if the stupidity of the moviemakers or their assumption of your stupidity has ever insulted You!

Squirrels... Starts a little slow, but well worth the read. If you don't laugh out loud you're dead. Thanks to BMW Motorrad SA for this one.

From Mike Dwyer, USA

Shop Laws:

After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch.
--Lorenz's Law of Mechanical Repair

Identical parts aren't.
--Beach's Law

Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
--Anthony's Law of the Workshop

Nothing is as inevitable as a mistake whose time has come.
-- Tussman's Law

If it jams, force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway.
--Lowery's Law

The solution to a problem changes the problem.
--Peer's Law

There is no mechanical problem so difficult that it cannot be solved by
brute strength and ignorance.
--William's Law

Machines should work. People should think.
--IBM's Pollyanna Principle

The most ineffective workers shall be moved systematically to the place where they can do the least damage.
--The Dilbert Principle

The first rule of intelligent tinkering is to save all the parts.
--Ehrlich's Law

It is a mistake to allow any mechanical object to realize that you are in a hurry.
--Ralph's Observation

If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the next morning you will have a flat tire.
-- Cannon's Comment

"Those who visit foreign nations, but associate only with their own country men, change their climate, but not their customs... They see new meridians, but the same men: and with heads as empty as their pockets, return home with travelled bodies, but untravelled minds"...
C. C. Colton, 1780-1832

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, and shouting Geronimo!"
Hunter S. Thompson

"You guys do a wonderful job. I've ridden from Alaska to central Mexico, and hope to someday finish central and south America. Keep up the great work. PS Just bought a new 1150 GS adventure. Traded a 96 GS."

Dan Saari

Thanks for your support Dan!

"Thanks to all the info. provided by this site I was able to successfully travel overland from London to W. Africa across the central Sahara earlier this year."

Nazia Parvez, UK

"Many thanks for all the work setting up the blog. I have posted my first entry. This is truly a huge service to the motorcycle community - kudos to you!"

Bill Thompson, USA

Thanks for your support Bill!

"I'm glad to see my story among the other great ones of your excellent website. Thank you for it!"

Pierre de Sousa Lima, Azores, Portugal

"Hi there, I just took off from Switzerland to a journey that brings me to a place that I don't know yet. My intention is to get to Asia somewhen this year, but who knows yet. I always read the HU newsletter with great enthusiasm, and now I myself am on the road living the dream. If you're interested in my story, you can read about it on the web page I have put up."

Daniel Schaller, Switzerland

"A little help in appreciation of the great effort you put into the site."

Ben Holland, Australia

Thanks for your support, Ben!

"I just wanted to fire off a quick big Thank You! I just found out about your site and started subscribing to your E-zine. I've been riding M/Cs for over 20 years but just last year bought my first BMW...1150GS. I can say honestly that is changing my life. I've gone from a guy that used to be more concerned with how shiny my bike was and how 'cool' I looked to a guy that loves to ride and simply meet people that do the same. I've ridden through most of Canada and some of the US but your 'community' is really cranking up a desire to take it to the next level. I want to start travelling further on my bike and reaching more people of different culture. So again I say 'Thank You' for opening my eyes to something in the M/C world that I really hadn't ever looked at."

Matt Dynes, Canada

"Fantastic site thanks a million."

Duncan Macniven, Scotland

"Thanks for a great site, just what I need for my trip to Siberia."

Kurt Astor, Germany

"Keep up the good work"

John Fraser, USA

Thanks for your support John!

"Your site is the Best! I have a Transalp at home just waiting for me to get off my butt and get out into the big wide world.....Thanks for all your inspiration. Your poem on the 'why' pushed me over the edge. Female? 55? Kids grown and gone! No excuses, I'm soooo gone..."

Robyn Morgan, USA

"Thank you so much for the site which has been invaluable on this trip - from the advice and information to the inspiration as well. I will stay in touch. Best wishes."

Tiffany Coates, UK, around the world

"Just thought I'd take the opportunity to really say thanks to you and all the other people who manage this site. Planning a RTW or even a 2 week trip can be a big deal. Only with the help of sites like this and the people who look after it can a lot of the info be found, certainly a lot easier and quicker. It gives people confidence, a chance to chat and sometimes bike and travel safer. So thanks - it really really is appreciated."

Chris Smith, UK

"G'day Grant & Susan. Wonderful web site. What would have once taken independent travellers weeks to find out, can now be read on your site in moments. It's worth pointing out to people, that anyone thinking of travelling by themselves, (outside of organised tours), whether by M/Cycle or not, can obtain a great deal of needed information on these pages. Again; great work."

Kevin Lumley, Australia

"Hi there. It's been a long time since I've been wandered around the site but doing so I'm impressed all over again! Brilliant site. Best regards, Hugo. PS Do you accept money to help you with your brilliant efforts?"

Hugo Vanneck, Tokyo, Japan

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ISSN 1703-1397 Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' Ezine - Copyright 1999-2003, Horizons Unlimited and Grant and Susan Johnson. All rights reserved.

Redistribution - sending it on to friends is allowed, indeed encouraged, but other than the following requirements, only with permission. You may forward copies of the Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' e-zine by forwarding it yourself by hand. You must forward the issue in its entirety, no fee may be involved. Please suggest they Subscribe!

Legal gibberish: (particularly for those in countries that have more lawyers in one town, just for instance, New York, not to name any names, than some whole countries, as another example, Japan. Again, not naming anybody specifically you understand) Recommendations are based on positive or negative experiences of somebody, somewhere. Your mileage (kilometrage if you insist) may vary. We are not responsible in any way for any product or service mentioned, and do not warrant any such mentioned product or service, and are not responsible for any bad things that may befall you. You are responsible for yourself! Act accordingly. We check all links and information given as close as possible to publication, and all info is correct as best we can determine at that time.

News Items...

from The Times February 27, 2004 Adventurer runs out of road in Leeds By Andrew Norfolk

"An adventurer who left South-East Asia to travel halfway round the world on his cherished motorcycle had it stolen within a few hours of arriving in Leeds.

Dalbir Jhol, from Singapore, rode in triumphantly this week after clocking up 17,500 miles on his Honda Dominator. In ten months he had safely negotiated the bustling cities of Malaysia and Thailand, impoverished Indian villages, the Nepalese mountains, war-torn Afghanistan and the deserts of Iran. By the time 30-year-old Mr Jhol and his trusty old bike reached Leeds, they had enjoyed a trouble-free passage through 20 countries. He was staying with a student friend in the Bramley area and left the motorcycle outside the house. When he returned later it had been stolen.

Police are now looking for the distinctive machine, which had a red and black sheepskin seat and a Singapore number plate, plus two attached boxes containing spare parts, clothes and cooking equipment.

Mr Johl refuses to be downhearted but admitted yesterday that he was disappointed at the loss. 'Whoever has taken it must have stolen it as a joke,' he said. 'It is really old and not valuable, but it's my lifeline and I am not going to get very far without it. 'So far, people across the world have been very friendly and welcoming. People have been nice and friendly in Leeds as well, but it's a shame that my lasting impression will be the theft.'

He is determined to continue his journey. 'I am still planning my next move,' he said. 'I want to head up to Newcastle next and then to Scotland and Ireland. At this rate, though, it looks like I will have to walk there.'"

Dalbir wrote 2nd March: "My panniers have been removed and I saw the bike ridden by the local teens two days later, around Raynville Road area where it was stolen. The kids around the area surely know where it is, but so far no luck."

If you have any information you can contact Dalbir via his website or by email. NO NEED - see next item.

Good News! (after posting of this ezine)

Dalbir has his bike back!

Just in from Simon McCarthy, "A word of good news - I saw in the ezine that you ran the info about Dalbir Jhol getting his bike nicked in Leeds.  Dalbir contacted me (we had met on the road in Nepal) I set my brother onto the theft as he's a policeman in Leeds - small world!  Before the police could get anywhere on the case (which they didn't look like doing!) a local shopkeeper in Leeds, who Dalbir was friendly with, spotted the bike in a garden and stole it back!!!!!  It is now languishing in my shed, missing plastics, battery and cases, but still a runner.  Honda UK are looking to get the thing repaired (maybe) and I may be pressganged into making pannier racks. So that sort off good news, and goes to prove that bike security on the road in most parts of the world is much better than at home."

Americans can now visit Libya!

26 Feb 2004 - "US ends 23-year travel ban to Libya - The United States has been moving toward improved relations with Tripoli since Gadhafi renounced the development of weapons of mass destruction and allowed weapons inspectors to verify that his country was abandoning nuclear, chemical and biological programs.

... Secretary of State Colin Powell already has signed documents to rescind restrictions on the use of American passports for travel to Libya. 'What this means in practical terms is that American citizens, for the first time in 23 years, will be able to travel to Libya, including for tourism, academic research and family visits,' the White House said." USA Today

From a recent HUBB post:

"I have found the Libyan visa relatively easy to organise (up to now). The man to speak to is Kalifa Hamed at the Visa and Translating Services at Brittania House (tel: 020 8748 9898) - he will organise the visa for you from start to finish - it seems it doesn't actually matter how many apply for the visa (it has been said a group of three is required when applying) - I think Kalifa collects all the applications and sends requests for invitations in batches.

I did have to get the Arabic Translation Stamp put into my passport myself - they are available for free from the Passport Office in Victoria, London (you literally just walk in without appointment and get it stamped) - Kalifa will then translate all the details in your passport into Arabic."

New US entry procedures will affect Americans abroad

CNSNews.com - January 6, 2004:

"Official international reaction to new requirements for most foreign visitors to the US to be fingerprinted and photographed on arrival has been muted -- with the obvious exception of Brazil, where a judge has ordered reciprocal measures.

The only foreign visitors not affected by the new US-VISIT (US Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology) program implemented on Monday are Canadians and those currently on the visa waiver program. The countries whose citizens are exempt for stays of less than 90 days are mostly in Europe - Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The non-European countries in this category are Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.

For longer-term visitors from those countries, and any visitors from the rest of the world, arrival at a US port of entry now entails a fingerprint scan and the taking of a digital photograph, enabling officials to carry out a speedy criminal background check. Eventually, foreigners also will be checked as they leave the country.

Pakistan's Daily Times this week quoted an unnamed 'community leader' as urging his government to 'give visiting Americans a dose of the same medicine' by fingerprinting and photographing them on arrival in Pakistan.

The community leader said the government should follow the example set by Brazil. Since Jan. 1, authorities in the South American country have been fingerprinting and photographing US visitors on the orders of a federal judge."

Ed. Expect more fallout from this in the months to come, which will affect Americans travelling abroad to countries whose citizens are now subject to these procedures. This will be a matter of national pride for some countries, similar to the situation for Australians. Australia's requirement for visas from all nationalities means that many more countries require Australians to have visas than, for example, Canadians (we have Australian and Canadian passports, but typically travel on the Canadian because it's cheaper ;-).

Volunteer as a motorcycle mechanic in Latin America.

"For motorcycle travellers wishing to donate some day(s) to show health and development workers in poor countries how to do basic motorcycle maintenance on the small trail type motorcycles they use to do their job." A very worthwhile use of your time and a chance to help out, and meet, some wonderful local people. Details here.

Earthquake in Bam...

A sad confirmation re our story last issue on the British traveller who lost his life in the earthquake, from Paul Gowen, the very helpful Carnet specialist at the RAC in the UK:

"Just read through your Dec. newsletter & can update you on the British national who died in the earthquake. His name was Gavin Sexton. My colleague, Sue had contact with him & well you can guess we issued a carnet to him for the Enfield bought in Nepal ( not in India as some media sources had quoted). His sister in UK had been the go-between for carnet issue & has been on phone this morning. In the circumstances she was remarkably calm & working through his belongings now returned. Here is a link to the latest BBC news item.

A very sad time & she remarked he was doing something he had always wanted to do - to travel the world. At first it looked as though the UK based search organisation 'Rapid UK' were going to bring the bike back but this is a total wreck apparently. He was certainly aware of HU as Sue had mentioned the site during early contact."

Our condolences to his family.

From Guinness World Records - Midget Motorcycle

"Mini-motor-mad Tom Wiberg proves that size wheely doesn't matter...

Pull on your leathers, slip on your helmet and rev up this bee-sy rider. It's Smalltoe, the world's smallest motorcycle... so small, in fact, that it can fit into the palm of your hand!

It's inventor is the cycling Swede Tom Wiberg, who already holds a Guinness World Record for Bigtoe, the world's tallest motorcycle. But he's dropped down a gear or two to create a rideable bike with a 16 mm (0.62 in) front wheel diameter, and a rear wheel measuring 22 mm (0.86 in).

And no, Tom doesn't need to see a shrink - he's proved his shrunken cycle is roadworthy by driving at the top speed of 2 km/h (1.24 mph) over more than 10 m (32.8 ft) in Hökerum, Sweden, last year!

'My wooden shoes help me to stay on the bike,' explains Tom when asked how he manages to stay steady on the micro machine. 'I can easily drive the bike on two wheels without any support.'"

Kirsten Latimer and Chris Burt and new baby Lucas, UK, around the world, Meriden Triumphs,

"...it's been a long time since we have been in touch but we do at least have an excuse. While we were touring around Laos I discovered I was pregnant. Poor Chris nearly fell off his bike with the shock. However we decided to be bloody minded about it and carry on.

We travelled down through Malaysia, Indonesia and the middle of Australia finally arriving in Tasmania a month before the big date. There I gave birth to a beautiful little boy in April 2003 whom we have named Lucas. Having spent his entire foetushood on a Triumph the noise and vibration of the engine never seemed to bother him once he was out in the big wide world so we bought a sidecar and fitted it to Chris's Bonneville with the intention of carrying on with our RTW trip. Since Christmas we have been back touring.

Lucas has taken to his nomadic life and loves all the attention he gets when we stop somewhere. We are in the Southern Alps of New Zealand - an absolutely stunning part of the world. Learning to ride the outfit has been interesting. It's great fun on the dirt roads but a little boring on the tight and twisties so we are taking it in turns to ride it. Here is a photo of one of our first outings together."

Ed. Congratulations on the new addition to the family. I know we've had romances, marriages and some conceptions on the road, but this is the first birth on the road! Well done! we look forward to more pictures of Lucas on the road. We'll be sending you a baby gift - a Horizons Unlimited t-shirt for Lucas ;-)

Peter and Kay Forwood, Australia, around the world since 1996, touring Australia, on a Harley-Davidson,

"The Kookaburra, a kingfisher bird, has a call that sounds like laughing, often heard in movies for dramatic effect, is a prevalent bird species in this region. It is usually the last bird sound to be heard in the evening after dusk and is the first awake in the mornings at dawn. An eerie sound in the noisy bush. The summertime buzz of flies and shrilled pitch of cicada (a large hard bodied flying insect spending a few days as an adult after years underground in the pupae stage) disappear on dusk to be replaced by chirping crickets and croaking frogs. Bombala, Delegate, mountain dirt roads, a swim in the tannin creek waters from the higher rainfall eastern slopes and dry forests on the western tablelands.

12 months regrowth after the fires.

Bush fires spread across this region exactly a year ago and burnt for hundreds of kilometres through the Kosciuszko National Park, almost joining up with equally devastating bushfires in the Canberra region at the same time. The Australian bush has evolved to survive fires. Eucalyptus trees will re-shoot from buds beneath the bark and if severely burnt will shoot from the ground, some species even require fire to open seed pods. The couple of 'Australian characters' at Seldom Seen, an eccentric petrol stop on the Barry Way, had their home, bike, cars and most of what they owned burnt out, only surviving themselves by being immersed in the dam as the fire raged past. Undaunted they recently reopened, burnt relics surrounded by new junk. Camped inside the National Park alongside the Snowy River. We awoke to find an emu just outside our tent eating grass seeds, skittish but not too concerned by our presence at his breakfast."

Ed. The Forwood's have been to 143 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North and South America. Horizons Unlimited is proud to host their entire trip story here.

Didier Martin, France / Australia, around the world for World Vision, in Panama, F650GS,

"Sunday, 15 February 2004.
The border to Brazil was only 700km away from Santa Cruz (Bolivia). Usually I would not think twice about such a distance but when you have absolutely no idea about the condition of the road, you start to worry. I knew that it was unpaved and that it was sometimes unpassable in the raining season. We were right in the middle of the raining season. There is a longer and better way to Brazil via Argentine but it is twice or three times as long and with the Carnaval of Rio less than a week away I had no other alternative. I kept on asking people in Santa Cruz about the condition of the road but no one could give me any information. People travelling that way always take the train. The dirt road is only used by trucks...

The first 100km were no problem; I was able to ride at over 90km/hour. Eventually, I saw a truck coming from the opposite direction; I stopped it and asked the driver for road condition. It told me that it had rained a lot 4 days earlier but that the road was starting to dry. Some of the rivers were quite high but they should get lower by the time I reached them. I was quite relieved when he assured me that I should get through quite easily if the rain stayed away. My enthusiasm was lowered a little when his wife put her hand on mine and said 'Please, be very careful'. We said goodbye and I left in a cloud of dust. The road got progressively worse and worse. Big holes forced me to slow right down. I arrived in San José at lunch time, having covered nearly 300km. I was very happy with my progress. I asked another truck driver how was the road from now on. 'Much better' he said. I did not take me long to find out what he met. It was probably much better for him but not for me. The rocks and the stones had been replaced by lots of sand and soft sand..."

Read more of Didier's adventures on his website.

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Charlie Miller, Australia, around the world, eventually, R100GS,

"I'm working in Germany at the moment. Weiden in the Black Forest area. Bike had a heart attack in the gearbox department, so am cooling my heels and building up the bank account. I'm getting set to continue my odyssey in a few weeks. Work here has become boring. The people really nice so have some regrets. May go to GS rally in Belgium organised by Rudi Denolf and Martine. Went to their first one a few years ago and was really impressed with the organisation."

We don't hear from Charlie often, but we're always pleased to hear how he's doing. For those who don't know him, Charlie retired, and headed off around the world on his bike, living off his pension and what he can earn en route. And he's been to a lot places so far!

Dan Walsh, UK, USA to South America, in Costa Rica, BMW F650 Dakar,

"Comrades, still in Costa Rica, staying with Paul from Motos Costa Rica in Atenas, north west of San Jose. Top people, great workshop, perfect overlander pitstop. Will be here for maybe a week then up to Caribbean Coast and across to Panama and Bocas del Toro. Yes. Email for beery nonsense. Or sober advice. Cheers, Dan Walsh"

Seamus Mallon and Lenssa, RTW, in the USA, Yamaha Tenere,

November 28, 2003 "My girlfriend and I are on a RTW tour on a Yamaha Tenere. We will be riding west to east over the next month or so ending up in Florida..."

Kerstin Gaeckle and Volker Aldinger, Germany, to Australia, Yamaha Ténéré's,

Somehow I missed a couple of great photos of Kerstin and Volker's last issue, so here they are...

Bridge crossing in the Urals

In Tokyo

Mika Kuhn, Germany, around the world, in South America, Yamaha Tenere,

"Argentina.
I went from Puerto Iguazu down to the state of Buenos Aires, to visit for the third time the famous 'Posta del viajero en moto in Azul', the place for motorcycle travellers in South America. Jorge welcomed me with a big hug and an even bigger BBQ. For the third time on this journey I met Simon Milward, he is one of the strange travelling characters and since our jungle days in Laos in 2001 we are good friends. Together with Simon, Mick and Frank I went down from Azul to Viedma to a motorcycle meeting. A meeting for travellers organized over the Horizons Unlimited website. Oskar, a local from Viedma, welcomed more than twenty travellers. We could all laugh about Simon's slide show, tell travel tales and eat and drink a lot. A small and interesting meeting. Thanks Oskar and Nancy.

Brazil.
Bikers in the South would talk about another traveller, an older British biker. And after a few days I had a telephone number, so I called. On the other end I could hear Ian Coates happy to speak English to somebody.

Sao Francisco do Sul. The Custom Street Bar was full of bikers, outside many bikes and trikes. With this bunch of great people, Ian and I spent a week celebrating the New Year.

In Brasilia again a car tried to push me off the road. But this time the car stopped, and the argument ended for me in handcuffs and later on the police station. The police said that I was guilty, but as nobody was able to speak proper Spanish or English there was no way to solve the situation. I liked Brasilia and also what I saw of Rio de Janeiro. From here I will follow the coast to the Guanas and maybe I can make it to Medellin in Colombia in March."

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Brian Coles, UK, North and South America, in Mexico,

"Stayed close to Morelia to visit the butterfly sanctuary. In Jan and Feb the sanctuary sees the migrating Monarch butterflies fly from the US to Morelia - 2500 miles & at 13 miles per hour, not a single butterfly that starts the journey actually ends it...their descendants do. No-one knows why they choose this tiny forest to migrate to, they just do. Incredible place. The photos will tell a better story than my warble here. Imagine a million butterflies in front of your face all flapping around and the sound from a million tiny wings being like a gentle breeze from trees.

Then into Mexico city for 6 days of big city life. 'Don't go there' many people said (often those that had never been to the city) 'it's dangerous'. Well every city has its dicey parts, and I'm glad to say that I saw nothing but a crazy, bustling, bursting with life city. You really did get the feeling that you were walking around with all of its 20 million citizens, it was Packed! Did a few day trips, some in the city, some outside, saw a match on Sunday at the Olympic stadium. Mucked around the canals outside the city on a large punt.

Mexico City sunset

Then directly south to Puerto Escondido, to laze around in the day on the beach and play with the enormous waves. Again good hostel, chilled big time with friends there - was very hard to leave that place. When you are faced with a day on a hot beautiful beach with friends you just want to stay just one more day....

The Mexicans are a friendly bunch, big hearted and always have a big smile when you greet them with the same.

My eyes and head are so full of wonderful views from riding the bike, some days it feels like there is no more space for more... but you can always squeeze another two or three in!

Mexico continues to amaze and impress every day. Next big stops are San Cristobel de Casas, Palenque and Tulum."

Chris Bright, in Indian Himalayas, Enfield,

"Pics taken in the Indian Himalayas last summer on a trip I took there with my mate, Paul Mason.

Chris Bright, Paul Mason, monks, CB's Enfield (called Britney) and 2 monks who knew that Enfields make a buddha buddha sound, just south of Leh, Ladakh.

Britney on 2 km long wire over landslide at connection between Spiti and Kinnaur Valley, east of Manali, Himalayan Pradesh, near Tibet border.

I passed these Sikhs several times. 2 trucks: each truck had about 40 people in it. Also shook the right man's hand as I overtook them. The truck and my bike were both moving (them at 8 mph, me at 8.1 mph)!

Kenny McLean, UK, to Australia, Armstrong 500,

"I'm arriving in Perth soon having travelled overland from Scotland to Nepal, before flying to Bangkok, now shipping from Malaysia."

Chris Jones and Spice Griffith, USA, around the world, in South America, KLR650's,

"Chris and I have updated rtw101.com and would love for you to take a look. Thanks for the space in the e-zine, my family thinks we are so popular because of the mention. I want to give you warning, the site has tons of the dreaded pictures you always discourage but maybe you have a DSL to help with opening the pages. I am afraid that until all three of our mothers go blind the pictures must stay!

Ed. Actually, we don't discourage pictures - anything but - However, the entire page is one big picture, so yes, if you don't have a fast connection you probably should give it a pass. I think you guys need to talk to your web designer ;-)

Chris is taking this picture from the seat of his bike on the road. It is a long way down with no guard-rail!

We had a wonderful time in Ushuaia for the new year (I am sure many others have given you their thoughts on the event) and have some fantastic video of a few of the tests of skill the bikers participated in. Many of the Horizons celebrities were there and have been caught on tape, both on and under their bikes. We will get you a copy in DVD form as soon as we get a missing piece replaced on the camera. I hope you both had a wonderful Holiday Season and that the New Year brings many happy returns! All the best, Chris Jones and Spice Griffith"

Jeremy Bullard, UK, Americas, in Mexico

"So much for travelling light. I've now bought a bicycle whilst staying in Valle to keep fit while learning Spanish. The tricky bit is how to take the bike with me as I head south. Taking it is made more difficult because of the panniers and top box so Andy Tiegs' method won't work for me:

I could tie the wheels to my spare tyre carrier at the back of the bike. In fact I now think the whole bike will have to fit there otherwise I won't be able to open any of my boxes without taking the bike off. The most helpful suggestion so far is to cut it up into smaller bits.

...I really liked the eccentricity of taking a bike on a bike but I then started to get worryingly practical. Exactly how often would I use the bike anyway? I'd also be worried about it getting nicked as it would be uninsured. Border crossings might also be more of a challenge.

Reluctantly, I decided to leave my Santa Cruz in Valle, sell it and spend the money travelling. I can always buy another when I get home to the UK. Perhaps Santa Cruz will make me a nice folding titanium one that will fit across the back of my bike?"

Ed. See Jeremy's blog here on Horizons Unlimited.

Chris Smith, Australia, around Australia and on to around the world, KTM 640 Adventure,

"...my motorcycle will arrive in Singapore in 3 weeks to start my ride around the world. Dreams do come true if you want them."

Florence Pierson, USA, RTW, in Mexico, Honda Shadow Sabre,

"I got into Acapulco this afternoon. I am not sure how long I will stay. I got a nice hotel for $16 dollars per night, Coronas are 90 cents and I am right on the beach. I may stay for awhile. I drove from Puebla today. That is east of Mexico city and then down to the coast. I guess I will not go to Panama this trip, since I seem to want to spend some time wherever I go and I figure if I head North now, I still will not get back before the end of April. I love Mexico, both the country and the people. I think I like it better than the United States. They cried when I left Palma Sola and offered me their home any time I want to stay in Mexico. The head of the Federales has become a very good friend of mine and he gave me all of his information if I need anything. He and his girlfriend may come to Colorado.

Today just East of Mexico City, a motorcycle passed me, he honked and waved and was gone. About 10 miles down the road he lay face down on the pavement. I think he was dead. That was a little unsettling. I got to Mexico City with no map, not much Spanish, and traffic like Tijuana. I considered leaving my bike and getting a plane, but I strapped it up and got directions and finally found my way through the city."

Ed. See Florence's blog here on Horizons Unlimited.

Roman Grishin, Russia, to South Africa, Yamaha XT600E,

Roman was having trouble getting a carnet in Russia - in fact you can't get, there is no longer anyone that issues a carnet there. So I contacted the AIT in Switzerland, and local Carnet issuers. Both the RAC (UK) and the CAA (Canada/USA) people offered to do the carnet for Russians. However, this all took time, and meanwhile Roman was already on the road:

"My girlfriend checked my local email and said you did a big job for finding a carnet for me. Unfortunately or luckily I had been far from my home at that time. My update for now: Not saying anything new I found Egypt very friendly country. Sometimes hospitality is annoying. Tomorrow is a great day - monthly cargo ferry goes from Aswan to Wadi Halfa as well as passenger ship. So a lot of tourists crowding in a city. To avoid a convoy don't say in a hotel that you are leaving in the morning. On the road find the nearest city and when stopped tell the police it is your destination for today. Anyway it might be the truth. It worked very well with me. Now Egypt carnets are available just in Nuweiba port for 220$. Wedian Navigation company is the seller. Or you can negotiate for a transit carnet that costs US$100 (required 3 hours talks for me and $20 for the risks) Sudan visa required! Police and customs officials were very friendly. Note that it may work only in Nuweiba port!"

Alec Simpson, Australia, through Europe and Asia

"I have been through southern Europe and the 'Uber Bike' is now making its way slowly back to Australia via London without me. So after approximately 30,000kms in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia (it is really huge), Kazakhstan, Kygystan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France and Spain the bike trip is over!

I cannot possibly thank enough those people who helped me, befriended me and supported me during the trip, especially Vicki, my wife and favorite travel partner who has tolerated my indulgence and the pillion perch across the stans with such good grace. I only wish that people would stop barricading themselves in their homes getting scared to death watching CNN. Don't be, this planet rocks and the people on it move you!"

Jane and Richard Heaphy, UK, in Mexico, R1150GS

"Wow, Brits abroad or what! Just when you think you are unique... Great to hear about everyone travelling in Mexico. We are Jane & Richard and are travelling on a yellow GS1150.

We are currently in Campeche from here will explore the Yucatan (Uxmal, Chechen Itza and Tulum) before crossing into Belize just after New Year. From there we will go straight to Tikal and then hang around in Guat for a week or so before racing down to Panama in order to fly to Quito mid to late Jan. Eventually hope to be in TDF no later than middle March (weather permitting). At least that's the plan! Would be great to meet you guys, so if our plans cross yours at any point let us know. Contact us here or through our website. Safe Riding everyone!"

Erik and Hanka Forkert, Germany, around the world, Honda Transalp,

"We arrived Saturday afternoon in San Diego. Welcome to America! But before we experienced the American culture shock, we had to drive into Mexico. We visited Puerto Vallarta and then south to Acapulco before heading north again to Baja.

The more north we came along the coast, the more American it seemed. Unfortunately the "Friendly Tourism" brings also American prices with it.

We hurried nevertheless to come to Mazatlan. From there the ferry goes to the Mexican peninsula of Baja California, which ranked high for a long time among Erik's dream areas. As we found out fast, the prices had doubled within 2 years (the travel guide was so old) double also for the Honda.

They wanted 75 dollars (we paid US$66 per person). An expensive trip, but the only other alternative was to drive on the mainland over expensive highways which did not suit us. Someone had given us the tip to try asking a trucker to load our motorcycle in order to save at least the fare for the Honda. With good courage we stood a half day at the port and tried the Mexican truckers but unfortunately no one wanted to help us poor world travelers."

Paul Schencking and Yolanda , USA, Alaska to Ushuaia, R1150GS,

"All packed up, a little stressed from the preparations, (I had to file my business taxes), we are ready to leave tomorrow for our second leg on our trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. We changed the bike, from Goldwing to GS, and we changed the gear as we expect warmer weather. We packed as light as possible to make up for the weight we gained over the winter :-) Hanka and Erik stayed with us for a few days on their way up from South America on a Honda Transalp. We enjoyed their stories... They moved on to New Zealand. Our trip has been outlined roughly only - we are looking forward to the challenge and will report, should exciting things happen.

Baja

...Our second border crossing into Belize takes 1.5 hours but is straight forward. We drive through in two uneventful days. The north of the country is characterized by sugar cane fields and plenty of trucks hauling it. Our short excursion to the southwest takes us to a very impressive, dense and tall jungle. Paul takes a swim in the Blue Hole. Third border crossing into Guatemala only 1 hour. The country greets us with the most terrible dirt road so far. After 15 miles it changes into a bad paved road. At this point a major improvement. We stay in El Cruze at Lago Peten Itza and become friends with a precious local boy of 8 years. La Casa Dona Tonita is our hotel for the night. We enjoy the friendly people and can highly recommend this place. Tikal ruins are breathtaking and hot, even on a mostly overcast day. Our next stop is the Finca Ixobel in Poptun. Founded and operated by an American woman this is one of the great backpacker resorts with a definitely 'hippie' appeal. All is done on the honor system as you write down anything you consume on a self serve basis. The food was just great."

Merritt Grooms, USA and Pierre Saslawsky, France , around the world, from Africa to South America, BMW F650's,

"364 days after leaving home, we are ready to hit the road again on a new continent! We are still heading South, although this time we'll meet penguins on the glaciers instead of camels in the desert. After the Sahara and the Kalahari, Patagonia will be refreshingly welcome.

Somewhere in Zambia or Botswana...

The bikes are loaded, the batteries are charged. Gauchos and Patagons, let's rock, let's tango! Heeeere we come! Yeehah!"

Seen on the Road, by Lisa Roberts and Harvey Gordon-Sawyer, in Delhi, India

"Happy New Year to you both - hope you had a lovely Christmas. We popped home for a week to the UK to see friends and family, which was really great but very hectic. Delhi is cold and foggy and horrible but very soon the sun will break through and it will start getting warm again. I suppose it won't be too long before we've forgotten what it's like to be cold, although that's hard to imagine right now in our huge, marble fridge of an apartment. Work is going really well, I actually feel like I'm getting somewhere, although this is still the most frustrating place I've ever been!

Richard Parkinson and Lisa Godfery, whom we met at the UK Horizons Meet in 2002 and Harvey met again last year, stopped off for a few days in December, on their way home to NZ after a good few years away. They are down in Goa heading south and enjoying the sunshine.

Frank Butler was here for a few days earlier this month trying to organise his Iranian visa. He'd had enough of India after a couple of weeks and was keen to head west. Harvey was very happy to see a 'proper' bike again and came back from a quick spin with a big smile on his face!

We have added a page to our site with pictures of all the overlanders who have come to stay. It is lovely to see the overlanders as they pass through and good to be able to offer a bed for a couple of nights and some assistance if we can. We are in touch with a few people here in India or on their way. If anyone wants a contact in Delhi or any help - or a cup of chai or a bed for the night - or even someone to talk to who doesn't waggle their head (too much) - do get in touch... Take care. Lisa"

Contact Lisa and Harvey through the Delhi Community or via their website.

Carlos Javier Villegas, Mexico, to Panama

Carlos Javier Villegas and 6 friends who belong to the Moto Club Victoria, Tamaulipas, México (200 miles to the south of Brownsville, Texas), are leaving for Panama in June 2004. Carlos is a little nervous about this trip, and is seeking any information to help with their trip planning, especially border crossings through Central America. Any of the communities in Mexico or Central America who wish to meet Carlos and his friends, to assist in their planning, or to join them on the trip, please write directly to Carlos (en español).

From Peter and Kay Forwood:

"Haydn and Diane Durnell have been thinking of a long overseas trip by motorcycle for some time. The dates are now set, one year of travel starting next May, the Americas, both north and South. Well into the planning, often a way to keep the trip's enthusiasms, momentum, going, a bit of confirmation from another traveller always reassuring, we were invited to stay at their Toowoomba house. Long term, long distance Harley riders they intend to take the currently owned 2002 Ultra H-D."

Haydn and Diane did the awesome graphic and design for the Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meetings Posters - thanks and best wishes, we hope to see them on their ride!

Lewis Miller, (aka POB/London) UK, around the Med, XR650L,

"I am riding around the Mediterranean basin, travelling by motorcycle. The route is 75% off-road, with a total projected distance of around 15,000 miles. I am using the trip as an opportunity to raise awareness of the charity Riders for Health , whose work is making a real difference. The journey starts in London in early April 2004, and will end several months later, when I return...I will also be riding a new(ish) Honda XR650L, which is currently being prepared by David Lambeth. The anticipated length of the trip is 4-6 months, and I will head to Genoa, Tunisia, Libya, etc. (anti-clockwise) to make the most of the Desert spring and eastern European summer."

George Newbury and wife & son, USA, to South America, R100GS with side car and an F650,

"Great site! Pity I learned about it the day before we leave for South America. Dec. 16th we shipped an R100GS with side car and an F650 to Santiago. My wife (56) son (20) and I (60) will be riding in Chile and Argentina during January and February. We leave tomorrow morning. What fun it has been preparing; now we get to enjoy the ride."

Dieter Zerndt, Stephan, and Hannes Hauser, Switzerland, Buenos Aires-Santiago-Atacama-La Paz, in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, BMW R100GSPD, ? and Triumph Tiger,

"Since April 2003 our bikes are stored in Panama City. February 7, 2004 we will continue northbound. But first of all I have to manage heavy maintenance to my beloved GS. At a remote place in the Peruvian Andes, close to the Ecuadorian border I fell heavily and ruined the engine. The right hand valve cover was completely destroyed, the cranks commanding the valves are bent... So I joined my GS in a truck to be finally transported to Guayaquil. Here my bike was crated and shipped to Panama. So were the bikes of Stephan and Hannes, my accompanying friends. And now, heavily loaded with spare parts I will start the next leg of my trip with a thorough repair job.

This part will end somewhere in the area of Mexico City. After having returned to Switzerland we will come back to Mexico in October, 2004, just in time to meet with you at Creel. A brilliant idea. I'm really looking forward.

Last - but not least - I am really happy to see your e-zine back "on the air". I - and many others - really missed it, well understanding your economical restrictions and the time problem. I really admire your and Susan`s energy to follow your mission. Idealism normally doesn't pay, except you consider the warm thanks from our community as a valid currency."

Thanks Dieter - of course a visit to the HU store or also helps... ;)

Florian and Iris Schroeder, Germany, to New Zealand, XT500's,

"...after 16 month since Germany, we are turning sissy and want to give the bikes a 6 week rest, we will go to New Zealand and hire a car there, shame."

OTOH, shipping IS expensive across the Tasman. Some say it's the most expensive piece of water in the world.

Martin and Katja Wickert, Germany, The Americas, Africa Twins,

"Hi, we are a young couple starting with two Africa Twins in Montreal mid of April riding through Canada to Alaska and heading then south on the Panamericana. We thought about being 18 to 20 month on the road and we need any help we can get starting from a setup location in Montreal to pick up our bikes. We hope to see you in September at the Revelstoke meeting. If there are Any infos you have which can help us, we are happy to take them. cu in fall. regards, Martin"

Is there anyone in Montreal can help out?

Jim Oliver, USA, around the world in 60 days, R1150GS,

"Hi Grant, I heard you and Susan speak at Trenton, Ontario in 2002. I appreciate what you guys are trying to do.  I've dreamed of the RTW for years and this is the year to make it happen.  I have two objectives 1. go around the world on a motorcycle, and 2. do it quickly since I have a business and a wife back home. I'm not trying to set a world record and, because of the time element, I'm sorry to say, I have no good cause except self indulgence. I'm having lots of difficulty getting a quote on shipping the bike from the west coast to Russia but I'm still working on it. The plans are to leave Kansas about April 20, 2004 and go to Seattle. Put the bike on a ship to Vladivostok, Russia. Ride across Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, and Portugal. Put the bike on another ship and send it to Baltimore. Ride back to Kansas. The plan is to do this in 50 to 60 days + a few days for shipping. I'll be riding a BMW R1150GS.  This should be a good extension of my riding in 49 states, Canada, and Mexico. Thanks Grant - Ride safe!"

John Kennedy, (kcfire) USA, to Mexico, KLR650,

"I'm heading south on Monday. I hope to make Panama this year. I'll be back in the middle of March with pictures. First major stop will be in Mazatlan to hook up with Striking Viking. Who knows from there."

Terry, (TerryMoto) USA, to South America, KLR650,

"I'm in San Diego right now, and am taking a dirt MSF course this Saturday (in Irvine). I'll probably cross the border heading south on Feb 29th or Mar 1st. I'll be heading the same route, taking the ferry from La Paz to the mainland.

Final destination is towards the southern end of South America. Destinations, route, and time frame is flexible and relaxed. 6 months allocated." See the HUBB thread.

Maurice, (Moflow) Canada, to Mexico, KLR650,

"I am heading out and planning to be in Baja sometime near the end of Feb, or the beginning of March. I should be on the road very soon where I will make my way towards LA., San Diego, then Baja. My itinerary right now is very flexible, so there is a good chance we could cross paths. Keep your eyes out for a blue KLR with Quebec (Canada) plates. I'll be checking in with the HUBB along the way and hopefully we can hook up."

Michael Holton, Canada, to South America, KLR 650,

"I am riding a heavily modified 2002 KLR 650 including stiffened handlebars, a chrome nerf bar and cruiser flippable cruiser pegs, a rack system that takes fibreglass clamshell cases from a 82 Yamaha venture. I also have the little doohickie upgrade as well as the happy trails fork brace courtesy of the good fortune of meeting Mike Cowlishaw of Eagle Manufacturing in San Diego.

I crossed into Mexico at Nogales on Nov.16 and into Guatemala Dec. 3 at La Mesilla. Currently sitting in Panama two days before Christmas and all I want for Christmas is smooth and easy shipping for cheap to Quito. I know the three are too much to ask and at least one will not materialize. Need to repurchase all my extreme weather gear and a backpack as mine was stolen in a stroke of misfortune while taking a pee in the wee hours on a beach in Quepos Costa Rica. No worries, just picked up my new Visa card at the Canadian embassy 1 minute before they closed.

As for the rest of my plan, it is loose though not as loose as it should be. I am making for Salta province in the north of Argentina for the second week of January (I have some good contacts there) and then after just cruisin down Ruta 40 to Tierra del Fuego for maybe the end of Feb.?

After that perhaps up the coast to BA and then to Iguazu and up into Brasil. From there perhaps up the Amazon on the boat or cut back down and across through Paraguay and then the jungles of Bolivia and up to the altiplano and the Andes again. Do I fly all the way home or do the full return trip? The pros and cons will make themselves more evident as time wears on. It would be nice to slow down the pace and work slowly through South America, but my original plan was to return by bike as well. I have only given myself until the end of July as the absolute latest and it doesn't seem like enough time but who knows?"

Jim Corker, Canada,

"Flying to UK, then around the Iberian Coast and back to Bilbao along the Pyrenees, then ferry back to the UK. Then air back to Newfoundland."

Amalia Zimmerman, UK, around South America, home in the UK,

"Welcome to 2004! The last year left with rather too much of a bang and a bump, but let's hope that this one runs more smoothly. I am now firmly ensconced in London, boo-hoo, in which I am enduring the cold and making the rounds of medical and dental establishments. In many ways I am physically almost back to normal (?) apart from a weak and feeble right arm and being far too toothless for my excessive vanity. Never mind, the arm brings tears to my eyes far, far less than the sling brings sympathy from strangers and I use my toothlessness to frighten young children. So all's well really. I must once again thank everyone for their messages encouraging well being and recovery from friends old and new, past and present.

I am still amazed at the generosity and emotion shown by a continual number of people, with particular thanks to those who have never met me and just heard about my crash via the web pages of Lois, Robb and Horizons Unlimited. Many deserve a personal reply but I must apologise for not doing so. Please don't be discouraged to write again and exercise patience. I don't have easy Internet access. It has also been noted by many that they have enjoyed my writing. Even though typing is difficult I have been encouraged to continue and will do so, albeit at snail's pace. You can expect therefore to receive more wry, humorous and literary accounts backdated from Peru and Bolivia as well as gruesome reports detailing my recovery back to physical and dental splendour! (Let me know if it all gets too much for you) Regards to one and all, Amalia"

Jens Pillat, Germany, R100GSPD,

"After ten months on the road I went back to Germany. My trip went well, except the accident I had in Minnesota. A stupid deer runs me in my side. The bike flipped over and I got some road scratches. But the worse part was that the deer runs away, so I had no meat for a BBQ. Shit happens... After your lessons with the 'third lines' my pictures became really better, and it's a really easy rule. Thank you very much for your help."

Jens was at the Revelstoke meeting last year, and with some others we discussed photography. I taught them about the "rule of thirds". Search the 'net and you'll find lots on this. An easy and basic photo composition tip.

Martin Graaf, Switzerland, around South America, Suzuki DR Big,

"In Santiago, Chile I was picked up by a friend at the airport. I stayed with him one day until the ship with the bike on board came into the port of Valparaiso. He helped me with the paper stuff for the tariff. I was able to release my DR Big within 3 hours from the custom's area.

...In Antafogasta I left the sea and went inland by the Atacama Desert and drove to San Pedro. On the camping site I met Urs, a traveller also with a motorcycle. Together we plan to travel to the Parque National Salar de Colorad.

Fully packed with gasoline and water for 3 days we drove on and crossed the border to Bolivia. The Bolivian Customs welcomed us and were very friendly and stamped our passports. They did not require a registration of the motorcycles. In an old military accommodation, we received protection from -20° C. On the second day Urs fell at night and his motorcycle looked terrible. Turn signal broken off, side suitcases torn off and the worst was the fork of its Africa Twin was totally bent.

Thus we sat there in the middle in the desert on the hot sandy soil, two days from the next village and wondered what we should do. We decided to leave his motorcycle and he would ride with me to find a transport for the bike. A few seconds before we were to leave two vehicles emerged on the horizon. They were two men from Zurich who had started out in New York with their motorcycles. Harry was a mechanic and had side cars equipped with large saddlebags in which he had a large toolbox. Together we quickly fixed Urs motorcycle and we were able continue our journey in the opposite direction. On the large salt lake we drove to Uyuni and Potosi where we rested for two days. At the capital Sucre we were on very bad roads until Cochabamba where our ways separated. Urs went in the direction of Ecuador and I turned in the direction of Patagonia.

In Bariloche I discovered a motorcycle meeting was taking place. I thought perhaps, I could win a prize for the furthest journey. But no, an Irishman was there who had driven from India and Australia. He had already been two years on the way.

To look at River Plate from the proximity I stopped in Azul. There somewhat unique in the world gives a meeting place for Biker. Jorge opens its club-local for all motorcycle travelers to stay overnight.

Next stop was Uruguay. The east coast has lots of beautiful beaches. Since the majority of the tourists are Argentineans and it was not summertime momentarily quiet calm prevails.

Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay was the end of my journey. I planned to put my motorcycle on sale there. I felt confident that I would be able to sell my motorcycle rapidly. I was glad that I was able to sell the DR Big, (which already showed over 100,000 km on the Tacho) for $1700 on the second to last day before my departure. The next journey comes certainly."

Support the Horizons Unlimited E-zine - check out the HU Souk for jumpers / pullovers, t-shirts, hats and other products with the new logo and a variety of slogans!

Thanks! Grant and Susan

Melbourne Community:

"German world tourers and XT500 Cultists, Florian and Iris, will be arriving in Melbourne Fri 12th March. On the following Sunday 14th a BBQ will be held from 5pm onwards so we can welcome & meet them. Bring something to drink and to throw on the BBQ, salads and snacks supplied. Contact through the Melbourne Community."

New Communities:

We've got 261 communities in 67 countries as of March 13, 2004! Wow!

A big thanks to all those who took the first step and established the Community in their area. New Communities are in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina; Rouen, France; Fulda, Germany; Kalisz, Poland; Pitesti, Romania; and Price, Utah, USA.

If you are on the road, do check out the Communities - don't feel like you're imposing on people! They signed up for a Community because they want to meet travellers - that's you! You'll have a great time, so go to the Communities page and let them know you're coming.

For details on how you can join a Community in your area, or use the Communities to get information and help, or just meet people on the road or at home, go to the Community page. Send me some photos - with captions please - and a little text and you can have a web page about your Community! A few links to web pages about your area would be useful too.

Just a reminder to all, when you Join a Community in your area, send a note to the Community introducing yourself and suggesting a meeting, or go for a ride or something. It's a good way of meeting like-minded individuals in your own town.

Please recommend

Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' e-zine
to a friend! Just forward it to them, or send them the link to the newsletter on the website.

I am working on a listing of people who have ridden around the world, as well as what I call 'significant journeys' e.g. the first across Africa. Any information you may have on this topic, please let me know. Preferably e-mail me direct. I currently have information on over 100 world travellers listed, but there are many more. See Bernd Tesch's page for more. Bernd lists around 245 long distance travellers. And there's at least 100 currently enroute to an around the world. Have YOU done it? Let me know!

We hope you've enjoyed this issue, and do please let us know your thoughts. It's your newsletter, so tell us what you want to know about!

It is not the unknown, but the fear of it, that prevents us from doing what we want...

All text and photographs are copyright © Grant and Susan Johnson and their respective authors or creators, 1987-2004.
All Rights Reserved.