|
24 Aug 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston, USA
Posts: 164
|
|
Avoid the dirt road from Santiago Atilan to San Pedro in Guatemala
I posted this over on advrider, but for those of you who don't bother over there:
Hi,
I was robbed yesterday at gunpoint as three guys jumped out of the jungle wearing balaclavas demanding my camera, phone, and money.
This occured on the dirt portion from Santiago Atilan to San Pedro. The road is great (and presumably safe) on the paved portion, but the last 15KM is dirt. Before my trip, I heard bad things about this portion of road, but when I got to Panajachel I started asking around for myself. Everyone said that the road is fine (I even asked two cops) except for one guy who warned of Banditos.
Foolishly, I ignored that warning. One never knows what to expect I suppose.
Anyway, I wrote about it on my blog and ride report.
My Tx-> tierra del fuego RR is: post #85 at
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...=361037&page=6
Their take: Fake wallet. I gave them my fake wallet ... they took out the 80Q ($11ish) and ... gave it back! It was loaded with CCs!
They were then prodding around, probably looking for a gun, and started poking my god damned money belt.
Here is where I was pissed at myself: I had all my CCs/Texas DL/Passport/2 ATM cards in the money belt.
Oh yeah, I'm also looking for a riding partner or two to meet up with in central america
|
24 Aug 2008
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sucre, Bolivia
Posts: 535
|
|
that sucks dude! not much you could do I guess. According to Wikitravel Guatemala has one of the highest crime rates in the world. Funny this because I had a dreamed that I was robbed in Guatemala after reading this fact the other day...
|
25 Aug 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 54
|
|
I rode this in the other direction a couple months ago. Shortly after it turned to dirt I was stopped by three uniformed police officers. They stopped cars, hopped in, and provided an armed escort to the other side. I rode along behind them. I can see how it would be "easy picking"; the road was very rough and vehicles have to move slowly.
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. This area is a common problem, and you got unlucky. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip nevertheless.
I'm convinced that money belts (placed around the waist) are a bad idea, and your tale confirms it. Thieves know to look. Keep a little money in the wallet and the rest locked in the bike somewhere.
I'm in Panama right now, going to head back north sometime next week. I did the Pacific coast down through El Salvador so my return path will be through Honduras. If our paths cross, let's meet up for a .
Jeff
|
25 Aug 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Des Moines
Posts: 435
|
|
Sorry to hear you were robbed. Good thing you were carrying a fake wallet. I had an Australian friend who had a similar thing happen to him in Guatemala. One guy jumped out of the jungle with an AK47 and it scared my friend so much that he fell over on his KLR.
|
25 Aug 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston, USA
Posts: 164
|
|
I can understand dropping the bike. I managed to pop the bike in neutral. I could just see they telling me to reach for my wallet and dropping the clutch and surging the bike into them.
Jeff,
Sounds like our paths will cross. I'm going to be in Guatemala City/Antigua for the next one to two weeks waiting for new CCs. I'm heading towards Honduras (Utila) once I get back moving.
dg
|
25 Aug 2008
|
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 58
|
|
Dave,
Tough break, glad to hear it turned out ¨Well¨. I visited the Lake about a little over a week ago, but didn´t have the cajones to take that road.
I saw that you were looking to meet up with another rider. I´m in Lanquin at the moment. If you´re looking to get out of the city, it´s a nice place to chill. I´m going to head out of here in a day or two, but I´m not sure where I´m heading. It looks like there´s an interesting route marked as a ¨track¨ on my map from around Fray Bartolome (if i´m remembering the name right) to Poptun, so I may ride that route before heading to the Honduras border.
Good luck with getting your paperwork taken care of.
Cheers
Jeff
|
26 Aug 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Panama
Posts: 187
|
|
Jeff, be sure to find out if the road through Fray Bartolome is still under construction. I took it last year and couldn't get around the construction until they stopped working for the night. Made for a VERY difficult ride in the dark on steep, rocky dirt road.
__________________
Steve Barnett
Panama City, Panama
|
31 Aug 2008
|
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 58
|
|
Lanquin to Fray Bartolome, Guatemala under construction (limited access)
stbarnett, Thanks for the heads up! I didn´t see your post until after I left, but I took a different route, (the back way from Lanquin to Lake Izabel), after a couple of bicyclists told me about the construction situation. They are only allowing vehicles to pass between 6am-7am, 12pm-2pm, and 6pm-8pm. I´m 100% certain about the 12pm-2pm window, but I could be off by an hour for the morning and evening windows. Thanks again!
-Jeff
|
31 Aug 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Panama
Posts: 187
|
|
Glad you missed it. But what a beautiful area around Lanquin and Samuc Champey! Are you heading further south? I'm leaving Panama for Bogota in two weeks, then south to TDF.
__________________
Steve Barnett
Panama City, Panama
|
6 Sep 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New Zealand supposely
Posts: 106
|
|
Presently in Antigua ,Guatemala
Hello Dave
Sorry to hear about your mis-adventure.
I,m presently on Antigua and heading South.
Want to meet up and see what our plans are?
Staying at the Ummagumma Hostel.
Otherwise catch along the way?
from Bryn
|
6 Sep 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston, USA
Posts: 164
|
|
Hey,
I'm in Guatemala City right now, but I have to go to Antigua either tomorrow or Monday.
How long are you going to be there?
I'm going riding with a local tomorrow AM if the weather is better than it is today if you're interested. We can meet at the central park in Antigua.
Anyway, send me an email at thehubb (at) gsomething com
dg
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|