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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 13 Oct 2016
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Location: Charleston, SC
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Charleston to Panama
A friend and I are planning a trip from Charleston, SC, to Panama City. Has anyone done a similar adventure? We're looking for suggestions and insights. I've done some research here on the HUBB...but looking for more.

A) We're thinking about leaving in January to take advantage of the dry season. Would you recommend a different time of year?
B) We can only take about a month off work. Can we make it down and back and still have enough time to sight-see and enjoy the trip?
C) If we chose to only ride one way, can anyone share their thoughts on a particular agency for shipping the bikes back? (Or perhaps shipping them to Panama and riding back?). We're open to air or sea...whichever is less damaging to our tight budget.

Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 14 Oct 2016
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one month if you make it to panama you will not have seen much I took 4 mo and fell like I missed lots mostly in Mexico I don't no about shipping I sold my bike in panama worked out good for me
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  #3  
Old 14 Oct 2016
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
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First, you're not going to have any fun riding down and back in a month, so be sure to do something else. Shipping by air is relatively reliable and fast; shipping by sea not so much.

That means if you're shipping down and riding back up--which is what I'd do, personally--you should airfreight the bikes to P.C. to lessen the risk that you spend half your limited time sitting around waiting in between listening to lies told by shipping companies. If you're riding down, maybe you can save a few bucks by sea shipment back home.

In any case, I'm dubious about shipping into Charleston. AFAIK, Miami will be easiest---certainly that's true for air freight.

Once you've got that aspect under control, be aware that the highlands--of which there are a lot--can get chilly that time of year. Think: potential ice, snow, frigid winds, misery. Organize your route accordingly. And watch the weather forecast while swinging through the southern states toward the border--I once saw a day of absolutely brutal freezing fog in Louisiana, heading for Brownsville during January.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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  #4  
Old 15 Oct 2016
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Location: Charleston, SC
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Excellent Advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
First, you're not going to have any fun riding down and back in a month, so be sure to do something else. Shipping by air is relatively reliable and fast; shipping by sea not so much.

That means if you're shipping down and riding back up--which is what I'd do, personally--you should airfreight the bikes to P.C. to lessen the risk that you spend half your limited time sitting around waiting in between listening to lies told by shipping companies. If you're riding down, maybe you can save a few bucks by sea shipment back home.

In any case, I'm dubious about shipping into Charleston. AFAIK, Miami will be easiest---certainly that's true for air freight.

Once you've got that aspect under control, be aware that the highlands--of which there are a lot--can get chilly that time of year. Think: potential ice, snow, frigid winds, misery. Organize your route accordingly. And watch the weather forecast while swinging through the southern states toward the border--I once saw a day of absolutely brutal freezing fog in Louisiana, heading for Brownsville during January.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
Thanks Mark!

Excellent advice on all accounts. Perhaps we should look at March? I had heard of Air Canada offering a good deal for shipping by air. But would you happen to have any leads on which airlines would ship by air from Miami, or which shipping companies I should contact for quotes? I have a cousin that lives in Miami. So it's totally doable for me to use their port instead of Charleston, if that's the better option.

Muchas Glacias!
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  #5  
Old 24 Oct 2016
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30 days is no where near long enough for that trip. Example. Last year I rode from California to Panama. 30 days into my trip I had only gotten to Belize. Good luck
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