Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Central America and Mexico
CROSSING THE DARIEN GAP? CROSSING THE DARIEN GAP?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
Page 1 of 3 1 23
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Dec 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Azusa, Ca. USA
Posts: 3
CROSSING THE DARIEN GAP?
Hi
I am trying to find some information on getting a motorcycle through, or around the Darien Gap.
Almost everything that I’ve found so far indicates that trying to ride through it would be a very bad idea.
I did read one account that said that it was possible to ride along the beach at low tide. Could this be true?
I have also read that there is a ferry boat around it, but the cost was $500 each way.
Does anyone know of an economical war around the gap?
Thanks
Bill
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Dec 2005
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,324
Love to hear some proof that you can ride around it at low tide ...

NO ferry...

There ARE sailboats that go around. Do a search of the site and you should find all you need.

This is NOT a new question!

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Dec 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 992
Quote:
Originally posted by Grant Johnson:
Love to hear some proof that you can ride around it at low tide ...
.............

Yes, me too!
Real info?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 41
Quote:
Originally posted by Flying Gringo:
You can ride around it at low tide.
yeah right...I say bullshit.....any proof of this gringo?..if so, please do tell...this is HU ya know...

I'll bet you took the Trans Darien Monorail right?...LOL

http://www.goodtimebob.com/monorail/home.html

say HI to the FARC or the ELN for me then mmmkk?...

__________________
life is good, always free flow!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oregon; Qroo, Mexico
Posts: 74

I can't believe I paid $400 to fly my bike from Panama to Medellin when I could have either ridden along the beach or taken that sweet Monorail!

Thanks guys for sharing this valuable info... if you only would have posted it 6 months ago...

------------------
Steven
KLR "El Terremoto"
Currently returning from Ushuaia.
__________________
Steven
www.twowheeledtraveller.com
Americas, '05-'06
RTW, poco a poco
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 Jan 2006
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Petersburg, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally posted by ezrdr:
Hi
I am trying to find some information on getting a motorcycle through, or around the Darien Gap.
Almost everything that I’ve found so far indicates that trying to ride through it would be a very bad idea.
I did read one account that said that it was possible to ride along the beach at low tide. Could this be true?
Bill
You could start by finding and reading "Obsessions Die Hard" by the late Ed Culberson. He spend years attempting the Darien on his BMW before succeeding back in the late 1980's. As far as I know, only a handful of people have succeeded since then. Read his book and you'll understand why. Good luck with that beach route though. Let us know if you make it.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Jan 2006
quastdog's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chiangmai, Thailand
Posts: 509
Quote:
Originally posted by Flying Gringo:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="">quote:</font><HR><font face="" size="2">Originally posted by FREEFLOW:

I'll bet you took the Trans Darien Monorail right?...LOL

http://www.goodtimebob.com/monorail/home.html


This is one the worst things about the internet, people can irresponsibily post things without checking beforehand to see if they are true or not.
See you on the beach.
]</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I wonder where he got the idea you could ride the coast at low tide?

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000712.html

Are you (Flying Gringo) a comedian looking for an audience, or just a jerk.
__________________
quastdog
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Posts: 45
Actually, IM(V)HO that is pretty funny.
I think it's pretty clear that Flying Gringo was just making a joke with his original posting, if you've read about the hardships Culberson or Heldge Pederson faced crossing the gap, then the idea that you could simply "ride around it at low tide" seems pretty absurd. Like saying to a mountain climber "Why didn't you just take the elevator?" Yeah, it would be bad if someone took off to "ride around it at low tide" based on his advice, but that person would also have to be pretty naive to do that based on the advice of someone they don't know on a bulletin board, right?

Nate
__________________
BLAME PATAGONIA
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11 Jan 2006
quastdog's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chiangmai, Thailand
Posts: 509
Quote:
Originally posted by ezrdr:
Hi
I am trying to find some information on getting a motorcycle through, or around the Darien Gap.
Almost everything that I’ve found so far indicates that trying to ride through it would be a very bad idea.
I did read one account that said that it was possible to ride along the beach at low tide. Could this be true?
Unfortunately, it would appear that ezrdr had likely seen Flying Gringo's previous post about riding around the gap at low tied, which is why he's asking again. Obviously, ezrdr is clueless and didn't understand bullsh*t when he read it. Its reckless for Flying Gringo to keep repeating his comment - not to mention, how many more posts do we want to see asking the same dumb question?
__________________
quastdog
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Belgium , Wi. USA
Posts: 30
Better use a boat trailer, or better yet a trailer your boat can pull.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11 Jan 2006
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
Ezrder, welcome to the club. As im sure you have discovered, a few of us on the hub have a sense of humour some would find rather uninviteful. Your question is a good one, but has been covered many times on the hub. Use the search engine and you will find all the answers you are looking for. The short answer is no. Fly or take a boat. But if you choose to follow Gringo´s advice and ride at low tide, let us know how you do!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11 Jan 2006
Smellybiker's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Missing, presumed fed
Posts: 295
There's a beach ??

Girlie's brother (who's spent ages in Panama) tells me that the bit where land & sea meet is gloopy mud.



------------------
Last seen in S.America, missing presumed fed.
http://www.smellybiker.com
__________________
Missing, presumed fed.
https://youtube.com/@ChileBob
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 16 Jan 2006
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: twickenham, blighty
Posts: 68
i`m gonna lend him my hovercraft for the day.i cant beleive i didnt have it with me when we were there.
actually, someone could make a few quid there;if we all chip in and buy one we could take motor bikes across whenever they turn up and split the profits at the end of the year to fund all our next trips.easy.

------------------
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 17 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 41
Quote:
Originally posted by Flying Gringo:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="">quote:</font><HR><font face="" size="2">Originally posted by FREEFLOW:

I'll bet you took the Trans Darien Monorail right?...LOL

http://www.goodtimebob.com/monorail/home.html


This is one the worst things about the internet, people can irresponsibily post things without checking beforehand to see if they are true or not.

If you had done any research about the Trans Darien Monorail, instead of just posting something you found on a website, you would know that the Panama Colombia International Exchange Statute (PaCoLIES) of 1974, as ammended in 2003, strictly prohibits the conveyance of motor vehicles on monorails.

See you on the beach.

[This message has been edited by Flying Gringo (edited 10 January 2006).]</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


hey Gringo.....please read and quote my entire post...if you had a clue....


hey why is the bogus monorail site linked to FARC?...http://www.farcep.org/....do you know of this?....

this is Horizons Unlimited, and the post info quality used to be relatively bullshit free and not misleading.....


__________________
life is good, always free flow!
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 17 Jan 2006
madmarco's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Posts: 134
Ok Flying Gringo

why don't you share the results of your research with us?

It's not a help for anybody if you just post information like this without any hint on who did cross the darien gap riding around it at low tide...

Did you do it? Somebody you know? A friend of a friend? Did you read it somewhere?

Interesting subject, many people would like to know more about it :-)
__________________
Marco
http://www.schnueriger.net
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 3 1 23

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:04.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top