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CROSSING THE DARIEN GAP? CROSSING THE DARIEN GAP?
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  #1  
Old 25 Dec 2005
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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
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  #2  
Old 28 Dec 2005
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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!

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  #3  
Old 29 Dec 2005
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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?
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  #4  
Old 10 Jan 2006
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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?...

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  #5  
Old 10 Jan 2006
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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...

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  #6  
Old 10 Jan 2006
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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.

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  #7  
Old 10 Jan 2006
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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.
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  #8  
Old 10 Jan 2006
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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?

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  #9  
Old 11 Jan 2006
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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?
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  #10  
Old 11 Jan 2006
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Better use a boat trailer, or better yet a trailer your boat can pull.
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  #11  
Old 11 Jan 2006
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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!
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  #12  
Old 11 Jan 2006
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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.



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  #13  
Old 7 Aug 2006
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Cool Ronkon Trailblazer
It was done on a Ronkon "Trailblazer". With balloon tires and two wheel drive, all you'd need is a pair of pontoons and you probably "could" drive it down the coast. There's even enough room on the back seat for a six pack.
Check out www.outbackofbeyond.com/guide.htm Smitty
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  #14  
Old 7 Aug 2006
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Wonder if it would be possible on a specially built quad bike?I have actually seen one fitted with a set of very bulbous tyres,crossing a marshy lake a couple of years ago.The tyres had rubber paddles that were leant one way so they would act as propulsion in the water.The rider would get soaked of course!
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  #15  
Old 8 Aug 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JonStobbs
Wonder if it would be possible on a specially built quad bike?I have actually seen one fitted with a set of very bulbous tyres,crossing a marshy lake a couple of years ago.The tyres had rubber paddles that were leant one way so they would act as propulsion in the water.The rider would get soaked of course!
An ATV can go anywhere....with a working winch.

BTW, Paricia's book, Outback of Beyond, is an easy read and I found it interesting. Assuming it's still in print....
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