Originally Posted by Happy Hacker

I thought Guiness had 'closed the book' on this record, it'll belong to the current holders irrespective of wether anyone beats it.

Should we tell'em before they leave? Or maybe pin a note on the sign in Ushuaia for them (evil grin).

Originally Posted by Flying Gringo

......I think there is about 600 miles of dirt/gravel in total now......

Originally Posted by Flying Gringo

There may still be 100 miles left. When I was there two years ago they were paving it like crazy...

I also question the wisdom of arriving in Ushuaia early October...

But we will see.

Originally Posted by mollydog

This Ride was posted over on ADVrider a couple weeks back.

I'm not sure I quite get the connection of a cross continent ride and the dedication to Pat Tillman. (NFL player who was fragged in Iraq by his own guys.... the Army kept this minor detail secret for a while)

Did Tillman always dream of riding from AK to Usuhaia? Did he even ride?
Don't think so....The explanation and justification offered by the organizer is intellectually weak, IMO.

I haven't read in detail what the guy's underlying motives might be. I hope its not some lame attempt to justify Bush's war, or to show Tillman somehow "didn't die in vain" (he did) or some other pro-war, pro-Bush war on terror political hogwash. This crap won't fly in most of Latin America. (maybe Panama?)

This will simply rub salt into the wounds of those who have suffered as a result of Bush's illegal misadventure and will continue to foment hatred towards American's world wide and spread it all the way to Argentina. Like we really need even more enemies ???

Flag waving patriots for "Victory in Iraq" we don't need at the moment, IMO and I can assure you, most of the folks south of the border have more pressing problems of their own to be concerned with 3 rich guys on a joy ride.

I'd say if things go well they'll make it to maybe Panama before time runs out. I've driven (van) from LA to Guatemala in 11 days so theoretically it could be done. What will slow them up will be the rainy season, border crossings and 700 mile days.

I'm not much of a fan of RTW record breakers. Whats the point? In this case an "outsider" (someone who doesn't ride and doesn't give a Rat's Ass about motorcycling and probably will never ride again after the event) steps in to exploit the perceived "Adventure" associated with riding a motorcycle across
two continents, exploiting this Hero mythology for personal gain (book, movie?) and leaving many negative unintended consequences in their wake for the rest of us to plow through in our travels which won't be over in thirty days but rather several years.

I would much rather support real riders doing something useful along the way to support local communities they pass through. Those who are willing to take time and energy to actually benefit people in real need. This region doesn't need record setting Heroes. It needs folks dedicated doing what needs to be done without preaching religion, politics or cultural superiority. Real riders don't need book deals, movies or thousands of dedicated "fans". They need no recognition at all.

Patrick

Originally Posted by Flying Gringo

Margus,

You will be pleased to know that before I can try to break the record on my Moto Guzzi, A gentleman who is very accomplished and well known in Ironbutt circles will be setting out on (what else?) a BMW 1200GS to break the record. I think he has the best chance of anyone out there. He leaves on September 18 and by my calculation should be meeting up with the 34for40 crowd in a plane to Colombia.

There is once again serious talk between Colombia and Panama about paving the Darien Gap, and when that happens any records set previously will be cut down by days.

Originally Posted by mollydog

Farmers already tried Guzzi's. They broke down. I prefer Masey-Ferguson.