Hello fellow adventurists,

I recenly rode my motorcycle from Flagstaff, Az to the province of Cordobain Argentina.

I left with an engagement ring in Az and proposed to my girlfriend in Guatemala. She said yes!! Anyways we decided to go south and after some time we decided to travel to Ushuaia. (we didnt make it)

We were hit by a car in a small town by the name of Despenaderos.

I broke a rib in two places and fractured my humerus. The chasis of the bike is bent and cannot be ridden.

Also we had been riding on my trusty XR650L. Amazing bike but we have decided never again to ride two up.

Also the ex Mayor of the town has brought us in and allowed us to stay at his home untilwe depart from Cordoba via plane. He alsohas providedus witha lawyer who fighting our case while we work in AK. I am addicted to travelingby Moto andwill never travel without one because of the people you meet and the hospitality. It is unreal, superb, and most of all extremely important in understanding life.

Therefore we are going leave from Ak this Sept to complete our goal of arriving in Usuaia where we plan to get married.

My Fiance will be 23 and along with thejoy and personal challenges of making it all theway is wondering if she wouldbe the youngest woman to ride the entire distance from Ak to Ushuaia.

Any info and or help would be greatly appreciated.

FreeWheels, we have read with great interest and great sorrow your post. Your injuries sound serious and as a bit advice take care of your medical needs first. How is the young woman?

We, Elisa (Spanish) and me (North American) camped last night in Cruz del Eje in the province of Cordoba, Argentina. We live in Buenos Aires but travel each two years to visit our ranch in Flagstaff, we are en route there now on our two Honda NX400s.

We have a motorcycle parking business in Buenos Aires - but just spent about a week in Alta Gracia (35 Km from Cordoba (capital). To bad we are so close, yet now far, or we would be pleased to have met you in person.

We have lived in Argentina about 7 years and have traveled 6 other South American countries and all of Central America and a good part of Mexico. If you have specific questions regarding the legal/personal aspects of your law suit and/or any criminal case, please know we will do our best to double check advice you receive from an attorney. I am an anthropologist, not an attorney but have experience with foreigners have vehicle related accidents in the Americas. We both speak Spanish and English.

Be sure to check the dates on the temporary import permit for your bike and when it expires. I am sure your attorney can get an extention - but it will be much easier if that extension is granted while you are physically here in Argentina. Also, what insurance do you have for the bike? For your medical? The courts here are backed us about 5 years so - my advice - do not count on a quick settlement.

Waiting to hear from you

xfiltrate

Freewheels, be sure to contact the local HU Communities for local support, and we hope all goes well for you!

Youngest woman - unknown, but doubtful - it's been done a LOT by a wide range of people. Enjoy the trip when it happens!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

xfiltrate,

Thanks for your response and good to hear from you.

My fiance Tess is suprisingly just fine. I dont know how but she was thrown from the bike and suffers only from a sore back.

As graduates from NAU we both greatly miss Flagstaff and are excited to visit on our drive up to AK. We depart for PHX Monday night.

We had no insurance for the bike and also I have no medical insurance. Both are rookie mistakes and will not happen again. The exMayors son in law is an attorney in >Cordoba andis working onthe case. We dont planon a quick settlement but are worried about leaving the country as we no longer have the bike.

What paperwork should I ask for? Is there a way to sell the bike for parts? only the frame is bent in fact I rode the machine to Cordoba a week after the accidentt to have a mechanic look it over.

Anyways safe travels and hope to hear from you soon.

Hi. .good that you are going for proper care, and Tess was not seriously injured. Elisa was a tenured professor for 7 years at NAU and I did some grad work there.
It is illegal to import and then sell second hand moto parts in Argentina. Of course in your case questions regarding the status of your bike might come up, so I strongly advise keeping the bike in tact and legal as it can be without insurance. Not buying insurance was a big mistake. You may well be fined or worst. The fact that you found a politically wired attorney probably accounts for your being permitted to leave Argentina.
As we are on the road Mondays have little meaning so in future give actual date as we only rarely find internet connection. Who paid your medical so far?
Do not attempt to sell the bike as this would be illegal and make you look irresponsible esp since you already have broken the law by neglecting to buy insurance.
Let me know if and when you have been allowed it exit Argentina and the arrangements you have made for storing the bike .. And most important what written agreement you have with your attorney? This is critical that you have a written agreement and you have control over the hours he works for you. Otherwise. You and or your parents may be facing a very big attorney fee.

Make sure the TVIP issued at the border is valid until you return to exit your bike. If it will expire before you return. Have your attorney ask for an extension before you leave!

Keep me posted. Contact local HUBB for support like Grant suggests... Ed

Freewheels, how are you doing? Have you left Argentina?
Xfiltrate

Freewheels, I did a little unofficial inquiry into your accident. If you were "hit" in a roundabout , and there was red pickup truck nearby I may have found witness.

How are you? Are you still in Argentina ? We have been visiting friends in Tucuman and rough camping while exploring ancient sites and thermals near Ruta 40.

Please let us know how you are.

Xfiltrate

Hello,

Yes we have left Argentina with no problems and are back in Alaska. Our lawyer is still working on the case and is being paid out of what we will recieve so if we receive nothing he earns well nothing.

everything is going great and we have already purchased Tess's new klx250s which has all of the goodies we need for her.

We cant give up just because we were hit by a car so we plan leaving AK Sept 1st for round 2 and will make it to Ushuaia this time.

Thanks.

Good to hear all is sorted and worked out ok.

Just a thought - leave a couple of weeks earlier and come to the CanWest HU Meeting Aug 21-24 in Nakusp, BC! It will be a great place to kick off from, and you'll meet others coming and going south too.

Hope to see you there!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

And great determination. Thanks for keeping us informed. For your next ride south you might find us in Flagstaff, AZ. Or in Buenos Aires or somewhere on the road let's keep in contact.

We just crossed southern route from Santa Cruz, Bolivia to Cochabamba where we will sort new tire and tubes. what an adventure including a flat tire on my bike and camping near rual villages and spending a lot of time with the amazing locals . fixing tire on a tree stump with most of the village in attendance.

Yes do it all the way .... So pleased you found helpful local attorney sometimes the best part of the journey is when things go wrong.

Xfiltrate and rosa del desierto