Well my friends,

It has been 3 months since receiving my 04 BMW R1200C and making some novice cruises in the Dominican Republic. Have only logged about 2,000 miles so far, in short jaunts in between learning how to drive on two wheels. While at first glance driving in the Dominican Republic is an adrenaline sport at the best of times, after driving here on 4 wheels for many years, have been pleasantly surprised at how courteous and respectful many drivers are of motorcyclists, easily yielding to white lining.

Will have to start taking a camera with me on some of these jaunts, as have been focusing on enjoying the ride and developing riding skills (still feel a novice)

Gear
Have discovered how illogical my purchase of leather jacket and chaps truly was. While the heavy chaps are acceptable, the leather vented jacket from Fox Creek, after removing the liner, still was intolerably hot even at modest speeds. Aborted my first ride with it on, returning home after 50 minutes to change gear. Vented mesh jacket is the protection of choice now.

Changed helmet from a modular Nolan NCOM 103 to a Full face Shoei RF-1000, which seems to have more effective and quieter venting and IMHO feels significantly cooler.

Motorcycle buddies
There are quite a few large bore motorcycle clubs/associations on the island, most with minimum guidelines of 650cc and up. To name a few Nativos, HOG, 300, Amazonas, Bohemios, Invasores, Caimanes, Barbaros.
Have felt a gentle and easy camaradie riding with the groups, who all seem to cooperate reasonably well.

Highway updates
Santo Domingo - La Romana about 125 km West to East
As the highway is under construction, there are some rough bits around the Soco River, where to my untrained eye, givne the number and men and equipment working and seeing the advance the last 3 months, they should be completing the new bridge and access highways in the next 6 months.

Santo Domingo - Santiago about 188 km South to North
There are a number of must stops for bikers, about halfway on the freeway at the side of the highway town called Bonao. There are a number of restuarants easily access from the side of the highway heading north. One, called El Tipco Bonao, where outstanding Dominican cuisine is served on linen tablecloths by formal waiters has very clean bathrooms. Expect to spend at least an hour. A less formal deli and bakery called Miguelina also privides very good cuisine inquiet informal patios backed by a waterfall and bambbo shrubbs (25-30ft high), with even more meticulously clean bathrooms.

Hotelpa by the airport provided a safe parking area and nice clean rooms for a modest price. It was formerly a Marriott.

Santo Domingo - Constanza (140 km?)
This is a winding mountain road, after leaving the Duarte highway that climbs from about 500 ft above sea level to about 6,000 ft in the pass before dropping down to a quiet agricultural mountain valley that bottoms out at around 4,000 ft. Views are spectacular, and the twisties are rather challenging, given that after some recent rains have washed out all the asfault road surface, we could assume that all hairpins might or might not convert to an offroad adventure mid-curve. Taking it easy, made it an enjoyable adventure, with breathtaing views, and given the altitudes, very comfortable temperatures, even at midday.

Santo Domingo - San Francisco de Macorix 143km
Leaving the Duarte highway at the intersection, the road has been newly paved and is a very nice easy countryside cruise in the farmlands.

As become familiar with more routes (on 2 wheels) will provide updates.

Next adventure hopefully will be the new 106km Las Americas - Cruce de Sanchez highway with its Iguanas tail (33 curves in 12 km).

Will post future updates. Ride safe


David Edge

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From d isle of Hispaniola