Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Ride Tales, Trip Reports and Stories > Ride Tales
Remco goes Latin America Remco goes Latin America
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Ride Tales Post your ride reports for a weekend ride or around the world. Please make the first words of the title WHERE the ride is. Please do NOT just post a link to your site. For a link, see Get a Link.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old 11 Oct 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Posts: 24
Post Remco goes Latin America
Offroad baptism.

The predatory birds hover above the Mexican prairie. It is dry and hard. It almost seems the asphalt is simmering a bit under the sun. The road cuts through the desierto. Not a dessert of which the grains of sand invite to swim in. This dessert is rough, barren, a stretched lowland covered with bushes and cactuses. In the distance, in all directions around me, the shapes of mountains are visible.

I am already driving for a while, when I approach some hilly landscape. I see a small building a the abandoned surroundings. It appears to be the roadhouse I have been looking for: I was told there was a path right there that would cut trough the hills. I was about time to say by to the asphalt for a moment and test my Honda XR650L on its off-road qualities.

Well, I wanted off-road, and I got off-road! On some locations the road was sooo bad, I had to drive around it. Sight….all those alternative routes. And this was not everything yet. Not even close…


The first yards feel wonderful. I drive on soft earth that lies steadily on an underground of flat rock. The wheels mow the red grains loose, and leave a small cloud of dust behind. It becomes more hilly. De main road disappears from sight. More cracks appear in the road, unevenness in the road, lose stones, and holes. Occasionally when I need to adjust, my foot sticks for a second to the ground, which makes my calf hit the pannier. Or my upper body caches a low hanging branch.
I have to concentrate to keep the bike in balance, and to get round any obstacle, taking the next one in consideration. Unfortunately the motorbike is not as flexible as a bicycle. With all the weight it has ( I guess appr 200kg) and the luggage (with panniers appr 30kg) dat drags/pushes behind.
I have to make one choice after the other: Do I go right, left, along the rock, across or trough the water? Do I take the side of the abyss, or the mountainside? Do I go along the riverbed, or should I drive through the dried out river? Choices and anticipating on possible obstacles that follow, or rather hoping that non will follow to quickly!

After approx. 40 kilometers (25 miles) and 1,5 hour later I arrive a little village, Cuatro de Australia. 30 families live here. The village was on 1/3 rd of my cross over route. I ask a few inhabitants for the road. They wave a bit with their arms and call out ‘that way’. Which way? They swish their arms up again. I convince them to make a drawing: one road, one intersection, one detraction. Muy simple.

Hint 1: A closed fence on the road. I thing about returning when I a notice a side-path. Never give up, never surrender!
Hint 2: I don’t get across any approaching traffic, horse or car. Neither do I get passed by any. Hint 3: I am standing in from of a crossroad with 4 paths to choose. Which one to take?
Hint 4: A path uphill suddenly stops to exist any further
Hint 5: A path (1,5 meter wide) downhill I can only take turning the engine off. Braking on the clutch. The loose stones roll down with me.
Hint 6: I am traveling for 2 hours and only did 30 km (19 miles)

Then another cross road. One spur is covered with greenery, the other seemed to been used recently. It is 5 pm. I have lost my orientation. I run some scenario{s trough my head. One is the set up my tent when it gets dark. I have 1,5 liters of extra water with me, and some muesli bars.
I take my gadget compass-temperature measure. The arrow keeps on turning. Should I return? I did try to memorize the way back along the way, choosing some points of recognition. However, I don’t want to head back, as I don’t know yet the best way to get up the hill from hint number 5. Then, in the far distance it starts to thunder. A dark cover of clouds sinisterly approaches me. This is the last thing I need! I decide to return.

Then fate hits.

I am standing at the foot of the feared hill from hint 5. How do I approach this one. Very loose underground, 45 degrees ascending. To take this with high speed may be too uncontrolled. A high spinning wheel creates less grip. So I have to go slow in high speed. Or was it the other way around? I put the bike in 2nd gear. Slowly. It is too heavy for the bike. I go to slow. The engine cuts off. I start it again. In its 1st gear. Some stones jump away from under the wheel. So I should try the 2nd gear again. The engine snores, growls, howls. I am halfway. I go around a big rock, the motorbike bends slightly sideways. Some stones glide away. I lose grip. The bike overturns to the left. I throw my weight to the right, but it is too late:

Boem, Kedeng, Beng! Motorbike on ground. I stand next to it. Engine is snoring. I quickly turn it off with the emergency button. Petrol smell. Leakage around the tank cap. I turn it tight. It stops. I hear something flow. I see a small pool of liquid. Bigger leakage. From where? Tank? Do I have a hole? Time is running out before tank is completely empty. The bike needs to get up. I push and pull. Too heavy. I tug the luggage off the bike. I push and pull again. Almost, come ‘on!
The motor stands straight. Leakage stops.. Pfew….

There I am. In the middle of nowhere. No sight of any living soul, and I don{t expect any the days to come.
Damage: physically some scratches, material a bit dented, ego a bit snapped. And now?

Should I have continued instead? Perhaps yes, or not? Later I found out I took a wrong turn already very early of the journey.

In the end I drive the bike up – slowly without luggage, in steps. I carry the luggage myself up. And with my tail between my legs I ride back to Cuatro de Australia. This is a wise lesson: no more detours, alternative routes, on roads other people don’t take frequently. At least not by myself.

I arrive at Cuatro de Australia. The men explain me ones again how I should drive. Waiving and swishing. They convince me the give it a try again the next day. I stay with the Escareño family, they provide me food and shelter.
The next day I do decide to leave this battle of the desierto for what it is, and keep to my newly learned lesson. Detours: they bring you in tough situations. If it is worth it? In hine-side, with a Sol in my hand, looking in back, for sure..

Later day afternoon I did leave my lesson for what is was worth and I drove 80 km trough the Desierto de Parras. FANTASTIC!

Hasta luego!
Attached Images
 
Reply With Quote
 

« 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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Help with Latin America Trip! barbalace Route Planning 13 15 Mar 2009 19:55
Latin America Adventure Mikester Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 31 Oct 2007 13:55
e-mailing from latin america Forsellini Communications 7 10 Jun 2006 10:12
Latin America - Sharing Information sunflowers Travellers Seeking Travellers 4 18 Feb 2006 15:04
OziExplorer Maps for Latin America hughc Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 1 31 Aug 2002 01:12

 
 

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
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



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 01:34.

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