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26 Jun 2012
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Riding a Trike through Central America
I know it sounds crazy, but if you've ever met Dave from CATours then you know this is right up his alley. So what if it's not the "right" bike for the trip, he's up for a good time and enjoying a very unique experience. Here at CATours were backing him up the whole way and look forward to the updates from the road. I will do my best to post updates/pictures here as well as the ride blog ( Riding a Trike to Colombia).
The basics:
Bike: 2002 Honda Goldwing Trike
Departure: Thursday, June 28th
Goal: Get down to Panama to check out this so-called ferry or lack thereof. Who knows, maybe Dave will be the first to cross with a Trike!
Let us know if you have any suggestions for specific places to visit or if you have any questions.
__________________
Guatemala Motorcycle Adventures!
Chris
Marketing Guide, CATours
info@catours.co.uk
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28 Jun 2012
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Why a Trike?
from Dave's blog ( Riding a Trike to Colombia)
Why a Trike, Why a Trike? Why? Why? Why? Why not?
So what is the attraction for this different vehicle?
It should not really be compared with any other form of transport: Because it is not like any other form of transport.
Travelling for most people is about freedom and the open roads. This is where we can say welcome to the Trike. The Quadraphonic stereo is a nice place to start, If you don’t appreciate music you probably should stop reading, and think about death. Riding with open speakers shouting out your favorite tunes can’t be appreciated unless you’ve really been there, Welcome to the Trike.
Style and elegance is a personal thing. Just like Punk or Jazz. The Trike is about a presentation with a different look, this also comes with a different sound, and we are not talking about its 1800cc fuel injected 6 cylinders that does also have a nice tone. You have few excuses to get left behind on a Trike.
The Trike is not designed or meant for off road endurance, if this is what you want or think is important you should re-consider your options. The Trike is not about crazy riding! The Trike is aimed at the mature rider that just appreciates a little comfort with a difference.
You will not lose the adventure, you will still enjoy the open freedom with all the weather elements, the wind, the rain, the crazy roads, and its wonderfull people, especially in Central America. Like it or not you will get noticed: If you are not heard you will be seen: Welcome to the Trike.
Dave Drudge
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2 Jul 2012
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from Dave's blog:
So the trip has began. My first stop was Las Lisas. Las Lisas for me is a slow uncommercial beach resort with good waves. My second stop was Lago Coatepequez, in El Salvador. This is certainly a worth while stop, especially if you like a swim. If you swim to the Island it is about 5-6 kms, if you do it make sure you use Sun cream, otherwise you will be sorry.
I passed into and out of El Salvador without any problems, but I do know it was close! Going in I had 4 Days before my 90 day expiry, they asked if I was in transit, this basically means going through to at least Costa Rica. When I left El Salvador I got taken into the office, I only had two days left? So, So.. I havent expired, they counted my 90 days twice, day by day, and after 88 they knew I still had two days.
Conclusion: I think they were only looking at the potential for a fine, I am almost certain that is where it would of went if I had gone over my 90 days: I also felt it would of been a lot more than a $1 or $2. The Customs in El Salvador have been striking a lot recently, they want more money, and they will try to aquire it from whatever source they can.
But arrived all good in Honduras, apart from a Tuc-Tuc driving up the back of me, he hit me quite hard, fortunately he only bent his vehicle, I was lucky, if it had been worse, what could I have done.. Really Not much..
Five minutes before Choluteca there was a serious storm, I was fortunate that I pulled into a Garage 10 secs before the Heavens opened, it rained and blew super hard for about 15 mins, all the electric went out and all the signs blew over, for a moment I was a little concerned there was a roof above me, but all past and I continued.
So at present I am in Choluteca, tomorrow I need to buy a map to see where I am going next, I don’t need to spend anymore time here.
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2 Jul 2012
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pictures
and a few pictures from the first week:
"Fill me up and check my tires please."
Trucks sometimes fall over.
"When I grow up I want cruise control."
A bad ass storm in Honduras
The police love stopping me.
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6 Jul 2012
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So the second week is here.
the latest update from Dave's blog:
Well the saying goes something like doesn’t time fly when your having fun! Should I agree with having fun or time flying by?
Well its been eight days since I left Guatemala, there was no pace decided before hand, so being where I am in Costa Rica is probably a good location to be.
Without it being too superstitious should I say the Trike is going well, from a mechanical point of view I probably have few concerns, after all it is a Honda.
I think the concern for most motorcyclist is the unexpected accident, or the un-repairable problem. With these two exceptions everything else is workable and enjoyable, and of course never forget your freedom of Adventure; For this reason we travel.
Since leaving Choluteca, I have had two reasonable day rides, the first was to Esteli in Nicaragua, home of fine Cigars. And like most of Nicaragua, Rum. Flor de Cana. By many peoples opinion probably the best rum in the World.
Well after a day or two in Esteli it was time to move on to Costa-Rica.
Its a long simple ride, with one or two turns when you arrive in Managua, roads are generally good. Pot holes are no friend of mine. Unlike a typical motorcycle I have a different posture and moving around has different restrictions to me. Its a bit like comparing Yoga to climbing a tree, they are not the same! But both will allow a different type of stretch.
But as already mentioned when it comes down to the music I know you just dont get better, both my windows are wide open and both my arms are out. Oh and dont forget the cruise control is on. The enjoyment of personal music doesn’t get any better. You can even learn to love music that you would not normally listen to:
You can mix Patsy Cline with the Sex Pistols followed by a little Vivaldi, there is no limit to the pleasure of profound sound that comes with the trike, and just like everyone that appreciates their mp3 player, you will smile.
Yes Life is good: Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll: Give me the Trike?
Dave Drudge
OP’s Guatemala
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6 Jul 2012
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and some more pics
full moon in Esteli, Nicaragua
just one more?
lost? follow the bus
any bike will get dirty down here
$17 Costa Rica Insurance
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23 Jul 2012
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Where will he end up next?
Dave's latest post about what's coming next...
Well the time has arrived to make a decision about where I go next?
I am in Colon, its definitely no tourist town, but would recommend it if you want to see something different.
It would not be advised that you walk around at night; unless you’ve always had a desire to get robbed or assaulted, if so Colon is a good place to start.
I am staying at the Washington Hotel, its probably the best choice for central location and security, especially if you have a bike. Rooms are decent value, and there is also a casino here which will either pay for the night or make it an expensive one; there is always someone selling women or marijuana, its a hard one to choose from.
I have also spoken to several people about the ferry that never happened: Yet.. It will happen according to everyone, this will happen sooner than later. But today I will take a walk and see if its possible to hitch a ride on a cargo or container ship? Doesnt this sound easy, well I have been told it will be nearly impossible.
Have also been told $600 is the illegal immigrant price, not cheap if this is true? For sure what I do know is that there are many different opinions here in getting to Colombia.
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29 Jul 2012
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Guatemala, here we come
Dave's latest update from the road:
Well once again time has just wizzed by.. Colombia never happened; dont feel good about saying this; but it just means that I will have to do it at a later date.
But Panama city was a great place to see, the Havana Bar in front of the Marriott Hotel is a good stop, at least for one cigar, here you can smoke and see the best girls in the city. Panama is a big “No Smoking Country”, new law back in 2008. The days for the smoker are nearly over, it’s the same in Costa Rica, new laws there also, but only introduced last month.
Casco Viejo is certainly worth a walk, its a great place to see. If you do ride in you wont be disappointed if you take the ride over the causeway. Panama City is a very impressive city, Donald Trump certainly think’s so, he has just built a big tower block here.
original tyres 245/60/15 - very rare!
tire change
time for new tires, 53,000 miles
Taxi drivers always know the way?
maybe a little more space?
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31 Jul 2012
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Panama / Costa Rica Border
Dave's recent update:
So after spending two days at the Royal Grand Hotel in David it was time to say goodbye to Panama.
After a swim and a good breakfast I set off towards Costa Rica. The border crossing was straight through and simple, so I thought; then after ridding for ten minutes or so in Costa Rica I thought to myself, did I check out? Meaning quite simply did I enter Costa Rica... legally. Well I went back and the answer was definately "No"
Anyway after I had my passport stamped and my trike paperwork completed I was all set again - not quite I had to have the quarantine spray done on the trike.
OK well that was good - lets get moving towards my next destination --> Drake, CR.
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8 Aug 2012
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Nicaragua update from Dave:
So after a late start and a swim, I still had to eat and make my way to Nicaragua. A late start is nothing less than 12:30. So I am heading to the frontera of Nicaragua.
Something that you do so much more when you are travelling in hot countries is drink. You dont get time to think about having a drink; your body shouts out saying I have to DRINK now. So that what you have to do.
I stopped in Liberia about one hour from Tamarindo to get some gas, at the same time I stopped, "Ice Cold Coconuts" were being offered to me for a $1 each so I started with one, four Coconuts later with a full tank of gas I was ready to go; great stop.
I made it to the border with no problem. Both the Costa Rica and Nacaraguan sides take time, probably a two hour deal in total. It may not sound like much time but its far more than it sounds when you are there running around getting different forms and stamp approvals ect, and this is for one person without any queue. Fumigation, cancellation of insurance, buying new insurance, paying for photo copies and talking all takes time. $12 to enter Nicaragua + $12 mandatory vehicle insurance, only valid for one month.
So because of my late start I will be riding in the dark for at least one hour. I arrived in Granada around two hours of leaving the border and found a simple hostel called La Floresta, clean quite and cheap.
Granada is a good place to see, you certainly get a feel of what Nicaragua is about, its very busy with lots of activity, but nothing like a big city. It gets very busy here with a organised kind of crampedness which keeps you moving and going somewhere.
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8 Aug 2012
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more pictures from the road:
time for another swim - Manuel Antonio, CR
hey gringo! this is my beach
Can you see me?
Honda 200 CTX's in Nicaragua - this is what we run our CATours rides with
76,000 kms and still looking good!
my first picket line
I don't want trouble
a common site on Nicaraguan streets
Luis Perez - my first BAD transit cop - no gun
false fine, I never paid anything
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9 Aug 2012
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Adventure colliding with strikes - Dave's latest update from the blog:
Well Granada kept me for a little more time than I expected; Granada is certainly a tourist town, lively, probably safe most of the time, cheap and attractive; although there are a few smelly places and dangerous holes to fall in, just like Central America in general.
On my leaving I got stopped by the Transit Police; ”just another routine stop”
I did absolutely nothing wrong; the first cop seemed decent, the second cop asked for my ID and license, he then says I was driving dangerous in the middle lines, ”What do you say” All I know is that I probably never said the right thing, the ****er writes me a ticket, and keeps my license, until I return with a payment slip from the nank saying I have paid, $40 fine for the offence. Never felt too good about that, but when you look back it could of always been a lot worse? It wouldnt of been so bad if I had done the crime; I was innocent. ”Who cares”
Anyway I went to the bank, paid my fine: and returned, he was still there; which was my second concern. I showed him the payment slip and he gave me my license - I continued.
My destination was still Somoto, its a destination that has to be checked out, its a big water canyon, good hiking and swimming is what its about.
No sir not today: there is a Huelga.. It means strike, the road is blocked and no-one passes, so with little option I sleep in the small pueblo called Condega, which is basically on the strike line.
Simple place, very cowboy style, its own culture and style for sure. No McDonald’s here. Only good cigars. When I wake up and talk to a few people I am informed the strike is still strong, you will not pass.
Very mixed opinions here; I can pass / I wont pass. All I do know personally is that strike lines are delicate and should be considered potentially dangerous. I stopped 100 mtrs before the big no pass-line; I was certainly speaking with the strikers like the first division or the first line of protest.
I really wanted to check out Somoto, but this situation was totally out of my control, if I turn around it will be at least a four hour ride to the other border to leave Nicaragua; and then I will have to stay in Choleteca, its a shit hole, but it will put me in a direction that is not what i want…
Should I stay or should I go?
After talking, sharing my cigar and having a bit of a laugh; the moment had arrived when I ride to the front line with two of my strikers on my trike smoking my cigars; it would of made a great picture, but unfortunately not on my camera this time.
We get told No, “OK, OK” … I truly had no great expectations, this was not my biggest problem, but within a minute I had about 100 strikers around me, its not really about me, its all about the trike. Seriously I think the whole strike line left and came to me; I was still focused on riding forward, but I was going nowhere.
Then one of my strikers waves me forward, It was a good sight, with a little gas and good clutch control I was moving towards Somoto!
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