watch out for 22 bikers trying to get from Ushuaia to Alaska in 2 months

[Simonf8gs]

Today I entered to Tiera del Fuego. As I get off the ferry I see 2 bikers from UK. They told me they are part of a group of 22 bikers going to Alaska in only 2 months. Then I see a trailers full of tires and realized they paid for a organized tour. How much$$??? I'd like to know. I came all the way from Canada on the bike, did it in 6 months, and it felt to me I was rushing at the end.

At the hostel at night, met 2 cyclists that met the group at their first night out of Ushuaia. They told me the group was a week late on schedule due to some delays getting the bikes from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia by plane. They saw a cruiser, women sitting on the back of a few bikes and described them to appear as "normal" people. I mean they were not atheletes that done it before and now trying to beat a personnal record, no, just normal Joes with apparently more money than common sense.

A cruiser can do it, 2 up no problem, normals Joes can do that trip, but in only 2 months?? Why?? They won't make friends or see anything what's the point? Why not just do a smaler portion in 2 months? What's the company from UK selling these tours?

anyway it blows my mind I thought I had to share this.

[Fernando Costa]

Simon, I envy you, not them...

[Crappybiker]

Met them too...nuts!...what a holiday!..some are two up!..Nick Sanders is leading this tour

[britch]

Originally Posted by Crappybiker

nuts!....Nick Sanders is leading this tour

Say no more !

[Simonf8gs]

@ Bruce, yes it's me, we met in Panama! where are you?

I have great respect for Nick Sanders, He's been all over the world. Before my trip I read his blog. I wish I had met him and shook his hand. Anyway I guess on a R1 on a sraight boring line on highway you could just go very fast and get some distance done. But bringing "normal" joes in this trip to just do boring miles done and call it an adventure, I still don't get it. I almost spent 2 months just in Mexico and had the best time of my whole life!

Maybe some people in the group will get tired in Colombia, realized how great of a place this is, how geat the people are, and say f*** this, I'm staying there for minimum 2 weeks! I wonder if the 22 of them will finish the trip!

[Lisa Thomas]

i understand that all of these riders that take part in one of Nicks rides are vetted. they are given a full run down of what will be expected of them and their abilities are assessed. some wont make it...some wil...but these are all adults and you pay your money and take your chance.

and as one post said here....a bad days riding is better than any good day in the office. i totally agree with that.

Simon and I have often also been called 'mad' as we have been doing the complete opposite to Nicks type of riding whereas he is super-fast our journey is slow and long. what has takenus 8 years in distance others could have 'done' in less than 2.

no, they will not have time to make friends with the locals...but maybe this is not the reason they want/can/are able to, make this trip.

people have a variety of reasons for wanting to ride a bike (sports bike, cruiser, big traily and so on) ...but at least they ARE riding one!

I understand that the route will take them up the Ruta 40 (not the 3) and this time Nick is riding the new Super Tenere.

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by Simonf8gs

@ Bruce, yes it's me, we met in Panama! where are you?

I have great respect for Nick Sanders, He's been all over the world. Before my trip I read his blog. I wish I had met him and shook his hand. Anyway I guess on a R1 on a sraight boring line on highway you could just go very fast and get some distance done. But bringing "normal" joes in this trip to just do boring miles done and call it an adventure, I still don't get it. I almost spent 2 months just in Mexico and had the best time of my whole life!

Maybe some people in the group will get tired in Colombia, realized how great of a place this is, how geat the people are, and say f*** this, I'm staying there for minimum 2 weeks! I wonder if the 22 of them will finish the trip!

Just got into Trewlew, Jean wants to see some more Penguins :-)

I'm with you on the thoughts of the 22, if I was to do something similar I would prefer to either do it on my own or with no more than 3 others who could ride a similar pace.

A part of me understands the "go from A to B" as fast as possible, but not on a trip like this.

[flyde]

Wow! The money just boggles me but worth every wizzing memory i guess.

I wonder what my trusty old KLR would have said if I told her that we would be in Alaska in 8 weeks from TDF. Knowing that old girl, she would have had other ideas.

18 months, about $20 000, a beautiful wife, a baby and another home in Bolivia is what i got out of it. If you could package that deal, count me in.

[crashmaster]

Riding with 22 other people for 2 months. Yeah, that sounds like loads of fun. OTOH, the guy that collects the checks is cleaning up. Good for him, but I imagine he is going to earn every penny because that is going to be like herding cats.

Also, Ruta 40 is very doable on a big cruiser but youre not going to be able to run it at 100 mph like you can on a big KTM or BMW.

[oldguy]

There are lots of reasons to go on, and enjoy a bike ride of 2 hours, 2 months, 2 years. Get off your high horses and let them have fun.

[docsherlock]

Originally Posted by oldguy

There are lots of reasons to go on, and enjoy a bike ride of 2 hours, 2 months, 2 years. Get off your high horses and let them have fun.

+1 - agreed.

[yuma simon]

Originally Posted by Fernando Costa

Simon, I envy you, not them...

I envy all of them!

[BruceP]

Madness, utter madness.

I'd guess they will head up Ruta 3 and across to Osorno so we may see them.

Simon, I'm guessing that you are the same Simon we met in Panama (with Marcus), so may see you as well if you are heading to BA.

[garmei]

There was an interview in Bike magazine with one of the riders who went on this tour last year. Made me laugh when he described a guanaco as a 'llama type animal' - he hadn't even had the time to ask anyone what they're called - and they;re bloody everywhere in Patagonia!

Fair dues to them though, it can't be easy. Sanders rides an R1... now that's crazy!

[Road Hog]

Two months is quick for sure, I did TDF to States in four and a half and still was a rush. But then I have gone on trips just for the fun of the ride and see some country. Bottom line, they will have some fun but miss out on what some (me too) would call the most important, the people and culture.

Each to their own, I wish them well.

RJT