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9 Jan 2009
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Location: colombia-ecuador
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Colombia Libre!Cartagena Nov 2009
Right Guys and Gals!!!
We,re in the process of organising an International Motorcycle travellers meeting in Cartagena in November of 2009!!!
We,ll be advertizing it in as many places as possible.I,m especially looking for people from France,Germany Italy etc.I know there are a lot of them travelling but it,s difficult to get a hold of them,if you know of any websites in these countries for folks like us please let me know!!!
The main reason for this idea coming together is to show the world that Colombia is not what it used to be and that the folks down here get an unfairly bad rap in the press and media in general.Too many people still fly straight from Panama to Quito and miss out on the stunning scenery and extra friendly people.(not to mention the hot chicks)
We recon November is the time to do it as it seem thats when the majority of Alaska-TdF types are passing by.
There are no fixed dates as yet and we,re just putting a team together to get things moving,but we already have interest from Ktm and Redbull as possible sponsors!!!
We shall see early days yet.
If you,re planning a trip try to fit this into your schedule,as I,m sure that if we can pull it off it,ll be a real hoot.
Al theturtleshead
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9 Jan 2009
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Wow, this sounds pretty awesome Albert. I am sure that it will be a success. The safety in Colombia has improved so much over the last 10 years because of the president. If you skip Colombia, then you will be skipping the best country on the trip.r
A couple pics:
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11 Jan 2009
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Colombia
Sssshhhhh....don´t tell everybody!
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16 Jan 2009
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Of all the countries that I visited during my trip Colombia was one of my favorites and one of two where I could see myself living (Argentina was the other) and working a real job.
Albert! Wish I could make it! Maybe next year!
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21 Jan 2009
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Colombia Libre!!! Cartagena October 30th-2ndNovember
We now have a team of Organisers Maurico Gallo from Ruta40 BMW Medellin and John Arcilla from TouringColombia - Touring Colombia - "Amigos por la Ruta".
We,ll have a logo,hotels,hostals,routes and bike transport in the planning.
They,ll be all kinds of runs organised to Santa Matha,Parque Tyrona etc.
So if you,re heading down in 2009 try to fit this into your schedule.
Al theturtleshead
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23 Jan 2009
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Transport
We,re talking to a company in Miami called AmericanWings The owner has been very interested in what we are trying to do.The cost for one bike is around $1000 all in,but he says the price will drop considerbly are the number of bikes rises.
It,s a start!!! 
Al theeturtleshead
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24 Jan 2009
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I wish you luck Albert, although rather begrudgingly. When the Gringo hordes start tramping all over this wonderful country and taking safety and home comforts for granted, it will be time for me to move on. Ironically, it is the war and drugs trade that seems to have preserved the elements of character that I most admire. I don't want to see the violence prolonged, but I don't want to live in another Costa Rica...do you?
It may be some time yet, for Colombia still has a long way to go. The Colombia that you and your Colombian associates experience from Poblado, along with places like; Rosales in Bogota and Bocagrande in Cartagena, offer as extreme a view of Colombia as one can get. The intractability of the Colombian political mindset along with all the factors such as topography and natural resources, (including the drugs), will prevent an early, easy solution. At the moment, much of the violence and opportunism is being repressed. When the US funding stops and the police and army intervention is rolled back, we will see another Colombia.
So, once again Good Luck. I will be moving to Santa Marta next month, and perversely will have more to gain from tourism than most. Already, I have seen immense changes over the last 4 years, but it is testament to the Colombian character that they have retained what they have, to the degree that they have.
If I can assist, let me know. The biker scene in Barranquilla is very well developed and I'm sure you'll find lots of willing there.
How is the pub in Poblado coming along by the way. I'm interested to know if you find doing business in Colombia any different to Ecuador?
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
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25 Jan 2009
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Colombians
Another Costa Rica in Colombia I very much doubt it! For me one of the great things about Colombia is it,s very strong cultural identity and thats something that won,t be changed by however many Gringos there are walking around.
After all Engand on it,s own has around 48 million inhabitants to Colombias 44 million and I don,t think they,ve developed American accents yet!
I,ve also been around Ecuador Colombia and Peru for 14 years so I,d like to think I have a broader perspective than someone who simply hangs out in the nicer parts of town.
Every Colombian I talked to says the country as a whole has moved foreward leaps and bounds in the last 10 years and none have any desire to fall back into the old ways and you certainly get the sensation that the only polititian they will ever vote for is the one who gives them the sense that the growing economy and security will continue.
Any way no more politicing,from now on this will just be covering the run up to the event and the details of the event.
PLEASE NO MORE POLITICS!!! take it to the bar if you have too
Al theturtleshead
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26 Jan 2009
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Fair enough. There was more to my comment than the political, but it's your post, so I'll just wish you luck then.
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
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26 Jan 2009
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Good stuff
I,d be more than happy to hear any suggestion you might have to get this thing moving over here at the HUBB.
I,ve already got news that we,ll have groups coming in from Venezuela and Ecuador as well as a few guys from the States.
Also there will be a big movement from Colombia with groups from Medellin already signed up!
Some guys are flying in and renting bikes in Cali and Rides and parties being arranged.
I don,t think the party will stop in Cartagena,I think it,ll keep on going as the foreign rider are escorted back to the other cities on their way south.
Stay tuned for developments 
Al theturtleshead
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17 Feb 2009
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Coumbia Meet
I'm leaving Canada in July for TDF by Xmas. The idea of a meet in Columbia is great, but I'd prefer a little more relaxed schedule for the remaining 8000 or so KMs left for me after the meet. Something in mid-October would be better. Even if I come through too early, I'll stop by and say hello...
JohnB
(currently in Otavalo)
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18 Feb 2009
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Logo
So here's the official Colombia Libre 2009 logo. It will not be an event you will want to miss 
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Keep On Ridin' In The Free World
- Mike
Last edited by kaiserkyhl; 21 Feb 2009 at 17:00.
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18 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by howzitgoineh
I'm leaving Canada in July for TDF by Xmas. The idea of a meet in Columbia is great, but I'd prefer a little more relaxed schedule for the remaining 8000 or so KMs left for me after the meet. Something in mid-October would be better. Even if I come through too early, I'll stop by and say hello...
JohnB
(currently in Otavalo)
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Hi John
From running my hostel here in Cali I know that November is absolutely peak period of overland bikers passing through. Some 60 bikers have passed by Casa Blanca since august last year when we opened.
Cheers
Mike
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23 Feb 2009
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In Cartagena
Hi all, i'm a new hubber that lives in Cartagena, let me know how can i help from here and if you want to know whats happening here in Colombia, please watch YouTube - COLOMBIA: Would you take the risk?
Regards,
Fernando
Cell phone 57+3006574528
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24 Feb 2009
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Damn straight
I couldn,t agree more!!! Looks like we,ll have at least 200 riders showing up from Colombia alone! and it,s still very early yet.
Al thedogsbollocks
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Colombia Libre!Cartagena Nov 2009
Colombia
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