Hey guys, we have better clues to go off of now. We know for sure that Nicolas made it into Bolivia.

We all know that in missing person cases like these that time is very important.

I find it hard to believe that there are no Hubb riders in Bolivia right now. Spending a day showing random Bolivians Nicolas's photo and asking if they have seen him probably will not solve it, but there is always a chance.

We need to come up with some creative ways to engage the local Bolivian motorcycle groups. I think getting them to ask around and possibly do some looking will be our best bet to find Nicolas.

Catherine, is your family planning on traveling to Bolivia to look for Nicolas? Many of us have contacts in Bolivia and I think it would be easier for us to put pressure on the government, media, and locals if they know someone from the family is there searching for him.


Geoff

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

There will be quite a few bikers in Bolivia at the moment. The problem is, from my recent experience, virtually none of them frequent the hubb.

Many current bikers I spoke to had barely heard of HU, the website/forum (i.e. here). About half knew of Facebook HU. I found most bikers in South America didn't have English as their first language. Few spoke any English. Why would they go on an English language 1990s technology forum? Even English native speakers don't use un-user-friendly (web based) bulletin boards anymore.

Social media on mobile devices is where it's at. Catherine/ Sophie have posted on Facebook HU as well as other bicycle travel FB groups.

They have also posted on Advrider (website/forum). I'm sure, they're looking for other social media channels and local individuals/ groups to contact. I've made several suggestions on HU FB and contacted all the Bolivians I know.

Can you suggest any social media channels? Have you contacted your people?

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Brighty's website: TheBrightStuffDotCom

CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

Hi, I've booked my flight to La Paz. I'm scheduled to land on Aug 8, very early in the morning. I'm really counting on the help of the local biker community to find Nicolas. We'll probably set up a dedicated FB page in English and Spanish. I'm also trying to think of an app to help us portion out and keep track of the covered territory as it gets searched.

akosiwa,

best of luck on your trip to Bolivia...sorry I don't speak Spanish or have any local contacts there!

Just making sure you've contacted people at Contact a Community | Horizons Unlimited

I assume you're waiting for your brother's paper credit card / bank statements. I'm able to view all my transactions online between paper statements. Will his bank/cc company allow you to view his most recent transactions? I presume you have reported him missing with his local police force. The police could then insist the financial institutions divulge this information.

Destinations where many bikers/ tourist go are: Copacabana on Lago Titicaca, La Paz, "Death Road" to Coroico (now since there's very little traffic except bicycle tours and it has been improved it's no more dangerous than any wide mountain easy gravel track anywhere in the world: but the name is still popular as a marketing tool for bicycle travel tours for backpackers...), Potosi, Sucre, Ruta del Che including Samaipata and Uyuni town/ Salar de Uyuni (also for Altiplano "Lagunas route" to Chile).

Check the Copacabana border to Peru incase he reentered Peru east to west. There's also another border at Desaguadero if he was aiming for Arequipa/Peru.

Villazon is the main border town in the south to Argentina. Some people head further east to Santa Cruz de la Sierra towards Brazil, but not as many.

Oruro and Cochabamba tend to be transit towns only.

Download the iOverlander app (Google Play Store and Apple store) for ideas where Nicolas might have stayed overnight, based on his tastes and budget). Also visit www.ioverlander.org If he stayed at Estrellita in Cusco he has very budget tastes! I do too! I was last there in December 2018

The very best of luck!

__________________

Brighty's website: TheBrightStuffDotCom

CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

Hi Catherine, that is good to know that you are headed down there. I have a good friend in Cochabamba that I will try to get to help you. He speaks over 5 languages and I know he would be a big help if he is available right now to provide assistance.



Hey Chris, thanks for your feedback on social media. I would not have guessed that, but what you are saying makes sense. I disagree with you about the number of Western motorcyclists using the Hubb. It is still the go to place if you are planning an international motorcycle trip or need help with a problem while you are on the road. I have noticed in the bikes for sale section that there are a few people who have ads for selling their bikes in Colombia in a month. I'm going to write those guys and anyone I can find looking for parts/ mx advice in those forums.

I need to do way more work on this search. Thank you for your efforts. Catherine just needs a few more people like you and we will be able to narrow this down and find out what happened to Nicolas.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

The main Immigration office phone number posted on their web-site in La Paz is (591-2) 2110960. To call from the USA you add 011 (591-2) 2110960. They should have a record of all the entries and departures from the country including those at the border crossings. But today (Aug 6th) is a country holiday and nothing will be open, wait until tomorrow am.

There is only one main road after crossing the border in Tilali leading to La Paz. This road borders Lake Titicaca and has many little towns/villages along the way. I believe the next step is to follow this road and inquire along the way if anyone remembers seeing him. The longer time passes the more difficult the tracking will be. I'm an ADV rider but I'm not in Bolivia, otherwise I would help.

Hello there,


I live in Bolivia, but I will only get back around 10th of September to Bolivia. But not to La Paz, I live in Samaipata, near Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Last week I send links to biker friends in Santa Cruz and they posted it on the FB sites of their club.



As others said above, most travelers use Whatsapp or FB now.



I dont have any close biker friends in La Paz. But if you need an English speaking biker, that could help you finding your way around in La Paz and help you with the search, pls contact me and I will contact a friend in Sucre, that could come to La Paz to meet you.



You will find your brother.



Pls keep us posted here on the HUBB.

All the best
mika

Hi, fellows


I sent a post - from my Facebook (nick name "Paulo Assis")- to "Rede de Television UNO", asking help.

Any news?

We've started a dedicated FB group where we're trying to centralize all the available information. I've committed the ultimate sacrifice and registered with FB. Please contact me if you want to be added to the group.

I'm in Lima waiting for my last connection flight. I live in Wellington, NZ, it's a long trip.
I'm meeting with the honorary consul for Belgium in La Paz tomorrow afternoon. I'll write up a detailed update after this meeting and make sure to post it here and on advrider. I might also jump on your offer then.

I know I will : )

Thanks guys, for being so supportive! I would have gone crazy without your help!

Did you contact my friend Matthias?

Hola Geoff:

Please do not hesitate to establish contact between Miss Catherine Holzem and me.

Señor Matthias Bode
Calle Prof. José Mérida #2243
Villa Graciela, Pacata Alta
COCHABAMBA / BOLIVIA

MOB: 70 71 56 64; TEL: 4 - 4 29 88 14
LVSABA@HOTMAIL.COM

I would like to get the local press/media involved.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

Matthias is president of a 4x4 off road vehicle club in Bolivia. He has created an off-road map for most of Bolivia.

__________________
http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

The consul is a good start in La Paz. But you will need biker contacts on the ground and you will need the media.

I dont use FB, but I will send you my whatsapp number. I will contact the HU community in La Paz and other places in Bolivia, if you have not done it. Welcome to Bolivia. Suerte.

mika

https://www.facebook.com/NicInBolivi...mCMDvIFxGn-mYV

https://www.facebook.com/NicInBolivi...mCMDvIFxGn-mYV

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)