Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
Riding in Colombia Riding in Colombia
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Aug 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wakefield, QC, Canada
Posts: 273
Riding in Colombia
If you decided to skip Colombia for various reasons, think again. This country has the best riding this side of the European Alps. It's high adventure, very much unlike the kindergarden rides you get with Edelweiss, or anywhere else. Why do you think there are no guided tours for lazy riders in Colombia?
After my takeout in Bogota I aimed for Bucaramanga. About 300 miles. A great ride, and a great road, mindboggling. The next day I rode over to Cucuta. Mountain riding, a hairraising experience, and partly on a road being reconstructed. Huge potholes, giant trucks vying for space, magnificent scenery: Colombia at its finest. Mindblowing.
For those insurancephobes like me: No insurance necessary. No Carnet was asked for. What they have in Colombia, which worried me: All bikers must wear a read plastic vest with their licence plate number in large letters on the back. Same for pilion. But I wasn't stopped once.
In conclusion: Don't miss Colombia. Riding here is as good as it gets.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Aug 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Guildford, UK
Posts: 269
Hi Werner,

That is indeed a great road over to Bucaramanga and then over to Pamplona. But "the best riding this side of the Alps?" seems a bit of an exaggeration.

Been following your journey from back home after making a lap of South America and I shared your excitement after arriving in Colombia after Central America which overall had some fairly average biking compared to what is in store for you. The great news is that the riding is going to get better and better.

Colombia is great - one of my favourites, but the riding is not a patch on the Carretera Austral in Chile or some of the high Andean routes in Peru. The scenery gets more spectacular the further south you go.

You're gonna have have a great ride. Enjoy!

Matt
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Sep 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: brentwood
Posts: 24
Werner.

Hope you´re lightning fast travels are going seamlessly.

Thanks for the writeup of Girag shipping- It was extremely useful, and our bikes are currently in the care of Girag, while we enjoy Bogota.

A few quick questions:
How often were you stopped by Police/Military?
Did they ever ask for Insurance?
Did they ask about the jersey that EVERYONE else seems to wear? Did you get a jersey? If so, from where?

Take care, and hopefully our paths will cross nearby again!

All the best,

Will
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Sep 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 163
I´ve just done pretty much the same route through Colombia and as Werner says it is pretty fantastic. To answer your Q´s from our (with the missis) experiance there:
We were never questioned about not having an orange jacket. As far as I could tell it is only needed for bikes (or bikers) registered in Colombia.
We were never asked for insurance of any kind and its not a problem.
We were stopped by the military/police a million times! Every time was friendly and the greatest reasons were to have a quick look at the bike and a chat out of interest and to ask for a cigarette.
In short, Colombia is one of the friendliest countries you will ever visit with some of the best people in the world. Love it!

Chris
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Sep 2005
Ride Far's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Central New York
Posts: 344
Agree on the praise for Colombia. We did get the bright orange vests though I have never heard of anyone hassled for not wearing one.

Riders may want to pick one up if only as a souvenir -- $12 or so & very unique with your license plate ## hand-stitched on in reflecting lettering. They can be found at the large moto shop neighborhood in Bogota. Alas, I shipped mine home via Ecuadoran postal service & it never arrived.
__________________
http://ridefar.typepad.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Sep 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: brentwood
Posts: 24
Thanks for the responses.

We have got hold of some jackets because, like you say, it's quite a momento...

We'll have a think about insurance...

Thanks again for the feedback, so far we've been genuinely overwhelmed with how friendly this place is.

Looking forward to seeing outside the city.

Cheers,

Will
Reply With Quote
Reply

« 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

 
 

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 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

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 travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

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!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



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 09:00.

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