Trip planning links, Free places to stay, Free GPS Maps and much more...

[SalCar]

This is a list of useful links that I recommend visiting when planning your long motorcycle journey in the Americas. These are links I find myself forwarding to riders coming through Nicaragua and staying at SalKar Motos.

If you know of other links to Free information or Free "stuff" that should be included in this list let me know and I'll update it. If you found this thread useful leave so that it stays in the front page.


Motorcycle forums with ton of information on long distance travel:
- Horizonsunlimited: a bit difficult to find information but is the "bibble" of long distance motorcycle touring. I recommend the HUBB.

- Advrider: focuses mostly in the US but is slowly building content for Latin America and the rest of the world. A very active site and where you'll find the most supporter to get on a motorcycle and ride the world.

- MotoAventuras: Mostly Mexico and Central America. A site you need to sign up if you are travelling through Mx and CA. A lot of great riders that speak English and than can help.

- Brazilriders: If you are going to Brasil you must contact the Master of the city that you are going to. Most likely they will invite you to their house, feed you, buy you and help you in every way imaginable. Most riders speak Portuguese and Spanish.

Free Garmin GPS Maps

Caribbean Map Project: GPS Maps for Central America and Caribbean

ViajerosMapas: GPS Maps for Peru, Bolivia, Chile. I have not download them so I don't know if they are any good.

Proyecto Map Ear: GPS Map for Argentina. Very detailed!

Projecto Tracksource: GPS Map for Brasil. Very detailed!

GpsXchange: starting up with cool concept of exchanging tracks waypoints etc.

Free Places to stay and/or support:

CouchSurfing Project: 300,000+ places where you have a free place to stay at.

The Tent Space List: 593 locations around 18 countries. You have to be an Advrider member (which is free).

HU Motorcycle Travellers Communities: Communities around the world of motorcyclist that can help you and sometimes host you.

If you have camping gear/sleeping bag you can always stop by churches and firefighter stations.

Free Blogging sites:
Blogger
WordPress

Free Photo hosting sites:
- PhotoBucket: great site but last time I used it you couldn't select a whole carpet

Border Crossings info:

Panama to Colombia by boat: a HU thread on boats and custom agents on how to get from Panama to Cartagena.

Panama to Colombia by air Part I: a HU thread on how to ship the bike to Colobia with Girag
Panama to Colombia by air Part II: a HU thread on how to pick up the motorcycle when you get to Colombia

Central America Ride Planning and Road Wisdom: ADV thread and PDF document. Great starting point for travelling.

What to pack

Men:
Worldrider Packing list


Women:
Specific to Women: Advrider thread on what to pack while on a long trip

Annamotodiva: Anne rode from Alaska to Ushuaia. Here is her packing list and review

Moto Friendly Places
Panama: Places to stay at recommended by Brennan who had to spend quite bit of time there after having an accident with his motorcycle.

[peter-denmark]

Thank you for a very good post. It deserves much more attention than this.

So BUMP!

[PocketHead]

Very useful! Does anyone know if those GPS maps will work on a Nokia Navigator?

[lamble]

SalCar, remind me to make you a cup of tea later this year, when I get down your way. This info is priceless!

See you soon.

3 cups trip.

Cup one...politeness
Cup two...get to know you

Cup three...friendship and understanding.

[ozhanu]

great post.. thanks!!

[SalCar]

I'm sure you guys/gals will find more recent info and more relevant links than this.. so please post the here even if it is a link to you site with detail info on a border crossing it would be helpful!

Ride safe,
S.

[mekongfrank]

Originally Posted by SalCar

ViajerosMapas: GPS Maps for Peru, Bolivia, Chile. I have not download them so I don't know if they are any good.

Does anyone use these maps? The website promises great detail and compatibility with Garmin devices.

Please let me know if they install and work well - I'd like to know a little more before I install them. Cheers

[panhandle1300]

Thanks for this post,
I have been looking for links for Bolivia/Peru Garmin maps for ages, couldn't even find anything on Pirate Bay!!
Downloading the 2010 version now, will try to remember to post up how good/bad they are.

[scooper]

Thanks, just what I was looking for

[panhandle1300]

Hi
Downloaded the 2010 version last night and installed on lap top. I had to turn Mcaffee off tho as it was reporting a trojan. Scanned after installation and all is ok. No routing and not many town streets but hugely better than the world map I have been using!

[gay bikers on acid?]

Currently on a rtw but stuck in Mexico, my girlfriend has broken her foot. So i've been trawling the net for info on the darien gap & the trip further south, and this little gold mine pops up. Fantastic thanks for all the info.chug