USA to Central/South America, Aug '06

[AndyT]

The Trip: Texas to Tierra del Fuego over a period of 6-7 months or so. I have taken several previous trips to Mexico, and have taken one trip as far as Panama, so I am not a total rookie at this, but don’t claim to be an expert either. I envision taking 2 months or so getting to Panama and the rest of the time in SA, probably shipping out from Buenos Aires in February(ish) ’07. Plan to hit Mexico, Guatemala, Belize(?), Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia(?), Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile.Would like to hit Brazil and Venezuela, but that will be another trip, someday. Planning on hitting the HU meet in Argentina in December, and Ushuaia for New Year’s. I want to spend at least a week, maybe 2, in a Spanish school, probably in Mexico, or in Guatemala, or both. I prefer mountains and beaches to big cities, but expect to spend some time in the cities, just not making them the focus of the trip. I am a reasonably athletic person, and will always jump at the chance to go hiking, mountain biking, whatever, and hope to find opportunities on this trip, but again, not making that the focus of the trip. I will take basic camping equipment, but intend to stay in cheap to moderate hotels/hostels most of the time. I am budgeting $400/week, plus transportation home, but hope to spend 2/3 of that. I see this as mainly a road trip, but I consider gravel and dirt to be road too, just not much if any real off road stuff. I am going whether I find someone to do this with me or not, but would prefer to go with a partner for company and security, as well as saving money by splitting hotel bills. I have been in contact with JSherm, from the Horizons Unlimited board about partnering up for part of this trip, but we don’t have any firm plans yet. Everything is negotiable at this point, so I want to hear other peoples plans too. I will be riding a KLR 650, if it matters. It doesn’t.

About me: I am 45 years old, and live near San Antonio Texas. I have been riding motorcycles for 30+ years. I know enough Spanish to order food, buy gasoline, and get a hotel room, but not much more. I design machinery for a living, and have driven in Sports Car and Stock Car races, so I am a pretty serious gearhead, but I like experiencing other cultures and the natural world as well. I have worked all my life and lived below my means, so I am not wealthy, but have enough of a bank account to make this trip happen comfortably. I bicycle as much as I have time to, to stay in some kind of shape. I have ridden in Mountain and Road bike races, and run a marathon. I like my , and want to go out and party on occasion, but will not be doing any illegal drugs. My only serious defect I know of, as a travel partner is I am told I snore when sleeping on my back, but I’m not offended if you throw a shoe at me and tell me to roll over.

About you: The hardest part about travelling with someone is finding a speed that both parties are happy with. On a trip with no fixed itinerary, if one person is always trying to speed up and the other is trying to slow down, neither has any fun. With that in mind, I think you should be at least 30 years old, with enough motorcycle experience that you can focus on the trip instead of the bike, and not gauge a successful day by how many miles we cover. That said, I think someone with more travel experience and little motorcycle experience would do fine on this trip. It really is “not about the bike”. No drugs or weapons. I used to think this went without saying, but past experience tells me to spell it out. This is really my only hardcore rule. I will not stay in a hotel room, or ride with someone who is carrying drugs or guns. Don’t ride like an idiot. I like to go fast too, but not on Latin American roads, it’s too easy to throw away the rest of the trip with an avoidable crash.


Let’s talk: Andy Tiegs, Seguin, TX, USA, AndyT on HU and advrider, ajtiegs AT tiegs.com, ajtiegs AT yahoo.com , 210-347-1831 or find me at the Creel meet, I’ll be at the evening programs, for sure at the one on Colombian travel.