Alaska to South America
 

Hello,

my wife and me (Germans) will arrive on July 25 2013 in Anchorage.

From there we will start, with our BMW R1200GS Adv. a trip to South America.

We will take around 2 months rushing through USA/Kanada.
Around Sept. we will ride through the Baja California.
From La Paz we will take a ferry to the mainland of Mexico.
If there will be enough time we will make a stop in Guatemala/Antigua to learn, in a few weeks :rolleyes3:, the (basics of the) spanish language.

We like to get to Panama on Dec. 06 and cross the Gap on the Stahlratte.
After arriving and enjoing Colombia we plan to visit Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina too.

In May/June 2014 we have to be back in Germany so we have max. 6 months for traveling in South America.

Anyone interested in joining us for the trip or part of it please let us know.

Stop by!
 

Siggi,

I live in Peru where I run a Moto Adventure company. I would recommend that you ride in the interior of Peru, NOT the @#^&&% Panam, but you will be coming thru Peru in the rainy season, 2-up on a GS, which greatly limits you...

But don't do the regular Lima-Nazca-Cuzco route (for many reasons which I can detail if you wish). From Lima go east up into the mountains, then south. It is all paved (as or very recently), only be flexible to stay an extra day somewhere if there is not good weather one day.

I live in Huanuco, in the center-center of the country... when I'm not guiding some tour in the Andes or Amazon... or doing a Follow the Dakar tour. Come see us! We have an extra bedroom!

Toby

Hallo Siggi,
starte heute in vancuover 25 juni fahre erst nach norden und dann ungefaer die gleiche route wie ihr. Vielleicht sehen wir uns.

Going South in 2014
 

Siggi,
.
I plan on heading to SA from San Diego about the same time. Very familiar with Baja and northern Mexico. I also hope to sail with the Stahlratte. We should stay in touch. Cheers

David

Holzkopf,

würde uns freuen.
Wo treibst du dich zur Zeit rum?
Wir sind gestern in Calgary angekommen und wollen weiter richtung Yellowstone wo das Wetter dann hoffentlich besser sein wird und wir ein paar Tage bleiben möchten.

Siggi

Hello David,


:oops2: In my first posting I made a mistake, we start in Anchorage July 2013 and not in 2014.
Sorry about that. I have correct it now.!!!

what date do you leave San Diego?

I think that we will be in San Diego in around 4 weeks.

Then I will need new tires (Heidenau K60 if possible) for my BMW and would like to go to a BMW-Dealer for a Motorcycle-Service.

Do you know a recommendable BMW Dealership in or near San Diego who make regular services an a 2007 BMW and will replace my tires?

Do I have to call them in advance?

After having a Motorcycle Service there we will ride through the Baja California.
In or near La Paz/Del Cabo we will stay for a few days and relax before we take the ferry to Matzatlan (Los Mochis?).

Siggi

Hello Tobi,

thank you for your invitation.

If we can make it and you are not on the road we will like to visit you.

I know that we are in the rainy season and that 2 people with gear on a BMW GS are very limited.

So, on bad (rainy) weather we try to ride just on paved roads or, like you say, stay extra days and waiting for the sun.

Actually we are not really sure which route we will take and so we are always happy if someone give us an advice.

But would you please shortly explain which are the reasons not to do the regular Lima-Nazca-Cuzco route and what the advances of the other one?

Siggi

Siggi,

It is a shame you are arriving in Peru in the rainy season and on a GS. But there are some decent roads you can handle if you are flexible:

From Piura, Peru turn east to Jaen and Chachapoyas (all pavement)

Near Chachapoyas you want to take time to see the Fortress of Kuelap (rivals Machu Picchu). Stay at Jeff Powers' new hotel and camping place (owner of the famous 'Norton Rats Taven' in Cuzco, a RTW bikers bar and grill) with a fantastic view of Gocta Falls. It may be too wet to hike the 3 hours each way into the falls, but at least you could see it every morning from your campsite or hotel room!

From Chachapoyas do a short day to Leymebamba (don't miss the Museum of the Mummies of Lago de los Condores). Almost all paved, follows the river.

From Leymebamba it is a good gravel road to Celendin (5 hours), with the best views of anywhere that I've been in South America!

From Celendin it should only be 2-3 hours if they have finished the paving.

Stay a few days in Cajamarca. It was the northern Incan capitol, and there is much to see.

From Cajamarca, you had best head back out to the coast to Chepen and Trujillo and Chimbote.

From Chimbote take the 'Canyon del Pato' route back up into the mountains and to Caraz. It will begin paved, then turn to shale during the Canyon, then back to pavement 30 km before Caraz. Stay at 'Los Pinos Lodge'. It is a great little hostel.

Caraz to Huaraz (2 hour pavement ride). Stay at 'Albergue Cherup' on the east side. There is much to see and do in Huaraz.

From Huaraz if you can get a nice sunny day, then take the back way to La Union and on to Huanuco (where I live). It is all pavement, but be careful as La Union to Huanuco is only one lane of pavement FOR BOTH DIRECTIONS!

Why NOT to go Lima - Nazca - Cuzco? If you don't want to miss Nazca... well you don't have any other option. The coastal part is dangerous with the big trucks and buses that are moto-killers BE CAREFUL! Then the Nazca to Abancay... goes up VERY HIGH where, in the rainy season there is almost always high winds and rain/hail. It can be miserable! Leave early as the rain/hail hits usually after 2 pm and only shoot for as far as just past Chalhuanca (there is a nice little hotel there). The next day shoot up to Abancay, then the following day to Cuzco, as it goes quite high and you want to do it early in the rainy season.

Cheers! Toby

Seattle to SA
 

Siggi: I live in Seattle. I am prepped and ready to head south to Central America and perhaps SA. Can leave any time. You should plan on staying with us in Seattle and then if things work out we can head south together. I like to camp out as much as possible.

Let me know your schedule.

Alan

Alan: Thank you for your invitation, but actually we are near Mount Rushmore and on the 22nd we have a reservation for 3 Nights at the Yellowstone NP. And we like to see some other NP in the Mitwest too.
But in around 4-5 weeks I plan to be in San Diego because my BMW will need a Service and new tires (Heidenau K60 Scout if possible).
After that we like to srsrt with the Baja.
I dont know if it is recommend to camp in Central America because it is cheap over there. We will see.
What you think? Will it be possible to meet each other in San Diego or in the Baja?

Siggi

Gesendet von meinem ME172V mit Tapatalk 2

San Diego
 

I will keep my antennae tuned to your whereabouts. I bet we hook up somewhere along the line. Will continue to use this Hubb to stay in touch unless you advise otherwise. YS during the high season is not so cool. 50,000 eyeballs watching Old Faithfull kind of detracts from the experience. I know. I was there last year at this time. Wyoming and Montana are awesome. Chief Joseph Trail of Tears Highway is unforgettable and if you can camp at Dead Indian Creek Campground you will be a blessed couple.

If you need a place to stay in SD let me know. I will check with my most German friend David Yorck and see if he is willing.

Also if in Arizona you might want to look up Paul Schreiber. He is pretty old but is from the old country and would love to talk with you I bet. Let me know.

I have taken the Ferry from La Paz to Maz. You are lucky folks to be able to do this. It is a great trip. If you have the bucks a private room is nice as it is about an 18 hour trip. Also I have spent much time in Baja. Your trip south will be one jaw dropping moment after the other. In la Paz Hostel Yeneca (Sp?) is one of the coolest hostels on earth if it is still there.

Well I am starting to drool thinking about all these adventures.

Deep a vigil eye and be safe. Remember when the helmut goes on the BS stops.

Alan F. Hall
Caballero Andante

another one going to SA
 

Hey guys I'll be entering Baja at around Sept 1. Travelling from St. Albert, Alberta taking 6 months to get to TDF. I'll be keeping a close eye on HUBB, maybe we'll meetbier