Finally In The Us
 

Hi to everyone. I have reached the US after this dumb ride from Mexico via Tierra del Fuego on my Honda 125 ( Blog at home). Right now I am in Galveston and about to talk with University students. I plan heading to New Orleans next, then Nashville and north to Kentucky before heading east to the coast and on up through Washington to my daughter's home in Duchess County, NY. Anyone on the route have time for a cold beer with a very old Brit?
:oops2:simon

just a little more North..
 

Simon-

if you change and come to Milwaukee the beers are on me!

John

Let us know if you are heading to the west coast

Well done!
 

Simon,

I think that is a record, at least in the recent past. Well Done! I am in Manie, so I don't think you are coming this far....

I am curious which way you chose to go north in SA. I responded to your "Architecture and Shrimp" blog, but didn't hear back???

Toby (charapa) Around the Block 2007 |

Simon,

As long as you are headed east and north there are three roads you don't want to miss -- ideally suited to your 125. The Natchez Trace, runs from Natchez, Miss. to Nashville, Tenn. and the Blue Ridge Parkway, runs from Cherokee, North Carolina to Waynesboro, Virginia. The Skyline Drive from Waynesville to Front Royal, Virginia. Look em up on your map.

If you dont mind a short detour- 40 miles- I can offer a warm bed, washing machine, workshop and a good southern meal.

Galveston Ehh!!!??
 

Sorry I missed you. If you're going to be there for awhile, I could show you a little Galveston hospitality... I'm up in Austin right now but I'm selling my house in Galveston and have to come down there in the next couple of days to do paperwork. If you're looking for good cheap eats, try Nopalito's on 42nd and Postoffice. For a cold brew, try Woody's on Seawall blvd. You'll have them scratching their heads, kicking the tires on you scoot and saying "Said you came from WHERE on that thing??????". Good luck!!!! Smitty

I'm in Sacramento but I'll be crossing the US in May. Any idea where you'll be? May 4 - May 18 or so. I plan on flying to India around May 20th to start Round 2. Still need to buy a ticket for that but still haven't figured out exact date I'll be back.

--Dave

Congrats to you, and great writing. :thumb

Congratulations, Simon. I've been reading part of your blog, it seems to have been a heck of a ride so far.

:thumbup1:

Apologies
 

Hey, thanks and I'm sorry. Please put my bad manners down to Old Age and forgetfulness. I rode north thru Uruguay into Brazil, down the Madera River to Manaus and the Honda factory, then to Venezuela, Colombia and by yacht to Panama. The full account is on the Blog at home

Thanks
 

Jim, thanks for the route advice. Will do and forty miles is no distance. Would be a pleasure to meet. simon

Tough On The Butt
 

Mostly what I learnt in actually riding was how very small the world is. I didn't ride a direct route, crisscrossing from Pacific to Atlantic. The trip so far is only 40,000 Ks. Biggest pain was in the butt. Every time I see one of those big bikes I ask the owner if I can touch the seat. You know? Those great wide comfortable Banker's chairs you get on Harleys and big Hondas. I have no other complaints as to the bike. I changed the chain three times and the drive sprocket once. Oh, and much of the rear that was smashed by the truck in Tierra del Fuego when my leg got broken. The crash wasn't down to Honda. I was stupid riding on ice and enormously lucky to be alive. The truck slid 40 meters with me pinned under the front fender. There is a description on the Blog at home - some time in June, 2007. I was wearing Alpinestars boots. No doubt the boot saved my right leg from a serious smashing. simon

Brilliant read
 

What a great trip & Blog Simon. Hats off to you. there was I getting depressed about turning 50 this year..lol

There is not enough mad dogs & Englishmen left in the world now!

Martyn

More Thanks
 

Many thanks for kind words. A lot of the writing is lazy. I did get increasingly tired and having to write up the ride meant that there was never a real let up. I am staying now in Galveston a week with a friend (Prof at Texas A & M) and finally getting the writing up to date and talking with the Prof's classes. Great students...

Home For May
 

Pete, my butt wouldn't last as far as the West Coast. Dave, sorry to miss you. I plan catching a flight home to England from NY the last week in April. I am anxious to discover how much damage my wife has done to my roses...and the first volume of this travel trilogy is due for publication in May. Have a great trip, simon

Mad Dog?
 

Martyn, Many thanks for you kind words - though Mad dogs indeed!and weird Brits! I am a staid and conservative elderly English gentleman. simon

Too Cold
 

Many thanks, however too cold up there for Old Men with thin blood!

Galveston
 

Smitty, thanks. I am here till Monday. I will try your restaurant today at midday and head for the bar on the bike this evening or tomorrow evening. An easy ride as I am staying with friends on Bermuda Beach! Drop me an Email (simon@simonganmdolfi.com) if you are around and let's meet for a beer. Simon

Hello Simon

You are welcomed to stay at my home which is 125 miles west of NYC Times Square. I live in the country near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania which should be close to New York State destinations if you are headed north. I have a garage for your bike and will provide lodging for you during your stay. There are many local motorcycle shops nearby if need be.

There are a few local colleges if you wish to set up a presentation. They are Penn State University, Wilkes-Barre Campus, Kings College, Wilkes University and Misericordia University.

If you are arriving in late April there may be another RTW traveler passing by who is a fellow Brit. I usually have 2-4 HU Community visitors a year. So my residence gets interesting with all the travelers.

If you need a place to stay in NYC let me know the dates. I have a friend there that hosted many riders in the past. However he is not going to be available from May 1 to the 15th. However he told me there are others that might be available and to let him know in advance.

Please be mindful of the flooded areas of the country while heading north.

All the best.

Chris

Gratitude
 

Chris, thank you for your offer of hospitality. Kindness is everywhere. In fact I will be visiting my daughter in Duchess County and speaking with my three-month-old grandson. I guess that he doesn't do cold beer yet! And am OK in NYC. However I will call you if I get close and we could meet. simon

Gongrats Simon
 

Great to hear that you have made it to the US. Shame you are not any further west as I would have ridden out just to meet you. I am a fellow brit from Leicester & am heading the other way, south into Central & South America in a few weeks from Phoenix. Good luck with your travels up to the northeast,

Best Regards Mojo.

Brit On A Bike
 

Hey, Mojo, yes, sad we won't meet. Maybe back home when you have ridden your journey. Good luck and have fun, simon

Where thru Brazil?
 

Simon.

So you came up thru the middle of Brazil. I asume via Cuiaba-Vilhena-Porto Velho. What did you like most of that section?

http://www.freewebs.com/shanperu/DSC00089.JPG

Did you stop at Rio Verde do Mato Grosso? How did you fare trying to pass trucks on your 125 on the pass between Rondonopolis and Cuiaba? Did you sidetrack to visit Vila Bela da Santissima, or the Pantonal?

Toby (charapa) Around the Block 2007 |

Old Ky. Home
 

Hello,
I' ve read your stories with great interest and now I see you're coming through Kentucky.I would like to offer a bed ,workshop,meals or anything else I can in my humble hut.
Is there any particular thing of intrest to you in Kentucky? Let me know if I can be of assistance. Cheers K.B.

my friend Grossi, who you may remember here. He is 78 now, still riding.

Asheville NC -
 

Hi Simon- If you decide to take the Blue Ridge Parkway to DC you'll come right through AshevilleNC – my home town. My accommodations are humble, but I'd be glad to offer a fold out futon, hot water and a washing machine. Let me know if you pass through and we could raise a pint together.

dp

dan@peschiodesign.com

It's been winter in England, too cold for your wife to have gone out in the garden to touch your roses!

Excellent, had absolutely not a shadow of a doubt you'd make it-all in one piece! Try to make some time for doing nothing/pottering before attacking part one of the trilogy.

Suerte!
Lorraine

Congrats Simon. Fantastic stuff,Just started reading your blog. Counting the months to my own jolly, And posts like your's make it all the more exciting. :thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1:

Thanks, Dan.
 

I am in Nashville now. Heading over to North Carolina to stay with Jim Donaldson (see above - Possum). A pleasure to meet you. Email me a telephone number. We can do the beer without the bed if that is easier for you. Simon

Thzanks, Darren
 

My advice: avoid ice and trucks! Good luck and have fun...is not to ride on ice and beware trucks!

Massacre
 

Lorraine, I have treasured your messages. Sadly there was good weather before the bad. My wife believes in sword and cudgel as opposed to a pruning knife.
The first in the trilogy is due for publication in May. I have the second to do before attempting to ride across China next year.
When and where do we meet for a Margarita? simon

While Simon spent the past 4 days with us getting new tires and a service on his 125, we introduced him to cornbread and spud guns and took him for his first ever trip to Wal-Mart. This morning when he took off for Cherokee, NC., and his ride up the Blue Ridge Parkway. He looked like a cross between the Michelin Man and a bomb disposal technician. I think he had on most of the clothes he owned plus a new pair of Liberty overalls and two pairs of WallyWorld rain pants. A magnificent man on magnificent quest. Good on ya Simon.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...onleaving2.jpg

Gratitude For New Friendships
 

Staying with Possum and Liz was a wondrous rest from the road. Seated in comfortable armchairs, two crotchety mature citizens discovered endless common interests and opinions while one kind woman treated us with greater understanding than we deserve. I ate too much, laughed continuously, discovered a fresh obsession: spud-gunning! And encountered endless kindness. A special thanks to Mike of Long View Cycle Inc for servicing the bike as a no-charge contribution to my ride.