Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > Welcome to HU
Hi, all! It's Erik from SF Hi, all! It's Erik from SF
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Welcome to HU New to the HUBB and Horizons Unlimited? Introduce yourself here! Get to know the denizens.
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 Dec 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Medellín, Colombia
Posts: 8
Hi, all! It's Erik from SF
Hi! I'm Erik and I'm planning a trip to Central and South America starting in early-mid 2012 and going on for maybe six months. I've got a prepped KLR650 but no off-road experience and no travel experience outside of US and Europe, so it's going to be an… *adventure*. I'll be going with a friend, a former Peace Corps volunteer who speaks Spanish, so it won't be a total fiasco.

I'm planning the route right now and am mostly interested in go/no-go zones. I'm getting a lot from both sides -- the news and all my friends are saying murder rates are super high in Central America, and forum people like you guys are saying it's all blown out of proportion. I want the facts, which are somewhere in between. After all, the USA is worth touring, but there are places I'd advise people to avoid. The question is just where, and usually this comes down to neighborhoods and blocks, not cities and much less countries.

Also, I'm in the SF Bay Area, so if you want to chat at me about your S.A. experiences, I'll buy you a to hear your advice And I'd also like to hear about must-go zones, of course.

Cheers,
Erik
__________________
SF to TdF via KLR! http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784921
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Dec 2011
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,323
Hi Erik,

Welcome to HU! The reality is that it IS all blown out of proportion! Your risk is actually very low - even lower than it is for a local where there is a problem. You're not pissing off the drug gangs, so that removes 90% of the issues. Past that, it's pretty much normal - you wander into an area, keep your eyes open, and if you get a bad vibe, you leave. Sure, ship happens - but it does at home too. Great example - a couple rode their bicycles around the world over two years, and when they got home you can be sure everyone was delighted the the "danger" was over. She was killed riding her bicycle to work a few months later. Don't let what "everyone says" stop you from going - just use your head and trust your gut and you'll (probably!) be fine.

Also join your local HU Community and suggest a get-together for a - there's 60 or 70 people in the SF Community, and they do get together occasionally!

Keep us posted on your trip - hit the Ride Tales forum when you start rolling.

best of luck!
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Dec 2011
zandesiro's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Polygyros GR
Posts: 558
Hi Erik, welcome to the HUBB!
__________________
3mountainsadventure
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 31 Dec 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Medellín, Colombia
Posts: 8
Funny thing, I'm doing a road trip SF to DC via Nola and ATL, and my dad's really worried b/c Nola has the highest murder rate in the US, and ATL "is really dangerous in certain neighborhoods". True, but the key as always is to know where to go and not to go. People live in these places and manage to get by, but some places are rougher than others while other zones have their chic districts or their gentry. It's all about situational awareness and learning from the scouting of others. And I'm hoping the same will apply on my SF-TdF voyage =)

Also, thanks for the warm welcome!
__________________
SF to TdF via KLR! http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784921
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 31 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Holland
Posts: 113
Welcome
Hi Erik,

Don't be put off because countries seem to be dangerous.

I was in Belize City in 2009 and I was fine, other tourists got robbed. When I was home I saw Ross Kemp on television with his program 'Ross Kemp on gangs'. Many, many gangs and gang related violence in Belize City! Oeps.
In the end it is all up to you, just be alert and vigilant in riskier places (like anywhere else in the world).

Good luck with your trip to SA. Perhaps we will meet along the way. I will be starting my SA trip in California in Juli 2012. Like you, no off road experience, will be great fun (practice makes perfect)!

Lucien
__________________
Luc
Last edited by noplacelikehome; 31 Dec 2011 at 10:34.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Feb 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Trollhättan
Posts: 66
To Panama
Nice to hear that its not that bad as it sound when for ex reading reports from
the Swedish Ambassad. Those reports more or less tell you: Do Not Leave Your
Hotel. I´ll be on my way down middle of mars.
Question: SF means : Soumi Finland or San Francisco ??
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 13:43.

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