Follow the published narration and story of two friends traveling South, through 15 countries and two continents. From Ottawa Canada to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rob and Nik are set to embark on a journey meant to take a year, to be completed in a mere 2 months.

January - March 2011 : A year in the making..

We promise this blog will not only be awesome to read, but PACKED with info on how to plan your own trip........

the RIGHT way.

With only two months to complete the trip, we'll be cramming in tons of VIDEOS, PICS and useful and hopefully funny info.

Stay tuned for the Extended Video Log on my YouTube Channel after the trip; this blog is only the beginning....

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Never Been Border - Rob

Just a quick one today. Nik's post pretty much summed up the ride through the mountains. Cold, rainy, but visually impressive. Never quite had a ride like that one, and only the Andes can match that surrealism. With a chilling stay in Chunchi, Nik's bike took the worst of the mist and humidity and failed to start yesterday morning. Three hours into figuring out the problem, the mechanic took apart both bikes and deduced the wrong diagnosis. Nik touched a few of the wires and the bike roared to life. Problem: wiring, a very common problem along the road with KLR's, especially after the salt. We were off, heading out of the mountains, and today we're in Hunquilla, border town to Peru. We're off to Mancora today, a short ride to see some Pacific ocean again. Ecuador in summation:
- interesting to see all the locals + natives + wildlife
- too many dogs thinking they own the road
- very curvy, very well-paved roads for the most part
- no checkpoints, no police problems
- cheappppp food and accomodations
- people aren't the friendliest of the countries though

Anyway, we're off to hit the waves again, heres some vids and pics to tie you over until next post.

Nik and his crazy poses, it doens't ruin the scenery though

My helemt looks too big for my head


Lets go black and white crazy

0 Degrees, Equator

This is right before we climbed up the stairs on the right, and a massive dog lunged from 4 feet above screaming for its life right into my shoulder before running off....I don't even know how to explain it...

Our first white caps!!! We could feel it in our bones

There's cows loose like this all over the road

It's owner making sure we're not into any funny business

Unfortunately, I got too close and it fell down the hill, the smile on my face really means i was very sympathetic as I ran away

Here comes the fog...only the beginning. Note the beautiful paved roads though 4,000 metres above sea level

Imagine yourself living in these conditions day in day out

The number of toll roads in Ecuador, lucky they're only 20 cents for motos

Another day in paradise

The town on Chunchi, where we got stuck because the fog was too thick to continue the evening before

And then we got stuck that morning because his bike hates shitty weather

More Nik awesome posing

I have no idea why I posed like this....I apologize for catching you off guard thinking I'm doing something I'm not

Some videos through Colombia.

Most of the riding through Colombia and Ecaudor is similar to this:



And because the ridges are so high, every so often you run into one of these:



And have to decide whether or not to gun it through:



One of the many tunnels you get to ride through:

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Cloudy Mountain -Nik

Traveling throughout all these countries I have found that every country has something unique to offer. Ecuador had fantastic roads and Ecuadorians showed off their  hospitality with friendly directions and their cultural attire. The last two days in Ecuador had some of the most challenging motorcycling I have yet experienced. It started in the final stretch of Colombia; a cliff hugging curvaceous wet fiasco with incredible scenery. And in Ecuador; climbing up the Andes to be engulfed in a curtain of cloud that chose not want to go away ever. 10m visibility ain't great. Tomorrow brings us to Peru. Cannot wait! Finally get to see some ocean! 

A Tribute to Dan and his Camera Skills -Rob

This post I dedicate strictly to Dan Jones, our friend and fellow traveler. Since his accident, we've missed him. Tonight we bantered how he'd be here with us still, rushing through Ecuador, but having a blast doing it. By the following pics, you'll see what kind of fun we've been having along side him. We are both seriously pissed that the accident happened, but it's one of the risks, its one of the stories of the road. The pic's he has taken are both superior to mine professionally and skillfully. I only wish I could take these actions shots and scenery shots like he can; these pics will now be our true memories of the first part of South America. Sit back, enjoy, and if you want, mention a little something nice to Dan since he'll be reading this. Hurry up and get better Dan we're not that far ahead of you!

Note: These pics go from most recent to Panama, oops.

Dan's 650 V-Strom taking a break on a Colombian vista.

That's what it's looking at (I wish I could get that blue tint:( )

A local habitation

Taking a banana break in the nicest part of Colombia

Go Nik GO!!!

Nik smiling because the rain finally stopped, and he finally stopped being cheap and bought himself a rainsuit

I wish I had more local people pics

Fitting some washers and bolts on my back swing arm, with the usual audience overlooking

More vistas

40 bananas for $1.00 AHAHAHAHA WINNNNNN
I'm happy because my ass hurts on the bike, and I finally get a break
The fancy financial building well known in Medellin and visible from just about anywhere

Up we go the Metro Cable

His pics beat mine badly

etc.


The weirdest bug of the trip so far. Quite the eater.

Neat buses that travel the mountain tops

You don't mess with this tree


Our most decent pic!

Our least decent pic.....pole dancers...ugh

The view of the city

Another viewww

One of my favourites; this is the face I make on every road...

And this is how I take my corners

We're the happiest travelers on the road

The first time we've had to wait on this trip

We think we're so cool, all the time

Awesome action shot; fixing the bike on Main Street, Turbo

Thankfully no one had sticky fingers and nabbed anything

Shoes shoes shoes, most fake and knockoffs

The night of the launchers...all you hear is "whiskey whiskey, rum, rum, por favor!!"

Nik's priceless response

But all was well in the end when we gave them 5-6 litres of booze

Here come the money shots, beautifulllll

More more more

I took this one!!! The skill is in the cam!!

Dan's our best piliot, the captain's downstairs drinking his life away

Another pic opf our sunset, whose is better?!?!

Rusty piece of sh17

Well thanks Dan!!! Through these pics we'll remember you!!! Hurry up and add me on facebook, there's too many Dan Jones' in the world.