Had a nice relaxing day today in Ushuaia. 30 March 2010
28th March 2010
What a day. Absolutely bollocksed!! 8am start from hotel in Rio Gallegos. Approx 50 miles to Chile border. What a palaver, go to counter get form, fill form in, take to next counter, get form stamped, take passport and V5 to next counter and get another form, take to another 3 counters and get a slip of paper and give to guard at border. Hey ho!
30 miles later the piste begins, never ridden on it before. Not too bad, hard ground where the tyre tracks are so riding in a straight line is ok, but for an interesting twist there is loose gravel on the corners – nice! All was well until Nigel and Pete who were following me disappeared for a minute so I decided to turn around to see what had happened to them. I slipped into the gulley at the side of the road and dropped the bike trying to get out. I managed to pick it up but in an effort to drive out of the gulley dropped it again. This time I could not pick it up, luckily a truck driver stopped to help me. Our combined efforts were still not enough but Jonny the Viking quickly arrived on the scene and all was well.
After negotiating more border posts and more bullshit red tape we expected a fuel station. Nigel and I were soon low on fuel and I ran out 2 miles after the bike said it was empty. Nigel went ahead to find fuel. Soon along came Martin, Brian and Suzanne. I siphoned fuel from Martins tank and carried on for a few miles until I had to take more from Martins tank. Eventually we came to a town called Rio Grande and filled my tank. Nigel then went back to take fuel to Rob so we waited at the fuel station.
It was dark by the time we arrived at Ushuaia, the last few miles having some amazing bends but not too enjoyable in the dark. Without a map we struggled to find the hotel but a helpful local guided us too it. It was 9.30 when we arrived. Out for a quick meal and a beer and then to bed. I was woken up by Pete’s snoring at about 4am!
What a day. Absolutely bollocksed!! 8am start from hotel in Rio Gallegos. Approx 50 miles to Chile border. What a palaver, go to counter get form, fill form in, take to next counter, get form stamped, take passport and V5 to next counter and get another form, take to another 3 counters and get a slip of paper and give to guard at border. Hey ho!
30 miles later the piste begins, never ridden on it before. Not too bad, hard ground where the tyre tracks are so riding in a straight line is ok, but for an interesting twist there is loose gravel on the corners – nice! All was well until Nigel and Pete who were following me disappeared for a minute so I decided to turn around to see what had happened to them. I slipped into the gulley at the side of the road and dropped the bike trying to get out. I managed to pick it up but in an effort to drive out of the gulley dropped it again. This time I could not pick it up, luckily a truck driver stopped to help me. Our combined efforts were still not enough but Jonny the Viking quickly arrived on the scene and all was well.
After negotiating more border posts and more bullshit red tape we expected a fuel station. Nigel and I were soon low on fuel and I ran out 2 miles after the bike said it was empty. Nigel went ahead to find fuel. Soon along came Martin, Brian and Suzanne. I siphoned fuel from Martins tank and carried on for a few miles until I had to take more from Martins tank. Eventually we came to a town called Rio Grande and filled my tank. Nigel then went back to take fuel to Rob so we waited at the fuel station.
It was dark by the time we arrived at Ushuaia, the last few miles having some amazing bends but not too enjoyable in the dark. Without a map we struggled to find the hotel but a helpful local guided us too it. It was 9.30 when we arrived. Out for a quick meal and a beer and then to bed. I was woken up by Pete’s snoring at about 4am!
28 March 2010
23 March 2010
I want my bike!
This is our sixth day in Buenos Aires and we've had enough! Its an amazing city to explore but we didn't come here for a city break. Unfortunately customs have been a real pain, they go at their own speed, nothing and nobody will change that. But if I was in their shoes it wouldn't bother me wether 20 english bikers got their bikes or not. Go with the flow is all we can do.
We really are in a fascinating part of the world with the amazing opportunity to ride our bikes to Alaska. We can't wait to get going!
Spending time in the city has been a great opportunity to get to know my fellow travellers. We have some great characters on the trip and already have nick names for some (Baden Powell, Boris Becker, Indiana Jones and Harry Hill - guess which one I am?)
It's 2.30pm and we are still here. We've checked out of our rooms and are waiting in the bar. Bored! Now there's talk of customs wanting a bribe to get the bikes out. Nothing to do but wait.
The support vehicle has arrived and is waiting in the carpark next door. Some sort of Chevy pickup with a crew cab and a 2.5 non turbo Isuzu engine, ideal for climbing up the Andes towing a trailer. Its got 200,000 k's on the clock and cost 9 grand! Not sure if thats pounds, dollars or pesos, if its not pesos someones been had!
Just heard a rumour that the bikes are ok to go but customs are questioning why there is no paperwork for our spare tyres and our helmets. Will we ever get out of this place?
We've got a hotel booked for tonight 200 miles away, so hopefully some good news from there later.
We really are in a fascinating part of the world with the amazing opportunity to ride our bikes to Alaska. We can't wait to get going!
Spending time in the city has been a great opportunity to get to know my fellow travellers. We have some great characters on the trip and already have nick names for some (Baden Powell, Boris Becker, Indiana Jones and Harry Hill - guess which one I am?)
It's 2.30pm and we are still here. We've checked out of our rooms and are waiting in the bar. Bored! Now there's talk of customs wanting a bribe to get the bikes out. Nothing to do but wait.
The support vehicle has arrived and is waiting in the carpark next door. Some sort of Chevy pickup with a crew cab and a 2.5 non turbo Isuzu engine, ideal for climbing up the Andes towing a trailer. Its got 200,000 k's on the clock and cost 9 grand! Not sure if thats pounds, dollars or pesos, if its not pesos someones been had!
Just heard a rumour that the bikes are ok to go but customs are questioning why there is no paperwork for our spare tyres and our helmets. Will we ever get out of this place?
We've got a hotel booked for tonight 200 miles away, so hopefully some good news from there later.
22 March 2010
21 March 2010
20 March 2010
19 March 2010
18 March 2010
Buenos Aires March 18th 2010
Hello everyone! We have finally arrived.
After leaving home yesterday morning at 9am we arrived at a hostel in BA at 1pm today UK time (10am BA time). Hardly got any sleep on the plane from Rome to BA (14hrs) so now I'm really knackered, but I'll soldier on till later. Now its time to explore. Haven't seen much yet, only the view from the taxi on the way to the hostel.
Its 8 to a room here and no air con. We might not get the bikes till monday because the Argies don't like the wood the bikes are packed with, so they have to fumigate the container.
Off to explore now.
Hello to everyone at both my homes, love and miss you all x
After leaving home yesterday morning at 9am we arrived at a hostel in BA at 1pm today UK time (10am BA time). Hardly got any sleep on the plane from Rome to BA (14hrs) so now I'm really knackered, but I'll soldier on till later. Now its time to explore. Haven't seen much yet, only the view from the taxi on the way to the hostel.
Its 8 to a room here and no air con. We might not get the bikes till monday because the Argies don't like the wood the bikes are packed with, so they have to fumigate the container.
Off to explore now.
Hello to everyone at both my homes, love and miss you all x
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