Getting Back on the Road Again

Well I'm sure not many of you will be surprised to hear that I'm off on the second leg of my journey around the world, this time I'm heading for South America. I really didn't come back to the UK in April with the intention of heading off so soon, the idea was to come back and get stuck in to a new new bike dealership. But the economy , as we all now has, thanks to the greedy banks, gone to rat shit and I think only the very foulhardy would embark on a new business venture at the moment. So I'm keeping the gunpowder dry and waiting for the situation to brighten slightly and be able to take advantage of some poor buggers misfortune.

So South America, the land of steak, wine tango and all sorts of other temptations. I'm heading first to Buenos Aires in Argentina, then I will be heading across country to the Andes, which I will fallow all the way to the bottom of the continent, then its all north, up through Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador the finally Colombia. Once there the plan is to ship the bike to Panama, as there are no roads through an area know as the Darrien Gap, its just jungle infested with drug barons. Central America doesn't hold too much interest for me ,so it will be a dash up to Mexico, for some Mescal and faites, a little yoga and avoid getting robbed by the banditos that I'm told are around in certain areas. The route will take me p the west coast of the sates, with a slight detour to Colorado to see some friends of mine, as well as to trip to Yellowstone National park to see Yogi Bear, he does yoga doesn`t he? Then to Canada, through the Rockies and eventually Alaska, where I will be saying a big hello to Sarah `Shoot um up` Palin, who by then could be in control to all those nukes! Frightening.

The main goal is to get to the arctic circle. I will more than likely be in the middle of no where with no one to celebrate it with, but at least I will now I have been there, all the way on a bike - now were is that massage parlour?

So I have been putting a lot of effort and time in to the bike, which didn't fail me once on the first leg, however some issues have raised there head as I have dug deeper in to the old girl -

After 18,000 trouble free miles on the last trip, the BMW is showing signs of the stress and strains that it endued. The list of bits and pieces currently stands at -

• All front and rear bearing, inc telelever bearing and shaft unit
• Shaft drive unit (rear UJ had failed due to knacked bearing in the telelever) Blood expensive - oooouch!
• Replacement suspension (White Power - fully adjustable)
• Recovered and re profiled seat
• New tyres
• Alternator belt
• Brake pads all round
• New rear disc
• Full service and chassis check
• Touratech ceramic clutch
• Bearings everywhere
  

This time I am going equipped for the outdoors as I want to take advantage to the beauty of this continent , something that on the last journey was not always advisable due to the security situation. So I have - tent, down sleeping bag,cooking equipment, survival gear etc, etc, etc. Less room for home comforts, more room for essentials only. By essentials I do include a laptop this time, as communication with home is important when you are so far away - never forget your friends and family. Hopefully I will come across some entertaining times that I can relay, without getting thrown in jail this time. For now I`ll wish you all well and Adios Amigos!