Comments on: Thursday, 15th October pm, El Salvador: 4hr journey becomes 9hrs

By: admin

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:02:21 +0000

Thanks to all three comments! Agreed that driving at night is horrible, yet somehow we have been repeated caught out. That night with the breakdown in El Salvador was by far our worst. It has also rained every afternoon – late in the afternoon, usually as darkness is falling. Water collects in the sidecar like a bathtub. Also, not ideal.

Lester, with the cotter pin, Mike is now trying inserting it from underneath (rather than above) so that when it comes to trying to unbend the pin, it is easier to see – rather than it becoming mangled immediately by the effort to remove it as it has done both times so far.

Sadly, Joe, there is no way that we can slow down. We have squandered our time up north and now need to get going hard to make it to Ushaia by Christmas. It’s really frustrating, but we’ve made our beds…!

Thanks again for taking the time to comment. Patty, a big hello to Don and the dogs; Joe and Lester – happy biking! Alanna x

By: Lester Lewis

Lester Lewis — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:47:53 +0000

So far I have only traveled on a motorcycle in the US and Canada. Yet, I do not like riding at night for fear of a break down in an unknown area. In a foreign country and not speaking the language,… yikes!

A cotter pin, must be the rear wheel, the pusher. I am going to look that one over to see how it could be made easier to get to and remove. A spiffy tool perhaps? And I am getting those really thick tubes.

Hey, you guys be safe out there!

Following along,

Lester

By: Patty Jungk

Patty Jungk — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:33:25 +0000

Hi, guys,
Our experience in Mexico ( and, amazingly, in Colorado) is that it ALWAYS rains in the afternoon during the rainy season. If you could manage to get going earlier and plan on stopping in the afternoon until the rain stops, you might find it easier. The good thing about being in a sidecar is that you don’t have to worry about the rear wheel throwing muddy water up your back.

Loved the interview in Guatemala, looking forward to your further adventures.

un abrazo,
Patty

By: joe carter

joe carter — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:23:00 +0000

Hi, guys…

Since the day we met, I’ve been afraid for you both. I’ve done a fair amount of motorcycle riding in foreign lands, and there were MANY times the romance didn’t live up to the reality. And I was doing it on a modern dirt bike, not a Russian war machine.

Mike and Alanna…If there’s any way you can adjust your schedule, it will really help if you can slow down the pace. Two days on, one day off, something like that.

And honey, I don’t know about the bi-polar thing (hope not, bad news), but you two are in a situation that would make anyone a bit crazy. The good part? The toughest experiences always make the best stories.

GOOD LUCK! DO NOT drive at night.

Joe in San Jose, California