Panama Tour 2003
The purpose of this simple web page
is to provide as much information as possible to help you prepare
for this tour. This ride will be challenging and require us all
to work together to ensure a successful and enjoyable trip. Will
there be hardships along the way? You can bet on it! But, there
will also be many more times of a feeling of great accomplishment
and satisfaction of a "job well done"! I'll talk more
about this later in the web page.
Any and all communication from the PVMT
office takes precedence over anything written on this web page.
World travel situations can and do change faster than web pages
can be updated. Please treat any and all information you receive
from the office as “the official word”.
So, here goes - I said this will be
a simple, information designed page - just follow the "LINKS"
below:
Resource Page
- Information on a few of our Mexico stoops, the weather, the money!
- and more.
Following
areas of information are provided to help you in your planning
and to answer common questions. Keep in mind that the information
provided is for your general information and that individuals
will make the final decision on how they want to prepare for this
trip. Feel free to email Pancho Villa for clarification and additional
information.
Documentation
- A check list
Passport
- Check expiration date. Check that you have sufficient "visa"
pages left.
Motorcycle Title or original state
registration.
The motorcycle title must be in your
name as well as the state registration. It must be an "original"
document or copy with a "embossed stamp" and signature.
Photo copies of any document will not work! It is a good idea
to have copies of your title and/or registration with a notary
stamp and signature. In case you lose one document the other might
be able to work.
If you are riding a borrowed or rental bike you must have a certified,
embossed letter authorizing you to take this bike into a foreign
country. The letter should include all information about the owner,
borrower and VIN, make, model, color, etc. The more complete and
official looking the better! Have multiple copies of this document
as you will need them at every border crossing.
Credit card
Your credit card must have your name
(same as on bike title) on the card. Be sure it does not expire
during the trip.
I would carry three different credit
cards in case of loss or magnetic strip failure or bank security
putting a hold on a card. No debit cards!
Please be aware that Discover
cards will not work or be accepted in Mexico and Central
America.
State drivers license
Be sure it does not expire during the
trip!
Many travelers obtain an "International
Drivers License" for use while on the road. This license
is one you can afford to lose should a police officer want to
hold your drivers license to settle an offense. Keep you official
state drivers license in a safe place along with your passport.
You can obtain an international drivers license at any AAA Auto
Club office.
Bring copies of all documents noted
above, telephone numbers of credit card companies in case of loss
or a "freeze" on your account.
Consider carrying most of the important
documents around your neck in a security pouch. If we all do this
it will be a simple matter of finding important documents in case
of an emergency!
Border
crossing preparation
Border crossings can be fun! It all
has to do with your attitude! We will be prepared to cross borders
with our documentation - that is a given. But what you must be
prepared for is the bureaucracy and cultural attitude of third
world countries! Some crossings, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama
will be fairly straight forward and professional (somewhat so!)
Others will be painfully slow, seemingly confused, and frustrating
(if you let it). Remember, we are in emerging third world countries.
They don't do it "our way." If we look "pissed
off", frustrated, angry, and impatient they will take great
care to fulfill our expectations! They love to see "Gringos"
squirm! So, here is what we do:
We have our documents handy in a zip
loc plastic bag. (Food storage bag)
We go where we are told and do what
we are told.
We relax and "go with the flow."
The staff will assist you during every
step.
Note: Many of the countries will have
small boys or young men who offer to take your documents and "get
you through fast." This is an accepted procedure and we will
take advantage of paying a few bucks to these guys to get us through
the process fast! We will talk more about this as the time comes.
Bottom Line: Border crossings are "part
of the Adventure!" You will have many great hours of story
telling to your friends for years to come. Just relax and enjoy!
Debunking
of myths of travel in Latin America
Banditos!
In five years of travel I have never seen a "bandito"!
Mexico and Central America are not free from crime but seldom
does one hear of violent crime like we have in the USA! Most stories
of violent crime reported by the press take place in the large
urban areas. We won't be in these places. Remember, we stay in
good hotels in the "right" part of town. During the
day we are on major highways with lots of traffic and security.
The bottom line rule is to act with common sense, be aware of
where you are, don't ask for trouble in the "wrong part of
town", and just blend in and stay low key.
Security of the bikes. At night our bikes are always secured in the
hotel parking areas. All hotels in this region of the world have
security guards in and around the hotel. We have never had a bike
stolen in 21 years of travel in Mexico and Latin America! Again,
common sense and normal security precautions. Our bikes are probably
more secure in Latin America then in the USA! I never carry a
lock on my trips south of the border. Your staff will always be
aware of any security concerns and take action to insure we have
it!
Petty theft. As
in any part of the world we must be aware of the temptation for
petty theft of items such as glasses, cassettes, gloves and the
like. Don't tempt the locals. Remember - their average daily wage
might be three dollars. Your sun glasses might sell for ten! Just
secure loose items and don't leave things laying around.
Road blocks. We
will encounter many road blocks along the highway. These can be
by local police, military, Government drug police and Federal
police. All are mainly looking for drugs, guns, and illegal immigrants.
When you approach one simply stop, take your helmet off (so they
can see you are a "Gringo-tourist"), and do what they
ask (usually to look in one bag). Don't get loud or threatening.
Act calm, smile, get off your bike and relax. Don't offer bribes
or give "gifts". Giving things away will only encourage
the folks to expect more from the rest of us. Generally, they
don't even stop us - just wave us through. When they do stop us
it is normally because they are curious and want to see the bikes
and see who we are! Road blocks are not a big deal in Latin America
- a way of life. Do not be threatened byy them - they actually
provide a degree of security for us!
Bribes. There
are occasions when a low level official will try to get a bribe
from you. This is becoming less common as countries try to stop
this practice and encourage tourism. The best way to avoid the
situation is simply act "dumb" and don't try to talk
too much! If you are with a few other people the chances of an
official pursuing a bribe request is low. They are fearful you
will report them to a superior. A bribe and "paying for a
service" are different! You might be asked to "pay a
fee" to get your papers done faster at a border crossing!
I've paid a "fee" (overtime) to get a border guard to
raise the gate so I could leave his country while he was on a
"lunch" break! You just have to play all these things
as they come up. Remember, one of the staff will always be close
at hand.
Chase
Vehicle
The primary mission of the chase vehicle
is to aid in medical and mechanical emergencies. Generally, the
chase vehicle will be behind the group. Procedures for signaling
the chase vehicle will be covered in detail at the Laredo briefing.
What the chase vehicle will carry.
The chase vehicle will have a general
purpose tool box. Individual riders should bring special tools
and spares particular to their own bike and needs. Place these
items in a small purse size bag and store in the chase vehicle.
If you begin the trip with new tires and chain you should not
bring these items as spares.
It is impossible for us to carry unmounted
tires! They are considered an "import" item and are
charged an import tax as well as a great deal of paperwork. Mount
new tires on your bike - don't need "aggressive" tire
tread - stick with a good general road tire and you will have
plenty of wear for this trip. Unmounted tires are challenged at
every border crossing, and also farther down the road at the “frontier”
checkpoint. Please don't bring them as we can't carry them for
you.
Tie down straps (each person carries
their own "soft ties.")
Luggage on the chase vehicle
Following are acceptable items riders
may place on the chase vehicle:
- "Two up" riders may place
one small carry on size soft bag in the chase vehicle.
- Video Cameras and Lap Top Computers
(in suitable containers) - At owners risk.
A sick or injured rider
A rider who feels ill and unable to
ride safely may place his/her bike on the vehicle and ride in
the chase vehicle until able to safely ride again.
Food and
water along the way
Water is
plentiful all along the way! Bottled water like that we have here
in the USA is now the "norm" in Latin America. Hotels
will provide it in your rooms, restaurants provide it and every
gas station, mini mart and shop will have it. Buy it and drink
plenty of it! Be sure you have a place on your bike to carry a
bottle of water.
Ice cubes.
In hotels where we stay and restaurants where we eat you can assume
ice cubes are made with purified water.
Food in
the hotels where we will stay and restaurants where we eat have
good food. During the day you should eat snacks in plastic wrappers,
fruit that you peel and generally stay away from road side stands.
Problem is, the road side stands have some damn good food and
you will probably see your staff eating tacos and burritos from
these stands - what can I say - use common sense!
Skip has an interesting saying "if
you are going to get it you are going to get it!"
Use moderation in your drinking and
eating the first week on the road. Most stomach upsets are a result
of too much food, booze, sun, and not drinking enough water while
on the road!
Consider taking a few Pepto Bismo tablets
each day - they seem to help. Stay rested, eat with moderation
and drink lots of fluids (juice, water).
There are times when we all will feel
a little "under the weather". It will normally pass
in a few days. Carry some Immodiam AD if you think that might
help. There are plenty of drugstores along the way to buy medicine
for upset stomachs.
Some people have their doctors prescribe
prescription medicine for intestinal upsets - you might want to
consider this if you are prone to stomach upset.
Projected
weather information
The weather with in few hundred miles
of the US border could be cool in the mornings. Mornings will
possibly be cold EVERY morning until reaching Oaxaca. Rain is
not likely but possible. The temperatures in the morning near
Oaxaca, Mexico (high altitude) can drop to the 40s. We suggest
bringing an old sweatshirt, then giving it away in Oaxaca - the
rest of the ride will be warm to hot.
The further south we go the dryer and
warmer it will become. The month of January is the peak of the
dry season in Central America and Panama. It is also the hottest
part of the year. It will not be necessary to carry warm clothes
on the trip - maybe a light jacket for cool mornings at altitude.
Rain gear - If you are not wearing protective
gear with Gortex built in you should probably carry some type
of rain gear. Those wearing riding gear such as Aerostich, RoadGear,
First Gear, etc. will not need additional rain gear. Chances of
rain are slight but it can still happen!
"Click" on this link to check
out weather data for the trip. Weather
data.
Calling
home & email
This is a tough one! Each country has
it's own system and they are not easy to figure out! I'll try
and give you some pointers below:
It is expensive to call home. Very expensive if you call from the hotel! On
this note, we ask that you do not use the hotel to call long distance
(as well as charge other services). Charges made to your room
will complicate the check-out process and will delay your departure
as you will have to pay off you room charges before I can clear
the hotel master bill.
In Mexico, the best way to call home
is to purchase a pre-paid calling card and use it - calling collect
is extremely expensive!
In other countries we will have to find
out how you can call home - if you have a US calling card you
can contact the customer service and ask for the individual "country
codes" or phone number for each of the countries we will
pass through. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't!
Cell phones seldom work in Mexico. If
they do they are very expensive! I don't recommend bringing a
cell phone as a means of calling home.
Email -
More and more "cyber cafes" are popping up all through
the region. If you don't have a "hotmail" account or
other "web based" account you might want to sign up
for this free service and use "hotmail" to send and
receive emails.
FAX Home -
Another easy way to send information home is via FAX. Central
America is still heavily into "FAXing". They are used
to it and it is easy to do. I recommend you sign up for a free
FAX service that will send any FAX you send to your email account.
In that way you can send a FAX to a regular phone number in the
USA and it will go to any email account you specify. Check out
the free FAX service at: http://www.efax.com/index.html
You should arrange to have a FAX number
at home that can receive and deliver your FAXs.
Money
- How much and what do I carry?
I personally carry US dollars in note
denominations of $20 & $50. No travelers checks. Use a money
belt or some other secure means of carrying most of your cash
- only keep what you need for one day inn your pocket.
Credit cards are used in many of these countries. ATMs are everywhere
in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. I will carry three different
credit cards to insure I have at least one that works! Magnetic
strips go bad, account security might cut you off mid journey,
and you could lose one. I carry my cards in separate locations
so I always have at least one that I can get to.
As a note, I wear a neck security pouch
and a money belt - separate cards and cash into these two locations
and carry a small amount in your pocket for daily needs.
1) I am recommending $50 per day per
bike..only slightly more for two up... with expectations of coming
home with lots of change. It is very handy to have about 100 $1.00
bills to pay for tips and border crossing fees (copy machine charges,etc.)
Having the one dollar bills makes it much easier to give tips
to hotel bell boys and other people providing a small service
- they all like US dollars and keeps youu from having to deal in
local currency.
2) Currency exchange is a carnival atmosphere right at the border
crossings with money changers everywhere openly flashing huge
wads of currency. As risky as this appears it seems there are
codes of honor and the place is always crawling with security....you
do ask around for the best rates which seem to vary only slightly
if any. Staff will help with this process.
3) The idea is to purchase only minimally at each crossing and
unload what you don't need right at the next border when you are
entering a different country. Since we are only spending one day
in Honduras, one in El Sal, two in Nicaragua, and a few days in
dollar friendly Guatemala, you can see that the needs are really
little for local currency. Panama uses US currency.
4) ATMs are everywhere...credit cards can be used, even at gas
stations in a few countries. I believe we will also find US dollars
readily accepted most everywhere.
Note: Be
sure to write down the PIN numbers for your credit cards - no
PIN, no money from ATMs!
"Click" the Money
conversion link for information on exchange
rates.
Packing
list suggestions - What do I take?
Following is a list of items I will
carry. Try very hard to go as light as you can! The less you have
to worry about the better off you will be.
I wash clothes in the hotel room every
few days. If you will do this you will free yourself of dealing
with laundry (more on this later).
Check out the list and add as you think
you need - just be very critical on yourself - ask yourself, "do
I really need this"!
Long sleeve shirt (2) Lightweight (nylon
supplex) shirts for evening wear.
Slacks (2) Lightweight slacks for evening
wear (jeans will work too).
T-shirts, long sleeve (1) Coolmax material
is easy to wash.
T-shirts, short (4) Coolmax material
is easy to wash and cool to ride in.
Socks and liners (3) Wear nylon during
the day, wool blend for walking shoes.
Underwear (3) Silk underwear is great
for under your riding gear.
Walking shoes - Lightweight tennis shoes
are fine.
Bandanna - Handy on dusty roads!
Swim suit - Optional but nice to have!
Hat - Ball cap or full brim type for
sun protection off the bike.
Extra glasses - Prescription
Shaving kit
Required medications - Prescriptions
should be in quantity for the entire trip. Pack the empty space
in pill bottles with cotton balls to prevent "jiggling"
to powder!
Alarm clock
Woolite laundry soap & 30 feet of
nylon clothesline (buy a large sink stopper)
Dictionary - Optional Spanish dictionary
Pad & pens
Document holder for all you official
documents, route sheets, maps, etc.
Extra bike key & hard luggage key
if used.
Note: I
would carry three ignition keys! One for everyday use, one placed
somewhere on your person or bike (duct taped under a panel or
faring) and one given to your roommate or a staff person. It is
impossible to have motorcycle keys made in Central America!
Following are items some may want to
bring - personal choice:
Bike cover
Palm Pilot, cameras, note book for journal,
extra camera batteries, film, and who knows what else!
If you think I missed something then
please bring it to my attention and I'll add it on.
Bike preparation
and preventative maintenance along the way
Bike preparation
This is an area that is very specific
to each individual and type of bike. It is not my intention here
to tell you how to prepare your bike for this trip. But, I would
like you to consider that you have committed a lot of financial
resources to this ride and it would be a shame to have a "break
down" that could have been prevented by a simple check prior
to leaving the US. Also, keep in mind that it is very difficult,
if not impossible, to get parts for a motorcycle in many of the
countries we will pass through.
I am going to list things I have on
my "check list" for my bike. You might have more - bottom
line is check it all and replace anything that you have any doubts
about.
New tires - use good "road"
tires as they need to last the entire trip.
New chain, front and rear sprockets
(if you use a chain).
Practice adjusting your chain to the
proper "slack."
For shaft drive bikes - check all seals
and have the splines checked and greased.
Install a new battery.
Have the valves checked, synch the carbs
or throttle bodies.
Check mixture settings.
Replace or install a fuel filter.
Replace spark plugs. Check condition
of spark plug wires.
Grease all fitting as they apply on
your bike.
Check your wheel bearings. Replace if
over four years old.
Check fork seals - if they are worn
or showing signs of age replace them.
Change hydraulic fluids and coolant
fluids. Replace if over two years old.
Check all hoses and fitting for the
hydraulic lines and cooling lines and fittings.
Check and replace any brake pads not
close to new.
Start out with fresh oil and oil filter.
Check general condition of all cables,
fittings, hoses, springs, nuts, bolts, anything you can think
of that might have worn out over time. When in doubt, replace
it!
One area that we have found over the
years that causes the most problems are the luggage rack mounting
bolts and frames. Hard luggage racks tend to break at the mounting
points. We recommend you carry extra mounting bolts. Also, a good
idea is to have the racks connected together, side to side across
the back to prevent the bags from "flapping", and fatiguing
the mounting brackets. Loctite EVERYTHING!
Preventative maintenance along the way
This is an area that the staff will
almost insist on! The entire group should get into the habit of
spending 30 to 45 minutes at the end of each riding day checking
over their bike. Here is how I would like to see it work: you
check in to your room, have a few minutes to relax and then go
back to your bike with your tool kit and small flashlight. Go
over the bike from top to bottom, checking every part of your
bike! Check the tires for punctures and/or cuts, check air pressure
and bring up to spec if not correct. Check all fasteners for security,
check hoses, cables, oil level, oil and adjust your chain, and
on and on and on!
Here is why. It is extremely frustrating
for the group to have someone come out in the morning and announce
they have a bike problem - one that could have been found and
fixed during the night. A simple flat or slow leak is much easier
to fix at night at the hotel then on the roadside the next day.
You are responsible for your bike's maintenance and state of repair.
We must look after the machine that is going to transport us to
Panama - check, check, check - work on that bike all the time
- always stay ahead of maintenance - it''s up to you - others can't
do it for you!
Tools
- Anyone have a 10mm socket?<
The tool kit that comes with most bikes
just won't cut it on an expedition of this nature. You must carry
tools specific to your bike. There will be some tools available
in the chase vehicle but the bottom line is "you are responsible
to have tools to work on your bike".
Here is how I do it:
I make up a tool kit with wrenches,
sockets, allens, Torx, screw drivers, and any other tool I might
need to unfasten any fastener I have on the bike.
Small tire pump or CO2 cylinders and
gun.
Tire patch or plug kit.
Be sure you have proper size tools to
remove front and rear wheels.
Tool for the large steering head bolt.
If you run a chain, have a chain breaker,
de-linker, and extra master links for your size chain.
Spark plug wrench for your bike.
Nuts bolts and fasteners are always
in demand, and sometimes specialized depending on accessories,
luggage, etc. Buy ‘em at home when there’s time, they
are small, and can be priceless at times. “Loctite everything”
can’t be repeated enough.
Duct tape
"Goop" adhesive
Bike manual with electrical diagram
Small Volt meter
A flashlight is handy as well as needle
nose pliers, "Loc-tight" compound. Regular pliers and
vise grips seem to come in handy too.
The chase vehicle will carry tire irons
- generally, if we have a flat we will ttake the wheel to a tire
repair shop in the town we are spending the night and have them
fix it - much easier and very inexpensive. Roadside tire repair
can be dangerous due to the lack of road shoulders on most highways.
Spare
parts - Ever try to get a diode board in Nicaragua?
Inner tube for front and rear tire
Electrical kit - Extra light bulbs for headlight, turn signals,
tail/brake light. Fuses for your bike.
Chain and master links - Will carry your extra chain of
proper size in the chase vehicle.
Chain lube
Throttle and clutch cables
Clutch and brake levers
Shift lever
Small assortment of nuts, bolts, fasteners.
Many fasteners are available from auto stores.
In line fuel filter
Four soft ties (to tie down the bike
if it has to go on the trailer) Also, for the container shipment
back to the USA.
Oil if your bike uses oil between oil
changes.
If you want to change your oil and filter
before the trip is over you will need to bring a filter and motorcycle
oil - most will choose to run the trip without a change. Up to
you.
Laundry
during the tour - Why bring this up?
Would you be surprised to find out that
getting laundry done on tour is a major frustration and area of
stress? It is. We don't need frustration or stress - we can save
that for the border crossings!
There are not a lot of places to get
laundry done in Latin America. The rich have maids and the poor
can't afford to pay others to do laundry! There are places, but
often hard to find and get to. Most of our stops are for one night
- not long enough for you to walk aroundd town and find a place
that will do your laundry and have it back the same night.
Hotels will do laundry but are very
unreliable and often do not get it back as promised. Missing articles
are not uncommon. Hotels are VERY expensive - often you could
have bought a shirt for what they charge to do it. Beware when
having the hotel do your laundry - find out the cost first! Please
remember, do not charge laundry to your room.
So, what the heck do I do about laundry!
Just wear the same shirt and pants for a month! I hope not! So
does your roommate!
Here is what I suggest. Up in the list
of personal things to pack I suggested a plastic bottle of Woolite,
a large sink stopper (rubber kind) and about 30 feet of nylon
cord (bought at K-Marts in the camping section). You are now ready
to wash clothes in your room!
Woolite is easy to use. Fill the sink
with water (using your own stopper - most places in Latin America
will not have a working stopper!) Stir in a small amount of Woolite
- not much. Let the garments soak for abbout 10 minutes. Scrub
them together some. Rinse and hang up to dry on your nylon cord
line. Ask your roommate to hold one end while they dry (a true
friend will do this!)
If you bring Coolmax type t-shirts,
nylon Supplex shirts and pants and nylon type hiking socks you
will be able to wash clothes in your sink at the hotel every few
days. The Coolmax and nylon type fabric will dry in a few hours.
For longer drying things like jeans and cotton t-shirts you can
just wait for a two day layover - long enough for these types
of fabric to dry. LL Bean and other outdoor stores carry Coolmax
and Nylon Supplex type gear.
Simple, isn't it?
Camera
film and batteries along the way
Typical 35mm and APS film is available
along the way. It might be dated and you might not have a full
choice of ASA speeds but it is generally available. Camera batteries
are a different story. The unusual, hard to find types are really
difficult to find and very expensive if you do find them. I recommend
you bring a quantity of film and spare batteries for your particular
camera.
Medicine,
shots, and prescriptions
Medicine
Most non-prescription medicine can be
bought along the way. Cold, flu, intestinal remedies, and all
the other stuff we are accustomed to here in the US can normally
be purchased in Latin America.
Immunizations
This is a personal choice on your part.
Your doctor can tell you exactly what he/she recommends for travel
through Mexico and Central America. You can also take a look at
the Center for Disease Control (CDC) web site for this information.
As far as I know, there are no particular warnings or recommendations
for shots. It's up to you. some feel better having a full set
of shots, others don't bother with it - your call.
Prescriptions
If you take prescription medication
then you should take enough to get you through the entire trip.
There are pharmacies all along the route but no guarantees they
will have your exact prescription. Some ask about possible problems
with police searches with a saddle bag having a lot of medical
looking bottles and pills. This is not a problem. It would be
a good idea to have the pills, etc. in their original bottles
with the prescription information on the bottle.
This brings up a point. Please tell
your staff members of any medical problems you might have and
what medication you are taking. We need to know this! In an emergency
we need to be able to inform the medical authorities if you are
taking any particular medications.
Closer to the tour date I will be asking
each of you to provide me information on allergies, drug reactions
and any particular food allergies that might impact your health.
The staff needs this information to help in a medical emergency!
First
aid on the route
There will be a basic first aid kit
in the chase vehicle. The staff will have basic first aid training.
It is highly recommended each person complete a Red Cross type
CPR and basic first aid class. This is only a recommendation but
it could make a big difference to one of your tour mates in a
medical emergency - your call.
There are many clinics and small hospitals
along the way. They vary greatly in the level of service they
can provide. Generally, they are pretty good with routine medical
problems.
It is very important to all of us that
you have the required MedEvac Insurance card on your person in
case we need to find it in a medical emergency. Your riding buddy
should know where this card is on your person.
GPS use
en route
I will be using a Garmin GPS III+ on
this trip. If you use or plan on using a GPS I will be glad to
share "way point" data from my Garmin III+. I'm hoping
to obtain an "interface" cable that will allow me to
download route and way point data directly from my Garmin to yours.
You will have to be running a compatible Garmin GPS in order for
me to download data directly.
A GPS can be a real asset for this trip.
Certainly not a requirement, but, it can really make navigation
easier and this would be a great opportunity for you to learn
how to use a GPS.
I can recommend one company that is
considered the "source for motorcyclists" when it comes
to GPS gear and accessories. The company is CycoActive - ask for
a fellow named "Dominic". He can answer all your questions
and set up up with a unit and mount suitable for your particular
bike. Dominic will give you a good discount off a package deal
(GPS, mount, power cord, and Cd software) if you tell him you
are going on the Pancho Villa tour to Panama.
Contact information for CycoActive is:
Dominic
http://www.cycoactive.com
email: nickg@cycoactive.com
Phone: 1-800-491-cyco
- I'll post more on this subject as
soon as I get more technical information on which Garmin devices
are compatible for data transfer.
Insurance
- Bike and Medical
The Pancho Villa office will coordinate
with you on the purchase of Mexican liability insurance and MedEvac
medical Insurance. Please be sure to carry these two documents
with you where they can be found if needed. At the minimum, tell
your roommate where they are located.
Psychological
aspects of a successful tour - It's mostly mental!
This trip will challenge us all! The
challenge will be primarily mental and psychological. Why? Because
we can all ride, but can we all deal with challenges in the way
of road condition, weather, bike maintenance, strange cultures,
unknown situations that "pop up", and just getting along
on a daily basis with many other folks of varying skills and attitudes.
What will it take to have a successful and fulfilling trip? A
sense of challenge and adventure! This is going to be an adventure
and as such will require us all to be flexible, understanding,
and supportive of all the other group members. We are a group
and will come together as a close group willing to help others
in the group during periods of distress. It can get very lonely
if we all try to be individuals without regard for others and
their feelings and aspirations.
The one single most important trait
we can all exhibit on this trip is a good sense of humor and the
ability to laugh at ourselves and just plain relax a little!
This ride is not a "walk in the
sun"! This is an expedition through some of the most backward
and culturally different countries of the world. Things are different
and often frustrating. The joy of the trip is our ability to overcome
and have a great time doing it!
There will be many times that things
just don't go as they should or as we planned. Hotel reservations
that just "disappear." What do we do! We just work together
to solve the problem! What ever it takes we must work together
to solve the problem and take it as it comes.
So, let's get mentally prepared for
a great ride - it is a great and diverse ride! You will have memories
of this ride for the rest of your life. You will be one of very
few who have done this ride. Working as a team we will have a
great time and gain a sense of pride for having made this a successful
trip. Keep smiling and ride on!