Through the Andes recently

[AmBraCol]

Hey guys, here's a brief look at a recent trip through the Andes. Perhaps some of you would like to see what the area is like (in part). Yesterday I was actually able to stop and take a couple of pictures with no worries about getting run over in doing so as there is a trucker's strike going on and very few big rigs were to be seen on the road.

[AmBraCol]

Weird, the pics show up in reverse order.

Just run the reel in reverse!

[gamekeeper]

Beautiful country....

[plowboy 45]

Nice lookin trip
When a person hadn't ever seen such a place (me ) the line up of the pics don't matter I would have never known the difference
Mine use to line up backards so I post them backards now and they line up correctly

[Grizz]

Paul, that's fantastic. It's like it's a jungle out there

What kind of wild life do you see in your travels? I was expecting a panther to pounce on me from one of the cliffs.

Would you mind putting a pin on a map so we can see the road and terrain?

I like your bike. What about just putting some cubes in that cylinder and a stroker kit, on the theory that there's no replacement for displacement? That gets around everything but the utility of a bigger machine...

Don't know if your connection can stream video, but here's a corollary to your pictures.

http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

video came from http://whofirst.com/

good site to peruse,

Grizz

[AmBraCol]

Paul, that's fantastic. It's like it's a jungle out there

What kind of wild life do you see in your travels? I was expecting a panther to pounce on me from one of the cliffs.

Would you mind putting a pin on a map so we can see the road and terrain?

I like your bike. What about just putting some cubes in that cylinder and a stroker kit, on the theory that there's no replacement for displacement? That gets around everything but the utility of a bigger machine...

Don't know if your connection can stream video, but here's a corollary to your pictures.

http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

video came from http://whofirst.com/

good site to peruse,

Grizz

Hey, Grizz.

The only "wildlife" that is typically seen on my routes (other than miscellaneous birds) are the drivers. Most of the region is shot out, yea these many years ago. Road kill is usually some dog, cat or unlucky pedestrian or incautious driver/rider.

My problem with my current bike is not displacement/power so much as it is lack of riding comfort. Yesterday after nearly 6 hours in the saddle it took me a few hours to stretch out and even this morning when I had to climb back on to run some errands my body was saying "Give me a break!" That dip in the saddle may work for a small/short person, but I've not been accused of being such a one in at least 4 decades, if ever. The other thing is, I've never heard of anyone down here doing such a conversion to a bike. We're doing good to find run of the mill factory parts to do a regular rebuild. To get more displacement/power is not something any mechanic 'round here would have an idea about doing, nor would I be likely to trust them to do it right. Every used vehicle I've purchased has had numerous issues from faulty mechanical work and has taken a while to straighten out. That's one reason I'm hoping to buy new this time, to be on top of it from the beginning to ensure proper maintenance and repair. The XL200 has been a good bike for the most part, but these longer trips take a toll on this rider.

Attached is a map that shows approximately the route I rode yesterday (and going the other way too) The twisty turney nature of the road is not evident from this scale on the map. It's got to be experienced to be fully comprehended! Also, the steady, steep grade the road follows up and down hill in both directions (depending on the section) is not as easily seen on this map. And the traffic is usually incredible, but yesterday (other than the first hour and a half) it was really not bad at all. I managed a moving average of 58 kph (36 mph) which is almost 20% higher than my usual average of 50 kph (31 mph). This includes stretches of 50-60 mph on the "flat" areas in the Magdalena valley along with a lot of 10-20 mph on the upgrades and downgrades in the curves.

The arrow in the picture points roughly to the "high point" of the ride, "La Linea" Pass between Ibagué and Armenia, roughly 10,750 ft above sea level.

[AmBraCol]

For the curious, here are a few places that I need to visit for ministry reasons in the not too distant future.

[Paladin]

Some great photos thanks for sharing. Good luck with the replacement bike would be a easy fix if the import tax was different.

[AmBraCol]

Some great photos thanks for sharing. Good luck with the replacement bike would be a easy fix if the import tax was different.

Tell me about it! And then OI goes and shows off his Maxx...

[Grizz]

thanks so much for the maps. that helps quantify it. it's only 4000 miles to your town, it has me thinking. ouch. ow.

yeah, I'm all for the new ride for you. I hope that comes together. your flock deserves it too.

Grizz

[AmBraCol]

thanks so much for the maps. that helps quantify it. it's only 4000 miles to your town, it has me thinking. ouch. ow.

yeah, I'm all for the new ride for you. I hope that comes together. your flock deserves it too.

Grizz

Yeah, I keep eyeing the trail north. Crossing Mexico, however, is what keeps me from being very interested in giving it a try. Still, riding up to Barranquilla or Cartagena, ferrying a bike to Panama City then heading north up the isthmus sounds like a real hoot. Of course, if I COULD get a bike from the U.S. legalized down here, riding the other way could be quite entertaining as well. Shucks, I know folks along the way that it'd be great to visit. My cousin who is serving up in Nicaragua has driven north with her husband several times over the years.

[harry]

Heck you just need one of these:
http://www.bobsclassicbikes.com/1964Cus ... index.html

[AmBraCol]

Heck you just need one of these:
http://www.bobsclassicbikes.com/1964Cus ... index.html

Cool looking old bike. Those tiny tires would be murder on our rough roads!

[Rusty]

Heck you just need one of these:
http://www.bobsclassicbikes.com/1964Cus ... index.html

That would make a nice hood ornament for one of those truck drivers.

[AmBraCol]

Heck you just need one of these:
http://www.bobsclassicbikes.com/1964Cus ... index.html

That would make a nice hood ornament for one of those truck drivers.

[mod71alaska]

Thanks for sharing your trip! Sounds like there are some adventures down there. "Wild and wooly" in different ways than here!!!

[AmBraCol]

Looks like the trip linked below is a go in the next month/six weeks or so. Just got an email that my presence is requested/required up in that neck of the woods. It will be the longest haul yet for this bike. Hopefully I can still walk once I get there! We'll see if the trip allows for pics along the way. Part of it has been traveled before by yours truly, but in a four wheeled vehicle. The rest will be new exploration. The first part, from Pereira to Manizales then over Alto de Letras, we've seen twice. From Honda on north we shall see what we shall see.

[BenT]

Nothing better than a good bike adventure.