Motorcycles
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Thank you @goosehd , I am DELIGHTED myself!!
Our our day # 2, we drove past this old hanging bridge (not sure how old).
My trusted steed is holding up quite well.
Typical free-ranging local roadside fauna in Bolivia…usually llamas are quite tranquil and not a huge risk to drivers, unlike their smaller cousins, vicunas, which are nervous and frisky.
Pic in the center square of Villazon, border town with La Quiaca (Argentina) just before we jump into the border crossing administrative mess, misleadingly named customs and inmigration, suggesting something orderly and controlled.
One last picture celebrating with beers the victorious achievement of another border crossing!! This is in Argentina, town called Purmamarca. Great views of mountains up close on either side of it.
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Almost finished customising my 21 Vintage Indian . New 50's style pin striping and a bit more leather, grips, floorboards etc. It might not be everyone's taste - but I love it. Just waiting on fish tails to finish it off (for now LOL)
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That looks very nice @Jase68 I love the brown leather. Although I am a Harley guy, I love the look of the engine. They are simply beautiful. Enjoy the ride.
Cheers mate, hopefully new pipes and hi flow air intake this week - and a tune. No Dyno until after warranty expires LOL. But the engine has heaps of power as it is LOL.
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@motojobobo Just checking in to see how the tour went/is going? Any more pictures to share?
Our weather is just reaching riding temperatures again and I hope to be on the bike within the next few weeks.
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@motojobobo Just checking in to see how the tour went/is going? Any more pictures to share?
Our weather is just reaching riding temperatures again and I hope to be on the bike within the next few weeks.
Hey @goosehd ! Thanks for your reminder buddy. I was lame posting daily updates because the internet links were really slow in several of the areas we stayed. Anyhow, I got back yesterday after a 17 day trip. A most excellent one. The weather was perfect…we were told that April is one of the best months weatherwise to travel northern Argentina. The country is still cheap for travelers as the unofficial dollar (they call it blue dollar) trades at twice the official rate. I spent a total of 1000 dollars US during the 17 days, this included lodging, food, plenty wine, gas for the bikes…everything! A bargain.
Hope your good riding weather arrives on time!
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Border town in southeast Bolivia called Villazon where we crossed into Argentina into a town called La Quiaca on that side.
Nearly got my phone impounded by the ‘gendarmes’ as taking photos of our bikes in front of customs and immigration offices was frowned upon.
This pic describes surreal Bolivia…if you look at the background line of people on the bridge pushing carts…they are carting Argentine products into Bolivia: soap, flour, barbed wire, wine, everything you can think of. You couldn’t drive a truck across the bridge loaded with the stuff, that would be illegal; but if you do it piecewise it becomes legal alright. It does create jobs for sure, unloading trucks and loading other trucks at the other side. In addition, the pushcarts charge a fee for their service providing a source of income for locals. Many of these workers are women.
First stop in Argentina, town called Purmamarca at about 2600 mts. Having a beer while wearing IHSH 157 and PIH5DCS pieces! -
This cactus growing in a helicoidal pattern struck me as very unique. I remember learning at forestry school that most plants live in a constant struggle for light with respect to other plants, so not growing in a strictly upward fashion would be disadvantageous.
I guess deserts have sunlight in excess and plant densities there are low so some plants can afford to grow this way, but it must be the first cactus the I remember doing this. Every other cactus species I’ve seen goes straight upwards.
Anyhow, thought this was interesting as there are several plant-people on the forum. @Matty123 went to the same forestry school as me so he may have something to say here. -
This curvy road is called ‘Cuesta de Lipan’l and climbs up from Argentina to the border with Chile in the Andes. The highest point on it sits at 4070 mts. Driving this mountain road is pure pleasure on a bike. This is the second time I get to do it and I doubt it will ever get old. Up and down adds up to 140 km…highly recommended!
Another type of mountain road up there, amongst mountains but longer flowing curves.
We also had some very deserted, flat stretches of road towards sunset that day as we rolled further south into Argentina. This shot was taken as we neared a town called Belen, where we would stay the night. This road is part of Argentina’s renowned “Ruta 40” as a very scenic road. -
@motojobobo Outstanding and that Cactus is as curvy as that road. I really appreciate you spending the time and effort sharing this. Living vicariously through your photos and write up.
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Eventually we reached Mendoza, Argentina’s most important wine producing region. This was one of my favorites!l It was pricy at 30 US a bottle, given the vast array of options of very good wines for a third of the cost of this one.
Aconcagua, in the background, is S. America’s highest peak. Heavily visited because you can pretty much walk all the way up without it requiring a technical climb. I’ve never done it. This viewpoint sits midway on the road between Mendoza (Argentina) and Santiago (Chile).Another pic with IH gear, this is IHJ 79…a wonderful piece of gear. I wear it under my KLIM mesh jacketl when it gets cold. I’ve managed to ride comfortably with the IHJ 79 + a merino layer + a long sleeve tee (all under the mesh jacket) in 10 deg C weather, which is enough for a large portion of the winter rides where I live.
