Lobsters to Llamas, Maritimes to Argentina

Hi Dwight,

I like Angele and I haven't even met her. She obviously has excellent taste in motorcyles.

Cheers,
John Downs

Dwight:

It's great that Angele bought the Super Sherpa. Now you won't be so lonely on your next trip.

bob

John


You made her day!

She's pretty proud of her new bike.

Dwight

For sure!

We're really looking forward to a few good trips this Summer

Kedgi

Greetings from Ottawa. After a long cold winter of hibernating from my bike and all motorcycle websites, I opened my favourite motorcycle bookmarks about a week ago. The temp here at that time was a balmy +7C so I had misplaced thoughts of riding in the near future. This morning it was -19C with the windchill - the depression resumes.

When I saw the title of your post, I was instantly hooked because my family is from NS. I could hardly put the iPad down until I'd read every single post. What a fantastic journey and what an incredible storyteller you are! My regret is that I hadn't seen the story earlier so that I could have corresponded with you while you were on your adventure. I've since read your TL story as well.

In addition to truly "putting a face on" all of the people that you've met and the places that you're been, you've provided a wealth of information for folks like me who have dreams of doing both SA and the TL. I'm due for a trip home to see Mom so I'll probably combine that with a TL adventure over the summer.

Congratulations on persevering through some huge challenges and for being so diligent and frank with your commentary. I salute you!

Steve

Steve

I'm glad you found my post and thanks for your kind words. If you pass by Shediac, we'll have to have a beer together.

For me the ride is so much more than just riding the bike. It is all the wonderful places you see but it's also all the great people you meet.

I just can't believe how lucky I was to have met so many wonderful friends.

Kedgi

Dwight:

I plan to be near Portland. Maine around July 18th then heading North, but I may miss you because you are heading south to KW for July 28th. We'll see when the time gets closer. Perhaps we could aim for the same town one evening . . .

I am drooling for Lobster . . .

bob
<a href="http://www.wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com">Riding the Wet Coast</a>

No worries, we'll likely be here, as long as you get here by the 27th, the KW trip in July will be on United Airlines.

Angele makes the best Lobster rolls! You gotta check them out.

Kedgi

Hi Kedgi,

As a fellow 55 year old, and a guy who likes to go it solo, I'd love to share a pint or two with you. At this point, I'm planning to be in the Maritimes this summer and if you're about while I'm down, then I'll be sure to stop by Shediac. If by any chance your travels take you anywhere near Ottawa, then please look me up.

The snow might even be gone while you're here - the high will reach a staggering -7C here today (if you disregard the windchill) with more snow in the forecast on Mon and Tues.

Happy Trails ......

Steve

Hey Dwight, it looks like you got home safe and sound. Are you missing your travels yet? I followed your blog, you had some tough days and rides. I tried to make some comments to your blog a couple of times, but as I just got an account on adv, therefore I am a newbie here, I must have dome something wrong cause they didn't show.
We made it all the way to Ushuaia and now we are ready to go somewhere warm again. It was beautiful, but too cold for a girl like me
We are on BA now,but I think we will ship the bikes from Bogota. Do you know if the shipping company that you used has an office over there too by any chance?
Take care,
Camelia

Great ride! Glad to see that you made it home safely. Stop by if your in my area of NB this summer.

Hi Camelia

Glad to hear you made it all the way South.

I'm not missing travel yet but I am missing warmer weather.

I'm not sure about shipping out of Bogata but you can contact DakarMotos here and ask them.

http://www.dakarmotos.com/

Ride Safe

Kedgi

Great ride report Kedgi. I finally was able to finish it. Interestingly enough, I was just reading FOCUS online and they rated Bolivia as the world's most unfriendly country for tourists. Pretty much your impression also. Can't wait for your next adventure as the Great White North starts to thaw.

Good to see you made it home in one piece. Only had the chance to catch up today as I've been offshore for awhile (at least in warmer in the Gulf than Saskatchewan). Some tough spots for you but over time you tend to forget the hard bits and savour the good. I admire riders that take the time to share these good and bad moments with the rest of us. Take care of yourself and thanks for sharing.

I'm thinking a ride to Campobello Island may be just the ticket. It could be a great run for Angele to try her new Sherpa


Dwight

Hey Steve

If you're touring the Maritimes, be sure to stop in. Send me a PM for our address info.

Dwight

I liked walking around La Paz, except for the elevation. There is a lot to see there. I found the high passes tough though, Trusty and I were having some trouble breathing. Could have done without the trumped up speeding ticket. Getting lost in Eucalyptus was a memorable day. I'm still surprised that Bolivia gets that bad of a rating. There have to be less friendly places.

I am glad to be home. My bike is now back in NB too. It's in Chamcook, NB, now all I need is a day that's warm enough I can go get it.

You're right, the bad days fade and the really good days are memorable. I was so lucky to have met so many really good people, I'll never forget.

Kedgi

Hey Guys and Gals

Here is a link to my new e-book

Machu Picchu in Pictures

http://store.blurb.ca/ebooks/385018-machu-picchu-in-pictures

Kedgi

Guys as an addendum to my ride report......

Trusty and I have parted ways.

I know it may be hard for some of you to believe but I have traded Trusty my KLR in on a new KTM 990. It was hard to part with a bike that I have gone so many places and seen so much on. Last week I took Trusty to Duguays Kawasaki in Amherst NS, got her valves set, new chain and sprockets, battery and some other odds and ends, all the TLC she deserved after serving me so well. Many thanks to the guys at Duguays for all your great service!

Then I took a test ride on a KTM 990, borrowed from the KTM/Honda/and...shhhh....Harley dealer in Moncton, NB, Toys for Big Boys. I spoke with Brittany Baxter, who is an excellent sales rep, I bought a mower and a snowblower from Brittany in the past and she referred me to Frank Leger, their KTM specialist. Frank offered me a 24 hour test ride on his 990 demonstrator. I took a good ride around Southern NB on a varied roads, I love to ride and I was hooked. Here are a few photos from the test ride




























And sadly here is the last picture I will take with Trusty the KLR



My wife Angele took this picture of me and Trusty in front of Toys for Big Boys just moments before I traded her in. I have to admit I was sad to see her go, but Toys offered me a fair trade on her and I am looking forward to a great relationship with them and new adventures on my 990. Mexico here I come! (This Winter)

So all you KTM/Honda or Harley guys passing through Moncton, if you need anything, check out Toys for Big Boys a big shop with a great staff. I know they would jump through hoops to help any ADVrider

Here is a picture of the new bike getting prepped in the shop.




Thanks to all my readers....stay tuned this fall for another epic ride with Kedgi and his new KTM (haven't named it yet)

Kedgi

Dwight