Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride

Wow ... your pics of Valaparaiso (I'm assuming that's where most of these pics are from?) make it look like a nice, friendly place. As always - appreciating the quality - and sheer quantity of your pictures.

Best wishes to you and Daniel for a Happy New Year.

~Doug

Yes they are. Wait till you see the New Years pics!

Sara

Hi Guys, I am on a round the world trip started in Italy in 2011. I am in Chile as well. La Serena to be precise. My plans are to reach Usuaia and then Buenos Aires to ship my bike to South Africa. Are you guys planning on doing Africa as well ? Maybe we could team up to get better rates?
My ride report is http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=858411
Cheers and happy safe ride.

When will you be in Ushuaia? We will leave Rosario after the dakar Jan 6 and head south we would like to be there about Jan 25. We will go to Africa, but we plan to head north again to Peru and Bolivia in June when it's dry. We will spend March and April in Cordoba area. After that we will go to Brazil and plan to take the Grimaldi Ferry from Montevideo to Bristol in about Jan 2015. Keep us posted on your ride.

Sara

Another Birthday on the Road for Sara

Now off to the Dakar for the day!!! (sorry im a bit behind in the RR)




DSC00060 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Now it’s time for a day trip to Santiago to get some tires for Sara’s 650. We last put tires on her bike in Huston 26,000 km ago. They do still have some life, but since we are headed to Ushuaia now is the opportune time.


Screen Shot 2013-12-30 at 2.02.33 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We had ordered Heidenau K60’s from Motoaventura for Dec 10, but they can not keep them in stock and they were waiting for an air cargo shipment, which arrived last week. They have moved to a new location in Dehesa just 3 blocks down from the new BMW dealership.



Screen Shot 2013-12-30 at 1.57.37 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Moto Aventura has a nice shop here, but I hear the one in Orsorno is huge. They have a full range of gear if you are in need.


DSC09819 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC09818 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC09820 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC09826 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

These are the tires old and new.


DSC09828 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC09832 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

They were super flexible for us and fit us in and mounted the tires for us during the holidays.


DSC09823 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

They have a Heidenau display with a new tire and one with 18,000 km from a 1200. They said they are going to add mine now too!


DSC09825 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC09836 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Seems almost unbelievable to get 18,000 km out of a set of tires - especially given how loaded your bike is and where you've been on your journey.

Yes the 18,000 were from a big loaded 1200. I had 26,000 km on mine.

Sara

I had Metzler Tourances on my V-Strom 650, and consistently got about 10,000 miles out of them. But that was mostly on an unladen bike. I do like the Tourances a lot - good all round tire.

But sheezus --- 26,000 kim? That's 16,000 miles!

Well it is finally the last day of 2013. We started it off with a trip to the ice cream shop of course.


New Years 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

For lunch we went to an empanada shop with pitchers that list how much more friendly you get as you drink more of it.



New Years 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


New Years 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The rest of the day was shopping for a New Years Eve celebration. The streets were mobbed with people doing the same thing. We got a whole fish filleted for 6$ and then stocked up on liquids.


New Years 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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The meal was a group effort.


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Then we got on our costumes and headed to the beach. People were streaming there by the thousands.


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We were lucky enough to get a spot with a family from Santiago. They had staked out a parking spot that morning and they were kind enough to share with us. The fire works show was epic and lasted 30 minutes from barges all along the coast as far as you could see in both directions.


New Years 60 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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Getting up at 8 after 5 hours sleep was not easy, but we only have 3 days to get the 1300 km to Rosario for the start of the Dakar 2014. Today it's just the border and 400 km to Mendoza Argentina.


Screen Shot 2014-01-05 at 3.42.12 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

There is a gas stop in the mountains before the border to which we added our sticker to their large collection.


mendoza 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Then you head UP hill including the 21 switchbacks to the snow sheds and the ski resort.


mendoza 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


mendoza 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


mendoza 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


mendoza 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


After this you will see a thanks for visiting Chile sign and then a border control building on the left. Don't stop here (everyone does) this is the Chile Immigration.


mendoza 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


mendoza 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Just keep going thru the mega long snow shed and then the Cristo Redenor Tunnel.


mendoza 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


mendoza 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

After this there is a small control building in the middle of the road. Stop here and give your plate number to the police officer and receive a very official scrap of paper with an aduana stamp on it.


mendoza 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Then proceed to the Argentina customs on the left about 15 km up the road. This guy in the truck stopped us to make sure we were going to Argentina, and not Chile, because there is no signage to tell you when to stop and everyone gets confused.


mendoza 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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mendoza 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Enter the metal roofed building and get in line with the cars. When you get to the first booth give them your passport, tourist card (that you got when you entered Chile), and your Reciprocity Fee receipt. This must be paid on line and PRINTED before you come to the border. You can NOT buy it at the border. For Canadians it is currently 75$ for 3 months multiple entry from bordering countries or 150$ for 5 years unlimited entry from all countries.


They will give you a new tourist card to fill out for Argentina.


mendoza 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


mendoza 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Insurance is mandatory for Argentina, but you cannot buy it at the border. We tried 3 companies in Santiago and none would sell it to foreigners. There is 1 small shack on the way to the border that says Seguros or Insurance, but it did not look functional. We were not asked for ours. Others have been recently and turned away. They returned the next day with a photo shopped document, but were not asked for it. We purchased ours online from an agent in La Falda. It is 12$ per month and covers Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Uruguay. Next you are directed to the aduana. They want your title and Temporary import papers for Chile. The agent did all the work for us. The entry and exit stamps for us and the new temporary import permits.

Unlike our 4 hours to get into Chile with the strike here we were out of Chile and into Argentina with the bikes in 45 minutes.


mendoza 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


mendoza 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Then we had some great scenery to enjoy on the way to Mendoza.


mendoza 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


mendoza 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC05268 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We had a night here and then we were on our way 483 km to Rio Cuarto mostly using the secondary roads.


Screen Shot 2014-01-05 at 3.44.03 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Getting up a bit late today our first order of business was getting Argentinean Pesos. The guys headed to the Cambio office to try and find some black market moneychangers. The official rate here is 6.48 Pesos to 1 USD. The unofficial rate varies from 8-9.5. Asking the rate just for fun at the cambio office the staff openly told us that we should go see the guys on the corner for a much better rate. We did and were offered 9.5 with out question. Now we can stop for a coffee and a toasted sandwich for breakfast.



road to Dakar 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


road to Dakar 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Driving thru the wine country on the 7 we arrived at out fist toll and were thrilled to find motos are free in Argentina!


road to Dakar 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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There were these crazy rainbow clouds in the sky today.


road to Dakar 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Rio Cuarto is a nice town with a good hotel on the square and with a view of the church. We created quite a crown out front.


road to Dakar 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


road to Dakar 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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The “tree” in the fountain was made of plastic bags filled with water and was light up at night.




road to Dakar 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



road to Dakar 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



road to Dakar 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We enjoyed our first Argentinean beer, but did not enjoy another local favorite Fernet Branca, which the Swedes drink straight, but the locals mix with coke.


road to Dakar 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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road to Dakar 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Heading out from here we stayed on the back roads the 392 km to Rosario and stopped in a few of the small towns.


Screen Shot 2014-01-05 at 5.55.18 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


road to Dakar 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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road to Dakar 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We met some very friendly locals. Juan Pablo in the white spoke perfect English and all his friends wanted pictures of the bikes.


road to Dakar 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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road to Dakar 59 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

At 4 we were starved, but could not find a restaurant until the coyote bar where we had “tostadas” again.


road to Dakar 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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We were also a big hit when we stopped for gas. Dan had this same bike when he was a kid.


road to Dakar 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We had finally arrived to Rosario late at 5 pm, and decided on the local place for dinner with fellow travelers Trevor and Nick (driveoverland.com)

Great! Keep going!

More great pics! My favorite one, though, is the one of Dan grimacing with the beer. ;-)

Hey Direktor thanks! Can NOT wait to get to your part of the world!!!!

Yes this Fernet Branca stuff is disgusting!

In the morning we walked the 3.5 km to the Dakar Village.


Dakar 2014 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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There was a photo exhibit at the command center.


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We then got in the huge line for entry tickets. The end of the line was about 2 blocks from the monument entry. Orvar had disappeared, but then came back with 4 tickets. He had pulled the “I speak Swedish and where do I get tickets” which got him directed to the front of the line.


Dakar 2014 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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Dakar 2014 77 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We headed for the village. The first person I met was a volunteer Mirella, who is a friend of Alicia Sornosa!


Dakar 2014 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Dakar 2014 79 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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Next we checked out the vehicles of all types.


Dakar 2014 84 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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There were some other distractions for the guys besides the cars and bikes.


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Heading out again we stocked up on Dakar goodies and refreshments and staked out a spot on the fence for the parade from the ceremonial start. It started at 3 and ended after we left at 930, just after the motorbike leaders passed and the big trucks had started.


Dakar 2014 78 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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The Quads were the first group out, then bikes, cars, and BIG trucks


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A very few of the riders put on a show for the crowd and a couple worked the fans with autographs.



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One of the crowd favourites, who spent a very long time talking to fans, taking photos, and giving autographs was 11 time Dakar competitor Belgian rider Eric Palante, who tragically dies in the race in the 5 th stage.



Dakar 2014 141 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


DSC05000 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

There were 3 hard core women drivers.


Dakar 2014 129 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Dakar 2014 138 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


IMG_1518 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

One of the highlights was meeting Anni Seel the Swedish 6 time Dakar rider, who is a copilot this year in a buggy. She saw us waving a Swedish flag and made a beeline for us!


Dakar 2014 166 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Dakar 2014 160 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

The leaders and Dakar greats came out just before it got dark!


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Dakar 2014 174 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

What an ADV you are having. Love all the pics.
Looking forward to more. Stay safe.

Thanks so much! Hello from San Carlos de Bariloche! Just a few days of rest before we tackle the wind to the south.

Sara & Dan

We were up at 330 and on the bikes at 4 am to ride the route. The Dakar course is open. You can chase the leaders like us for 150 km! The throngs of fans all think we are in the race and take pictures of us when we stop. This was absolutely thrilling to race along with the leaders.


Dakar 2014 185 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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Highlights were pulling in to gas up with the leaders, and then running the toll at 80 km per hour in the dark. After the gas stop we hit traffic and the crowd was very hard to navigate.


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IMG_1598 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

After the sunrise we saw some of the big trucks and stopped to let the race pass by us for a while.


IMG_1614 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


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We saw a few more big trucks leaving town when we got back and one stopped for gas so we pulled in.


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We were mobbed with people who wanted our picture. We kept explaining that we were not in the race but just tourists. They still wanted autographs, since we had driven here from Alaska! The funny part is on Facebook I see that Trevor and Nick were given the same star treatment n the same spot. Daniel, Orvar, and Trevor all signed this kids shirt. His mom said she knew we were just tourists, but could we sign it anyway please!


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