Darren and Erik's Excellent Adventure! ==San Francisco to Tierra del Fuego==

[einnocent]

Originally Posted by charliemike

Next time: It turns out that I’m not coming home.......

What???? Really???? You can't end something like that!

I try to end every post with a cliffhanger

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by einnocent

Wanted to mention this before I forget. Ever have a problem where you ride with an iPod but some songs are louder than others? So you either turn it down low and can't hear most songs, or you turn it up and some songs are deafening. Well, I used MacMP3Gain on all my songs and now they are all the same volume! It works quite well. Now if only I could get the volume to adjust automatically based on speed

A Quick Note On Protecting Your Hearing ...
As a Pro sound man (movie production) I lived with headphones on for 12 hours a day for about 20 years. Very stressful on your hearing. Trust me.

Thing is, most Ear Buds place the tiny drivers even closer to your ear drum. Also, depending on the type of Ear Bud and how you insert them ... they can basically SEAL your Ear canal ... which means loud sounds are even harder on your ear drum and the little siclia hairs in there so vital to hearing.

An OPEN ear canal means less SPL (sound pressure level) or pressure on your ear drums. Speaker drivers literally MOVE AIR. When the air has no place to go ... your ear drums suffer.

As young guys you won't notice much right away. But over time and abuse you'll lose your ability to hear high frequencies (10K to 12K). (Highs go first naturally) Then in noisy bars or restaurants you'll have trouble understanding conversation. High end and mid range hearing are critical for understanding speech.

Some riders insert ear plugs in ... then put in Ear Buds on top of them. Few are satisfied with that set up. As we ride and speed up, we tend to CRanK up the volume. Your ears/brain will adjust to this ... and that threshold will become your new normal. Chances are its way too loud.

Some use in helmet speakers. Better, as the driver is not so close to your ears vital bits. But still, LOUD is LOUD.

I find listening at speeds over about 45 to 50 mph volumes have to pretty loud to really hear the music properly. Puttering though town you'll be fine, just keep the volume as low as you can ... once again your brain will slowly adjust to the new low level. Your ears will thank you.

Originally Posted by einnocent

I'd like to give a special thanks to Arcadia Hostel in Medellín. If you are riding a moto and looking for a moto-friendly spot, it's a great place to stay because:

Their website is:
https://sites.google.com/a/arcadiahostel.net/opcion1/

And the mailing address to put on your precious international packages is:

Arcadia Hostel
CALLE 11a No 31a - 188
Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia
COLOMBIA

Buen suerte!

Sounds like a great hotel. It's going on my list!

[einnocent]

Originally Posted by Adv Grifter

A Quick Note On Protecting Your Hearing ...

Thank you for the input, Adv Grifter! The tip I mentioned (re: MacMP3Gain) is great for avoiding those moments when you have to endure a very loud song because you cannot adjust the volume. But the more general points you make about riding and music also apply, of course. I use the Autocom setup so I have helmet speakers -- not earbuds -- as well as intercom via walkie-talkie with Darren. I more or less try to set the volume so that at 60 mph or faster, I can't really hear the music. Even then I wonder about my hearing, but frankly, the music relaxes me (that is, allows me to comfortably engage in necessary maneuvers w/o hesitation) so much that, safety-wise, I feel it's worth the diminished awareness and any possible long-term effects. Your own choice may be different, this is just what works for me

[einnocent]

I recommend Morejon Motos in Cuenca, Ecuador. Friendly, competent, on-time service for reasonable price. They seem to know what they are doing and they keep a clean shop -- something I always look for. The local Kawasaki shop directed us here for repairs. I know they do Kawis, Suzukis, KTMs, and maybe even Ducatis, and they might do other makes as well. If you need a repair in Ecuador and can wait until Cuenca, definitely come here. Everyone we talk to says Cuenca is the moto capital of the country, and we've seen some nice bikes here that bear out that statement. Darren was able to get a TKC w/o problem, though I also got TKCs pretty easily in Cali, Colombia and Medellín, Colombia -- two other big moto cities.


IMG_0121 by einnocent, on Flickr

[einnocent]

'Medellín is famous for having the most beautiful women in Colombia, which puts it in the running for having the most beautiful women in the world. It is literally true to call the city “legendary”.'

https://stompersboots.com/2012/11/er...llin-colombia/

[miguelito]

Buena suerte, y montas con cuidado! I knew you were gonna have a real adventure!

[JUNBUG]

EPIC.... Thank you for posting this report. I have been in from the start and cant wait for more.

[mint julep]

Originally Posted by einnocent

'Medellín is famous for having the most beautiful women in Colombia, which puts it in the running for having the most beautiful women in the world. It is literally true to call the city “legendary”.'

https://stompersboots.com/2012/11/er...llin-colombia/

F#ck ya!
Great journey amigo.

I loved Colombia, and its true, Medellin has the most beautiful women. :)
Now I need to go back on a bike the next time around.

Thanks for sharing.
Dave

ps: your Victoria is a keeper. ;)

Ride safe.

[Incredulous]

Wow, haven't checked in on you guys in a while. Looks like you are doing great!

Ride safe.

Tyler

[einnocent]

"The funny thing about tomorrow is, tomorrow you might be climbing a volcano."

https://stompersboots.com/2012/12/er...-holy-volcano/

[nightflyer]

Erik,

PM sent.

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. Ride safe and enjoy every minute of it (I think you do).

[einnocent]

Hi, everyone! Here's my latest dispatch, on northern Peru!

https://stompersboots.com/2013/02/er...n-peru-part-1/