Costa Rica: Outside my Comfort Zone

[whizzerwheel]

Back up to the Lake Arenal River Crossing that we were told was not passable. I expect that most times of the year, that would be true for motorcycles. This was the "dry season", conditions were probably as good as they get. Mike would have ridden across this river. I was the lowest common denominator, and I opted to walk my bike. Mikes a good guy and he conceded. Maybe we coulda done it....I thought it was about 50/50 for me to make it across without taking a swim.

Here's the initial reconnaisance:





This is where I started using the helmet cam. I've got hours, and hours of video footage that could glaze over the eyes of even the most enthusiastic viewer. I'll include some along the way here. Remember....you can push the stop button when you've had enough.


This is the second section of the Lower Lake Arenal Road as I call it. The first section, although better, is too long for me to get on youtube and they deleted it. I'm pretty dum when it comes to this stuff and haven't figgered out how to edit yet.




The log bridge from my unsuspecting perspective:




We were impressed by these ants. Later on I learned the hard way not to leave my jacket on the ground, or even touching the ground. Not these ants here, but the run of the mill little ones all over the place, bit like a mutha.

Ok...this is my 6th try at putting this video in...




This was a great road...we had a freakin blast.

[EvilClown]

Whizzerwheel crossing from a different perspective...

[GSdiablo]

Small world, I watched the SuperBowl this year at the same hotel you stayed in Monte Verde (its actually santa elena, but who cares) I was renting a SUV from wildrider at that time. I had a scary water crossing outside of Manuel Antonio where I thought I was on the main road and it turned out to be a truck route for hauling rocks. I love those little 250's but I see they have a new 300CC that just arrived.

[chasbo]

Awesome report guys. I am really enjoying this!

[whizzerwheel]

Thanks....It's really nice when somebody else (EC) actually writes the report, and I can just throw in pics when I feel like it. Takes the pressure off....

Here's a few random pics from the Lower Lake Arenal road to Santa Elena/Monteverde section:




This was the one house we saw on the Lower Lake Arenal Road. I suspect they accessed this from the other end.





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This was along the way to Sta Elena/Monteverde




We rode a ridgetop most of the way to Dos De Tilaran





First part of the road to Dos De Tilaran






Continued...this was a beautiful ride along the ridgeline, in the clouds some of the time and a slight drizzle.

[whizzerwheel]

We arrived in Sta Elena/Monteverde....Got a room, with a view....




Plush accomodations...





Hot shower...I love that combination of electricity and water. S'pose that's up to code? Code?...Schmode... Code be damned here...



It was all perfectly adequate in the end.


EC splaining the features:

[drc42]

Originally Posted by whizzerwheel

Hot shower...I love that combination of electricity and water. S'pose that's up to code? Code?...Schmode... Code be damned here...

That brings me back to my trip to Costa Rica last year. We stayed on a camping platform overlooking the rain forest. It had one of those showers, had a curtain on one side and was open with a view of the valley on the other side. Every time we hiked up the road to get to it I kept thinking a dual-sport bike would be very good there



Was very remote, only the caretaker's family about 1km away and a couple who lived part time on another platform (who turned out to be from Boston) about 2km away. I keep thinking this would be a great basecamp to stay at while doing 2-wheeled exploring.

Sorry for the hijack, back to your story

[whizzerwheel]

Nice drc42....where was that?

[drc42]

Originally Posted by whizzerwheel

Nice drc42....where was that?

You can check it out here: http://www.campingincostarica.com/

On the Pacific coast down in the southern part of the country.

[EvilClown]

Originally Posted by whizzerwheel

We arrived in Sta Elena/Monteverde....Got a room, with a view....




Plush accomodations...

Anybody still there?

If you're still following along you'll recall our protagonists were about to awake in their luxury suite with a view in Monte Verde to begin what is to be called day...





It was a rather windy night. Windy like 'I think this room is going to blow off the building' windy.

Somehow it didn't.



But with the wind howling up through that single layer of floor boards all night while shaking the whole room it certainly gave you the impression it might.

We eventually got moving around, had breakfast downstairs then collect our bikes and belongings.



At some point in time my bike took a little nap out there in the parking area. Hotel dood flew over to help upright it before anyone could even think to document it on film - so it really didn't happen.

While hanging out I meet three travelers from Poland who are also staying here. We talk a while sitting out front of the place. Interesting conversation. Snap a couple pictures for this guy before their bus comes.



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Just before we leave we get directions...



It's been a while so keep in mind when discussing anything having to do with communicating in the native tongue, when I say 'we' I really mean Dave.

Today we have a mission. Two actually. First, find a bank. Second, head to the coast.

Let's roll...



...but first a little reminder about good dental hygiene.



It's a beautiful Costa Rican morning!



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We quickly make our way out of town...



...past a few familiar sites from yesterday.



Our route today doubles us back for a short while...



...or at least that is the loose plan. I think that road cut into the side hill is the one we are supposed to take. Needless to say, we don't.

Kinda like riding in Vermont, there really are no wrong turns here.



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Looking back from whence we came...



You can see why we want to get out of there.

Up ahead we inspect a bridge job...



...and keep rolling...



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...traffic is heavy this morning...



While still very scenic, riding back through here it occurs to me that the clouds and the mist of yesterday added quite a bit to the experience.



Without them, it's still a beautiful ride...



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...to be continued...

[Quikegeo]

Nice! keep sharing!

[drc42]

Good thing I had a subscription set for this thread, had pretty much forgotten about it. The slacker author should be more prompt with his ride reports!

[whizzerwheel]

You Looking at Me???



Give this horse some spur EC




Evilclown's Evileye

[EvilClown]

Originally Posted by drc42

Good thing I had a subscription set for this thread, had pretty much forgotten about it. The slacker author should be more prompt with his ride reports!

Yeah. Was kind of waiting for winter set in before reliving this trip some more but you know how that has gone.

Anyhoo...where were we...? Ah, yes...día cuatro.

Originally Posted by EvilClown

...Today we have a mission. Two actually. First, find a bank. Second, head to the coast...

It doesn't take too long for the day to begin to heat up or for us to make our first stop.



Not a New England cemetery but interesting nonetheless.



We have a look around...



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We both spot the tomb in the back...



"What do you think that is in there?"

Not being able to help ourselves we have a look.



It's not what we thought it might be.

We continue on our way...



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Watch where you're going there, Whizzer!



The cows don't seem to care what we're up to.



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Eventually we find ourselves in a small village...



...wander across the street to a store...



...buy an ice cream and try and figger out where we may be...



...while taking in the locals.

We're not where we thought we might be but who cares?

After Dave talks to a couple of locals we move on...



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The road out of town is paved but fun...



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...entering another town...



...we find what we've been looking for...



I hang around outside taking in the sights while Dave goes in...



...apparently a city of some size if there's a packer truck roaming the streets.

The dood with the truck moves some produce...



My turn now, I head in...



Success! Keep in mind I haven't used an ATM in prolly 20 years.

With half of our day's 'to do' list crossed off, we decide it's time for some lunch!

[EvilClown]

Not too far away we find this place...



The temperature's climbing...



"How about a nice cool drink of frog eggs?"



Actually, some kind of fruit drink with just the appearance and consistancy of frog eggs.

Nothing quite like it to cut the dust.


It wasn't too bad but we went for something else anyway.



We manage to get through the process of ordering lunch...



It wasn't disappointing.

Bodies fueled and after a bit of course plotting we get back on the road...



Making our way towards the coast, it's mostly paved roads...



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The closer we get, the fewer the trees - and shade...



...at least in terms of what might keep the temps on the road down.



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We give the 250s a workout getting around traffic...



Look familiar?



Yup. Same tree they used in Go, Dog, Go!

By now it's about a hunertenfiffy out...



...time to stop and get something to drink.



These two hook us up with some agua.

We hang around a bit and try to cool off...



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Cute, ain't he? Reaching over to pet him he quickly turns ugly at which point the guy pictured above sitting in the chair says something that even with my lack of Spanish I knew roughly transaltes to, "Don't try to pet the dog as he'll chew through you like a piranha."

Pretty crafty with the rebar.



While hanging around a bicyclist rolls up...



...he's been traveling around here for quite a while. American, IIRC. Came down through Nicargua. Went on to tell us some guy stole his camera that morning. Think I'll stick to the motorcycles.

Back into the heat...



...it's not too long before we stop for directions or something...



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...then another stop to kick the tires on the bikes we're going to buy when we figger out how to make a living down here ...



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...another obligatory bridge shot...



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...a truckload of passengers looks on as Dave winds up the 250 to pass...



These bikes will overtake even the quickest agricultural equipment!



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By now, it's brutal out. We pull into a roadside soda and load up on water.



I'm not feeling too great. Overheated. Big time. It's about 110°F in the shade. I notice that I'm not sweating. This could get ugly.

I've since learned the mesh gear at any temperature above your body temperuture may not be the best plan. Sweat evaporates faster than it can cool the body.

I'm more than a little concerned. Not only because I know how this can end but how it is going to affect Dave's trip if it goes sideways. That's gonna suck. More water. Several litres.

We hang out and take in the local action.



It's a hopping little stop. Feeling a bit better and a little brave I order up an empanadas y pasteles...and another water.




"Dang! That's good!"


It leads to another one and more water. Eventually, feeling a little better, we roll out of there in search of the beach...