North America 2007

Jamie Z · 12-28-2007, 10:41 PM

From May until August 2007 I traveled North America on my V-Strom 650, visiting seven nations, riding more than 16,000 miles, spending less than $25 per day. I had no definite route in mind, merely a general direction. Few specific plans, and no scheduled date of return. This is my story.

I quit my job, moved all of my meager belongings into the attics and garages of friends. I'd purchased a 2005 DL650 in April and spent the next month outfitting it with the items I thought necessary for the ride. On a beautiful May day, all my gear and equipment clean, I set out from Memphis, Tennessee.

My first night I camped in Louisiana at a free(?) state forest campground.

Some things I saw on the way through Louisiana:

In Texas I illegally camped on the beach at Galveston State Park.

The next day I toured the area a bit and noticed my bike's perfect balance at the gas station.

I raced a crop duster.

My final night in the US, I camped at one of the many picnic areas in Texas, tent-free.

In the morning, a few snacks and top off the air in my tires.

My first picture in Mexico. I found the customs office and on the first tope in the parking lot, I bent the crap out of my skid plate bracket.

I crossed into Mexico at McAllen/Reynosa. The border zone was a chaotic mess, so I was happy to head south until the land opened up.

I camped that night next to a little country road.

I got off the pavement the next day and soon learned that Mexican gravel is often made of fist-sized rocks. Here you see a near-miss where the front wheel jerked to the right and launched me toward the fence. Somehow I stopped the bike in time without dropping it.

My first stop planned stop was in Monterrey to visit Alberto and Rolando, a couple of guys I met on the ST1100 forums. Rolando gave me a Monterrey Moto Club hat.

Although Monterrey is in the middle of a desert, it rained almost continuously my two days there.

To be continued...

Spicy McHaggis · 12-28-2007, 10:51 PM

twodear · 12-28-2007, 10:53 PM

Oh, to be young again and feel such freedom from financial overheads.

GSdreamer · 12-29-2007, 12:20 AM

Nice Bike and Post. Waiting for more....

Klay · 12-29-2007, 12:56 AM

a1fa · 12-29-2007, 08:24 AM

I whish I had balls to camp on the beach.

larryboy · 12-29-2007, 08:31 AM

I've been waiting for this one.

GalacticGS · 12-29-2007, 08:48 AM

Great start Jamie

We're waiting for more...

RAW · 12-29-2007, 08:56 AM

Okay, I'm intrigued.

Groomez · 12-29-2007, 08:57 AM

Awesome post keep it coming

NatsFan · 12-29-2007, 08:58 AM

Keep going Bro! Nothing better than a good ride report on a cold rainy day...

KCDakar · 12-29-2007, 09:07 AM

Snow, snow everywhere I look is snow....

I need this!

GSDude · 12-29-2007, 09:09 AM

Sweet!!

Don't keep us waiting!!

GB · 12-29-2007, 10:02 AM

Your story sounds vaguely familiar

Keep it comin'

GSDude · 12-29-2007, 10:06 AM

Kaneman, izzat you?

12-28-2007, 10:41 PM	#1
Jamie Z ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2006 Location: almost Memphis Oddometer: 6,933	North America 2007 From May until August 2007 I traveled North America on my V-Strom 650, visiting seven nations, riding more than 16,000 miles, spending less than $25 per day. I had no definite route in mind, merely a general direction. Few specific plans, and no scheduled date of return. This is my story. I quit my job, moved all of my meager belongings into the attics and garages of friends. I'd purchased a 2005 DL650 in April and spent the next month outfitting it with the items I thought necessary for the ride. On a beautiful May day, all my gear and equipment clean, I set out from Memphis, Tennessee. My first night I camped in Louisiana at a free(?) state forest campground. Some things I saw on the way through Louisiana: In Texas I illegally camped on the beach at Galveston State Park. The next day I toured the area a bit and noticed my bike's perfect balance at the gas station. I raced a crop duster. My final night in the US, I camped at one of the many picnic areas in Texas, tent-free. In the morning, a few snacks and top off the air in my tires. My first picture in Mexico. I found the customs office and on the first tope in the parking lot, I bent the crap out of my skid plate bracket. I crossed into Mexico at McAllen/Reynosa. The border zone was a chaotic mess, so I was happy to head south until the land opened up. I camped that night next to a little country road. I got off the pavement the next day and soon learned that Mexican gravel is often made of fist-sized rocks. Here you see a near-miss where the front wheel jerked to the right and launched me toward the fence. Somehow I stopped the bike in time without dropping it. My first stop planned stop was in Monterrey to visit Alberto and Rolando, a couple of guys I met on the ST1100 forums. Rolando gave me a Monterrey Moto Club hat. Although Monterrey is in the middle of a desert, it rained almost continuously my two days there. To be continued... __________________ I'm the Tent Space Guy Sign up to host fellow travelers here. Budget Travel the Jamie Z Way

12-28-2007, 10:51 PM	#2
Spicy McHaggis Darth Peach's cracker... Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Kodiak, Alaska Oddometer: 3,787	__________________ 2006 DR650

12-28-2007, 10:53 PM	#3
twodear Gone Bush Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Oddometer: 41	Quit your job... Oh, to be young again and feel such freedom from financial overheads. twodear screwed with this post 12-30-2007 at 12:11 AM

12-29-2007, 12:56 AM	#5
Klay plainsman Joined: Nov 2005 Location: out in the great wide open Oddometer: 89,019	__________________ _______

12-29-2007, 08:24 AM	#6
a1fa Riding Nomad™ Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Arkansas Oddometer: 12,718	I whish I had balls to camp on the beach. __________________ Learn to ride. Ride to learn. FS: 1993 Suzuki DR350S (wide ratio 6 speed - street legal kickstart)

12-29-2007, 12:20 AM	#4
GSdreamer Mtn. Man Joined: Jan 2006 Location: SoCAL Oddometer: 141	Nice Bike and Post. Waiting for more....

12-29-2007, 08:31 AM	#7
larryboy Paint it black. Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Über Alles,Ca Oddometer: 12,847	I've been waiting for this one.

12-29-2007, 08:48 AM	#8
GalacticGS 1200 GS Rider Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Camas, WA Oddometer: 1,649	Great start Jamie We're waiting for more... __________________ Larry 2006 R1200GS; 2009 Husaberg FE570; 2011 Husaberg FE570 www.galacticgs.com "Speak to me of summer, long winters longer than time can remember; Setting up of other roads, travel on in old accustomed ways."

12-29-2007, 08:56 AM	#9
RAW stamen in the sniffer Joined: Jun 2003 Location: WNC Oddometer: 3,834	Okay, I'm intrigued. __________________ Get $5 off of your smugmug signup! Enter code: sA9I4bmgcofRU

12-29-2007, 08:57 AM	#10
Groomez Yep that'll do it Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Spartanburg, SC Oddometer: 500	Awesome post keep it coming __________________ *RIP #58*

12-29-2007, 08:58 AM	#11
NatsFan Adventure Apprentice Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Phoenix AZ Oddometer: 280	Keep going Bro! Nothing better than a good ride report on a cold rainy day... __________________ "Once you can accept the universe as being something expanding into an infinite nothing which is something, wearing stripes with plaid is easy." Einstein "You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there." Berra

12-29-2007, 09:07 AM	#12
KCDakar What are we waiting for? Joined: Nov 2006 Location: South of Kansas City a spell Oddometer: 3,339	Snow, snow everywhere I look is snow.... I need this! __________________ To me, the best kind of trips are the ones you planned on the way, allowed yourself to change, and maybe didn't end up where you expected. Klay I tell it what it wants to hear, and it does what I want it to do. I made that Motronic my bitch. Poolside Save $5 on Smugmug by entering coupon code: GJBcMk1uLoZm6

12-29-2007, 09:09 AM	#13
GSDude Banned Joined: May 2005 Location: High Desert Oddometer: 23,607	Sweet!! Don't keep us waiting!!

12-29-2007, 10:02 AM	#14
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,450	Your story sounds vaguely familiar Keep it comin' __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

12-29-2007, 10:06 AM	#15
GSDude Banned Joined: May 2005 Location: High Desert Oddometer: 23,607	Kaneman, izzat you?

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