Radioman Rides the World.......

[kito]

say hi for me . luck I know BMW and was carrying the parts.

[Radioman]

Riding out of Mendoza and heading over the Andes to Santiago Chile. Time for another Bike service, new chain and sprocket set.

Heading a bit south and then west ....... Plains



Then up a valley toward Uspallata



Just took some photos while riding. Hard to capture how small one feels as they ride through this valley and then mountain pass.





Not much traffic, just some trucks and some buses.... So it was an awesome morning ride.



Huge valley with some snow covered Andes ahead. Air is fresh and cool. Just enjoying the ride a great deal this am. Heading for the Border with Chile.



abandoned rail lines and rocky mountains ...



Near the top you enter a long tunnel that goes from Argentina into Chile.



As you come out. The welcome sign for Chile!! The Border is a bit further down the hill (was a bit confusing as I passed an Argentina Aduana down the hill on the Argentina side. I stopped and asked and they waved me on up the road.... You just never know what to expect not having ridden there before. Figured I could always ride back if I needed to check out....



Then I ride up to the Frontera (border) Max needs another photo. You ride right into the building and park your bike near all the cars. Chile has very strict regulations on bring food, vegetables, etc so they are supposed to check closely.

But what I loved was there is a huge sign telling you what things you need to do and what order



You get in line to check out of Argentina, then into Chile. you go to the side that shows entrance for Autos.



Then around to the other side to Aduana



The border crossing took just one hour! Welcome to Chile!!





Then the treat of my morning "commute" 28 switchbacks heading down the mountain. Did not stop and take the photo as the curves were calling!!





Coming into Santiago you see it is a huge city....



Very modern. Really strikes you that the cars are all really nice, and all the big brands of Luxury cars are there. After the northern part of SA this feels like it is any big city in the US. All the structure, and " it all just works"



I had been emailing with an ADV guy living in Santiago, who lived near BMW and KTM shops. He has generously offered me a place to stay, and I will easily be able to get my bike serviced, and purchase a new sprocket from KTM (I have a rear KTM cast hub on my Woodys Wheel works rims!).

I find his house, then backtrack to the brand new KTM Superstore to buy my sprocket.



This shop just opened less than two weeks ago. It is spotless, and had a great chat with a man in the parking lot about my ride!!



Then onto the BMW service center which is not located a the BMW motored but down the road a ways. Met Paulo who is the service guy. He took all my information and said that it would be ready late the next day!!



Tons of big bikes in for service!



Was good to be getting the bike ready for the last leg of the journey to Ushuaia. Martyn and I stayed up talking about riding, life, travel and routes as I ride south! ADV community is amazing for sure!! Rested well and had a day off while my bike was being worked on!!

[adamhos]

Wish I was there so we could meet up! I live in Santiago part time. Someday soon, full time

[InTheMuck]

KTM Superstore...

[Parcero]

Since the "W" in "WB Motos" stands for "Williamson" maybe I can get a discount there.

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by Parcero

Since the "W" in "WB Motos" stands for "Williamson" maybe I can get a discount there.

Maybe

[Goti]

Mark,

I've been reading your blog this afternoon for a couple of hours.
We met this morning and chatted about bikes, KTM 990 immobilizers and programming keys Oh, and we saw some fine ladies too It was a great time, it's always nice listening to someone who's riding the world and has tons of stories to tell.
Do you remember I told you I felt like a hero when I rode to Ushuaia and back, and if I compare that trip to yours it's kinda you are a super hero? Well, after reading your blog I realize you are actually a hero, a real life hero, and I'm not talking about your bike trips; you're a great person (and not a serial killer, that should count!) and the kind of people who makes the world a better place.
Ride safe, hope we meet again.

Un abrazo,
Jaime

[Squishy]

AWESOME!!




Slow going though...something makes me think standing on the back pegs with the front wheel in the air, would be a more ultimate experience , maybe it's the port i'm having whilst doing the BBQ!!

Great report Radioman!

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by Goti

Mark,
Oh, and we saw some fine ladies too It was a great time, it's always nice listening to someone who's riding the world and has tons of stories to tell.
Do you remember I told you I felt like a hero when I rode to Ushuaia and back, and if I compare that trip to yours it's kinda you are a super hero? Well, after reading your blog I realize you are actually a hero, a real life hero, and I'm not talking about your bike trips; you're a great person (and not a serial killer, that should count!) and the kind of people who makes the world a better place.

Hola Jamie, Thanks so much for the kind comments!! Was a pleasure meeting you and spending some quality time outside the Moto shop. Unfortunately Martyn will have to wait on his bike!!

Back on the road tomorrow heading toward Ushuaia!! ! (yea your a hero out doing your riding.... and the scooter of yours sounds like fun in the city!!)

[RobBD]

Love that road!!!

[Manolito]

Mark, if Rio Gallegos (600km or 375miles north from Ushuaia) is in your schedule, tell me and we can have a beer

[Zepfan]

Howdy RM, GREAT report I've been following for a LONG time, you've been at it for a long time!
You've kept a spread sheet How much has the trip cost to date?

I rode from San Diego to Alaska and up into Canada ( Inuvik ) in August. I tried keeping an expense log but it got too depressing with the high cost of everything, especially in CAN. I have my sights set on S.A. to complete the America's. So..... how much?? Gracias amigo!!

Originally Posted by Radioman

Hola Matt....
Getting money and exchange is always a trick. You try to figure out how much you will need and cut it close so you do not have much at the border to re-exchange. I have been keeping fairly good track of my expenses with a spread sheet so I know that in Peru my daily rate was around $62 USD per day (I was on my own and getting single rooms with Bathrooms that added to my budget) and Bolivia was at $52 USD. This includes everything I spent including Visa's fee (big in Bolivia at $130USD, and bike parts, laundry, cerveza etc)

I use ATM's and once I arrive in a country, take out a chunk of what I will need for the country so that in small towns and villages I have money and do not have to always find an ATM. The other issue is many of the ATM's down here only give a small amount of money, like $100-$150 per transaction so you end up doing multiple withdrawals but that is how it works unless you find one that gives more!

I have noticed that you can get a better exchange rate sometimes on the street than the ATM, but for ease and hopefully to avoid getting counterfeit bills (which are certainly around down here).

Hope that answers your question. For a long trip it is hard to carry all the USD you will need so you end up paying the bank fee + international transaction fee of 3% of ATM withdrawals. I have an account that reverses my ATM fees so all I pay is the Int'l Fee.....

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by Manolito

Mark, if Rio Gallegos (600km or 375miles north from Ushuaia) is in your schedule, tell me and we can have a beer

Gracias!! Will certainly let you know.......

[Steve800]

What can I say, Mark you really are an inspiration on many levels and I would just like to say thanks. Reading your blog (4 hours sleep last night as was captivated), makes you realise that anyone can do this, if you really want to.

You certainly seem to be paying forward by sharing your experiences and encouraging others.

If you get to the UK, the beers on me.

Cheers

Steve

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by Steve800

makes you realise that anyone can do this, if you really want to.

You certainly seem to be paying forward by sharing your experiences and encouraging others.

If you get to the UK, the beers on me.

Cheers

Steve

Welcome Steve! Yes anyone can do this type of Adventure. Just takes a willingness to get out of your comfort zone, save up some time and money.....