Two Moto Kiwis Arctic To Antarctic May 2012...

[NordieBoy]

Originally Posted by Two Moto Kiwis

Boyz with new toyz eh ..... How is life in Nelson Nordie, you guys gettin your fair clip of scooting in?

The TT needs new suspension bearings before they'll give me a warrant :(

The DR got a new chain and sprockets today and EddieB and I are swapping tanks tomorrow in Picton. He'll get my white IMS and I'll get his black.

The pushbikes are getting a workout though...

[H96669]

Originally Posted by Two Moto Kiwis

We will be staying inland now looking at all sorts, Mexico City next on the list then who knows from there.

You still have snow in ya yard??

Mexico city....or..... . If the traffic guy whistles the shite out of you because you did "something" he didn't like, just crank up them HPs and keep going. But....guts were churning and I was in a hurry to find a safe(r) spot and fill up the "ice cream bucket".

Yeah snow....was melting yesterday. Couldn't get out of the yard til I shoveled some and sanded.Plow just went by and probably filled in the entrance. Could be much worse like Montreal and QC these days.

Darn bikes....hard to find here. Some but all stock. You know how it goes, order farkles....wait....install....tweak.....modify.... recheck PO's work/claims then.....improve.And there is a nice stock 09DR around, would almost have to sign up over there and get lectured, may not go all that well if I open my big mouth.

The yard Eh!....Just because I gave Ken my XL yesterday, might as well put "some" of it here he'll see it. Dirt tracker....I have shovels and Rum but no Pepsi.Yes, that's Beear damages them broken cherry tree branches.....

[Jantar]

Andi and Ellen, You two along with your hassles (now hopefully all behind you) were the main topic of conversation at the Vincent Rally last night. It was both pleasing and suprising to see how much interest there is in your ride even from bikers who don't go anywhere near adventure rides.

Keep the reports coming, there is a huge number of riders following your trip from here in Central Otago.

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

The pushbikes are getting a workout though...

Argh the one BIG thing we miss is our mountain biking .... gotta be careful what I eat now or we will need a 1950 !!

Originally Posted by H96669

The yard Eh!....Just because I gave Ken my XL yesterday, might as well put "some" of it here he'll see it. Dirt tracker....I have shovels and Rum but no Pepsi.Yes, that's Beear damages them broken cherry tree branches.....

Dude lotsa snow there, bit warmer heer even inland.

Yeah thumper is all you need here, can't stretch the legs on Maya too often here for fera of being killed by a Mexican stunt driver ... and traffic.

Originally Posted by Jantar

Andi and Ellen, You two along with your hassles (now hopefully all behind you) were the main topic of conversation at the Vincent Rally last night. It was both pleasing and suprising to see how much interest there is in your ride even from bikers who don't go anywhere near adventure rides.

Keep the reports coming, there is a huge number of riders following your trip from here in Central Otago.

Heya Jantar, great news, promise to keep it coming for the boyz, really appreciate the support knowing we are being stalked by homelanders

There will alway be hassles in one way or another, wouldn't mind a few less but they do make for good reading ..... you imagine if we reported 20 degrees, still and sunny with nice lattes every day ... think that would wear thin quickly

More coming up shortly, heading inland now so some pretty cool stuff to look at, hope all is well at home.

[hondav2]

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Leaving Jolanda and Leons on Saturday we made tracks for Manzanillo to finally meet Spencer and Mary, at only 1 hour down the road it was an easy day, we set off with Ken and Carol Duval in a private BMW v KTM Dakar race ... we recklessly reached speeds of up to 85 km/hr

Again an uneventful trip ... I am getting used to these !!! we arrived at Spencers and Marys to to warm welcomes.

The boys had planned a local ride without luggage for the Sunday, in the morning Spencer and I set off for a ride which turned in to 200 km jaunt with probably 100 plus km of this offroad through small Mexican villages and some really strange looks, I am guessing to say it would have been the first ever 950 SE through there.







Our route



Really enjoyable ride taking in scenery and dust, we found our way out despite local advice of just turn around and go down that track!!!!!

Again we returned a little later than planned due to navigational discussions but Mrs.Garmin actually got us back to the tarmac.

Sunday night was one of Sushi galore a n d Kens 60th birthday so wines, Sushi and good times were had followed by a night of Dakar on the TV.



Monday Spencer had to go to work, we had some jobs planned for Maya, windscreen brackets and pannier braces as well as a home made bike cover, for the reference 4 metres of fabric does not go around a 950 SE so Tuesday we have to go back and grab some more.

We did go into town and go to the vege market .... felt like a total gringo ..... ouwh Ellen just said we are

Few pics from in town, not in any order,

Big arse bottle



The latest WW 2 frigates in the harbour



The large entrance mural for atmosphere



Very nice beaches



Yummo



The colours



Large iguana on Spencers back fence .... Mr.Boots the dog eyeing it up licking his lips





Unfortunately there was a lack of intricate engineering shops so my brackets etc went to the back burner, will try again in Mex City.

We did however make a new bike cover, this did get finished despite Ellen buying the wrong coloured material after she short ordered it ... at least we know which way is front now.



To conclude this is our we were here photo with the mob



Spencer said to make mention that RTW travellers are welcome with plenty of tent space in his yard, his only request is beer and a ride to go and play

Thanks to Spencer and Mary for having us stay.

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Said goodbye to Spencer Mary Ken and Carol and headed for the hills.



Our route took us along the coastline then inland to Colima up to Tepalcatepec and down to Apatzingan .... apparently a very dangerous road we found out afterwards but everyone we saw waived.



Some dangerous locals on a truck



It was a reasonably long day (for us anyway), we got up to 2300 metres and it was actually quite cool again.

Apart from a quick chain adjustment and a coupla photo stops it was 20 degrees still and sunny ... but no lattes!!



We did however watch a hill steam away with a small eruption which was a treat.



Arriving at Apatzingan it was BLOODY hot, 40 degrees and we managed to time it perfectly for rush hour and were stuck in traffic ..did I mention it was hot.

Poor Maya worked up a bit of a sweat reaching 6 bars out of 7 on the temperature gauge, she had a piddle of petrol too, sounds like an O ring maybe on its way out.

We found a Hotel, parking way off the street and quiet (well... for Mexico), we turned on the ceiling fan and nearly had to nail everything down with stuff being blow everywhere. ... it worked well!!

Dude who worked there was really keen to learn of our trip, nice guy too.



Tea time was on so wondering off into the town centre we found a Chinese Restaurant, we said (we Ellen did) gidday and Ellen started talking in Chinese to Chun Sheng the fello at the counter who turned out to be the owner.



After about 10 minutes of chatting we decided to stop there and have Chinese for a change from Tacos etc.

We placed our order, Chun Sheng gave a us a BIG serving and then said gratis!!! .... he was so happy to talk with Ellen in Chinese so it was a treat for him and we certainly appreciated the food which was second to none, a very nice surprise indeed.

If you find your self in Apatzingan and wanting Chinese he is located about 4 blocks south of the city square on Constitucion, the food is excellent.

A treat was in order while in town so we got icecreams, it was very nice to sit in the town square and watch the world go by.

Couple of pics of town centre





A fountain



The church by night



On the way back we found these, we have no idea what they are but the colours were outstanding.



Next stop Uruapan and Volcano hunting!!

[Ozgirl61]

The photos have been fantastic, the trip looks like its going great.. Missing out on a lot of sushi by the sounds of it, great to see Ellen spreading the love...lol

[motomundo antigua]

stop at my bikeshop in Antigua guatemala for a coffee guys, will be nice to hear your stories.

ride safe,
Taz
Motomundo Antigua

[H96669]

Thanks for the food pics! Nothing wrong with Tacos....that's supper tonight with the proper Mexican cookware.

And the boats....I think I may have the same P's in my old pics from 20-25 years ago.Now I'll have to look....

Same volcano too maybe????

Thanks for the memories!

[TwoUpTourer]

Hi Guys
A long term lurker, this is my first time response, and I am driven to say that in an internet full of great sunset pictures, yours just hit me between the eyes. Wow! Having done three long overland journeys in my life(so far) its great seeing you doing this. Just plan on how you are going to stop, as cold turkey is unsettling if not depressive.
Your sunsets are going on the lunchroom wall tomorrow
thanks
john

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Originally Posted by Ozgirl61

The photos have been fantastic, the trip looks like its going great.. Missing out on a lot of sushi by the sounds of it, great to see Ellen spreading the love...lol

Trip going good, thank you for the props on the pics .... we only d it fo you of course

Will get Ellen to email some sushi through

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Originally Posted by motomundo antigua

stop at my bikeshop in Antigua guatemala for a coffee guys, will be nice to hear your stories.

ride safe,
Taz
Motomundo Antigua

Heya Taz, sure will mate, we are stopping for about three weeks in Gutaemala or so learning Spanish so will definitely catch up.

Do you sell/have access to KTM parts etc?, we have a few things we need to address so looking to see how can do it.

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Originally Posted by H96669

Thanks for the food pics! Nothing wrong with Tacos....that's supper tonight with the proper Mexican cookware.

And the boats....I think I may have the same P's in my old pics from 20-25 years ago.Now I'll have to look....

Same volcano too maybe????

Thanks for the memories!

Tacos... mmmmmm

Yes plenty to see and do here, now right up in the centre the placed has changed again, very different to what I pictured to the good side

[Two Moto Kiwis]

Originally Posted by TwoUpTourer

Hi Guys
A long term lurker, this is my first time response, and I am driven to say that in an internet full of great sunset pictures, yours just hit me between the eyes. Wow! Having done three long overland journeys in my life(so far) its great seeing you doing this. Just plan on how you are going to stop, as cold turkey is unsettling if not depressive.
Your sunsets are going on the lunchroom wall tomorrow
thanks
john

Heya John, thank you so much for your words, makes it very worth while for us having taken the picture (mainly for us) ((but just for your of course )) so really nice to read appreciative comments from overlanders who can appreciate having to be in the right place at the right time, a same as Ozgirl61 having been around the world and seen many sights it makes it more worthwhile for us.