-5.006638, -81.0668129
We made it! Got in last night before the party! All 5 teams in our convoy arrived with no last minute drama. Arrival party in a hotel on the beach. Fireworks, dancers and the odd beer. Almost all teams made it home this year. Only one person I know of had serious medical problems, so all very successful. Thanks for all your support, and thanks for following the my team!
-5.176756, -80.6737709
Leaving Piuta.. 5 ducks still in line.No casualties in Piura traffic. Landscape looking like Afghanistan now. 60km straight across the desert to the coast then 20km North. @
-5.193603, -80.626551
Repaired swing arm holding well. Climbed up to 1400m, got a bit chilly, then wound our way down to the desert. Massive chsnges in scenery again. Over red mountains into arid scrubland, then into the desert of dry rivers and goats. Msde it to Piura. Not home and dry, but we can see the house and know where the towels are kept.
-5.8330171, -78.2588497
Rear left swing arm sheared. Unceremoniously slewed to s halt. Borrowed someone elses taxi and found a chap who is welding it back together as we speak. Like an electrical storm in the twilight.
Pucara, Peru
Pulling out of Pucara with a freshly welded swingarm and on the way
-5.8330171, -78.2588497
Some if the other guys had omelet for breakfast. I missed out because the eggs had run out before I got mine. Smell of rotten eggs from bike now had me craving omelet. ..
-5.8330171, -78.2588497
Gone from hot in Terrapotto to cold in the Northern Highlands, back to hot as we rolled out of the cloud forests and down the valley towards Bagua Grande. Bike now smells of rotten eggs. Left rear break arm damaged. Need a mechanic this time!
-6.4875671, -76.3744186
Spluttered to a halt. Replaced plug and fuel filter. Back on the road again using soothing words to try snd keep the thing moving.
-6.4875671, -76.3744186
Event in Terapotto and hotels were full. Were forced to stay in a desolate, barren 5 star resort. Considered fixing bikes but played water polo instead...@
Tarapoto, Peru
Puerto Palmeras in the pool with piscos if any other teams are in town
This is my first trip to South America! But I've been south of the equator before so I'm the experienced one. Never even sat on a motorbike before but I'm sure that's just a technicality... How hard can it be? Anyway - here's a picture of me on a surfboard.
This is my first trip to South America! Or anywhere South of the Equator for that matter. Looking forward to it!
In fine form for the MotoTaxi Junkett, as I once rode a motorcycle when I was 16. It ended rather messily as I remember, but I shall gloss over that bit.
Anyway - here's a picture of me on a hill.
Follow the preparation and the journey with the blog...
