tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53795845623146579522024-03-14T09:33:59.338+00:00Dublin-Ushuaia-Trip"This is not a story of incredible heroism, or merely the narrative of a cynic; at least I do not mean it to be. It is a glimpse of two lives that ran parallel for a time, with similar hopes and convergent dreams" (Ernesto Che Guevara) ..the inspiration for this trip. This is my account of my Motorcycle Adventure from Dublin Ireland to Ushuaia Argentina. .. or in Irish terms a pub crawl across the world!!kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-28291499473779629102007-10-02T18:12:00.000+01:002007-10-02T18:14:30.612+01:00Moving BlogRight !! Decided would be easier to control content and design on my own site, so I have moved the blog to <a href="http://www.kevfoley.com/">http://www.kevfoley.com</a> you will have to barewith me for a few days while i learn it and get the new format setup!<br /><br /><br />Kevkevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-53163048526591367022007-10-02T05:53:00.000+01:002007-10-02T06:00:25.889+01:00Nicaragua - ManaguaI write this on my last night in Managua from the house of Salvador. I have spent the last few days since leaving Leon here with another of the HMD’s, which really was a fun experience. Nicaragua is really cheap compared to some of the other countries around here. Dinner can be had for as little as 2 euro a head. We ate at Sals grandmother for lunch most days and really got a flavour for some of the local food. There was a different fresh juice drink for each day, each of them I had never heard of before.<br />Payed a visit to the highest point in the area where you have a panoramic view of all Managua stretching out to the lake. There is a Cut out statue of Sandino here and the remains of tank that was gifted to the dictator Somoza Gacia by Musolini of Italy.<br />On Saturday we drove across to Matagalpa for the biggest party in the area, where we met up with some friends and danced the night away. Brought the camera out and you can see some of the pictures over on the right. The videos you will never see! I actually met another red head at the party. She was Nica but her Grandmother had come from Ireland and hence the hair!<br />We left here on the Sunday morning and drove up around the Selva Negra and did some of the dirt roads before heading back to Managua. Now I have to pack up the bike again and get ready to head to Costa Rica, but first an overnight stop at the beach in San Juan del Sur, for an early border crossing and avoiding the long queues of tour busses!kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-8555895203389757342007-10-01T03:29:00.000+01:002007-10-01T03:36:44.116+01:00BMW R1200GSThe BMW has now crossed over 12,500 miles and is going great. This trip from Ireland to Argentina has almost reached the end of Central America, and shortly the R1200GS will be in for its next service in Panama.<br />After spending the last four months sitting on it everyday it is starting to feel like an extended part of me. I think in am in love! The bike is probably a little heavy but it handles great, and I think i have started to master fast curves.<br />Driving over here has really forced me to alter my driving style. You really must be much more defensive, and not put yourself in a position where you are vulnerable. The next corner could bring two busses coming towards you, or just a seriously huge hole in the road waiting to swallow you up!<br />Message is stay awake!!!kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-49359041653434969862007-09-26T04:39:00.000+01:002007-09-26T05:13:20.473+01:00Crossing Borders in Central AmericaCentral America contains <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">alot</span> of borders each with their own problems! But by far the worst must be Honduras. Today I set out at 6 am from La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Libertad</span> El Salvador and got to the border at around 9am. I had stopped in San Miguel on the way to get some cash, but the ATM <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wasn't</span> working. This was the start of the problems. The exit was easy, but then came the border, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">literly</span> hours of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bloody</span> paperwork. Easily it was the worst border crossing I have ever done. The system is totally <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">inefficient</span> and scattered, no one is responsible for the whole process, and there is the constant pest of the people offering to help (for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">propina</span>!!) No <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">nesicito</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ayuda</span>!! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Estoy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">bien</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">gracias</span>! but after 4 hours of waiting to get three stamps I was ready to have a fit. Anger management is a task I have to learn. But after hours in the hot sun I was finally ready to get moving through Honduras. by this time I had only 3 US dollars left in my wallet and was starving.<br />Making my way to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Choluteca</span> I was in desperate need of a bank. To my horror 99% of the banks here <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">dont</span> take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Mastercard</span>.. only Visa. I was starting to get desperate, I needed fuel and food,.. and all on 3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">USD</span>. After a few calls to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">AIB</span> in Dublin and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Mastercard</span>, I resorted to asking at Western Union and all the other financial places in town. After 2 more hours I found the only ATM in the town that took <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Mastercard</span>! I held my fingers and jumped for joy when it gave me the cash!<br />Deciding I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">didn't</span> want to stay another minute in Honduras I skipped on food and bolted straight for Nicaragua. Crossing the border at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Guasaule</span>. Compared to earlier this was breeze taking only 20 minutes. Also had the pleasure of the weirdest conversation with these truckers, trying to find out how much swear words in know in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Spanish</span>, and naturally they were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">inquisitive</span> about the trip. I thought I would make Leon before dark, but the minute i crossed the border it became <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">apparent</span> this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">wasn't</span> going to happen. The roads ceased to be roads, and the pot holes were huge. I bottomed out on the bash plate countless times, even shaking the right mirror loose. This is 3rd world road! It improved nearer <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Chinandega</span>, until the road was relatively normal black top. I arrived in Leon after dark, and went straight to the Rough Guide. I picked the best place they had <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">recommended</span>, it its really good.<br />Hotel Los <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Balcones</span> is an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">immaculately</span> restored colonial building with original wooden floors, shutters, and loads of character. Right now I think this is what I imagined Panama to be like. Its like a seen from the Taylor of Panama. Going to check out the area tomorrow and then head to Managua.kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-63456240783680434492007-09-26T04:23:00.000+01:002008-12-10T09:39:06.208+00:00El Salvador<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMsXjRQ_OYoHW4HvhYSSfe-KZS-84zxJ7igbD-Dh7mtL7ehOkDzLbzxx_jEk2x1WlkGlF5lJn5iiO0SAMXsuOSpES7ZZ14CbLQcEGsIr952ii6akapWPhDXyWvBJw5e1KaZtRrWhUCEY/s1600-h/P1000845.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114350972261067266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMsXjRQ_OYoHW4HvhYSSfe-KZS-84zxJ7igbD-Dh7mtL7ehOkDzLbzxx_jEk2x1WlkGlF5lJn5iiO0SAMXsuOSpES7ZZ14CbLQcEGsIr952ii6akapWPhDXyWvBJw5e1KaZtRrWhUCEY/s200/P1000845.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Kevfoley/ElSalvador/photo#5114341192620534242"></a><br /><br /><div>I spent a lot of time trying to decide which route to take into El Salvador. At first I considered hitting Tikal and coming in through Copan to Honduras and then El Salvador, but to be honest I was in no mood to go looking at more pyramids in the Jungle. So instead while having a nice breakfast of huevos y frijoles I opted for the coastal route.<br />It really is amazing with some stunning views of the Pacific crashing wildly onto jagged rocks. Actually it reminded me of a tropical Killiney on a grand scale with no houses (if such a thing exists). After exploring the coast and consulting the Rough Guide to Central America (thanks Brennan) I opted to spend the night in La Libertad. After a brief chat with the lovely girl in the tourist office I found some cheap lodgings for 12USD for the night, and immediately made my way to the restaurant. Food was good, and with the most expensive item on the menu being 4.25 I was in heaven. Even had desperados with Antonio Banderas on TV (in Spanish of course).<br />I planned on taking some surf lessons here, but the waves were huge and there was nobody in the water. After speaking with some surfers it was decided that the current and waves were in for the week, so no lessons, pity. I will certainly have to come back here, maybe to Flores over near the eastern side.<br />By chance I ran into Niall from Portmarnock in Dublin. He was back packing around and of course when two Irish guys get together you must have a drink. ! But after a nice evening it was time to hit the road to Nicaragua. </div></div>kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-62324488266973860152007-09-26T04:08:00.001+01:002008-12-10T09:39:06.369+00:00Antigua – Guatemala<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HQSTmJ629De5ctD4LmBwbAjPXJNnE6qfEv2yiNP6bVXGbfZKr-wd08lMiw7b3CEBwZvOqqp6d53b-cwE6gDm5_YpgFX-CviC5wamcxl1PUkud139vjtMuLUG3uB-aohiOQ78ncDm5LY/s1600-h/P1000827.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114345625026783730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HQSTmJ629De5ctD4LmBwbAjPXJNnE6qfEv2yiNP6bVXGbfZKr-wd08lMiw7b3CEBwZvOqqp6d53b-cwE6gDm5_YpgFX-CviC5wamcxl1PUkud139vjtMuLUG3uB-aohiOQ78ncDm5LY/s200/P1000827.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Located between the volcanoes of Agua, Acatenango, and Fuego Antigua was the central city for Spanish Central America. After an earthquake in 1773 the capital was destroyed, and the administrative centre was moved. However a lot of the old colonial buildings remain here. I arrived amidst a cloud of fog which obscured the vistas but did give the city an eerie feeling.<br />Given it was Saturday accommodation was difficult to find. After a long search of some pretty drab places I finally found a hotel called Los Amigos, it is on 7a. Whatever you do, don’t stay here ever. I was given a private room, where I thought my stuff was safe. After I came back from dinner someone had gone through my stuff and my mobile phone was missing. There were only two keys and I had one. So the only possible thief was the owners. I questioned them but they denied it. The excuse offered was they had plenty of phones, where she promptly produced two phones and her kids all had nice phones also.. Couldn’t help thinking how many other guests they had robbed. I called the police but they were useless. Just as well the phone was the only thing of value in the room. So to the owners of Los Amigos .. in my best Mexican “Chinga tu madre”!!!<br />But apart from this sour note the rest of Antigua seems quiet nice, there is a good market where I picked up a Barcelona replica shirt for the equivalent of 6 euro. There are some good bars also; the best I found yesterday was Mono Loco, a lively sports bar.<br />Sunday I took a tour to see Pacaya Volcano which was amazing. The minibus wound it way up these really atrocious roads, seemingly impossible until we reached the village of San Francisco. It’s a far cry from California and really a very poor purely indigenous hamlet. From here we met the guide and set off up the hill. It is a 3 km walk through the jungle until you emerge on a ridge for a perfect view of the lava field. We proceeded down to the lava, so close we actually cooked a head of corn in the lava and got within feet of a flowing river of lava. No were in Europe could you do this! The insurance guys would have a fit. I met some nice people, including two people from Lanzarotte in the Canary Islands. It was really satisfying to be able to continue a conversation for a few hours in Spanish.<br />The journey back was weird. The darkness came down really fast, and we found ourselves stumbling down the side of a mountain through a jungle, with only a walking stick for feeling our way. Torches don’t exist in Guatemala I think. But it was an experience. We got some really cheap beers back in San Francisco while waiting for the bus. Also was great to see how the kids reacted when we gave them some bread.. the oldest took charge and shared it out equally so they all got some! I think in Ireland one would have run off with it. But I was sad to see that they were barely surviving and a small piece of bread was like gold dust. </div>kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-11501913811581392882007-09-22T23:51:00.000+01:002007-09-23T00:11:19.695+01:00Guatemala!Finally i decided to leave Mexico. Boy it was a hard decision. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Originally</span> planned to stay here only a few weeks, but ended up more than a month and a half. San Cristobal, my final stop in Mexico was awesome. Stayed at La Grigua guesthouse with my lovely Italian hosts. By pure chance one of my friends from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Vallarta</span> had an interview for her Masters in the University at the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">same time</span>. So I met up with Carolina and spent some time checking out this great little town.<br />Today i left at 6.30 am to get to the border early when they were opening. Crossing was no problem, simple affair, handed in my Mexican permit, and drove across no mans land to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Guatemala</span> and got the new one. The only incident was when I went to put the bike side stand down in some gravel, and it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">disappeared</span>, and of course there would have to be loads of people watching when the bike fell over.<br />The Pan American to Antigua is mad, there were a lot of landslides from the recent hurricanes which were still being cleaned up, along with road works. All the cars get stopped, but in true <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Guatemala</span> style a bike gets waved on.. so here i was dodging huge earth movers and trucks weaving through the work in progress.! it was fun. No to check out the city and get some food.kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-53488328842926593662007-09-18T00:15:00.000+01:002008-12-10T09:39:06.588+00:00Independence Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lZ1nSO9ug4uhkIw51FxSdYZgTMde2IwDkbh05Wa9b8CoSP5mbjFQ9tAKmzZK8u26LxzEoR2DHKBMZV393SgW_taamkJwIuzpKhZkQRy7Vy7hpVlHxkyh4U4lPK0pV6Avn8uNAqvPS9s/s1600-h/n640190958_170034_3038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111319544012560066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lZ1nSO9ug4uhkIw51FxSdYZgTMde2IwDkbh05Wa9b8CoSP5mbjFQ9tAKmzZK8u26LxzEoR2DHKBMZV393SgW_taamkJwIuzpKhZkQRy7Vy7hpVlHxkyh4U4lPK0pV6Avn8uNAqvPS9s/s200/n640190958_170034_3038.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This evening I arrived in San Cristobal, and my time in Mexico will soon be at a close, but the last few days were a lot of fun! and certainly not without incident. Be it running from the police or fighting a foam war against locals at the Independence day celebrations in Oaxaca, never a dull moment.<br />After a nice two week rest in Mexico City and taking in all the sights including the museums, the houses of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Frida</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kalha</span>, Diego Rivera, and Leon <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Trotsky</span> among others I ended my time in the City running a police check point. There is a road called the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">periferico</span> which is a highway that circles the city. By far it is the easiest way to get around the city. The only problem is motorcycles are not allowed on it! How stupid. So .. on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Saturday</span> morning when I was leaving I took a chance on it.. gambling all the police would be in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Zocalo</span> for the celebrations. But I was wrong. There was a checkpoint on the inside and I was on the outside of three lanes. Next thing i was being called over and being told to stop!.. Well i <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">wasn't</span> in the mood to argue or pay a fine, so i twisted the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">throttle</span> and took off. Catch me if you can. Logic was i was paying a fine anyway so might as well try and get away... and it worked! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">hahaha</span>.<br />After a long drive arrived in Oaxaca, which is really nice town. Also there was a great bunch of people in the Hostel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Mezkalita</span>. It was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Independence</span> day so of course there was a big parade and lots of music etc. We joined in and somehow ended up marching in the parade. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Don't</span> think we were supposed to be there.. but we ended up in there anyway.<br />Most of the locals had spray cans with foam in them. Which were being used to foam any random passer by. After getting "foamed" a few times we all decided some retaliation was in order. For 10 pesos a can we had some of the best fun in the last few weeks! chasing people around the square soaking them in foam! and of course getting hit <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ourselves</span>! Was a fun night.<br />Today I made the 7 hour ride to San Cristobal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">del</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">las</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Casas</span>. So tomorrow some exploring will be done!!</div>kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-35558981496095144532007-09-14T07:08:00.000+01:002007-09-14T07:23:16.125+01:00Finally my New LidAfter two weeks of waiting, today I finally received my new Arai XD helmet. I need to celebrate. I decided to order it at the end of August from Motocross Giant, a store based in Los Angles and have it shipped to Garrys here in Mexico City, the idea being that i could arrive here and pick it up. Unforunately things didnt quiet work out that way. Despite my instructions to send the lid by overnight DHL, the guys in LA sent the Arai by regular mail. So two weeks later after daily calling the postoffice here said we should go to the local office and have a look. So we set off to miramontes to the postoffice.<br />But well bureaucry is an understatement. Everything is recorded in paper ledgers! the woman looks up a book, not there, tries another, then another, then asks someone else, and 40 mins later comes back and asks what is your postcode. So a quick call to the language school and we get the number. Ah no.. you are in the wrong office you have to go to another one! so armed with this new info, we find the next place, again its look up the ledger time.. and after a conversation with another postal worker, they decided it would be good to check the computer! then its oh yes its here! YES! time to celebrate, finally two weeks later the lid is here. But this isnt quiet there yet, so after some searching in the store room they come back with the helment, and the bill for the customs duty! double taxation! US and Mexican tax! not fair. Also had to sign a million pieces of paper, and mark in the famous ledger. But I am not complaining, now i have my new lid, and i must say its amazing! much quieter, more comfortable and lighter, I feel safer already.<br />Also I have had the added bonus of two weeks in Mexico city, and the opportunity to meet some wonderful people.kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-80796824919161736962007-09-03T05:38:00.000+01:002008-12-10T09:39:07.776+00:00Protests and FameWell its another day over and I am still at Garryhostel.com!!! in Mexico City. Garry is this really cool English expatirate biker who fell in love with a Mexican girl Ivonne, got married and moved here 30 years ago. He now puts up random stray bikers like Alaister and myself who happen to be passing though Mexico City! Garry contacted me on the Hubb and suggested i come visit! which I am glad I did.<br />We have had traditional Mariachi nights, visits to the Teotithuacan Pyramids, touring around downtown Mexico City, visits to Tres Marias, the market, and lots of bike DVD's! anyone passing through has to drop in and say hi!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DFbCETp0jwkzkQKqhtD9qB3R2bRz9uKEZdsWcHr7rL3zVMUD5gA7t_yf0hDEVR_dbAHx8B-QjhDIhDeGHCrKYDknQLW-7-vcKvReX3Qr4Sy8SWb6YlfWourUWayJFx7leZIX8qBI3e8/s1600-h/P1000715.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105842103495651538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DFbCETp0jwkzkQKqhtD9qB3R2bRz9uKEZdsWcHr7rL3zVMUD5gA7t_yf0hDEVR_dbAHx8B-QjhDIhDeGHCrKYDknQLW-7-vcKvReX3Qr4Sy8SWb6YlfWourUWayJFx7leZIX8qBI3e8/s200/P1000715.JPG" border="0" /></a> Last night we spent some time downtown in the central square where we got some really delicious Churros. Which are a dough type snack, best eaten with hot chocolate. It so happened that in the square there was also a protest by the supporters of Andrés Manuel López Obrador the former mayor of mexico city and the dude that lost the last presidential election, which he claims he won. 1 year later he is still protesting! so we joined in for the fun! The square was quiet lively as the place is getting ready for the independence day celebrations which are in a few days time. So the entire central square is decorated with lights and banners etc.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h1QSmGkbH_tDS6-2qGkf2hKOWoCtm3BQeDXv27e04wz7WC3zV_4pqIIDFhCAeS3Q9mZPlZxn38zZa1K0NHuEBVnK9GA79aI-oDkhbct52QlGMGsg8hB-5b2NzXCpU5Uk5thOo-uUgec/s1600-h/P1000722.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105838766306062514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h1QSmGkbH_tDS6-2qGkf2hKOWoCtm3BQeDXv27e04wz7WC3zV_4pqIIDFhCAeS3Q9mZPlZxn38zZa1K0NHuEBVnK9GA79aI-oDkhbct52QlGMGsg8hB-5b2NzXCpU5Uk5thOo-uUgec/s320/P1000722.JPG" border="0" /></a> Today we set off on a moring ride to Tres Marias, for breakfast. All the Mexican bikers gather there on Sunday mornings and (normally) show off! We were promised wheelies down the middle of the street and everything. However the weather had another idea. It rained and rained. Still we had breakfast and checked out the local stalls! At one of them we had this rather surreal moment where a father who was getting a jacket for his daughter asked if he could get a picture of myself and Al with her... guess he must of thought we were Charlie & Ewan or something! hate to dissapoint him.<br />From here was set off south to Cuernavaca with Garrys promise of Sun! "it will be so much warmer there" ... ummmm NO! so after a mutany in Cuernavaca we took the toll road back to mexico city where we stopped off at the market. They have the best pork crackling in the world here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YBXlW5Ygmv1qc68lobLy87UafsM_ZVVzq2wg0m4RFCMdU2SmL4ppsS1IKTF5nY6PAhxLU6COSKNn7ZzJuBhlzcuitc-CuBv3J06dFC195WrKyHVKLwVHkqQbjnmJXBHJpyFPBeY7ruU/s1600-h/P1000728.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105837559420252322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YBXlW5Ygmv1qc68lobLy87UafsM_ZVVzq2wg0m4RFCMdU2SmL4ppsS1IKTF5nY6PAhxLU6COSKNn7ZzJuBhlzcuitc-CuBv3J06dFC195WrKyHVKLwVHkqQbjnmJXBHJpyFPBeY7ruU/s200/P1000728.JPG" border="0" /></a> Of course gringos who are two foot taller than everyone else and in bike gear tend to attract attention! soon we had people coming up and saying hi, and taking our picture. It really was quiet delightful. We had free milkshakes, and even got to try Brain Quesadillas.. (actually they were quiet nice) can fell my IQ increasing alreadykevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-33214425227982982982007-08-31T18:10:00.000+01:002008-12-10T09:39:07.961+00:00Mexico City<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggESDoMLnlD0GuCIR0poenpVFfNRIitEuJneCsI0YiNmdcdocpZnPKR3ZZBzaC_t-y0vECbENmuLBC5H6rvDiQjDYMLCrV2eBbBHaH2qQhvL83Vr7yWPfoHlInrVIthvYrgj7qnou2PKY/s1600-h/P1000667.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104925901072067762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggESDoMLnlD0GuCIR0poenpVFfNRIitEuJneCsI0YiNmdcdocpZnPKR3ZZBzaC_t-y0vECbENmuLBC5H6rvDiQjDYMLCrV2eBbBHaH2qQhvL83Vr7yWPfoHlInrVIthvYrgj7qnou2PKY/s200/P1000667.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So here I am in arguably the worlds largest city, with over 22 million people. The Zócalo (main square) and historic center are not to be missed and are a good starting place for viewing the city. Chapultepec Park, is home to many attractions and should be on your must do list, There is always some sort of free entertainment going on, such as concerts, magic shows and mime troupes.<br />The nightlife in the capital is second to none and provides an enormous variety of entertainment. Ballet, opera, folkloric shows and theatre compete with rock concerts, bars and nightclubs featuring all kinds of live music. Live Cuban music and the tropical salsa clubs always seem to be packed.<br /><br />The Metropolitan Cathedral is the centerpiece of the Zócalo, or city square. It dates from 1532 and includes classic, neo-Classical and Baroque elements. Despite a number of earthquakes it has not fallen, this is due to the unique fact that Mexico City is actually built on a lake. The downside is the city is slowly sinking into the mud.<br /><br />Mexico City is located in the Valley of Anáhuac, a large valley in the high plateaus at the center of Mexico, at an altitude of 2,240 meters (7,349 feet). It was originally built by the Aztecs in 1325 on an island of Lake Texcoco. The city was almost completely destroyed in the siege of 1521, and was redesigned and rebuilt in the following years following the Spanish urban standards. In 1524 the municipality of Mexico City was established, known as México Tenochtitlán, and as of 1585 it is officially known as Ciudad de México. The emblem in the centre of the Mexican flag comes from this city. The Aztec legend was that wherever they found an eagle sitting on a cactus eating a snake they would establish a great and powerful city. This they found on a lake which became mexico city. The symbol of the eagle eating the snake on the cactus is now a national symbol.<br /><br />Teotihuacan - Teotihuacan is located about 31 miles North East of Mexico City. So if you plan on going to Mexico City, this is a must see sight. The rise and fall of Teotihuacan coincide roughly with the rise and fall of the Roman Empire beginning around 600 BC, and going into decline around 650 AD before the city was sacked, burnt, and abandoned. The empire grew by leaps and bounds between the 1st and 4th centuries AD and its influence stretched from Guatamala to Texas. The population within the city itself grew to over 200,000 people.<br /><br />Teotihuacan is unique in the fact that the murals uncovered here do not depict the thematic violence or ritualistic sacrifices found in other ceremonial cites, they portray a society which seemed to be interested more in astronomy.<br /><br />I think westerners who do not know the city often fear it. However a healthy curiosity is far better. The usual warnings are still in effect. Don't hail a cab in the street (although we did - we reckoned there was two of us.. and one of him); Cabs without an "L" at the start of the plate are not real cabs. Don't wander aimlessly at night; arm yourself with a map and a sense of where you are.<br /><br />Mexico has more festivals than days in the calendar, and the weeks between Nov. 1 (the Day of the Dead, a uniquely Mexican celebration) and Christmas will be especially vibrant this year i expect. Three of the city's most elegant neighborhoods -- Polanco, Roma and Condesa, each 15 minutes or less from the central business district, the Zona Rosa -- are exploding with new restaurants, clubs and art galleries. Condesa, a small citadel of Art Deco architecture, is celebrating its centennial. It's an exceptionally pleasant place to sit, sip, sup and watch the passing scene</div>kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-8121763724092448682007-08-28T00:38:00.000+01:002008-12-10T09:39:08.117+00:00Road to Cuernavaca<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaGvEKtmLcobbs7vEAv3UxBURiAb9flZW6gt1p-BFrywDjv7bGOxWKcou-Zs2lHYGhHE16b_PLp8s1wqPIsAcsdjYFvXWbzhpdaz_XH1H-SFXRk1qBu2WPO3BQF1RawPI1Bf62Md5UCw/s1600-h/P1000640.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103534628020905874" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaGvEKtmLcobbs7vEAv3UxBURiAb9flZW6gt1p-BFrywDjv7bGOxWKcou-Zs2lHYGhHE16b_PLp8s1wqPIsAcsdjYFvXWbzhpdaz_XH1H-SFXRk1qBu2WPO3BQF1RawPI1Bf62Md5UCw/s200/P1000640.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Arrived in Cuernavaca (Morelos) today after an eventful ride from Morelia. Set out following the Aquaduct from Morelia taking the free road to CD Hidalgo. It starts out normal then quickly becomes country side. Not unusual to see a herd of cattle grazing at the side of the road. As you enter the Parque National Insurgente Jose Maria Morelos th views are amazing. The narrow road quickly climbs through the mountains, through lush countryside, was thinking this is really like a country drive in Wicklow mountains, (only much higher). The roads a nice twisty and narrow, but there is not much traffic so overtaking is easy. The Topes in the small towns bunch what little there is, so while standing on the footpegs you can hop past them. </div><br /><div>Road improves again around Hidalgo and Zitacuaro. After Zitacuaro follow route 15 again towards Toluca where I successfully managed to side step my first attempted bribe. Was stopped by a Police (i think) checkpoint, (guys with M16s and Blue Uniforms), where i got called aside. Was my usual friendly self, then they started asking about the bike and how much it costs etc, (made up a much smaller amount) and where i was staying etc, then they tried to suggest i give them money.. so anytime it was mentioned i changed topic or feigned not to understand. </div><br /><div>After about 10 mins of chatting one of them asked if i was married, so i said of course not, One of the guards says so are you gay? the reply was perfect "No Mames" (mexican slang for dont be fucking with me!) it got a laugh and it bought my ticket to freedom! No bribe just a laugh. </div><br /><div>The best bit of the ride is after Toluca, I took the free road again south to avoid Mexico City to Tenango just after Tenango on route 55 there is a 3rd class road which turns off to Joquicingo and on to Chalma. This is awesome! full of pot holes, covered in Mud, lots of landslides from the recent rain, and of course twisty mountain road! It curls its way up over Eroded Volcanic formations to these villages which seem to hang onto the side of the cliff. What was strange was a cycle race i met along the way, which was like Tour de France meets Procession of the Sacred Virgin on a Marrion Year. Most of the cyclists had large crosses with images of Christ or Mary projecting about 4 foot off the back of their saddles, and seemed to ride in groups from each of the villages! it was a sight to behold! Eventually the Road decends out of the mountains to a great view over Cuernavaca. So i will stay here for a few days before riding to meet Gary for a tour of Mexico City. </div>kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-3517456848276702792007-08-27T03:02:00.000+01:002008-12-10T09:39:08.599+00:00Every Cloud has a Silver Lining<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZXEwM6bYxIVFwbOsQPIufBkiwH_LX6A_3CRULQpp81onXbDJsiLIJp9F6brvq4d2FkKMcC0YcoVmkBdplezMgtMJWLH7NZjyKTnxfo0YnfjAljEFB__snE8EOSdxSBXj2sr6rUj2AEw/s1600-h/P1000616.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103200707198543602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZXEwM6bYxIVFwbOsQPIufBkiwH_LX6A_3CRULQpp81onXbDJsiLIJp9F6brvq4d2FkKMcC0YcoVmkBdplezMgtMJWLH7NZjyKTnxfo0YnfjAljEFB__snE8EOSdxSBXj2sr6rUj2AEw/s200/P1000616.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well Guadalajara was nice, but i took my leave and set off for Morelia. After getting numerous recomendations that this was a beautiful place i was expecting a lot! and I wasnt dissapointed.! This place is a a true colonial gem. There is a real spanish influence in the architecture, and there are lots of fine churches and public buildings! </div><br /><div>But my stay in Morelia did not get off to a great start. I had booked a hostel on the internet a few days before. When i arrived the place was shut up and they would not let me in. Talk about crap. They were only catering for families of people in the nearby hospital.! But I had a stroke of luck in running into Santiago, a guy with a moped who happened to be passing by when i was asking for directions. </div><br /><div>After a conversation about bikes etc, he offered to show me the way. When the hostel was closed, he called his brother in law who was in the process of opening a hostel! What luck! it wasnt opened yet, but Aldo opened up early especially for me! So have the honor of being the first customer at the Hostel Don Emiliano, in Morelia. </div><br /><div>So we had a few drinks where i met Ulises whom I arranged to go riding with the next day to see Patzcuaro, which is a really nice place, surounded by mountains and sitting on a huge lake. It is the main site for the festival of the Dead on 2nd Noviembre each year, which is one of the main celebrations in Mexico. </div><br /><div>I tried some of the local icecream, and walked around, viewed the sights and then of course ate, before making way back to morelia where i type this before going out to sample some of the night life! </div>kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-71569143507219003412007-08-22T22:27:00.000+01:002008-12-10T09:39:08.772+00:00El Loco Rojo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmFtbrTtzoa9ZCSs6ncJxioHzkzpWNCQ1v4aRMhinm1DQrM5RXPlcHqZkt_AjLEpDNPjXTDNSh_GKnfg-zFvzX4KhAH8D9YYklpeyVawZuf_V3a-FZTa5FopVTNdJj_ElmD704KrtHdw/s1600-h/P1000593.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103194569690277426" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmFtbrTtzoa9ZCSs6ncJxioHzkzpWNCQ1v4aRMhinm1DQrM5RXPlcHqZkt_AjLEpDNPjXTDNSh_GKnfg-zFvzX4KhAH8D9YYklpeyVawZuf_V3a-FZTa5FopVTNdJj_ElmD704KrtHdw/s200/P1000593.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So after a few days enjoying the sea and the lovely scenic views suffering from Star Guilt (Paul Brownes diagnosis of the effect of drinking coffee in Starbucks) and of course serenading hotel staff at Puerto Vallarta.. we have now arrived in Guadalajara! class little city.. well little (6 million People) wee bit bigger than Dublin. Spent the day wandering around the downtown area and getting to know the place.<br />We are crashing with Fernado (Juan Carlos´s brother from Puerto Vallarta) who has very kindly put us up here for a few days. Great to get a local guide and to be able to lock the bikes up in the garage.<br />From now on I now have a new name, after earning the title of el loco rojo in Vallarta.. so now it is Don Esteban El Loco Rojo! (Esteban the Crazy red) ummmm<br />Dinner last night was in a restaurant with a Mariachi show.. kind of what i imagine an irish dancing show in Bunratty Castle would be like.. but still it was fun.<br />But right now i think i will have to find a dirt bike shop. I need some lighter gear! this Rally Pro E BMW suit is just too hot! last week i have taken all the body armour out and am wearing it under a long tshirt, with the trousers and boots. But even the trousers are too hot for this climate. Will have to see if i can find some scramber gear, and an Arai helment! project number 1. Until then .. hasta Luego!</div>kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-82517536076498554562007-08-19T17:01:00.000+01:002007-08-19T17:11:44.531+01:00Well, it seems i have checked into the hotel California.. only it is in Mexico now and its called the Hotel Rio. We stopped here last Sunday for a day or two. Paul and Maeve had met the owner Victor in Baja on the way home from the Moto GP at Laguna Seca, so we had an invite to stay for a little while. But it seems that we can check out when ever we want, but we just cant leave. Each day we are leaving, yet 1 week later we are still here. The new tyres for Paul and Meaves bikes arrived yesterday so i am guessing we will finally make a move on moday morning, taking the Route 70 to Guadalajara, with of course the slight detour to tequila.<br />From here we are planning to see Pascuro, Taxco, Querna Vaca, Oxaca, San Cristobal, Palenque, and then head up into the Yucatan for a few days.<br />I am waiting to see Paul cross the border in a Naco Libre (wrestling) mask as he keeps saying he will! got to be worth a photo.<br />Think I am starting to fit in, was asked if i here the other day.. in Spanish .. i was well impressed! Actually answered Si, Por Supuesto! (yes of course)<br />Havent actually done to much riding for the last few days, bike has been getting its earned rest, but soon it will be time to move on and do some more miles!!kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-90152530114478559112007-08-14T16:47:00.000+01:002007-08-14T16:54:52.450+01:00the bikeby now the bike has done more than 9000 miles and is going great. I still have not used the knoblie Continental TKC80's which I have brought half way across the world. But have changed the rear wheel once, for a Meztler Tourance as the Dunlop was not holding up well in the heat. After that the oil has been changed and that with the new indicator after i crashed in Wyoming is about it.<br />I did add a few modifications to the bike, the luggage is from the GS Adventure, I changed the air filter for a K&N, Also added were BMW engine bars and a front suspension hard part from Touratech. I may still add a radiator and headlamp protector when i get to the next dealership, but that will be it.<br />The bike is doing between 48 and 55 miles per gallon fully loaded so fuel economy is good. But i am carrying an extra tank to give a comfort on the range!kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-55212616955406404402007-08-14T16:34:00.000+01:002007-08-14T16:47:40.211+01:0010th of August,Wrote this entry on the Mazatlan Ferry, when we arrived to the ferry the bikes were weighed and made ready. Mine checks in at 310kg without the rider. After riding on the ferry i dont think I will complain about Irish Ferries again. The cabin had two berths, the toilet didnt work, food was woeful, and the stupid jukebox you can here from the other end of the ship! But atleast it is moving in the right direction.<br />Baja was interesting, It is by far the least populated state in Mexico. Met some interesting characters and saw some strange places. There is only one paved road in the entire state, Mex 1 which runs the length of the Pennensula. Every thing else is dirt which quickly becomes deep sand. There are also a number of military checkpoints, I was only stopped once and then that was becasue they wanted a chat about the bike and how cool it was! i recently added a card of the virgin of guadaloupe the the front of the bike, and that along with the Irish flag really seems to be a passport to the other side!<br />If you are ever in baja you need to see the road signs! they are really a casue of amusment! bear in mind these are in the middle of a desert, with signs like, "with fog turn on your lights", "with fog slow down", "obey the road signs", "thank you for obeying the road signs", "this road is not for high speed" .. Certainly wasnt ! but best is when this sign is combined with "topes" and "curvo peligroso" dangers curves! but i actually loved driving these twisty roads, which just flow throught the desert, but with the Californias in their big crazy SUV's you need to be awake!!kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-49361497650487721662007-08-09T01:59:00.000+01:002008-12-10T09:39:09.180+00:00Baja Mexico, and meeting more riders<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvQh2CoblRC_Fg9PV6EgEm3L-QMiqEAD8wYwV2XhcK_TALYOnZkVnpawCwLSEb_Ra-cjFOwriKmJYB_0FJksdipT5ERy9M8xsvmGEtGebtN8pW4lkKjZhuBWQSaWVnN46jfcDRaTYpUc/s1600-h/playas_lapaz_baja_california_sur.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096503311901545522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvQh2CoblRC_Fg9PV6EgEm3L-QMiqEAD8wYwV2XhcK_TALYOnZkVnpawCwLSEb_Ra-cjFOwriKmJYB_0FJksdipT5ERy9M8xsvmGEtGebtN8pW4lkKjZhuBWQSaWVnN46jfcDRaTYpUc/s200/playas_lapaz_baja_california_sur.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So early Sunday morning I said my goodbyes to Ocean Beach and once again set off into the distance. It actually took me two attempts to legally get into Mexico. First time I just drove on through! Que Raro!! Decided this was too easy and I probably needed a visa, so I turned around went back through the US post and went in again. This turned out to be a good idea as i found out I also needed to surrender my US Visa. So on the 2nd attempt stopped and customs and got the visa sorted for me, for the bike you need a different paper, from a different office!<br />Once directions were obtained I made my way once again to Tijuana and after a brief scurry the wrong way up a one way street, the said office was located! Great Success!! Then came the fun part as they say. God the Mexicans love bureaucracy. So after an hour of fotocopies and stamps and trips back and fourth across the forecourt, oh and giving my opinion on U2 the Cranberries, and explaining that Sophie Elis Bexter is actually English, the permit was obtained and I was ready to rock and roll! I really pity people who have to do this and don’t speak Spanish. The drive along Mex 1 is nice once you leave Tijuana, It actually at first quiet reminded me of parts of Tenerife, there is even a town called Bajamar. The further south you go it gets more desert like, but there are some really great views of the Pacific Ocean along the way. Once one heads inland with the road the landscape is totally barren, just a wide variety of Cactai of all shapes and sizes. At the end of my first day I passed a signpost saying next petrol station 315km’s this was my sign to stop for the night, so I found a nearby B&B. To my surprise Meave and Paul, two other Irish riders also on BMW’s had stayed here 4 days before me.<br />Decided to try and catch them so the next day rode to Mulege and by 10 am the following morning I had found them at their hotel just south of Loretto! So now we are all in La Paz sitting around for a day or so before catching the ferry to Mexico mainland. But now breakfast calls so more updates later.</div>kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-42700116331667050482007-08-09T01:58:00.000+01:002008-12-10T09:39:09.480+00:00San Diego and Surfing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-YYXa8EHjcu6aMeSQA9obB4qKBwcM7c5gycRnUn58CG-xICOrfsC5LMfaaX5OdW525quPdXtsvMLlsKrI_962Kd4mk38S3p1gssYwj-CpRgT8ChhfNeQDJPJWLH0uTaBin2WodxlH8A/s1600-h/full-contest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096502555987301410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-YYXa8EHjcu6aMeSQA9obB4qKBwcM7c5gycRnUn58CG-xICOrfsC5LMfaaX5OdW525quPdXtsvMLlsKrI_962Kd4mk38S3p1gssYwj-CpRgT8ChhfNeQDJPJWLH0uTaBin2WodxlH8A/s200/full-contest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>When in LA I started looking for fellow riders on advrider.com heading south into Mexico. At this time there was no one, but Don Toporski, from San Diego who has been many times contacted me with advice. So I set off for Ocean Beach San Diego. I stayed at the hostel there which was really rather good, with a good mix of people. The journey from LA is only 2 hours, which at this stage is just a Sunday drive. On the first night I ended up chatting with a former british soldier who had served in Northern Ireland, and Aussie over for a University conference. So we had to have some drinks. Ocean Beach is fairly quiet at night but that didn’t stop us getting thrown out of one bar! I guess I should learn to keep my mouth shut. American Bouncers really have no sense of humour.. and certainly don’t get Sarcasm! C’est la vie. The real fun is to be had in the Gas Lamp district, 5th Ave downtown San Diego, where we went on the second night, lots of very dressed up people. So we caught a film (Bourne Ultimatum is really good guys!!) and followed with dinner and a few pubs.<br />Following morning I had dinner with the local BMW club, nice bunch of guys, but all in their 50’s or so, normal BMW profile. After went through the maps with Dan and got the low down on Baja and the rest of Mexico! Now all set for the great unknown.<br />While in San Diego I couldnt miss the opportunity to do some surfing , and with some cheap boards available from the Hostel, we grabbed two from the lovely vania and tried our hands at catching some waves! Boy its harder than it looks! worst bit is paddling back out after surfing in. Really develops those upper shoulder muscles! I'd be pretty fit if i did it every day. I did manage to get upright once or twice and stay on the wave, but maybe it was more falling with style than actual surfing! fun none the less. But at least i have now lost the snow man look and have a nice toasty back!</div>kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-18470804792085091822007-08-09T01:57:00.000+01:002007-08-09T01:58:36.468+01:00LACalifornia was a lot of fun. First few days I rested up at the Rectory in La Habra, where I did some reorganisation of the bikes luggage and packed a few pieces off home. Again like in other places met some wonderful people, who were really too kind to me. So after breakfast on my second day I got taken to Knotts Berry Farm Fun Park. Some of those rides were amazing, and considerably faster than the bike. Think my favourite was the freefall from the top of a tower, or another ride called the perilous plunge, which drops almost vertically into a water slide, I got soaked!<br />My visit also included a visit to Huntington Beach where the US open surf championships were also on. As a side show there was an X games motocross event on the beach. Those guys were class, jumping little motocross scramblers 30 feet up in the air off ramps, somersaulting and then landing again. Didn’t see any falls, but I was waiting for it. Apart from that I spent my time relaxing, chatting with people and making more contacts for the Central American part of my journey.kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-22207355078971811182007-07-30T05:41:00.000+01:002007-07-30T05:55:40.748+01:00Pheonix Tango and Shooting!Well now i am resting up in the Church at La Habra outside Los Angles with my Uncle Justin. Went to the beach today and its looking like Knox Berry theme park tomorrow. But first i must fill in the last few days. After my night ride with Dylan across the desert i checked into a cheap motel for a night. I met these great people Jack and Jen in phoenix and they put my up for the next night, but AZ is just far to hot so i had to bail over to the coast!<br />My bike clocked 46 degrees C on the way over, that is 117 faranheit! it is like an oven! But Pheonix was fun. I took a dancing class in tango and samba! so now i know a few basic moves for when i get down south! PBH you were so right, it is actually a lot of fun! Also i fired my first gun ever. Went shooting in the Desert with Jack, Jackson, and Killian. We set up some targets, and i got to grips firing a 45 pistol and a rifle, must be beginners look but i hit a few of the targets first time! It was a laugh, but they were so loud, and guns still scare me! think i will stay away for the rest of the trip.<br />Phoenix doenst really wake up until the evening until it cools down alittle, but i did find another Irish pub to add to my list, this one was called Rula Bula, No great as pubs go, it was lively enough but really i think it tries too hard, certainly did not have the atmosphere and the welcomenss of Hurleys in Montreal!<br />Not much more to report from AZ so i split over to the coast. After my swim today in the lovely warm Pacific at Huntington Beach I can say i bikes Coast to Coast in the US. In a few days I stride forth to Mexico and beyond!kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-61959535949268122952007-07-27T00:36:00.000+01:002008-12-10T09:39:09.678+00:00Arches and Night Drive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m3_-m3irjGQ-eg0ZcBEbISfI122gEpwh_Q6A3LGNXfbXtZVXaKpiiXXgEdCvCobFf2MH1UJqph-xjZEmEQGg0o24B0zSCnAgO1Ghvzmd5FsYOK8bO7zlU1DN6kjo9vxntog2ymDvYKc/s1600-h/P1000541.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091655526479975426" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m3_-m3irjGQ-eg0ZcBEbISfI122gEpwh_Q6A3LGNXfbXtZVXaKpiiXXgEdCvCobFf2MH1UJqph-xjZEmEQGg0o24B0zSCnAgO1Ghvzmd5FsYOK8bO7zlU1DN6kjo9vxntog2ymDvYKc/s200/P1000541.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well after the heat of Mesa Verde i though i would be immune to more! how wrong!! roll on Arches in Utah, Myself and Dylan after a few pints and night camping in Moab made our way to Arches in the morning, really early .. like 7 am to beat some of the sun. It was quiet hot so you can see me in my Lawrence of Arabia garb from Morroco a few years ago! it really works to keep the sun off.<br />There are some class hikes in the park and some truely breath taking scenery, miles of sandstone and slickrock. Every thing is petrified! We spent the day in the park and got some great fotos, but wow i got burned, every thing that was not covered is now red, even my nose! Rudolph i think.<br />We got a cheap (9$) hostel for a few hours and got up at 1.30 am to ride to Phoenix AZ, 10 hours through the desert, (the crazy hour was to avoid the heat). So we arrived in Phoenix this morning and i got the engine bars and a new rear tyre from Victory BMW, so finally i am all set for Mexico! so next stop CA and down though Baja, Sadly Dylan has had to return to New York, so i am once again a lone wolf rider!</div>kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-86735789543278997952007-07-27T00:28:00.000+01:002007-07-27T00:36:40.880+01:00Mesa VerdeMesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, the park protects over 4,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings . In 1891, Swedish scientist Gustaf Nordenskiold studied, explored, and photographed many of Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings. Considered by many to be the first true archeologist at Mesa Verde. We got there in the evening after a ride from Carbondale Colorado with Mike, who left us outside Durango.<br />After getting the tickets and the camp set up there was some driving on the twisty roads.. peg scraping twisty, and the day was finished with a chicken from Walmart cooked on our campfire and a bottle of wine ! class.<br />Next day we saw the various dwellings, it seems hard to believe the mesa tops were once farmed by these people who lived in the cliffs below, but the houses were quiet clever in that they normally have a well in the back, as there are interspersed layers of sandstone and shale, sandstone soaks water, shale does not, so when it meets the shale the water bubbles out of the rock.<br /><br />Once we had seen the sights we made our way to Arches National park in Utah! what a sight!kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-19869844396518923782007-07-25T01:15:00.003+01:002007-07-30T07:43:54.774+01:00Colorado and Agent XI was really lucky to run into Mike, who was so kind to put me up for a few days, and teach me to change a tire and of course to get my high altitude off road training!<br />Mike went across the Aussie outback a few years ago on an 1150GS so knows a bit about off road! We also had the intervention of lady luck in finding Dylan, I had originally planned to meet up with Dylan after the wisconsin rally, but things got a bit messed up, in CO we got oil for my bike and decided to go on an off road run! bad idea. the oil fell off the bike and burst, so we had to go back and get more! on our way into the shop and who pulls up only Dylan, who had seen two GS's going in .. CO from NY .. a bit away from Home, and too wierd to pass up, so now he has been initiated as a new agent, and we are going to ride to AZ together. !<br /><br />My first water crossing was on the way up Hagerman Pass, i also nearly put the bike off the cliff. . valualble lesson, always look where you want to go! especially when off roading! it was quiet comical, and you should have seen my face afterwards, completely brown from sucking in the dust from Mikes tyres!kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379584562314657952.post-17299403581735526552007-07-25T01:15:00.001+01:002007-07-25T01:15:16.788+01:00quick updateWell quick up date for you all, this has been a great few days in Colorado, and i met some great bikers, Chris Beal in Bailey and Mike and Lenka Rand in Carbondale, not to forget Mum and the poodle Loki. I am pressed for time as the batteries are running out so i will have a more detailed update in a few days, but got the service in, some parts, learned some maintenance and or course my first water crossing with some dirt road riding. ¬ then there was Mesa Verde, more detail to follow.kevin Foleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305088758504563565noreply@blogger.com0