Scott Brady
Founder
We just happened to find a racetrack in Ecuador 
Expedition 65: A Wander Through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
Scott Brady
Founder
From the rider's seat Too much fun
Too much fun
Scott Brady
Founder
My good friend Tiberios getting after it on the dirt in Ecuador
Scott Brady
Founder
A wonderful woman in the Otavalo market, Ecuador
Scott Brady
Founder
Another shot from the market in Otavalo. The people were amazing and the prices were shockingly cheap.
Scott Brady
Founder
Made it to the Equator in Ecuador. A much different experience than the same in Kenya. This was an amusement park- nearly
Scott Brady
Founder
An Ecuadorian woman crosses the vast altiplano in southern Ecuador with her dog and donkey.
Scott Brady
Founder
Riding at night in Ecuador, I slammed into a small (open) manhole in the road. I never saw it, the dark road and dark hole obscured, no help from my fatigue and the headlights of oncoming traffic. BAM, followed very quickly by the TPMS alerting me of rapidly escaping air. I kept it upright and coasted to the side of the road, miles from the nearest town, 30 miles from my destination. A few fellow riders came back and stayed with me mostly to B.S. as we waited for a little pickup to arrive. The transport cost me $50.
That night we banged the rim back into shape with a BFH and it held air. The following day in Cuenca, I got it repaired properly at a wheel machine shop. The man was an artist!
That night we banged the rim back into shape with a BFH and it held air. The following day in Cuenca, I got it repaired properly at a wheel machine shop. The man was an artist!
Scott Brady
Founder
With the wheel repaired, it was off to Peru. This proved to be a bit of a challenge, principally at the border. Peru has taken this stance where only the 'owner' of the vehicle can temporarily import it. Normally, you can bring in borrowed or rented vehicles with a letter of authorization, notarized by the owner. I had all of these documents, but the first Aduana officer said "No Go". Fortunately, his superior overheard the conversation and motioned me to come over. He had a soft-spot for the traveler and spoke some english. He said that normally this was not possible, but after I showed him a copy of Overland Journal and my plans to write about his beautiful country, he made an exception- I was in- barely.
We spent a few days riding along the coast, then into the mountains!
We spent a few days riding along the coast, then into the mountains!
Scott Brady
Founder
There is something about a sketchy cable/plank bridge that just brings a smile to my face
Peru, moving up into the Andes from the coast
Peru, moving up into the Andes from the coast
Scott Brady
Founder
We made it to 14,000+ feet in the Andes and settled on a campsite at just over 13,000 feet. So beautiful
I think everyone needs to travel off a motorcycle, at least once. You realize that most of the crap we bring in the trucks is entirely unnecessary. I was completely self-sufficient with all of my camping gear and all of it would fit in the passenger seat area of my SUV.
Simplicity is kinda wonderful.
I think everyone needs to travel off a motorcycle, at least once. You realize that most of the crap we bring in the trucks is entirely unnecessary. I was completely self-sufficient with all of my camping gear and all of it would fit in the passenger seat area of my SUV.
Simplicity is kinda wonderful.
Scott Brady
Founder
After the high-altitude camp, I took off on my own. A few weeks of solo travel might be good for the soul. . .
That route started with 122 kms of dirt, dropping down from the Andes to the coast.
Such an amazing area and so little traffic. Maybe the remnants of the Shinning Path keeps travelers at bay? Either way, it was perfect.
That route started with 122 kms of dirt, dropping down from the Andes to the coast.
Such an amazing area and so little traffic. Maybe the remnants of the Shinning Path keeps travelers at bay? Either way, it was perfect.
Scott Brady
Founder
After arriving in Lima and completing the Panamerican Highway (I had driven from Ushuaia to Lima in 2014), I turned back north and along the coast. The dune fields were massive, and endless.
Scott,
I have been following along and enjoying your ride. I don't post much because I have nothing useful to add to these reports.
Keep exploring. I'm vicariously enjoying every minute of it! Thanks for posting your trips, I appreciate it a lot more than you can imagine. I'm sure others do as well.
I have been following along and enjoying your ride. I don't post much because I have nothing useful to add to these reports.
Keep exploring. I'm vicariously enjoying every minute of it! Thanks for posting your trips, I appreciate it a lot more than you can imagine. I'm sure others do as well.
Scott Brady
Founder
Thanks! It was a wonderful ride and transformative in many ways. Hours alone in the helmet will do that- clarifies things.