CHAPTER. THE FIGHTING FIFTIES

No,we are not talking about age here. We are talking about the latitude below the roaring forties and just as mariners feared these winds so do or should the motorcyclists in Tierra del Fuego. It seems as if these southern global winds that circumnavigate the globe at the 50's latitudes do not slow down at all for the little bit of land that juts into the southern ocean and culminates at Cape Horn,

Radioman checks the wind

So into the cross winds we rode as we headed down to the ferry crossing of the narrowest part of the Magellan straits. It was hard work leaning the bike sideways into the strong gusts. It was a nice relief to get to the ferry and find that in spite of high winds it was still operating.

So across to Tierra del Fuego it was and down the road to a nice warm and welcoming hotel at the town of Cerro Sombrero.

The last of a total of 19 border crossings!

Then dawned " the day ", the final day and the ride into Ushuaia. Just a matter of one final border crossing back into Argentina and suddenly in early afternoon the GPS showed 99 km to Ushuaia! It was indeed a strange feeling after 39,000 odd kilometers to see that there was less than 100 kilometers to go and we would be there

In case we forget!

Almost,almost almost there!

What happening next? Well that has to be a chapter in itself does it not!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Comments

The last post!

How do you summarise a motorbike trip around the world from Tokyo to Los Angeles?. With difficulty! Well we are not into record setting. But we believe we are the oldest couple in the world to ride a motorbike “ two up” ie with pillion passenger, right round the world on one season Let’s start off with the statistics for the little trip - Total mileage. 34,416 km * No of days travelling 165 No of countries visited 29 Max temp on bike 41 deg C Min temp on bike 0 deg.C No of punctures. One No of breakdowns. One

Chapters 1 and 2

WHY MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURES ? I have always been interested in adventure. Over the years I have climbed mountains, parachuted, had my private pilots licence, dived, sailed and done various adventurous pursuits (with various degrees of success I might add!). Motorcycling has been one of the later activities. Why motorcycles? Firstly it is all a bit easier on the body as one gets a little bit older. This is of course on the assumption that one does not inadvertently part company suddenly with said machine! Secondly, it does also require a bit of brain power - intellect you might say if that does not sound snobby. There is also, to me, an element of "man and machine" about motorcycling. Then if that is not enough justification in itself there is the scenery and the absorption into the landscape you are passing through. On a bike you see much much more than in a car, bus or train. You are aware of nuances in the landscape, you smell the smells and you become more than just

And a volcano stopped us!

What a day. First thing this morning it was off to check the rear tyre of the bike. Oh the relief ! The tyre was rock solid and the same pressure as after fixing yesterday. So it is a pack up and first day on the road today. We get on the way with a just a little bit of nervous excitement. On to the Japanese motorway system we go. And what a delight. The traffic is orderly, calm not going to fast and not too thick. We track right in towards Tokyo itself before bearing West. Yes, there were lots of spaghetti junctions - It looks like The Los Angeles motorway system but it is so much easier (and slower). Japanese politeness really shows thru’. However there were lots of toll booths - we had chopped thru about NZ$50 in the first hour and a half Then we are on to the slow bit and off the motorways. It was about a four hour stop and start crawl thru the urban sprawl of greater Tokyo. However I did find time for some serious reflection - I also saw a hotel called - and I kid you not

Hubbard Motorcycle Adventures

Search This Blog