BMW Motorad Sponsored "GS Trophy Qualifier" 2013

A day spent at the BMW Motorad sponsored "GS Trophy Qualifier" near Santiago, Chile.

Winter Ride To Tongoy, Chile

It's been over fifty years since I experienced a winter here in Chile. The last time I can remember a winter here, I was nine years old. Living in western New York State, the last thing one imagines is being able to ride ones motorcycle the entire winter. Here in Chile it's possible, as can witnessed by the pictures I took a couple of weeks ago on a motorcycle trip to the seaside town of Tongoy a few hours north of Santiago.

The decision has been made. Soon to be in a driveway near me! The new water cooled BMW R1200GS.

Jan. 23, 2013

The trip to the Kunstman Brewery in Valdivia, Chile was a total success. Luis and I left Santiago on Wednesday and headed to his Mother's house in Concepcion. About a six hour trip. On Thursday I was invited to his Mother's for lunch before leaving for his Brother's house in Los Angeles. About a four hour trip. The route we took to Los Angeles was very scenic as it bordered the river. On Friday we headed south to Valdivia with two of Luis' brothers, a trip of about six hours. Saturday afternoon we went to the "Bier Fest" which turned out to be a non event unfortunately. We arrived about six in the afternoon and most attractions were closed until 8:00pm. There was a small classic car show so we took that in, then headed downtown for diner. On Sunday we took a bike ride along the river and then a Ferry to the very quaint town of Corral on the far side of the river before returning to the Cabins for a cookout. Monday, around noon we headed to the Kunstman Brewery for a very enjoyable lunch before starting the long trip back towards Santiago arriving on Tuesday.

Fri. Jan. 18, 2013

Mix the Chilean desert with a bit of wine, music and  song, friends and a Chilean cookout under the stars, and what do you get? A week end at the world famous Dakar Race watching the motorcycles, dune buggies, Hummers, Rally Cars and of course the enormous trucks race by as the ground shakes beneath your feet. Click HERE to see some of the sights. (slideshow button, upper right hand side of that page)

A cookout at Guillemo's house

Some of the locals there

Sorry for the delay in posting any updates, but I really haven't had a lot to report. I've been running back and forth from Rancagua to Santiago a lot, a trip of about an hour one way. Went to a beer fest a couple of days ago and have the "T" shirt to prove it, but up to now that's it. Now, this Friday I've been invited by my good friend Martin to join him his wife and about six other friends of his to go watch the Dakar Race. We plan to camp out in tents along the race course at leats one night, and a big Chilean style cookout is planned for one of the nights. Should be a good time with that large a group. Hopefully I can get some great pictures of the race. The following week January 24 to 28, my good friend Luis and his wife have invited me to join them on a motorcycle trip to the Kuntzman Brewery in Valdivia, Chile via a side trip to Concepcion, Chile then Los Angeles, Chile and ending up in Valdivia for the Beerfest. My "Brother" Guillermo and his wife had planned to go on this trip, but due to work commitments that was not possible. Stay tuned, more to come.

The Next Adventure To Chile Begins On Jan. 1, 2013

All updates regarding my trip will be found only at this site.

Can You See Me Now?

A few days ago while on my way south to my Aunt's farm, I stopped at a toll booth and while in the act of paying, my bike was bumped from behind by a careless driver almost knocking me to the ground. Because of that and the number of times I have had to come to a complete stop on the expressway from 75mph to 0mph, and with the real fear of having someone that is not paying attention take me out, I decided to install this high intensity LED stop strobe on the bike. It gets you're attention now when I apply the breaks. See the video here.

A Flight Over Chufquen

Thu. Feb. 2, 2012

The Cessna 172. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.

Jorge

Passing over Jorge's house just after takeoff

At the airstrip on the farm

The main house in the center, and the farm's warehouses and office buildings.

I returned to Santiago for a few days arriving late yesterday, but not before I had the opportunity to take to the air with my cousin Jorge. Jorge is the Administrator of the farm in Chufquen and he came to me the other day and asked if I would like to go flying with him, what a silly question! OFCOURSE!! I never turn down an opportunity like that, so Jorge went to the nearby city of Temuco, where the plane was, and told me that when he passed over the house, to get on my bike and go to the farm’s landing strip by his house a few miles away. When I got there Jorge had just landed, so I parked the bike and after a few picture we were in the plane ready to taxi.

We taxied to the opposite end of the runway, turned around and in a few moments were airborne. I a few seconds we were over Jorge’s house as we continued to climb to an altitude of only 1100 feet. I’m pretty sure we were below the tops of the nearby cell phone towers, but it made for a spectacular flight flying so low and slow. The Cessna 172 bounced around a bit due to the fact that it had been fairly windy all day, but no big deal. We flew at a speed of only 100 knots and the view at that altitude was spectacular. We flew over the town of Traiguen, where my family is from and then wandered over the nearby countryside seeing the sights.

Jorge also has a vintage Piper J3 Cub that he recently bought and he promised me a ride in that next year. That will be a thrill!