Passes & Canyons Blog

I met Alisa Clickenger last year covering the Dirty Dozen, Adventure for the Cures ride. Alisa is now embarked on a solo ride to the southern tip of South America. Following her trip is giving me an itch.

First off, I’ve always been more interested in seeing South America and Central America than a lot of other places in the world. But now I’m seeing her pictures and one thing is coming very clear: Riding in a third world country has got to be a lot like riding used to be in the U.S. about 50 or 60 or 70 years ago.

Sure they have some major highways, and some major cities, but much of these countries is still what we would call “unspoiled” by development. Tiny, twisty roads that we exult over when we discover them here are the order of the day down there. Take a look at this photo, one that Alisa put up on her blog. Does that look like sweet riding? It does to me.

Now, I have to say, Alisa’s stories of the hassles of getting through customs have reinforced my reluctance to do the kind of trip she’s doing. But I’d love to fly into some place, such as Panama, in the photo, and rent a bike. And of course, tours are offered just about anywhere these days, in case you really don’t want to worry about the hassles.

I’ve never really given this sort of thing much thought before, but the more I see Alisa’s pictures the more I do start dreaming. Now if I just had a bit more disposable cash . . .

Biker Quote for Today

The mother road remains, it provides no more. It can only take us away.

Regular readers know I like to pass along particularly interesting or amusing things I run into on biker forums. This time I’m just going to point you to the thread so you can check it out yourself.

The question posed was, “What was you most embarrassing biker moment?” This was on the HD Talking forum. Here’s an example of what you’ll find, courtesy of AcidRayn.

ugggh,!!!
just had one this morning!!
stopped for gas, same place, same pump i stop every morning.
sitting next to me is Uber Hot Mommy in her escalade, i’m talking
heather locklear, christie brinkley prime years hot here, she’s checkin me out,
or the bike, i look over, give the “yea im game” look, i say something stoopit,
she smiles, then starts cracking up, im like, how rude, yea, well, she seen the gas overflowin outa my tank and all over my jeans.
i had visions of going home as a fiery comet.

Enjoy.

Biker Quote for Today

Evolution stops when stupidity is no longer fatal!