Motorcycle journey

Alle innlegg merket med Motorcycle journey

John er fremme i Fairbanks

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2015-05-11

Postet i: Div. oppdateringer før avreise. Merket: Alaska, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, Anchorage, Coldfoot, Fairbanks, John Bennet, Motorcycle journey, motorsykkeltur, Pan Am Hwy, Pan American Highway.

Da har John unnagjort de første 4000 km og kommet frem til Fairbanks i Alaska.

John Bennett

Planen nå er at han skal vente der til jeg forhåpentligvis dukker opp torsdag ettermiddag eller utpå dagen på fredagen. Distansen fra Anchorage til Fairbanks er på ca 578 km men siden John har ventet der på meg i x antall dager allerede skulle jeg svært gjerne kommet dit så fort som mulig.

For tiden er temperaturen i Anchorage 14C og i Fairbanks skal temperaturen være 17C så begynnelsen av turen blir i alle fall forhåpentligvis i hyggelige temperaturer. Men turen nordover kan nok bli litt kjøligere. I Coldfoot er temperaturen 9C mens i Prudhoe Bay er den 1C .

Det som blir det mest spennende er hvor langt snøsmeltingen har nådd og hvordan natt temperaturen er. Hvis tamperaturen om natten fortsatt er lav og i tillegg telen sitter dypt i bakken kan veiene fortsatt være glatte, men de problemene får vi ta når vi kommer så langt 🙂

10 gode råd å tenke på når man skal kjøre Dalton Highway, Alaska

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2015-01-18

Postet i: Div. oppdateringer før avreise. Merket: Adventure, Alaska, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, Dalton Highway, Deadhorse, Motorcycle journey, motorsykkeltur, Pan Am Hwy, Pan American Highway, Prudhoe Bay, Reise, SPOT Gen3, Travel, Travel Warning.

Man kan ikke lære av bare å lese på internett, men man kan i alle fall ta lærdom av de råd som gis av de som har gjort ting før deg. Mange av tingene kan muligens se på som en selvfølge, men det er den samlede mengde med informasjon man må ta inn over seg.

Don’t: Put Weight Up High Pack your bike with care. On the Dalton, you are going to hit 700 yards of terror. The road is going to be so slick you lose all traction, and every little thing in your favor is precious. Keep your center of gravity low. Anything heavy in your gear should be at the bottom of your panniers, strapped to your bike low, or discarded altogether. A classic example of over packing are the motorcycle campers who have so much stuff, and they need to put it somewhere. Then, the tendency is to pack it high on the bike. Big mistake. For the riders on the BMW 1200 Adventures, this rule also applies. I have talked to a handful of riders on these beastly steeds that have topped off their 9 gallon tanks, only to hit a slippery section on the highway and go down. This usually means parts of the bike and rider get broken. My advice to them is to fill up their tanks with only 7 gallons, instead of topping it off. On the Dalton, no matter how you plan and what the weather, you can always have a mile of terror. Talk to one rider and they breezed up and down it, enjoyed 70 degree temperatures, and the ride was easy. Talk to another with the same weather conditions, and they hit several road construction areas where a grater and a water truck are working together to make your life a sloppy misery. As long as you bank on a greasy mile of muck, you should be prepared for the Dalton. There is a chance you will not encounter muddy conditions, but chances are you will, so come prepared.
Do: Choose your Tires Wisely Long distance tourers have a dilemma: Do I pick a knobby tire or less aggressive tire? Since you are destined to hit a sloppy section on the Dalton Highway, you should be aware that there are two main schools of thought I have come across regarding the Dalton when it comes to tires. Some say knobbies, and some say 70 -30 tires. Both work and have their limitations and to be honest, much of it comes down to rider skill. Knobbies are great for the Dalton Highway. This is the surest way to prepare for the water truck or mother natures over-watering program. The only problem with knobbies is that you will have to plan ahead, since if you are riding up the highway on your own from the continental USA, you will most likely run them down before you get there. Because of this, an outfit called Adventure Cycle Works out of Fairbanks was started. You can send them your tires, have them waiting and put on before you start your run to the Arctic Ocean. Once you are on your way back down, you can have them taken off. So, a little extra time and money spent in Fairbanks will insure that you as much grip as possible for your Arctic Ocean journey. 70-30 tires are not mud tires, but are designed to displace it and keep traction. Both Metzler and Avon put out very good, long lasting tires. I am a real fan of the Avon Distanzia, which is a good street tire, but really shines when the conditions start to go sloppy. And, you can get 6,000 miles out of the rear. There are times on the Dalton when the mud is so thick, especially in a road construction area, that you will lose your grip, no matter what tire you have. Do not be surprised when this happens. Just get on the pegs, drop a gear to gain torque, and put a little throttle on….
Don’t: Go without an Emergency Plan The Dalton Highway runs through the most remote parts of North America. There is no infrastructure up there to deal with accidents. If you get into an emergency situation, chances are, you are going to have to get yourself out of it. There is heavy truck traffic up and down the highway, and they do help riders quite often, but do not rely on it. Bring a Buddy: With a second rider, at least you can formulate a plan of extraction without feeding mosquitos off to the side of the road without a plan! SPOT: bring a spot device, especially if you are riding alone, so at least your friends and loved ones will know where you are and can help you, albeit belatedly. Bring a Sat Phone: This is by far the smartest solution. If anything should happen, you can at least start fixing the problem immediately. The sat phone saves time, worse injury and life. There really is no good reason not to have one if you are going to travel in this remote corner of the world – especially alone. Have Tools: (See #10)
Do: Make sure to have Dirt Riding Skills The Dalton is not the place to start to learn how to ride dirt. I have seen too many gung-ho riders take their unprepared bikes up there, only to receive a strong thwarting from the conditions. Some bikes come back broken, some come back on the top of trailers. Some of these bikes never run again. The truth is, the rider did not have the skills for the terrain. Some riders seem to think that since the highway exists on a map, and looks like any other road on the map, it must be like any other road. Wrong. If you did not grow up on dirt bikes, race competatively, or take an off-road course and practice, then this road can be over your head. If you do not know to get on the pegs and give it the gas when things get creamy, then you should not be on the Dalton at all. This road will throw everything at you, and your mistake can cost you thousands of dollars or worse. Before you ride it, be sure to know how to handle your bike in gravel, deep gravel, and mud. Practice fire roads at home and dirt tracks. Spin that back tire and get familiar with acceleration….these are the tools you need to master before going up the Dalton safely.
Don’t: Forget about Fuel The Dalton Highway has 245 mile stretch without fuel. Most 5-gallon tank bikes will not make this if the rider is going over 60 m.p.h. Therefore, bring a small, two-gallon fuel container and strap it to you bike for your ride north out of Fairbanks. You won’t use it until Coldfoot, but you will be glad you brought it! Running out of gas on the Dalton is a bummer, and usually includes voracious mosquitoes…to be avoided if possible!
Do: Clean your Radiator and Air Intake The consistency of dirt on this highway is like clay. They mix the road surface with Calcium Chloride to keep the dust down in the summer. It also acts as a natural hardener so when the road surface is dry the heavy truck traffic forms it to have the characteristics of pavement – when it is dry. When wet, a thin layer of mucky clay begins to cake onto your bike. Once it sticks to your engine, it heats up and dries like ceramic. Once this happens, you can’t get it off, even with a chisel. To be sure, once you ride the Dalton, your bike will never be the same – that stuff will never come off your bike completely. This muck will cover your engine and causing it to heat up. It will also clog your radiator, your air intake and if gone unchecked will cause your engine to severely overheat, to the point that it will stop you in your tracks. I picked up a Japanese rider who had this happen to him, and he has spent a couple of miserable nights out with his mosquito friends. To counter any problems, find a hose in Coldfoot on your way up and down…and see if you can find one in Deadhorse. This is not an easy task, but you’ll find if ask nicely, you will be able to clean out your radiator and air intake in that lonely outpost.
Do: Choose the Right Bike. Many riders figure that they can take their comfortable cruiser up the Dalton. This works well, until you hit that 700 yards of terror. A couple of years ago, some adventurous Harley riders chose to take on this highway after the annual HOG rally. What happened after that was a disaster: some of the riders were air-vaced out and some of the bikes never rode again. Though there are riders that make it all the way to Deadhorse on their large street bikes, many will tell you that they would not do it again. My suggestion is that you leave your street bike for the street, and ride a dirt-oriented motorcycle on the Dalton. All of the BMW GS models do well up there and any 650 cc dual-sport style bike will be the most appropriate. The dilemma for many long distance tourers is sacrificing the comfort of their street machine for the long miles it takes to get to Alaska. Why do that for just the couple of days it takes to ride to the Arctic Ocean? A safe solution for this is to ride to Anchorage and rent a motorcycle for that portion of the trip. Both MotoQuest (Motorcycle Rentals, Tours and Self-Guided Adventures | MotoQuest) and Alaska Motorcycle Adventures (Home Alaska Motorcycle Rentals) offer this service. You can take your street bike to them for storage, and rent a well-equipped adventure bike for that portion of your adventure.
Don’t: Push It Most accidents I have encountered on the Dalton involved the most insidious of enemies: fatigue. The nature of the Dalton Highway plays into the hands of this very dangerous condition. There is no where to stop, no places «to see»… so the rider keeps on going. During the long summer days, the rider on vacation who has drawn up an aggressive schedule to «see it all» in Alaska will not stop until the sun goes down. In the land of the Midnight Sun, this won’t happen for a couple of months!! Therefore, these riders push themselves to the brink of exhaustion…and then a little more. This is when a rider loses a second of concentration, drifts to the soft shoulder of the road, and then gets flung into the bushes. It does not take much for a rider to completely change their trip and life on this road. To avoid this, I recommend that riders budget 4 days from Fairbanks to Deadhorse and back. Stop in Coldfoot or Wiseman for the night on your way north and on your way south. Stop in Deadhorse for the night and get some rest. I have come across too many accidents of even experienced riders who have made the ride from Coldfoot to Deadhorse, only to turn around and try to make it back to Coldfoot that evening. This is when the danger of fatigue is at its peak. The north slope of Alaska is not a place to run the risk of an accident. You are best off spending the $200+ for a night at a hotel in Deadhorse and getting your rest. This road taxes your senses and your ability to concentrate. Be smart: don’t push it at all.
Do: Be aware of Truck Traffic The main purpose for the Dalton Highway is for the oil companies to be able to service the oil fields at the Arctic Ocean. Large 18-wheel trucks are constantly running this road. Until a few years ago, these trucks were the only vehicles allowed to ride past the Yukon River. The culture of trucking in this neck of the woods has not changed much from those days: the truck owns the roads. When you are riding there, you need to adhere to a new set of rules and become very aware of the effect large trucks have on your ride to the Arctic. Here are some skills you will need to develop: When you cross a truck on dirt: Hunker down behind your windscreen. These trucks are throwing rock – sometimes the size of baseballs – and you need to protect yourself. Do not ride with your face shield open. Keep as much of your body behind a protective surfaces as possible. Let trucks pass. Many of these trucks are empty after delivering their supplies and are trying to make time. They run at speeds of up to 90 m.p.h.!! Keep vigilant in your rear view mirror for these monsters creeping up on you. To be sure, you will be passed! The shoulders of this road are extremely soft, and will throw you into the bushes. So, when pulling over to let them by, don’t slow down too much, and do not get too far off the side of the road. Be aware of where you park. This highway will be empty for up to 30 minutes at a time. No traffic makes a rider complacent. Add a herd of caribou and the rider wants to stop and take a picture. At the time of parking, no one is around, so you choose the road as the parking lot. Then, (and this has happened) two 18-wheelers come from opposite directions and will need to pass each other right where you parked! There is simply no room for your bike to be there, and this is when things get tricky! If you ever stop along the Dalton, make sure to pull completely off the road. Otherwise, you may get an ear-full from an Ice-road trucker in the Coldfoot parking lot! (or worse)
Do: Outfit your Ride Bring the tools necessary to get you out of a pinch. Be able to take off your tire, replace an inner tube, patch a hole, plug a hole, take your bike apart, put air into your tire…All the things you wish you had brought seem to come to mind when your bike fails. Take time and prepare beforehand. Be able to take of your tires and repair them and fix problems that may arise. I always bring a manual foot pump, tool kit, tire spoons, hex set, and a syphon hose. Accessorize your bike. Make sure it can take rocks and fall over and not get hurt. Protect your engine on the sides and underneath. Protect your hand guards. Make sure your pegs do not get slippery. Make sure you seat fits your body. Do everything you can to make that bike you ride comfortable, well balanced and able to take a hit. You will be glad you did. Outfit the rider. Wear protective water resistent/waterproof gear that can withstand a temperature range from freezing to 100 degrees F. Waterproof boots and gloves are essential. These are the basics if you want to have a safe and memorable trip as far north as you can go on the North American continent. Your health and safety, of course, come first. Your lust for adventure will not be stopped. In fact, it should be encouraged! Just take a couple of these steps to make sure you get home safe and sound and have the time of your life. Ride safe!

Oppdatering av reiseplanene

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2015-01-16

Postet i: Div. oppdateringer før avreise. Merket: Alabama, Alaska, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, Baja, baja california, BMW F800GS, Florida, Louisiana, Mexico, Mississippi, Motorcycle journey, Pan American Highway, Texas, Travel.

Reiseplaner er til for å endres 🙂

Får stadig vekk spørsmål om hva planene mine går ut på, om jeg skal reise alene eller sammen med noen osv. Jeg ga en informasjon om dette i november men her kommer i alle fall en ny oppdatert informasjon. Etter Denver er det visse endringer.

Jeg skal fortsatt kjøre med min egen BMW F800GS Trophy fra 2012

BMW F800GS Trophy

Jeg setter meg på sykkelen mandag 27. april. Kjører via Sverige å stopper muligens hos MP Motorcykler i Danmark for å ta en siste sjekk av sykkelen på tirsdag 28. April. 29. April kjører jeg videre gjennom Tyskland – Nederland – Belgia og så til slutt til Eurotunnelen i Frankrike for å ta toget til England.

Dermed bør jeg være i London for å levere motorsykkel til Motofreight den 1. mai slik at de kan forberede frakte av motorsykkelen til Anchorage.

Mogreina – London er i følge Google Map på ca. 1943km og blir selvfølgelig kun enn transport etappe, men jeg håper i alle fall at været blir bra slik at første del av turen får en god start.

Om ettermiddagen den 1. mai flyr jeg hjem igjen til Norge så Nina og jeg kan reiser en tur med bobilen til Písek i Tsjekkia. Avreise blir antagelig søndag 3. mai og vi kommer tilbake igjen tirsdag 12. mai.

Så er det å ta de siste forberedelsene til dagen etterpå hvor flyturen til Anchorage er satt opp med FI319 klokken 14.45 med mellom landing på Keflavik klokken 15.25 og så ankomst Anchorage Alaska klokken 16.20 lokal tid. Planen er å hente sykkelen ut fra tollen den 14.

John Del Norte møter meg her i Anhorage den 13. eller 14. Når sykkelen er hentet ut fra tollen og nødvendige forberedelser er gjort starter etappen nordover til det nordligste punktet på turen som er Prudhoe Bay. Så kjører vi sydover fra Prudhoe Bay til Seattle.

Å her kommer endringene i planene. Ruta Anchorage – Prudhoe Bay – Seattle er ca. 5700km. Både John og jeg ser på denne delen av turen som en transport etappe. Planen er like vell å ikke kjøre mer enn ca 250km pr. dag og dette gir oss muligheten til å være i Seattle ca 4. juni for å møte Terje. Terje hadde i utgangspunktet tenkt å kjøre sammen med oss i 2 uker, men dette er nå utvidet til 4 uker. Terje ønsker å krysse USA på skrått, og dette er selvfølgelig ikke meg imot 🙂 Så den nye planen går altså ut på å kjøre fra Seattle til Denver sammen med John som først planlagt, men når vi møter Paul Alms og Quan Hoang forlater vi disse 3 og fortsetter på TAT ruten videre ut mot østkysten av USA. Til slutt er målet å komme til Summerfield / Ocala i Florida, besøke Torger, selge sykkelen som Terje kjører på, for så å levere Terje på flyplassen i Orlando.

I løpet av disse 50 dagene har jeg da kjørt ca. 12.000km. Dvs ett snitt på ca 240-250km pr. dag. Så kjører man med en gjennomsnitt hastighet på 60km/t i 4 timer pr dag bør det her gå bra. Å siden man tross alt er på motorsykkeltur synes ikke jeg dette er mye. Med bare 4 timer pr. dag på sykkelen bør dette også åpne opp muligheten til å oppleve ting langs veien.

Når Terje reiser hjem fra Orlando begynner min reise gjennom Florida – Alabama – Mississippi – Louisiana – og Texas før jeg når grensen til Mexico ett eller annet sted. Avstanden fra Ocala i Florida til Mexico sin nærmeste grense er nesten 2000km. Så kjører jeg i snitt 250km pr. dag på denne strekningen også bør jeg være i Mexico i løpet av en ukes tid. Dvs. rundt midten av juli.

John Del Norte, Paul Alms og Quan Hoang har i praksis nå 3 uker forsprang men jeg vet at de kommer til å bruke litt tid i Mexico så min plan er å forsøke å ta de igjen ett eller annet sted mellom Mexico og Panama. Siden Paul Alms bare skal til Belize hadde det vært kjekt å treffe de igjen før den tid. Jeg har tenkt å oppleve ting under veis, se nye steder, treffe nye folk men det kan være at jeg evt. dropper Baja California i Mexico for å heller ta igjen de andre gutta. Hvis jeg skal kjøre helt til Baja California i Mexico krever dette at jeg faktisk i løpet av denne turen krysser USA 2 ganger 🙂 Men Baja California står høyt på ønskelisten så hvem vet 🙂

Etter at jeg har kommet til Mexico har jeg ingen eksakte planer. I forhold til opprinnelig reiseplan har jeg fortsatt 5 mnd. tilgjengelig tid før jeg hadde planlagt å komme hjem. Når jeg ankommer Panama City har turen gjennom Nord og Mellom Amerika fått BMW’en til å rulle ca. 20.000km. Gjennomsnitt daglig kjørelengde synker, man tar dager fri for å oppleve strand, kultur og andre ting å i tillegg er det på tide med service nr 2 på sykkelen 🙂

Baja California

Baja området kan by på utfordrende vill natur og masse veier av forskjellig kvalitet.

Reiseplan for Syd Amerika får dere dessverre ikke. Ingen planer er lagt, og målet er å ta tingene etter hvert som dagene går. Reisen sydligste mål er også Argentinas sydligste punkt. Da snur jeg å kjøre opp til Buenos Aires for så å fly hjem derfra. De som vil kan følge med på bloggen, og gi gjerne innspill til hva man bør se og oppleve 🙂

Venezuela travel warning

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2015-01-10

Postet i: Travel Warnings. Merket: Adventure, Drømmereise, Motorcycle journey, motorsykkeltur, Pan Am Hwy, Pan American Highway, Travel, Travel Warning, Venezuela.

Om Venezuela skal besøkes på denne turen får tiden vise, men man kan jo i alle fall merke seg at de største farene i Venezuela er drap og kidnapping. I tillegg får man merke seg følgende tekst angående Caracas: «In Caracas, the homicide rate is even higher at 134 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.»

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The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens about the security situation in Venezuela. Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Venezuela each year for study, tourism, business, and volunteer work. Violent crime in Venezuela is pervasive, however, both in the capital, Caracas, and in the interior. This updates the Travel Warning issued on June 4, 2014, to include amendments to the movement policy for U.S. Embassy personnel and their families.

According to the non-governmental organization Venezuelan Violence Observatory (VVO), there were 24,763 homicides in Venezuela in 2013, amounting to a rate of 79 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, among the highest in the world. In Caracas, the homicide rate is even higher at 134 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.

Kidnappings are also a serious concern throughout the country. In 2013, 625 kidnappings were reported to the authorities. It is estimated that roughly 80 percent of kidnappings go unreported; the actual number of kidnappings in 2013 is likely much higher. Common criminals are increasingly involved in kidnappings and may deal with victims’ families directly. In addition, there is cross-border violence, kidnappings, drug trafficking, and smuggling along Venezuela’s western border.

The Department of State considers the criminal threat to U.S. government personnel in Venezuela sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under strict security restrictions. All U.S. direct-hire personnel and their families assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Caracas are subject to an embassy movement policy for their safety and well-being. The details of the policy are found in our Country Specific Information on Venezuela. These practices limit, and may occasionally prevent, access by U.S. Embassy officials to certain areas of Caracas and the interior of the country.

In addition, all U.S. direct-hire personnel and their family members who are assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Caracas are required to take an armored vehicle when traveling to and from the Maiquetia Airport as well as when traveling in some parts of Caracas and the interior.

U.S. citizens in Venezuela should be vigilant of their surroundings at all times and in all locations, especially when entering or exiting their homes, hotels, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. Whenever possible, U.S. citizens should travel in groups of two or more persons; avoid wearing jewelry and carrying large sums of money or displaying cash, ATM/credit cards, mobile phones, or other valuables; and avoid walking at night in most areas of Venezuela or walking alone on beaches, historic ruins, and trails. Incidents of crime along inter-city roads, including carjacking and kidnapping, are common in Venezuela. Motorists should avoid traveling at night and always drive with their doors locked to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested city streets.

For more detailed information on staying safe in Venezuela, please see the State Department’s Country Specific Information. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ internet website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). U.S. citizens living or traveling in Venezuela are encouraged to enroll with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to obtain updated information on travel and security within Venezuela. For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Venezuela, please contact the U.S. Embassy.

The U.S. Embassy in Caracas is located on Calle F con Calle Suapure, Lomas de Valle Arriba. The telephone number during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) is (011) 58-212-975-6411. For after-hours emergencies use (011) 58-212-907-8400. The fax is (011) 58-212-907-8199. Please check the Embassy website for additional information.

Colombia Travel Warning

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-12-30

Postet i: Travel Warnings. Merket: Adventure, Motorcycle journey, motorsykkeltur, Pan Am Hwy, Pan American Highway, Travel, Travel Warning.

Letingen etter informasjon om landene som skal besøkes fortsetter 🙂 Colombia er ett av landene man har hørt om å som ofte relateres til vold, men det er også ett land med masse flotte mc veier. Jeg har lest mange reiseskildringer om folk som har vært her i ukesvis å kjørt mc som forteller at dette landet bare må besøkes på 2 hjul.

Kriminaliteten ser ut til å ha blitt redusert betraktelig fra år 2000 og frem til nå, men de kommer fortsett med visse advarsler. Som f.eks.:

Colombia can be extremely dangerous due to the presence of terrorists and criminal elements, including armed gangs (referred to as «BACRIM» in Spanish), that are active throughout much of the country. These groups are heavily involved in the drug trade, extortion, kidnapping, and robbery.

Men bør altså vise litt forsiktighet, men generelt er som sagt kriminaliteten mye lavere enn man husker den for noen år siden. Her er hele advarselen fra Travel State Gov.

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens about the security situation in Colombia. Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Colombia each year for tourism, business, university studies, and volunteer work. Security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, including in tourist and business travel destinations such as Bogota, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Medellin, and Cali. However, violence linked to narco-trafficking continues to affect some rural and urban areas. This Travel Warning replaces the previous travel warning released on April 14, 2014, with minor changes to the travel restrictions for U.S. government officials and their families in Colombia.

There have been no reports of U.S. citizens targeted specifically for their nationality. While the U.S. Embassy has no information regarding specific and credible threats against U.S. citizens in Colombia, both the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC) and National Liberation Army (ELN) terrorist groups continue to condemn any U.S. influence in Colombia. The Department of State strongly encourages U.S. citizens to exercise caution and remain vigilant as terrorist and criminal activities remain a threat throughout the country. Explosions occur throughout Colombia on a regular basis, including in Bogota. Small towns and rural areas of Colombia can be extremely dangerous due to the presence of terrorists and criminal elements, including armed gangs (referred to as «BACRIM» in Spanish), that are active throughout much of the country. Violence associated with the BACRIM has spilled over into many of Colombia’s major cities. These groups are heavily involved in the drug trade, extortion, kidnapping, and robbery.

The incidence of kidnapping in Colombia has diminished significantly from its peak in 2000. However, kidnapping remains a threat. Terrorist groups and other criminal organizations continue to kidnap and hold civilians, including foreigners, for ransom. No one is immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. The U.S. government places the highest priority on the safe recovery of kidnapped U.S. citizens, but it is U.S. policy not to make concessions to kidnappers.

U.S. government officials in Colombia regularly travel to the major cities of Colombia such as Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, and Cartagena without incident. U.S. government officials and their families in Colombia normally are permitted to travel to major cities only by air. They may not use inter- or intra-city bus transportation, or travel by road outside urban areas at night. U.S. government officials in Colombia and their families are restricted to traveling within certain areas. This includes using the main highways to travel between Bogota and Bucaramanga, and between Bogota and Ibague. Personnel are also allowed to drive between Manizales, Pereira, and Armenia and within the “coffee country” departments of Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío. On the Caribbean coast, personnel are restricted to driving along Highway 90 from Cartagena, through Barranquilla to Santa Marta. Travel to all other areas of Colombia is off limits unless specific authorization is granted. All U.S. citizens in Colombia are urged to follow these precautions and exercise extra caution outside of the aforementioned areas.

For more detailed information on staying safe in Colombia, please see the State Department’s Country Specific Information for Colombia. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). U.S. citizens living or traveling in Colombia are encouraged to enroll with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to obtain updated information on travel and security within Colombia. For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Colombia, please contact the U.S. Embassy or the closest U.S. Consulate as listed below.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50 Bogota, D.C., Colombia. Mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27 Bogota, D.C., Colombia. In case of a serious emergency that jeopardizes the health or safety of a U.S. citizen in Colombia, please call the Embassy at (+57-1) 275-2000; Embassy fax: (+57-1) 275-4501; Consular Section phone: (+57-1) 275-4900. The Embassy’s American Citizens Services office provides routine information at http://bogota.usembassy.gov. For questions not answered there, inquiries may be sent by email to ACSBogota@state.gov.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla, which accepts passport applications and performs notarial services, is located at Calle 77B, No. 57-141, Piso 5, Centro Empresarial Las Americas, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia; telephone (+57-5) 353-2001/353-2182/369-0149. In case of an emergency in the Barranquilla/North Coast area, please contact the Embassy in Bogota at (+57-1) 275-2000 which will forward the call to our Consular Agent.

Honduras Travel Warning

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-12-28

Postet i: Travel Warnings. Merket: Adventure, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, Drømmereise, Honduras, Motorcycle journey, motorsykkeltur, Pan Am Hwy, Pan American Highway, Travel, Travel State Gov, Travel Warning.

Etter å ha lest gjennom Honduras Travel Warning blir vell konklusjonen:

1: Honduras er det landet med høyest drapsrate siden 2010.

2: Den honduranske Ministry of Security registrert en drapsrate på 75,6 – 79 per 100.000 personer i 2013.

3: Tourists traveling with group tours also report fewer criminal incidents

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The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens that the level of crime and violence in Honduras remains critically high. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated December 24, 2013, and includes additional information on crime and security in Honduras, as well as updated contact information.

Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens visit Honduras each year for study, tourism, business, and volunteer work without incident. However, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country, and the Government of Honduras lacks the resources to address these issues. Since 2010, Honduras has had the highest murder rate in the world. The Honduran Ministry of Security recorded a homicide rate of 75.6 per 100,000 people in 2013, while the National Violence Observatory, an academic research institution based out of Honduras’ National Public University, reports that the 2013 murder rate was 79 murders per 100,000 people.

U.S. citizens are victims of crime at levels similar to those of the local population, and do not appear to be targeted based on their nationality. Although Roatan/Bay Islands, Copan Mayan ruins, and other tourist destinations and resorts have a lower crime rate than other parts of the country, thefts, break-ins, assaults, and murders do occur and are still high by international standards. In 2012, the Government of Honduras increased police presence and established special police forces in areas frequented by tourists, such as the Copan Mayan ruins and Roatan. The Honduran government is evaluating similar options for other locations, and major hotels and other tourist installations have increased private and police security.

Tourists traveling with group tours also report fewer criminal incidents. However, the San Pedro Sula area has seen armed robberies against tourist vans, minibuses, and cars traveling from the airport to area hotels, and there have also been armed robberies along the road to Copan. Visitors are strongly urged to exercise caution in discussing travel plans in public.

Several U.S. citizens have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches. All visitors should be vigilant of their surroundings at all times, avoid unfamiliar or isolated areas, and take care to book only with reputable tour companies during their visit to Honduras. The vast majority of cruise line passengers in Honduras experience no problems, but incidents of armed robbery and carjacking have been reported. Coxen Hole on the island of Roatan should be avoided after dark. The vast majority of serious crimes in Honduras, including those against U.S. citizens, are never solved.

Members of the Honduran National Police have been known to engage in criminal activity, including murder and car theft. The government of Honduras lacks sufficient resources to properly investigate and prosecute cases, and police often lack vehicles or fuel to respond to calls for assistance. In practice, this means police may take hours to arrive at the scene of a violent crime, or may not respond at all. As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity throughout Honduras. The Honduran government is still in the early stages of substantial reforms to its criminal justice institutions.

Transnational criminal organizations also conduct narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout the country, using violence to control drug trafficking routes and carry out criminal activity. Other criminals, acting both individually and in gangs in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and other large cities, are known to commit crimes such as murder, kidnapping, extortion, carjacking, armed robbery, rape, and other aggravated assaults.

Kidnappings remain a concern and are believed to be underreported. Since January 1, 2012, four cases of kidnapped U.S. citizens were reported to the U.S. Embassy. The kidnapping victims were all subsequently released, sometimes paying large ransoms to their captors.

U.S. citizens should be vigilant of their surroundings at all times and in all locations, especially when entering or exiting their homes, hotels, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. Whenever possible, U.S. citizens should travel in groups of two or more. It is also advisable to avoid wearing jewelry and carrying large sums of money or displaying cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables. U.S. citizens should avoid walking at night in most areas of Honduras or walking alone on beaches, historic ruins, and trails. Motorists should avoid traveling at night and always drive with their doors locked and windows up to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets.

The location and timing of criminal activity is unpredictable in Honduras. The U.S. Embassy recommends that all travelers exercise caution when traveling anywhere in the country; however, certain areas of the country demonstrate higher levels of criminal activity than others. Most of Honduras’ major cities (Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and others), as well as several Honduran “departments” (a geographic designation similar to U.S. states) have homicide rates higher than the national average for 2013, including:

DEPARTMENT CAPITAL
Atlántida La Ceiba
Colón Trujillo
Cortés San Pedro Sula
Ocotepeque Ocotepeque
Yoro Yoro

There are no reliable statistics for the department of Gracias a Dios; however, travelers to the area should note that it is a remote location where narcotics trafficking is frequent, infrastructure is weak, government services are limited, and police or military presence is scarce.

For more detailed information regarding personal security, please see the State Department’s Country Specific Information for Honduras.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Web site, where the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found.

The Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens living or traveling in Honduras to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to obtain updated information on travel and security within Honduras. Travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. Stay up to date by bookmarking the Bureau of Consular Affairs Web site, which contains Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.

If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime in Honduras, you should contact the local police and the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. If you are in the two major cities of Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula, you can reach the local police by dialing 911; other smaller cities or rural areas have their own local police assistance numbers.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa, and can be reached at:

Telephone: (504) 2236-9320/2238-5114
Fax: (504) 2236-9037
After Hours: (504) 2236-8497
Website: honduras.usembassy.gov

The Embassy’s American Citizens Services Unit is open to walk-in services Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 11:30 am, and can be reached directly at:

Telephone: (504) 2238-5114 ext. 4400
After Hours:    (504) 2238-5114 / 2236-9320 ext.4100
Fax: (504) 2238-4357
Email:             usahonduras@state.gov
Facebook:       http://www.facebook.com/acstegucigalpa

The U.S. Consular Agency in San Pedro Sula is located on the eleventh floor of the Banco Atlantida building (across from Central Park). The agency is open to walk-in services on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00 to 4:00 pm, and can be reached at Telephone: (504) 2558-1580.

El Salvador Travel Warning

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-12-27

Postet i: Travel Warnings. Merket: Adventure, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, Drømmereise, El Salvador, highway assault, Motorcycle journey, mugging, National Civilian Police, Pan American Highway, PNC, POLITUR, Travel, Travel State Gov, Travel Warning.

Selv om Travel Warnings er generelle gir det i alle fall ett lite perspektiv om forholdene. Så jeg gjør en liten sjekk på Travel State Gov. med jevne mellomrom for å se om det er spesielle ting man bør tenke på.

Her er siste melding fra Travel State Gov angående situasjonen fra El Salvador. Slik det ser ut for øyeblikket er det en «kritisk» høy kriminalitet i landet, i snitt 10 Amerikanske statsborgere har blitt drept pr. år, og over 100 Amerikanske statsborgere har blitt frastjålet sine pass og andre eiendeler. Ser også ut til at highway overfall kan skje, så det er nok lurt å ikke kjøre etter at det har blitt mørkt.

El Salvador er jo ett relativt lite land, så man kan teoretisk sånn sett klare å komme seg gjennom hele landet i løpet av 1 dag hvis man føler for det. Alternativt kan man også unngå El Salvador å heller kjøre gjennom Honduras, men travel Warnings for Honduras var ikke stort bedre 🙂 Som det står på Travel.State.Gov sine sider om Honduras: «Since 2010, Honduras has had the highest murder rate in the world.» Hoduras må vi nødvendigvis gjennom uansett, men velger vi å kjøre gjennom El Salvador blir det færre kilometer å kjøre gjennom Honduras.

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The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens that crime and violence levels in El Salvador remain critically high. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated April 25, 2014, and includes updated information on crime and security in El Salvador.

Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit El Salvador each year for study, tourism, cruise ship visits, business, and volunteer work. There is no information to suggest that U.S. citizens are specifically targeted by criminals; however, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country. Since January 2010, 33 U.S. citizens have been murdered in El Salvador including a nine-year-old child in December 2013. During the same time period, 366 U.S. citizens reported having their passports stolen, while others were victims of violent crimes.

Typical crimes in El Salvador include extortion, mugging, highway assault, home invasion, and car theft. There have also been cases reported in which criminals observe and follow customers making withdrawals at ATMs and banks, then rob them on the road or at a residence. Some victims unwittingly wander into gang-controlled territory and may be targeted, normally at night. Assaults against police officers have risen, and public shootouts are not uncommon. Armed robberies of climbers and hikers in El Salvador’s national parks are known to occur, and the Embassy strongly recommends engaging the services of a local guide certified by the national or local tourist authority when hiking in back country areas — even within the national parks. The National Civilian Police (PNC) has a special tourist police force (POLITUR) to provide security and assistance to visitors. It has officers located in 19 tourist destinations.

A majority of serious crimes are never solved; only six of the 33 murders committed against U.S. citizens since January 2010 have resulted in convictions. The Government of El Salvador lacks sufficient resources to properly investigate and prosecute cases and to deter violent crime. While several of the PNC’s investigative units have shown great promise, routine street-level patrol techniques, anti-gang, and crime suppression efforts are limited. Equipment shortages (particularly radios, vehicles, and fuel) further limit their ability to deter or respond to crimes effectively.

El Salvador, a country of roughly six million people, has, according to Government of El Salvador statistics, thousands of known gang members from several gangs including Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Eighteenth Street (M18). Gang members are quick to engage in violence or use deadly force if resisted. These “maras” concentrate on narcotics and arms trafficking, murder for hire, carjacking, extortion, and violent street crime. Authorities believe a significant number of disappearances are related to gang activity, since many of the missing were in gangs or were friends or family members of gang members. Police sources claim that the families of gang members often face the same risks of being killed or disappearing as the gang members themselves.

Extortion is a particularly serious and very common crime in El Salvador. Some extortion attempts are no more than random cold calls that originate from imprisoned gang members using cellular telephones, and the subsequent threats against the victim are made through social engineering and/or through information obtained about the victim’s family. U.S. citizens who are visiting El Salvador for extended periods are at higher risk for extortion demands. Many extortions and other crimes are not reported by victims for fear of reprisal and lack of faith in the ability of the government to protect the victims.

U.S. citizens should remain alert to their surroundings, especially when entering or exiting their homes or hotels, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. Whenever possible, travel in groups. U.S. Embassy security officials advise all U.S. government personnel not to walk, run, or cycle in the unguarded streets and parks of El Salvador, even in groups, and recommend exercising only in gyms and fitness centers. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry, and do not carry large sums of money or display cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables. Avoid walking at night in most areas of El Salvador. Incidents of crime along roads, including carjacking, are common in El Salvador. Motorists should avoid traveling at night and always drive with their doors locked to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets. Travel on public transportation, especially buses, both within and outside the capital, is risky and not recommended. The Embassy advises official visitors and personnel to avoid using mini-buses and regular buses and to use only radio-dispatched taxis or those stationed in front of major hotels.

For more detailed information regarding personal security, please see the State Department’s Country Specific Information for El Salvador. U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in El Salvador are strongly encouraged to sign up for the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to obtain updated information on travel and security within El Salvador. Travelers may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or on a regular toll line at 202-501-4444.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Urbanización Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad, and can be reached at:

Telephone: 503-2501-2999
Fax: 503-2278-5522 / 503-2278-6020
Email: ACSSanSal@state.gov
Website: sansalvador.usembassy.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/embajadaamericanaelsalvador
Twitter: twitter.com/USCitSV

For after-hours emergencies, please call 503-2501-2253.

Diverse Camping og annet utstyr

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-11-30

Postet i: Utstyr. Merket: BMW F800GS, Camping Equipment, Moto adventure, Motorcycle journey, Pan American Highway, Reise, Touratech, Travel, Zega Pro2.

I tillegg til Touratech sine Zega Pro2 koffertene på 31L og 38L er planen å pakke telt, sovepose, liggeunderlag etc. i vanntette bagger. Så 2stk av Touratech sine Packsack Ortlieb Rack-Pack Size M yellow 01-055-0097-0 er derfor bestilt pluss 1 stk Packsack Ortlieb Rack-Pack Size L yellow 01-055-0098-0. Målet er at den største baggen skal være tom når jeg reiser fra Norge, men at jeg da har mulighet til pakke noe ekstra under veis hvis det skulle bli behov.

Touratech 01-055-0097-0

I tillegg bestilte jeg 2 stk. PacSafe 55 steel net og 1 stk. PacSafe 85 steel net for å sikre at bagasjen er safe når jeg forlater sykkelen i noen minutter.

Touratech 01-055-0108-0

2 små vesker til veltebøylene ble også bestilt. Bags for crash bar extension 048-5161 for BMW F800GS 01-048-5820-0 er på 2,3l å kan brukes til småting som bør være lett tilgjengelig.

Touratech 01-048-5820-0

Bestilte også noen småting som jeg like vell måte ha kjøpt ett eller annet sted før avreise. F.eks. Touratech 01-055-0311-0 toalett mappe…………….

Touratech 01-055-0311-0

Touratech 01-070-0530-0 sin drikkeflaske………..

Touratech 01-070-0530-0

Touratech 01-070-0528-0 sin myggnetting ……………..

Touratech 01-070-0528-0

Touratech 01-055-0282-0 sin vanntette dokument bag …………

Touratech 01-055-0282-0

Og Touratech 01-050-0806-0 refleks for koffertene.

Touratech 01-050-0806-0

Dermed håper jeg dette blir siste forsendelse med utstyr fra Touratch på en stund 🙂

Teltet jeg skal bruke er ett 2 manns telt og veier ikke mer enn 1,86 kg og når det er pakket sammen er målene ca. 53,3 cm x 15,2 cm. Altså ett greit lite og nett telt å ha med på mc turer.

Mountain Hardwear Skyledge-2-1 tomanns telt

Teltet har 2 innganger og ikke mer enn 2 stenger, så det enkelt å sette opp alene.

Mountain Hardwear Skyledge-2-1 tomanns telt

I tillegg har det en del space mellom innertelt og yttertelt slik at det er mulig å stable litt bagasje «innendørs» 🙂

Mountain Hardwear Skyledge-2-1 tomanns telt

I tillegg til å ligge godt må man jo kunne sitte godt i en camping stol ved leirbålet selv om man er på tur. Så en Helinox Chair One Camping Chair er kjøpt inn.

Helionox er en konstruksjon av solide og lette produkter. Dette er en av bestselgerne. En sammenleggbar turstol på kun 950 gram. En turstol til sekken eller campingstol i bilen, båten, motorsykkelen eller i hånden!

Pakkvolum sammenslått: 35 x 10 x 12 cm
Maks vektbelastning: 145 kg
Høyde: 65 cm
Bredde: 52 cm
Dybde: 50 cm
Sittehøyde: 35 cm

Helinox Chair One Camping Chair

Det er fortsatt litt camping utsyr som gjenstår, men de fleste tingene er på plass 🙂

Foreløpige planer

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-11-28

Postet i: Div. oppdateringer før avreise. Merket: Alaska, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, baja california, BMW F800GS, Mexico, Motorcycle journey, Pan American Highway, Travel.

Noe av de jeg blir spurt om av venner og bekjente er hvor langt jeg er kommet i planleggingen, hvilken motorsykkel jeg skal bruke og hvem jeg skal reise sammen med.

Så her kommer foreløpig plan 🙂

Motorsykkelen jeg skal bruke er min egen BMW F800GS Trophy fra 2012

BMW F800GS Trophy

Dermed bør jeg være i London for å levere motorsykkel til Motofreight den 1. mai slik at de kan forberede frakte av motorsykkelen til Anchorage.

Mogreina – London er i følge Google Map på ca. 1943km og blir selvfølgelig kun enn transport etappe, men jeg håper i alle fall at været blir bra slik at første del av turen får en god start.

Neste dato som er satt er at vi skal møte Terje Sand i Seattle ca 20 juni og han skal være med å kjøre TAT til Denver. En tur som er satt opp til å vare i 2 uker.

Trans America Trail

Når Terje reiser hjem fra Denver møter John Del Norte og jeg muligens Paul Alms og Quan Hoang. Paul Alms har planer om å kjøre sammen med oss til Belize mens Quan Hoang har planer om å være med hele veien til Ushuaia i Argentina.

Selv har jeg lyst til å kjøre Baja California i Mexico for så å ta ferge fra La Paz til fastlandet igjen.

Baja California

Baja området kan by på utfordrende vill natur og masse veier av forskjellig kvalitet.

Etter Denver er ingen datoer, ruter eller steder avtalt bortsett fra at målet er å komme hjem til jul.

Vaksiner

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-11-23

Postet i: Forsikring_vaksine. Merket: Adventure, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, Amerika, baja california, Canada, Deadhorse, Mexico, Motorcycle journey, Pan American Highway, Prudhoe Bay, Syd Amerika, Travel, USA, vaccine, Vaksine.

Da har jeg hatt de 3-4 første besøkene på Jessheim vaksinasjonskontor. Så lagt har jeg fått 2 doser med Hepatitt B, 3 doser med Rabies pluss Gulfeber. Så da gjenstår Boostrix-polio (difteri, stivkrampe, kikhoste,polio) og Tyfoid hvis jeg har forstått informasjonen riktig.

Hepatitt A hadde jeg tatt tidligere når Nina og jeg var i Mexico i 2011 så dermed trenger jeg ikke dette.

Så da gjenstår det å finne ett bra forsikringsselskap som kan forsikre både meg og motorsykkelen. Norske forsikringsselskaper vil jo dessverre ikke forsikre motorsykkelen for denne turen.

Vaksine

Mexico Travel Warning UPDATED: OCTOBER 10, 2014

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-11-09

Postet i: Travel Warnings. Merket: Adventure, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, bmw, BMW F800GS, Drømmereise, Mexico, Motorcycle journey, Pan American Highway, Prudhoe Bay, Reise, Reise forsikring, Syd Amerika, Travel, Travel Warning, USA.

Mexico Travel Warning
LAST UPDATED: OCTOBER 10, 2014
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the risk of traveling to certain places in Mexico due to threats to safety and security posed by organized criminal groups in the country. U.S. citizens have been the target of violent crimes, such as kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery by organized criminal groups in various Mexican states. For information on security conditions in specific regions of Mexico, which can vary, travelers should reference the state-by-state assessments further below. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Mexico, issued August 15, 2014, to update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.

This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Mexico, issued August 15, 2014, to update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.

General Conditions:

Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that organized criminal groups have targeted U.S. visitors or residents based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes.

Nevertheless, U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter organized criminal groups that engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico. The groups themselves are engaged in a violent struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity. Crime and violence are serious problems and can occur anywhere. U.S. citizens have fallen victim to criminal activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking, and highway robbery. While many of those killed in organized crime-related violence have themselves been involved in criminal activity, innocent persons have also been killed. The number of U.S. citizens reported to the Department of State as murdered in Mexico was 71 in 2012 and 81 in 2013.

Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place in towns and cities in many parts of Mexico. Gun battles have occurred in broad daylight on streets and in other public venues, such as restaurants and clubs. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area. Criminal organizations have used stolen cars, buses, and trucks to create roadblocks on major thoroughfares, preventing the military and police from responding to criminal activity. The location and timing of future armed engagements is unpredictable. We recommend that you defer travel to the areas specifically identified in this Travel Warning and exercise extreme caution when traveling throughout the other areas for which advisories are in effect.

The number of kidnappings throughout Mexico is of particular concern and appears to be on the rise. According to statistics published by the Mexican Secretaria de Gobernacion (SEGOB), in 2013 kidnappings nationwide increased 20 percent over the previous year. While kidnappings can occur anywhere, according to SEGOB, during this timeframe, the states with the highest numbers of kidnappings were Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Michoacán, Estado de Mexico, and Morelos. Additionally, according to a widely publicized study by the agency responsible for national statistics (INEGI, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography), Mexico suffered an estimated 105,682 kidnappings in 2012; only 1,317 were reported to the police. Police have been implicated in some of these incidents. Both local and expatriate communities have been victimized. Nearly 70 kidnappings of U.S. citizens were reported to the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Mexico between January and June of 2014.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to lower their personal profiles and to avoid displaying indicators of wealth such as expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or cameras. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain awareness of their surroundings and avoid situations in which they may be isolated or stand out as potential victims.

Kidnappings in Mexico have included traditional, «express,» and «virtual» kidnappings. Victims of traditional kidnappings are physically abducted and held captive until a ransom is paid for release. «Express» kidnappings are those in which a victim is abducted for a short time and forced to withdraw money, usually from an ATM, then released. A «virtual» kidnapping is an extortion-by-deception scheme wherein a victim is contacted by phone and convinced to isolate themselves from family and friends until a ransom is paid. The victim is coerced (by threat of violence) to remain isolated and to provide phone numbers for the victim’s family or loved ones. The victim’s family is then contacted and a ransom for the «kidnapped» extracted. Recently, some travelers to Mexico staying at hotels as guests have been targets of such «virtual» kidnapping schemes.

Of particular safety concern are casinos, sportsbooks, or other gambling establishments and adult entertainment establishments. U.S. government personnel are specifically prohibited from patronizing these establishments in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas.

Carjacking and highway robbery are serious problems in many parts of the border region, and U.S. citizens have been murdered in such incidents. Most victims who complied with carjackers’ demands have reported that they were not physically harmed. Carjackers have shot at vehicles that have attempted to flee. Incidents have occurred during the day and at night, and carjackers have used a variety of techniques, including roadblocks, bumping/moving vehicles to force them to stop, and running vehicles off the road at high speeds. There are indications that criminals target newer and larger vehicles, especially dark-colored SUVs. However, even drivers of old sedans and buses coming from the United States have been targeted. While violent incidents can occur anywhere and at any time, they most frequently occur at night and on isolated roads. To reduce risk when traveling by road, we strongly urge you to travel between cities throughout Mexico only during daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads («cuotas») whenever possible.

The Mexican government has deployed federal police and military personnel throughout the country as part of its efforts to combat organized criminal groups. U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican roads and highways by car or bus may encounter government checkpoints, staffed by military or law enforcement personnel. In some places, criminal organizations have erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, at times wearing police and military uniforms, and have killed or abducted motorists who have failed to stop at them. You should cooperate at all checkpoints.

The Department imposes restrictions on U.S. government employees’ travel in Mexico. Since July 2010, USG employees are prohibited from driving on non-official travel from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior of Mexico or Central America. One exception is that personal travel by motor vehicle is permitted on Highway 15 toll road between Hermosillo and Nogales during daylight hours.

U.S. government personnel and their families are prohibited from personal travel to all areas to which it is advised to «defer non-essential travel». When travel for official purposes is essential, it is conducted with extensive security precautions. U.S. government personnel and their families are allowed to travel for personal reasons to the areas where no advisory is in effect or where the advisory is to exercise caution. While the general public is not forbidden from visiting places categorized under «defer non-essential travel,» U.S. government personnel will not be able to respond quickly to an emergency situation in those areas due to security precautions that must be taken by U.S. government personnel to travel to those areas.

For more information on road safety and crime along Mexico’s roadways, see the Department of State’s Country Specific Information.

State-by-State Assessment:

Below is a state-by-state assessment of security conditions throughout Mexico. Travelers should be mindful that even if no advisories are in effect for a given state, crime and violence can still occur. For general information about travel and other conditions in Mexico, see our Country Specific Information.

Aguascalientes: You should exercise caution when traveling to the areas of the state that border the state of Zacatecas, as criminal organization activity in that region continues. There is no advisory in effect for daytime travel to the areas of the state that do not border Zacatecas; however, intercity travel at night is not recommended.

Baja California: Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada and Mexicali are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Baja California – Exercise caution in the northern state of Baja California, particularly at night. Criminal activity along highways and at beaches is a continuing security concern. In 2013, homicide rates in Tijuana and Rosarito increased 48 percent and 67 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Baja State Secretariat for Public Security, and both cities experienced further increases in homicide rates during the first half of 2014. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have occurred during daylight hours.

Baja California (Sur): Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Southern Baja California – No advisory is in effect.

Campeche: No advisory is in effect.

Chiapas: San Cristobal de las Casas is a major city/travel destination in Chiapas – No advisory is in effect.

Chihuahua: Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Copper Canyon are major cities/travel destinations in Chihuahua – Exercise caution in traveling to the business and shopping districts in the northeast section of Ciudad Juarez and its major industrial parks, and the central downtown section and major industrial parks in Chihuahua City. U.S. citizens should defer non-essential travel to other areas of these cities and anywhere else in the state of Chihuahua and travel during daylight hours between cities. In Ciudad Juarez, personal travel by U.S. government employees outside the north/central and northeast portion of the city near the Consulate General is restricted and private U.S. citizens should defer non-essential travel to those areas as well. In Chihuahua City, U.S. government personnel and their family members are permitted to travel only to the central business districts and the city’s airport. Personal vehicular travel during daylight hours by U.S. government personnel and family members is authorized between Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua using the Highway 45 toll road. Although homicide rates in Ciudad Juarez have decreased markedly from a peak several years ago, the city still has one of the highest homicide rates in Mexico. Crime and violence remain serious problems throughout the state of Chihuahua, particularly in the southern portion of the state and in the Sierra Mountains, including Copper Canyon. U.S. citizens do not, however, appear to be targeted based on their nationality.

Coahuila: Defer non-essential travel to the state of Coahuila except the city of Saltillo, where you should exercise caution. Violence and criminal activity along the highways are continuing security concerns, particularly along the northern border between Piedras Negras and Nuevo Laredo. The state of Coahuila continues to experience high rates of violent crimes and narcotics-related murders. Criminal organizations continue to compete for territory and coveted border crossings to the United States. Violent crime, including murder, kidnapping, and armed carjacking, continues to be a concern.

Colima: Manzanillo is a major city/travel destination in Colima – Defer non-essential travel to the areas of the state of Colima that border the state of Michoacán, including the city of Tecoman. The security situation along the Michoacán border continues to be the most unstable in the state, with gun battles occurring between rival criminal groups and with Mexican authorities. Intercity travel at night is not recommended.

Durango: Defer non-essential travel to the state of Durango except the city of Durango, where you should exercise caution. Violence and criminal activity along the highways are a continuing security concern. Several areas in the state continue to experience high rates of violence and remain volatile and unpredictable. U.S. government personnel may not travel outside the city of Durango and must abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. within a secured venue.

Estado de Mexico: Toluca and Teotihuacan are major travel destinations in Estado de Mexico – Defer non-essential travel to the municipalities of Coacalco, Ecatepec, Nezahualcoyotl, La Paz, Valle del Chalco, Solidaridad, Chalco, and Ixtapaluca, which are eastern portions of the greater Mexico City metropolitan area, located just to the east of the Federal District of Mexico and Benito Juarez airport, unless traveling directly through the areas on major thoroughfares. These areas have seen high rates of crime and insecurity. You should also defer non-essential travel on any roads between Santa Marta in the southeast portion of the state and Huitzilac in the state of Morelos, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas.

Guanajuato: San Miguel de Allende and Leon are major cities/travel destinations in Guanajuato – No advisory is in effect.

Guerrero: Acapulco, Ixtapa, Taxco and Zihuatanejo are major cities/travel destinations in Guerrero – Defer non-essential travel to all parts of the state, except for the cities of Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa, Taxco, and the caves at Grutas de Cacahuamilpa. Even in these tourist-friendly cities, you should exercise caution and stay within tourist areas. If driving to Taxco, only use federal toll road (“cuota”) 95D, exit at Puente de Ixtala/Iguala 91 and use 95 Cuernavaca-Iguala; return using the same route. Do not stop between the 95D toll road and Taxco. Gas refueling and rest breaks should be planned accordingly. You should also exercise caution and travel only during daylight hours on highway 95/95D between Mexico City and Acapulco. Use the toll road towards the Playa Diamante area and avoid the highway running through the city of Acapulco for travel to and from Acapulco. In Acapulco, defer non-essential travel to areas further than 2 blocks inland of the Costera Miguel Aleman Boulevard, which parallels the popular beach areas. Lodging for U.S. government personnel is limited to the hotel zone (“zona hotelera”) of Acapulco, beginning from the Hotel Avalon Excalibur Acapulco in the north and going south through Puerto Marquez including the Playa Diamante area. Any activity outside the hotel zone for U.S. government personnel is limited to the coastal area from La Quebrada to the beginning of the hotel zone and only during daylight hours. In general, the popular tourist area of Diamante, just south of the city, has been less affected by violence. Flying into the coastal cities in southern Guerrero remains the preferred method of travel. You should defer non-essential travel by land between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa; travel to Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa only by air, and exercise caution while in Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa. The state of Guerrero was the most violent state in Mexico in 2013, with 2,087 homicides and 207 reported cases of kidnapping, according to the Mexican Secretariado Ejecutivo Nacional de Seguridad Publica. Self-defense groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Armed members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and, although not considered hostile to foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be considered volatile and unpredictable.

Hidalgo: No advisory is in effect.

Jalisco: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Lake Chapala are major cities/travel destinations in Jalisco – Defer non-essential travel to areas of the state that border the states of Michoacán and Zacatecas. The security situation along the Michoacán and Zacatecas borders continues to be unstable and gun battles between criminal groups and authorities occur. Concerns include roadblocks placed by individuals posing as police or military personnel and recent gun battles between rival criminal organizations involving automatic weapons. You should exercise caution in rural areas and when using secondary highways, particularly along the northern border of the state. Except for the areas of the state that border Michoacán, there is no advisory in effect for daytime travel within major population centers or major highways in the state of Jalisco. Intercity travel at night is not recommended. There is no recommendation against travel to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. There is also no recommendation against travel on principal highways in Jalisco between Guadalajara including the portions that cross into the southern portions of the state of Nayarit.

Mexico City (also known as the Federal District): No advisory is in effect. See also the discussion in the section on Estado de Mexico for areas within the greater Mexico City metropolitan area.

Michoacán: Morelia is a major city/travel destination in Michoacán – Defer non-essential travel to the state of Michoacán except the cities of Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas and the area north of federal toll road 15D, where you should exercise caution. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling by land in Michoacán except on federal toll road 15D during daylight hours. Flying into Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas is the recommended method of travel. Attacks on Mexican government officials, law enforcement and military personnel, and other incidents of organized crime-related violence, have occurred throughout Michoacán. Federal authorities deployed some 9,000 federal security forces to Michoacán in January 2014 to address rising insecurity, particularly in the entire western part of the state. Due to criminal activity in Lázaro Cardenas, the Mexican military assumed direct control of the port in late 2013. Government authorities incorporated some of the self-defense groups that had operated independently of the government in recent months into a new state police unit in May. Armed members of some other self-defense groups maintain roadblocks and, although not considered hostile to foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be considered volatile and unpredictable. Some groups in Michoacán are reputed to be linked to organized crime.

Morelos: Cuernavaca is a major city/travel destination in Morelos – Exercise caution in the state of Morelos due to the unpredictable nature of organized crime violence. You should also defer non-essential travel on any roads between Huitzilac in the northwest corner of the state and Santa Marta in the state of Mexico, including the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and surrounding areas. On August 24, 2012, two U.S. government employees were injured after being fired upon by Federal Police officers on a non-toll road north of Tres Marias, Morelos. Numerous incidents of organized crime-related violence have also occurred in the city of Cuernavaca.

Nayarit: Defer non-essential travel to areas of the state of Nayarit that border the states of Sinaloa or Durango, as well as all rural areas and secondary highways. There is no recommendation against travel to the Vallarta-Nayarit area in the southern portion of the state known as the Riviera Nayarit, Tepic, Xalisco, and San Blas, or to principal highways in the southern portion of the state used to travel from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta. Intercity travel at night is not recommended.

Nuevo Leon: Monterrey is a major city/travel destination in Nuevo Leon – Defer non-essential travel to the state of Nuevo Leon except the metropolitan area of Monterrey, where you should exercise caution. Although the level of organized crime-related violence and general insecurity in Monterrey has decreased dramatically within the last 18 months, sporadic incidents of violence have occurred in the greater Monterrey area. Security services in and around Monterrey are robust and have proven responsive and effective in combating violent crimes; however, instances of violence remain a concern in the more remote regions of the state. Criminal organizations have kidnapped, and in some cases murdered, U.S. citizens, even when ransom demands are met. As a result of a Department of State assessment of the overall security situation, U.S. government personnel and their dependents may not travel outside the San Pedro Garza Garcia municipal boundaries between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., except for travel to the airport after 5 a.m.

Oaxaca: Oaxaca, Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are major cities/travel destinations in Oaxaca – No advisory is in effect.

Puebla: No advisory is in effect.

Queretaro: No advisory is in effect.

Quintana Roo: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum are major cities/travel destinations in Quintana Roo – No advisory is in effect.

San Luis Potosi: Defer non-essential travel to the state of San Luis Potosi, except the city of San Luis Potosi, where you should exercise caution. Violence and criminal activity along highways are continuing security concerns. U.S. government personnel may not travel outside the City of San Luis Potosi and must abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. within a secured venue.

Sinaloa: Mazatlan is a major city/travel destination in Sinaloa – Defer non-essential travel to the state of Sinaloa except the city of Mazatlan, where you should exercise caution, particularly late at night and in the early morning. One of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations is based in the state of Sinaloa, and violent crime rates remain high in many parts of the state. Travel off the toll roads in remote areas of Sinaloa is especially dangerous and should be avoided. We recommend that any travel in Mazatlan be limited to Zona Dorada and the historic town center, as well as direct routes to/from these locations and the airport.

Sonora: Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, Hermosillo, and San Carlos are major cities/travel destinations in Sonora – Sonora is a key region in the international drug and human trafficking trades and can be extremely dangerous for travelers. Travelers throughout Sonora are encouraged to limit travel to main roads during daylight hours. The region west of Nogales, east of Sonoyta, and from Caborca north, including the towns of Saric, Tubutama, and Altar, and the eastern edge of Sonora bordering Chihuahua, are known centers of illegal activity, and non-essential travel between these cities should be avoided. Travelers should also defer non-essential travel to the eastern edge of the state of Sonora, which borders the state of Chihuahua (all points along that border east of the northern city of Agua Prieta and the southern town of Alamos), and defer non-essential travel within the city of Ciudad Obregon and south of the city of Navojoa. You should exercise caution while transiting Vicam in southern Sonora due to roadblocks that can be instituted ad hoc by local indigenous and environmental groups. U.S. citizens visiting Puerto Peñasco should use the Lukeville, Arizona/Sonoyta, Sonora border crossing, and limit driving to daylight hours.

Tabasco: Villahermosa is a major city/travel destination in Tabasco – No advisory is in effect.

Tamaulipas: Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, and Tampico are major cities/travel destinations in Tamaulipas – Defer non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas. All U.S. government employees are prohibited from personal travel on Tamaulipas highways outside of Matamoros, Reynosa, and Nuevo Laredo due to the risks posed by armed robbery and carjacking, particularly along the northern border. Traveling outside of cities after dark is not recommended. While no highway routes through Tamaulipas are considered safe, the highways between Matamoros-Ciudad Victoria, Reynosa-Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad Victoria-Tampico, Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo, and Monterrey-Reynosa, are more prone to criminal activity. In Matamoros, U.S. government employees are subject to movement restrictions between midnight and 6 a.m.

Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo, and Ciudad Victoria have experienced numerous gun battles and attacks with explosive devices in the past year. Violent conflicts between rival criminal elements and/or the Mexican military can occur in all parts of the region and at all times of the day. The number of reported kidnappings for Tamaulipas is among the highest in Mexico, and the number of U.S. citizens reported to the consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo as being kidnapped, abducted, or disappearing involuntarily in the first half of 2014 has also increased. In May 2014, a Mexican state and federal security initiative was announced focused on combating increased violence in the state.

Tlaxcala: No advisory is in effect.

Veracruz: Exercise caution when traveling in the state of Veracruz. The state of Veracruz continues to experience violence among rival criminal organizations. Mexican federal security forces continue to assist state and local security forces in providing security and combating organized crime.

Yucatan: Merida and Chichen Itza are major cities/travel destinations in Yucatan – No advisory is in effect.

Zacatecas: Defer non-essential travel to areas of Zacatecas near the border with other Mexican states. Exercise caution in the interior of the state including the city of Zacatecas. Robberies, carjackings, and organized criminal activity remain a concern. Gun battles between criminal groups and authorities have occurred in the area of the state bordering the state of Jalisco. Extreme caution should be taken when traveling in the remainder of the state. U.S. government personnel may not travel outside the city of Zacatecas after dark and must abide by a curfew of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. within a secured venue.

Further Information

For more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico, please see the State Department’s Country Specific Information for Mexico.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department’s internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to enroll with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate with responsibility for that person’s location in Mexico. For information on the ten U.S. consular districts in Mexico, complete with links to Embassy and Consulate websites, please consult the Mexico U.S. Consular District map. The numbers provided below for the Embassy and Consulates are available around the clock. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. U.S. citizens may also contact the Embassy by e-mail.

Consulates (with consular districts):

Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua): Paseo de la Victoria 3650, telephone. (011)(52)(656) 227-3000.
Guadalajara (Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguas Calientes, and Colima): Progreso 175, telephone (011)(52)(333) 268-2100.
Hermosillo (Sinaloa and the southern part of the state of Sonora): Avenida Monterrey 141, telephone (011)(52)(662) 289-3500.
Matamoros (the southern part of Tamaulipas with the exception of the city of Tampico): Avenida Primera 2002, telephone (011)(52)(868) 812-4402.
Merida (Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo): Calle 60 no. 338-K x 29 y 31, Col. Alcala Martin, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico 97050, telephone (011)(52)(999) 942-5700 or 202-250-3711 (U.S. number).
Monterrey (Nuevo Leon, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, and the southern part of Coahuila):Prolongacion Ave. Alfonso Reyes No. 150, Col. Valle Poniente, Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon, 66196, telephone (011)(52)(818) 047-3100.
Nogales (the northern part of Sonora): Calle San Jose, Nogales, Sonora, telephone (011)(52)(631) 311-8150.
Nuevo Laredo (the northern part of Coahuila and the northwestern part of Tamaulipas): Calle Allende 3330, Col. Jardin, telephone (011)(52)(867) 714-0512.
Tijuana (Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur): Paseo de Las Culturas s/n Mesa de Otay, telephone (011) (52) (664) 977-2000.
All other Mexican states, the Federal District of Mexico City, and the city of Tampico, Tamaulipas, are part of the Embassy’s consular district.
Consular Agencies:

Acapulco: Hotel Emporio, Costera Miguel Aleman 121 – Suite 14, telephone (011)(52)(744) 481-0100 or (011)(52)(744) 484-0300.
Cancún: Blvd. Kukulcan Km 13 ZH Torre La Europea, Despacho 301 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico C.P. 77500, telephone (011)(52)(998) 883-0272.
Los Cabos: Las Tiendas de Palmilla Local B221, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 27.5, San José del Cabo, BCS, Mexico 23406 telephone, (624) 143-3566 Fax: (624) 143-6750.
Mazatlán: Playa Gaviotas #202, Zona Dorada, telephone (011)(52)(669) 916-5889.
Oaxaca: Macedonio Alcalá no. 407, interior 20, telephone (011)(52)(951) 514-3054, (011) (52)(951) 516-2853.
Piedras Negras: Abasolo #211, Zona Centro, Piedras Negras, Coah., telephone, (011)(52)(878) 782-5586.
Playa del Carmen: «The Palapa,» Calle 1 Sur, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, telephone (011)(52)(984) 873-0303 or 202-370-6708(a U.S. number).
Puerto Vallarta: Paradise Plaza, Paseo de los Cocoteros #1, Local #4, Interior #17, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, telephone (011)(52)(322) 222-0069.
San Miguel de Allende: Centro Comercial La Luciernaga, Libramiento Manuel Zavala (Pepe KBZON), telephone (011)(52)(415) 152-2357.

Sjekket reiseforsikring hos World Nomads

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-11-09

Postet i: Forsikring_vaksine. Merket: Adventure, Alaska, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, baja california, bmw, BMW F800GS, Canada, Deadhorse, Drømmereise, Flyfrakt, Mexico, Motorcycle journey, Pan American Highway, Prudhoe Bay, Reise, Reise forsikring, Syd Amerika, Travel, Travel Warning, USA, vaccine, Vaksine.

Forsikringen for en slik tur er selvfølgelig viktig så de første undersøkelsene er gjort for å finne ut hva jeg kan forvente meg av utgifter og hva en forsikring kan dekke. Fra litt surfing på diverse forumer har WorldNomads.com dukket opp.

Ser ut til at tilbudet ligger på 535 og 588 euro, så da er det bare å få noen tilbud fra andre for å sammenligne pris, sjekke hva de faktisk dekker og ikke minst høre med andre hvilke erfaringer de har gjort seg. Hjelper lite hvis ett selskap gir bra priser hvis det er så byråkratisk å få noe dekket at det er umulig når man står midt inne i bushen med dårlige internett forbindelser og muligens må ringe med satellitt telefon 🙂

What you’re covered for
Collapse all View full description of coverage (policy wording)	Standard €535 EUR	Explorer €588 EUR
[ – ] Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses While travelling overseas, you suffer an acute serious illness or acute serious injury and you require urgent and necessary medical or emergency dental treatment or hospitalisation.Read about what’s covered (and not) & how we can help for details.	€3,500,000	Unlimited
Hospitalisation or treatment by a doctor or specialist Surgery or medical treatment in a hospital or clinic either as an inpatient or outpatient.	100% of expenses	100% of expenses
Prescribed medicines by a doctor or specialist Medicines prescribed by an authorised physician, dentist or specialist while travelling.	100% of expenses	100% of expenses
Pain relieving dental treatment Urgent and immediate treatment by a dentist for an injury, infection, lost filling or a broken tooth during your trip.	€250	€350
Counselling after an assault or mugging Covers the cost of counselling by a psychologist abroad or in your country of permanent residence following your mugging or assault.	€200	€200
Daily emergency cash allowance in hospital A daily cash allowance while you’re in hospital, where pre-approved by ihi Bupa.	€1500 (€35/day)	€2000 (€70/day)
Physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment Treatment by physiotherapists and chiropractors as prescribed by an authorised physician.	Not included	€1500
Treatment by acupuncturist or osteopath Alternative treatment by registered and licensed acupuncturist or osteopath.	Not included	€350
Adventure sports and activities You’re covered for medical expenses and medical evacuation/repatriation expenses if you’re injured participating in a range of covered adventure sports and activities while travelling overseas. Coverage for snowsports is only included in the Explorer Plan. You’re not covered to participate in paragliding, mountaineering, base jumping, professional sports, races, competitions or motorsports on any plan.	Standard sports & activities	Standard & higher risk sports & activities
Study, work & volunteer Emergency medical assistance, medical treatment and medical evacuation/repatriation if you are seriously injured or in an accident while you study, work or volunteer overseas. You must have the appropriate visa and/or be allowed to study or work under the local laws of the country. Non-manual work includes non-physical jobs including office, hospitality, teaching, care-giving or retail work. Manual work is physical labour, usually done with your hands or machinery including fruit picking, hair-dressing, construction or work in a factory assembly line.	Non-manual work only	Non-manual work & manual work
[ – ] 24 Hour Emergency Assistance In case of death, sickness, injury or accident while travelling, our emergency assistance team at ihi Bupa are multi-lingual and can help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.	Unlimited	Unlimited
[ – ] Emergency Medical Transport, Evacuation, Repatriation & Travel Expenses Emergency transport to a medical facility, your evacuation to a safe place or repatriation home when pre-approved by the insurer, ihi Bupa.Read about what’s covered (and not) & how we can help for details.	€350,000	€350,000
Medical evacuation or repatriation home Reasonable additional expenses for your medical evacuation, ambulance transport or repatriation home if you suffer an acute serious illness or injury. These expenses must be pre-approved by the insurer ihi Bupa.	Included	Included
Ambulance transport Transportation to the nearest medical facility or to another place for treatment.	Included	Included
Non-medical evacuation Evacuation to a safe place due to war, terrorism or natural disaster.	Included	Included
Personal support and accompaniment Economy class flights and reasonable additional travel expenses for accommodation, local transportation and meals for a friend or close relative to support and accompany you in hospital and your repatriation home if your condition is life threatening or you will be in hospital for at least 5 nights. Travel expenses must be pre-approved by the insurer ihi Bupa.	€3500 (€200/day)	€3500 (€200/day)
Compassionate emergency repatriation Reasonable expenses to repatriate you home if you have to end your trip due to a close relative’s sudden illness, injury or death.	Included	Included
Accidental death – repatriation of remains Cremation and/or transportation of your remains home if you die while overseas.	€10000	€10000
[ – ] Pre-Trip Cancellation Cover for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses, tuition/course fees and tours if you have to cancel your trip before you leave home, due to an unexpected, serious illness or injury requiring hospitalisation.Read more about what’s covered (and not) & how we can help.	€3,500	€7,000
[ – ] Trip Interruption Covers your your non-refundable, pre-paid travel and accommodation expenses, change to itinerary fees and tuition/course fees if, after you leave home, your trip is interrupted or you have to end your trip early due to your (or your close relative’s) death, acute serious illness/injury.	€2,500	€3,500
Travel provider insolvency Protection if your travel service provider becomes insolvent.	Included	Included
Home visit We will let you return home and resume your trip under the insured period for any reason at your own expense.	One visit included	One visit included
[ – ] Resumption of Trip Covers the cost to resume your trip if you had to return home due to the death or hospitalisation of a close relative or if you have been medically evacuated/repatriated due to an acute serious illness or injury.	€1,000	€2,000
[ – ] Travel Delay Cover for reasonable additional expenses for local transportation, meals and overnight hotel accommodation if your pre-booked transport is delayed for more than 3 hours, cancelled or overbooked.	€350	€700
[ – ] Missed Flight Connection Covers a replacement flight ticket or the cost to change your ticket if a common carrier causes you to miss your pre-booked connecting flight.	Not included	€700
[ – ] Hijacking Loss of pre-paid travel expenses if you decide to end your trip after you have been hijacked.	Not included	€700
[ – ] Special Event Cover Reasonable alternative transport costs to arrive on time if you are delayed and need to attend a pre-paid music, cultural or sporting event. You will also be reimbursed if the tickets can not be refunded or rescheduled.	Not included	€350
[ – ] Baggage & Personal Effects Covers your baggage, clothing, electronic equipment, jewellery or other items you take or buy on your trip if they are stolen, damaged by a natural disaster, or lost/damaged by a common carrier. Special conditions and single item limits apply.	€1,700	€2,500
Theft of baggage Cover if your baggage and/or personal belongings are stolen from you, a locked room, vehicle or safety box.	Included	Included
Loss or damage by fire or natural disaster Cover if your belongings are lost or damaged by fire or other natural disaster if locked in your accommodation abroad or a locked safety box.	Included	Included
Loss or damage to checked in baggage Documented loss or damage to baggage by a common carrier, accommodation or luggage storage provider.	Included	Included
Delayed baggage Reasonable expenses for the purchase of essential items of clothing, toiletries and essential medicine where your registered, checked-in baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours.	€300 (€100/24hrs up to 3 days)	€500 (€100/24hrs up to 5 days)
Theft of cash Your cash is covered up to the limit shown if it is stolen from you.	Not included	€200
Theft or damage to sporting equipment Theft of your sporting equipment or damage to your sporting equipment by a common carrier.	Not included	€350
[ – ] Passport & Travel Documents Covers the cost to replace your passport, credit cards, tickets, drivers license, travellers cheques, securities and other travel documents if they are stolen from you or lost in a fire or natural disaster.	€350	€700
[ – ] Personal Liability – Physical Injury or Property Damage Legal liability and defence costs for any physical injury or property damage you negligently cause to a third party.	€700,000	€1,750,000
[ – ] Rental Vehicle – Insurance Excess Covers the excess on your rental vehicle insurance if you are in a motor accident or your rental vehicle is stolen. You can also submit a claim to pay for additional costs to return the vehicle if you are medically unfit to drive.	Not included	€1,500
[ – ] Personal Accident Compensation and/or repayment of a credit card or student loan if you are involved in an accident and you die, lose a limb or lose your eyesight.	Not included	€15,000
Accidental death, loss of eye(s), limb(s), permanent total disablement Compensation in case of accidental death, loss of a limb, loss of sight, loss of extremity, or permanent total disablement while abroad or up to one year after the accident.	Not included	Included
Student loan and credit repayment If you die or suffer permanent loss of sight in one eye, permanent loss of one limb or permanent total disablement while travelling, a one-time payment is available to repay your full time student loan or credit owed.	Not included	€3750

Modifikasjoner og bling til min F800GS :-)

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-11-09

Postet i: BMW F800GS Trophy. Merket: Adventure, Adventure dress, Alaska, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, Amerika, baja california, bmw, BMW F800GS, Canada, Deadhorse, Drømmereise, Flyfrakt, Garmin Zumo 660LM, GPS kart, Halvarssons, Jofama, lillehammer, Mexico, Motorcycle journey, Motorsykkel klær, Pan American Highway, Prudhoe Bay, Reise, Reise forsikring, SPOT Gen3, Spot Gen3 Ram, Syd Amerika, Touratech, Travel, USA, vaccine, Vaksine, Zega Pro2.

Noen modifikasjoner og bling er kjøpt inn til min BMW F800GS Trophy for å klargjøre den til en tur på over 30.000km. Skal man kjøre med opplasting i all mulig slags terreng, i all mulig slags vær med mye oppakking over lengre tid kan det være greit å være forberedt. Noe er nok bare «bling» men mesteparten håper jeg er fornuftig.

Det første jeg kjøpte var Touratech sine 01-052-3101-0 Aluminium panniers ZEGA PRO 31+38 L

Zega Pro2

I ettertid ble også Touratech sine 01-050-0809-0 og 01-050-0810-0 kjøpt inn og montert.

Zega Pro inner bag

Zega Pro Top inner bag

Beskyttelse Touratech til bremseveske beholderen og sine LED headlights fog/fog er montert.

01-048-0240-0

01-048-5470-0

Bære reimer / surring til koffertene og bagasjebrett er også kjøpt og montert.

01-050-0802-0

01-048-0101-0

Så ble en Garmin Zumo 660LM kjøpt inn med kart for Europa og Nord Amerika. Andre kart får jeg kjøpe senere.

Garmin Zumo 660LM

Pluss GPS-håller for Garmin, låsbar V 2.0

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Fullastet med utstyr blir sykkelen tung, og med mykt underlag er Kick stand support Extension kjøpt inn og montert for å kunne stå litt mer stødig.

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Jeg kommer sikkert til å gå på tryne mer enn en gang så en Adjustable gear lever som folder seg inn når man faller over på siden kan være greit å ha.

01-048-0222-0

Å siden jeg helt sikkert kommer til å gå på trynet kan det jo være greit å kunne beskytte både sykkelen og seg selv. med 01-048-0300-0 Engine crash bar og 01-048-0302-0 Crash bar extension.

BMW F800GS

Siden jeg er så sikker på at jeg kommer til å gå på tryne mer enn en gang er det vell forhåpentligvis lurt å beskytte viktige deler av sykkeln også. Slik som bremseveske beholderen bak,

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og ABS cover for sensoren.

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Om beskyttelsen for regulatoren kommer til å hjelpe ved ett velt over på siden er jeg usikker på men det ser jo stilig ut 🙂

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Uansett om man er på langtur eller om man kjører på tur med venner i nærområdet er faren for steinsprut til stede hele tiden. der derfor bestilte og monterte jeg tidlig 01-048-5095-0 Strålkastargaller med snabbfäste.

01-048-5095-0

Og beskyttelse til radiatoren.

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I tillegg blir det mye søl fra bakdekket så for å beskytte demperen ble en MudSling Splash Guard from Adventure Designs montert. Denne har allerede vært til stor hjelp 🙂

MudSling

Komfort for sjåføren er også viktig, så noen gadgets er kjøpt inn om montert. For eksempel 01-048-0600-0 Throttle Control, Mechanical Cruise Control så jeg kan slippe styret en gang i mellom uten å droppe hastighet.

01-048-0600-0

I tillegg er gode fothvilere viktig. Det blir maaaaange lange timer i sadlen og man må stå en del for å strekke på kroppen og få i gang blodomløpet. Pluss at det rent praktisk er gret å stå på noen krevende underlag, derfor er Pivot fothvilere montert 🙂

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For at man skal kunne nå ned til styret på en fornuftig måte når man står på fothvilerne ble 01-048-0150-0 Handlebar height increase 20 mm montert.

01-048-0150-0

Disse tingene i kombinasjon med High Performance Adjustable Shorty Aluminum Levers from Adventure Designs gjør at styret nå er mer komfortabel enn tidligere. De originale var av en helt annen type å på langt nær av samme design.

High Performance Adjustable Shorty Aluminum Levers

Noe av det siste som ble montert var en forsterkning til radiatoren. Originalt sitter radioatoren bare festet med 1 enkel bolt pluss x antall gummioppheng. Så ved ett velt kan radiatoren faktisk løsne. Så ved hjelp av 01-048-0465-0 blir forhåpentligvis dette litt bedre.

01-048-0465-0

Kjøpte en Rotopax Gasoline Pack 3 for en stund siden, men siden jeg ikke har hatt brukt for den på turer her hjemme i Norge har den ikke blitt montert før nå i kveld. Rotopax Gasoline Pack 3 har en kapasitet på 3 Gallon eller 11,36 Liter. Dimensjonen på den ekstra bensinkannen er i mm (LxBxH): 410 x 381 x 115, med en vekt på 2,94 kg.

Den ble plassert ganske langt bak noe som selvfølgelig gjør sykkelen litt baktung, men på den andre siden ga den mer plass på baksetet til å pakke telt etc. Jeg valgt å montere den i lengderetningen for å holde tyngdepunktet mest mulig i senter. Med en egenvekt på 0,74kg/l (x11,36) pluss vekten av bensinkannen blir totalvekten på kannen 11,35kg.

Bensintanken på en BMW F800GS er på 16 liter og med en ekstra bensinkanne på 11,36 får jeg en rekke vidde på ca 650km.

Rotopax

Fikk Mirage 2 Fairing levert for ett par uker siden og ble selvfølgelig montert omgående 🙂

Så etter å ha demontert Touratech sin 01-048-0431-0 Instrument cover ……….

01-048-0431-0

………….var det på tide å montere Mirage 2 Fairing som er mer enn selve vindskjermen. Men Mirage 2 Fairing fikk jeg også mulighet til å fjerne GPS’en fra styret og få den x antall cm høyere opp.

Att den i tillegg ble lakkert i min BMW F800GS Trophy sine farger var bare ett stort pluss 🙂

BMW F800GS Trophy

BMW F800GS Trophy Mirage 2 Fairing Cockpit Dashboard

På vei til Warrior treffet 2014 stakk jeg innom Tourateck i Hamburg å kjøpte denne tankvesken. Forstår ikke hva jeg gjorde før jeg hadde tankveske 🙂

01-048-5812-0 Touratch Dakar Tank Bag

Fender extension for å forhindre at oljefilter og kjøler neddynges av skitt. Denne lille forbedringen er muligens en av de viktigste tingene jeg har montert. Original skjermen gir ingen beskyttelse av oljekjøler og oljefilter noe som resulterer i at det blir utrolig skittent og spesielt oljekjøleren tetter fullstendig av gjørme..

BMW F800GS Trophy

Svar fra Motofreight

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-11-09

Postet i: Flyfrakt av mc. Merket: Adventure, Alaska, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, Amerika, bmw, BMW F800GS, Canada, Deadhorse, Drømmereise, Flyfrakt, Motorcycle journey, Pan American Highway, Prudhoe Bay, Reise, Travel.

Da fikk jeg en ny mail fra Motofreight med ett tilbud som også innehold informasjon om frakt av mc til og fra UK, pluss en ca. pris på hvordan komme seg rundt Darien Gap. Mitt første budsjett som var basert på gjetning uten å ha forespurt noen transportører var på 35.000kr, så det viser seg at å være tidlig uten med å planlegge og innhente priser kan være lurt i henhold til å sette opp ett spare budsjettet.

Frakt

Norge – UK £450 = 4,558NOK

London til Anchorage £1,495 = 15,144NOK

Darien Gap $1000 = 6.052NOK

Buenos Aires til London £2,200 = 22,286NOK

Frakt UK – Norge £450 = = 4,558NOK

Totalt 52,133NOK

I tilllegg kommer fortolling og forsikringer, pluss sikkert andre ting som jeg ikke har kontrollen på enda 🙂

Motofreight har virkelig vært kjapp med tilbakemeldinger, vært konkret og kommet med noen gode tips. Helt klart ett selskap som ved hva de holder på med og som tydeligvis har gjort denne type befraktninger mange ganger tidligere.

Var også i kontakt md GravelRoadLogistics og Motorcycle Express men tror jeg satser på Motofreight 🙂

Møte med Cato Moen hos Jofama

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-11-09

Postet i: Jofama, Klær. Merket: Adventure, Adventure dress, Alaska, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, Amerika, baja california, bmw, BMW F800GS, Camping Equipment, Canada, Deadhorse, Drømmereise, Halvarssons, Jofama, Lindstrands, MC Klær, Motorcycle journey, Motorsykkel klær, Pan Am Hwy, Pan American Highway, Prudhoe Bay, Reise, Travel.

Hadde ett møte med Cato Moen hos Jofama på Kongsvinger i ettermiddag. Cato ga en fin innføring i Jofama, Halvarssons og Lindstrands sin historie og jeg fortalt litt om min plan for gjennomføringen av Pan American highway i 2015.

Resultatet ble en samarbeidsavtale som kort fortalt går ut på at jeg tester ut en del av utstyret mot at jeg gir konstruktive tilbakemeldinger på hvordan utstyret fungerer på turen. Jeg skal tross alt være på veien i 10 mnd., og kommer til å oppleve både varme sommerdager, kalde fjelloverganger og monsun regn. Så disse klærne skal få prøvd seg skikkelig 🙂

Cato gikk grundig til verks og begynte med klærne helt innerst. Dvs ull undertøy og sokker……….

…….før vi til slutt endte opp med Lindstrand helt nye Adventure dress pluss ryggskinne, hansker og regntøy.

Alle detaljer og funksjonaliteter ble gjennomgått før jeg selv fikk bestemme hva jeg ville bruke.

Takk Cato og Jofama for at jeg fikk denne muligheten.

Innlegg i Romerikes Blad

Skrevet av Jarle Eek den 2014-11-09

Postet i: Presseomtale. Merket: Alaska, ALASKA TO ARGENTINA, Amerika, baja california, bmw, BMW F800GS, Canada, Drømmereise, Mexico, Moto adventure, Motorcycle journey, Pan Am Hwy, Pan American Highway, RB, Reise forsikring, Romerikes Blad, Travel, USA.

På mandag denne uken var det ett innlegg i Romerike Blad, og denne dagen var det ett tilsvarende innlegg i Romerike Blad onsdagsutgave til Ullensaker Eidsvoll. Denne gangen ble det en forside pluss side 10-11. Innlegget er i praksis det samme som på mandagens utgave. Dumt at sponsorer ikke ble nevnt siden disse hjelper meg med økonomiske besparelser med å gi meg utstyr men forhåpentlig viss vil dette komme frem i ett innlegg senere.

Innlegget er i praksis det samme som på mandag og linken finnes her.

Romerikes Blad

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Standard

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Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses

Hospitalisation or treatment by a doctor or specialist

Prescribed medicines by a doctor or specialist

Pain relieving dental treatment

Counselling after an assault or mugging

Daily emergency cash allowance in hospital

Physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment

Treatment by acupuncturist or osteopath

Adventure sports and activities

Study, work & volunteer

24 Hour Emergency Assistance

Emergency Medical Transport, Evacuation, Repatriation & Travel Expenses

Medical evacuation or repatriation home

Ambulance transport

Non-medical evacuation

Personal support and accompaniment

Compassionate emergency repatriation

Accidental death – repatriation of remains

Pre-Trip Cancellation

Trip Interruption

Travel provider insolvency

Home visit

Resumption of Trip

Travel Delay

Missed Flight Connection

Hijacking

Special Event Cover

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Theft of baggage

Loss or damage by fire or natural disaster

Loss or damage to checked in baggage

Delayed baggage

Theft of cash

Theft or damage to sporting equipment

Passport & Travel Documents

Personal Liability – Physical Injury or Property Damage

Rental Vehicle – Insurance Excess

Personal Accident

Accidental death, loss of eye(s), limb(s), permanent total disablement

Student loan and credit repayment

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