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Sport & Adventure
Touring Equipment
Welcome to Happy Trails Products!
Your Motorcycle Accessories store, specializing in
Dual-Sport and Adventure touring.
SealSkinz® are the world's only range of waterproof, breathable, close-fitting socks and gloves.
Alaska Rider Tours proudly uses Aerostich gear. Of the highest quality,it is perfect for the diverse riding in Alaska!
Peru Scout Trip: 2007
In May, we scouted a trip to Peru for Aerostich Tours. What we found were some of the most breathtaking roads in the world, exceptionally friendly people and fantastic scenery!
We are going to put together a tour only for the hardy. It will focus on the adventure side of life. This will not be your cushy chocolate- on-the-pillow-every-night ride, but something a little out of the ordinary and off the beaten path.
We will be seeing the real Peru.
We will be looking for a select group of riders to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Check the Aerostich Tours website for updates on this most amazing ride!
Southern Peru
Now...the pics!
Aerostich International Adventure Team
(and assorted social outcasts)
The group: Colin, Jeff, Jason, Simon, Phil and Pete.
(Representing by Scotland, England, Alaska, and Colorado)
The Bikes: BMW F650 GS, F 650 GS Dakar
(Representing Bavaria)
The Start: Arica, Chile: Dryest Place on Earth. The taxi driver told us that it hadn't rained in Arica for four years! It is known as the city of eternal spring- never too hot, never too cold, all year long.
Rivers running out of the Andes act as thriving oases. Cattle, corn, onions, people...you can grow just about anything within the narrow river valley. Just five feet from these lush ribbons is No Man's Land.
A couple of Arica locals give us some advice on life, women, and the possibility of happiness. They knew a lot for a couple of ten-year- olds.
We found the Chileans - and especially the Peruvians - to be friendly, helpful and proud. More than a couple of times, folks went out of their way to show us around town and even guide us by their own car or motorcyle through their stomping grounds. En Fin: The people are amazing and want to showcase their country!!
Riding around, were recieved many smiles and waves.The idea that riding in South America is dangerous and not worth visiting was proven as simply NOT TRUE. Peru, especially, is a must-see!
The riding outside of Arica was great. We climbed up to 11,500 feet, to the town of Pucre, in just 80 miles. The pavement was in good condition, except for the occasional rock, tricycle, llamma, cow, tricycle taxi, brocken down bus, pothole, chicken, dogs, piles of rocks in front of brocken down cars, sand dunes..........
Sunset in Arica, Chile.
Next Day, north to Peru.
Crossing into Peru takes patience and
a sense of humor....but mostly patience.
There are lines here...
There are lines there...
And, after four hours and six stamps....
We are officially, physically and legally.... in Peru.
Sunset over Plaza de Armas, Arequipa, Peru.
Behind Arequipa lurks Nevado Chachani, at 19, 931 feet.
We made a short sojourn to Cotahuasi Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world. It is twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. The road into town was a tough ride in, offering everything from deep sand to loose gravel to powdery dust. To those who have ridden the Copper Canyon in Mexico: This is right down your alley!
We travelled through the "Valley of the Volcanoes". Two 20,000 + foot volcanoes played sentinals as we rode across the altiplano.....high country... that was in excess of 15,600 feet in altitude.
Mt. Nevado Coropuna. 21, 696 feet.
Mt. Nevado Salimana. 20,745 ft
Llamas grazed as we wheezed from the lack of oxygen.
The decent into the town of Cotahuasi was not only dangerous, but fun. We snaked down almost 7,000 feet to the modest pre-Incan town. What a ride! This one is definately not for everyone, as the road conditions, altitude, and distance took their toll on rider and machine.
To the adventurous: It would be rude to pass this ride up! Their are hidden treasures in this valley, but they come without tourist infrastructure, and/or toilet seats.
The riding around Cotahuasi is worth at least three days. There are hotsprings, remote towns, switch-back side roads, and hikes to epic waterfalls.
Here we are, bobbing around the local thermal hotspings.
Plato del dia: Sopa-del-gringo.
Gasoline Station: downtown Cotahuasi.
Main Street, Cotahuasi, Peru.
As we leave Cotahuasi, we all wished we could have had more time. Lupine flourishes at 13,000 feet. It took us over an hour to reach this point from the town.
Rest stop in the Valley of the Volcanoes. It takes over four hours of on-the-pegs riding to get from the town of Cotahuasi to the nearest gas at Chuquibamba.
Mountains merge into the sky in this mystic place.
Popcorn crawdads for lunch.
Coastal Peru. The Panamerican Highway cuts north along the Peruvian Coast. No traffic, no towns..... just riding. If you like paved curves, crashing waves, and sand dunes, then this is your kind of place.
The lines at Nazca are some of the most mysterious
archaeological remains in the world.
Pete had a hard time seeing them.
Climb and descend over 15,000 feet before lunch.
Guinnea Pig: Not just for pets anymore!
Machu Pichu
Plaza de Armas, Cuzco, Peru. Pre-colonial archetecture, finger puppets and one great motocycle bar/restaurant:
Incan rockwork
You can take the boy out of Scotland....
Hotel Check-out and time to ride.
Apparently, when they divided up the lake, Peru got the "Titi",
and Bolivia got the rest....
The places we stayed ranged from mid-range to very comfortable.
"Bird Shot"
One last blast along the coast to Antofagasta, Chile
Motorcycling is good for the soul.
End Pic:
Even if you are doing something wrong,
it does not mean that you are a bad person.
Touring Rallye Racing Technology
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