Expedition 65: A Wander Through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

[Scott Brady]

I just arrived in Bogota and picked up the 1200 GS from my buddy Micho at Elephant. Spending the day packing and inspecting the bike, installing some 40mm bar risers and a tank bag for my camera.

Over the past week I have been documenting the gear I will use for nearly six weeks and about 7,000 kilometers.

Moto Gear: Using a NEXX helmet with a Sena communicator. Aether Expedition Jacket and Compass pants. Aerostich leather boots, buffalo leather gloves and AO shades...

Personal Clothing: My clothing for six weeks of travel to equatorial South America, all packs into a small dry bag on the top rack of the #1200GS. Two pairs of pants, one convertible, rain jacket, flip flops and my trusty salomon shoes. The Sea to Summit bags hold three tshirts and one long sleeve tshirt in one, and underwear/socks in the other (4 pair if each). The Daka pouch houses meds and toiletries. A few pesos left over from my last trip to Colombia will get things started...

Camera, Video, and Electronics: Notable deviations are the new Microsoft Surface and Lexar SSD. The trusty 5D MKIII and 28-300L soldiers on. I bring a fully mechanical 50mm 1.4 as a backup/portrait. The camera fits perfect on the tank bag and the Magpul Daka pouch houses extra batteries/cards, etc. The rest of the gear goes in the panniers

Camping Gear: The Nemo Hornet 2p tent is less than 2 pounds. +15 bag, 2.5" thick pad, chair, pillow, and tent. All less than 10 lbs and fit in one pannier on the 1200GS. The cooking kit is intentionally absent, as I eat larger meals in towns and villages and use no-cook foods when remote. Simple- light

 

[Scott Brady]

My machine for the next month or so. Even though these are big bikes, they feel so comfortable for me in the developing world. The safety of ABS, traction control, agile handling, power (passing) and general presence (size) all help. I will be with the guys from Expedition 65 for the first half of my trip, all the way down to Peru. After I leave them in Peru, I will ride back to Bogota solo - should be an interesting change for me, riding without family or friends along.

 

[Scott Brady]

Made it to Bucaramanga in central Colombia. A beautiful ride with a ton of traffic. My front wheel dropped into a flooded gate in the road and by some miracle I kept the bike upright even as the rear tire lofted and spun momentarily. No damage to the rim likely because I was at full pressure. Chicamocha Canyon was stunning.

On to Barranquilla tomorrow and a hello to Hernando from Iguana 4x4

 

[haven]

Here's a photo of Chichamocha Canyon from its Wikipedia page, showing the road Scott rode. Beautiful!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicamocha_Canyon#/media/File:Chicamocha.jpg

 

[batmn77]

pics aren't working. enjoy the trip!

 

[Scott Brady]

pics aren't working. enjoy the trip!

Curious. . . they seem to be loading ok for me. Anyone else having an issue?

 

[Scott Brady]

Here is my steed for the next five weeks, a 2016 BMW GS 1200 that I was able to rent from Elephant Moto in Bogota. I brought down a 40mm bar riser set from Black Dog CW and some luggage from Enduristan, but otherwise, the bike is essentially stock. The tires are a slightly more aggressive street tire, which will be exciting in the mud. Photo by: @Motoinsider

 

[Scott Brady]

Interacting with the locals is always one of the great pleasures of travel. This little dude was checking out the GS at a lunch spot and I walked out to say hello. At first he thought I was upset he was need the bike, but I reassured him it was ok and invited him to hop into the riders seat. His family took a bunch of photos as well. The Colombians have been wonderful.

 

[dieselbigot]

What an awesome trip Scott...I'm extremely envious. I just returned from 8 weeks on the road in my Tacoma and took SO damn many clothes I never used...so your clothing selection seems about perfect. Have fun and be safe man!
Cheers,
Brett

PS - The photo's load fine for me...

 

[Scott Brady]

I had a great time exploring the outer islands north of Cartagena. Hernando, the owner of Iguana 4x4 took me on a great tour. They prepared us a fresh fish lunch- awesome

 

[Applejack]

Made it to Bucaramanga in central Colombia. A beautiful ride with a ton of traffic. My front wheel dropped into a flooded gate in the road and by some miracle I kept the bike upright even as the rear tire lofted and spun momentarily.

I suspect someone of lesser stature may not have kept it upright. I like your meal plan. Food and cookware are heavy!

 

[mickmutante]

You will find great food, great places and great people... Have fun!

 

[Scott Brady]

Giving out some soccer balls to rad little kids in Colombia

 

[gunrunner99]

Looks like a great trip can't wait to watch is progress

 

[Wiley]

Just finishing a 3 week moto adventure in Ecuador, great country, great riding. I recommend you stick to the mountains unless you are dead set on the beaches....they are fine but were nothing special, the mountains are where it was at!


If you do hit up the coast, rather than stay at the typical spots like Conoa, I stopped at Pedernales. I think you may like Pedernales due to your adventurous spirit, it was a tourist town popular with Ecuadorians that was basically leveled in the April 2016 earthquake...they can use any tourism/money they can get, and there are some hotels/hostels operating, though many are not and are just a skeleton of a former structure. It looked like the earthquake was 5 days ago rather than 5 months, but was great to see everyone rebuilding and selling, a perfect example of how life goes on.

More pics of Colombia please, it has been too long!