Friday, March 1, 2013

THIS IS A BIG ONE.. HELLO ARGENTINA GOODBYE CHILE


Thumb This ones a bit long.. But were all caught up again.....

DAY 467-475
2/16-23/2012
Woke up to a massive rain and windstorm that was crushing the world outside of my nice tent. I waited till it chilled out for a bit and then headed into town to grab some coffee and shoot of some emails before I head for Argentina since I had been told it only take three hours to get to Bariloche (way off). So I hate packing up wet tent and gear, I got back and it had kinda dried off but then it was starting to sprinkle so I quickly packed up the bike and headed off. I had a beer left over and decided to give it to this big guy sitting near my tent. He got way too excited over this beer and was hooten and a hollering over it. Well that was weird... I walked back to my bike and then realized that was not a big dude but more like a big kid maybe 15 Hahaha oh well lets go.
I filled up oil, gas, and was off to the Andes. I was heading down this awesome twisty paved mountain sadly road; the views would of been incredible but it was raining very hard all day, when all of a sudden it turned into a national park and a potholed, wet, muddy, and with a little snow of a awesomer road!! I spent my time just enjoying the ride and laughing at the life I have chosen for myself. I pulled up to the Chilean side and checked out the bike and myself. It was freezing with a flurry of snow… I rode another 3km’s to the Argentina Border control and well like all of the other Argentina Borders it is an unorganized shitshow. Hahaha Everyone going and leaving Argentina had to get in the same line that zig zaggged down the road, I was freezing defiantly wasn’t planning on the weather being so so cold. I finally got into the warm building and everything surprisingly went smooth. When I got to the immigration to get stamped in, they asked for the new 160 DOLLAR visa I had to buy Online, it is a ten year visa and they are supposed to give you a visa in your passport the guy just looked at my receipt nodded his head and stamped my passport no ten year visa.. I am guessing and hoping it is just because it is a small Border in the national forest so they do not have them. I crossed over and realized how far I really was from Bariloche, oh well let’s check the oil and get gas. I got into the next big town and there was no gas to be found all out, then the same at the next town/city... shit. Well at least I am riding on the famous Ruta 40... So I have roughly 200kms left to Bariloche at this point it is getting late and from my calculations I have exactly 200km’s worth of gas including my back up… what to do, find a place to crash in this city or risk it. Well nobody has ever called me the sharpest tool in the shed... let’s go get me some of that adventure... Hahaha Luckily 110kms down the road I found a gas station which had gas... sweet!!! I was still about 90kms away and it was still raining and slowly getting darker… not quiet night yet but getting damn close. I have a rule no riding at night and well two days of riding in a row I broke that rule….. I finally came around the lake to see the lights of Bariloche shining away. OH SO SO SO COLD AT THIS POINT…. I am all layered up and still freezing. All that Santiago Heat has turned me into a little wussy... hahaha Freezing and put the head down and charged for Bariloche, I finally arrived at 10pm and was able to find the hostel I was looking for first try, before you start thinking I am getting good at this whole not getting lost thing finally, the answer is no I found it with ease cuz it was the only one on the lake front.. hahahaha
I dropped down into the fenced in area of the Hostel and grabbed my tank and duffle bag off the bike and went into to the hostel… It was very expensive... surprise!!! Patagonia/ Lake District real real expensive!!! Like depending on your exchange rate you get hostels run from 15-21 bucks. Hahaha I luckily got an awesome exchange rate and so I am paying 15 bucks now for the hostel. I have gotten way to trust worthy and lucky throughout my trip so I left my Wolfman side bags on the bike and headed out to dinner... Quick slices of pizza, beer, and then went back to jump into a hot hot shower and thaw out. I was about to pass out when a lady walked into the dorm room and she just took one look at me and walked out. A few minutes later the staff came in and grabbed her bag?? Whatever I talked with a nice dude from France for a bit and then passed out quickly… I slept in till 10:30am just getting up in time for coffee and bread… The same last who walked into the room and then out again... came up to me and told me sorry for last night it was just she thought she had booked a female dorm and then she walked into the room saw me and thought I looked “scary” so she had asked for another room.. I just looked at her when she was telling me this and started laughing. She kept saying sorry I told it was fine and then tried to have my coffee. Then she started asking if Colorado needed Spanish speaking people to help them out since she was there years ago and loved it but wanted to go back. I told her I had no idea and that I couldn’t help her she seemed super bummed and then walked away. Well that was a weird start to the morning. hahaha
I jumped on the bike and headed out to do a 70km loop or so that I have been told about it was incredible. So much fun, very twisty road with incredible views at every turn. Mountains and Lakes oh MY!!!! Hahaha It was so awesome that I was so confused when I landed back in Bariloche no thinking I had already done the whole loop I turned around thinking I was lost and started to ride it again then realized I had already done it once.. jajaja So awesome!!!
On the way back into town I stopped for a really good Chicken Sandwich. The guy was super nice and we just hung out chatting about my trip as he just cooked up a storm in his trailer. jajaja
The next few days have consisted of finding this Tattoo Artist and setting up a date. he was booked out for a few months but he said no worries let’s do it on Friday morning I will just tell my regular clients a friend surprised me from Colorado.. Haha So My appointment is set for Friday morning super stoked and a little nervous have not had a tattoo in over 18 months Hahaha should be fun…
Do you remember how I said I left my Side bags on… yeah well I went to get coffee on my third morning and my friend working she yelled to me.. “hey Fletch you have to be careful about leaving your stuff out people have sticky fingers here” I looked at her “What do you mean “ She laughed and said “You left your nice sleeping bag next to your bike” “shit no I did not, that means… oh fuck….” I ran up to the lot and there was my bike with its bags open. Shit I dug through yup MSR Whisper Light International is missing. and all my tools...my ramin noodles, and my chef boyrd haha shit balls... hahaha. That’s what you get for getting to comfortable and trusting. Jajaja Oh well nothing I can do now. But take the bags in side and go find some tools and a new stove… Oh shit they almost took the bags off except for the bottom clips. lucky on that one.. High five for the moto gods watching my back thanks boys.. That would have sucked a little if they had taken those bags
Haha oh well. Not going to ruin this guys day. So I threw on my headphones and headed for the city. found a Nikko stove and gas for 40 bucks (way smaller and lighter than mine sweet.. and luckily I had my interchanging T handle in my tank bag.. so technique I can get by the next few weeks with just buying new tire irons and a small ratchet set.. sweet.. There was no reason to get mad over it. Never does any good anyways. Either way my shit got stolen my fault move on and keep on smiling.
I have met quite a bit of really nice people at the hostel, I was going to go camping for a few days then the days kind of shot by and now it is Thursday night and I will get tatted tomorrow then leave Saturday or Sunday to head to Ushuaia.. I will blast it out to get there in a few days and then slowly make my way back up… I might have found a buyer for the bike so that would be a plus.
Thus brings us to another choice/ decision I get to make. Crack a beer and give her a think for me... So I am over Kawasaki Personally and will not be putting more money into this bike thus not taking her with me around the world. I have looked into and I know I can buy a bike when I get to OZ but it looks to be nearly impossible and very expensive for an American to try and leave OZ with an OZ registered bike. Thought of trying to buy a bike that is registered to someone from the states. but since you have to get a Carnet to take a bike their everyone has to leave with their bikes (from my understanding) So my option that I am weighing heavily toward his Flying back to CO picking up a 2005 KTM with the LC4 motor getting the title in my name while waiting for the title I will ride the bike to the west coast while doing some touring maybe up to Washington then get my title and ship from CA.. Cheapest, best flights and a free place to stay with my brother near LA… Or same scenario but while waiting for title make a run for Alaska going to the far North since I will have been in the far South,… Then ship out of Anchorage.. Also for the price I can buy a bike like say a used dr400 in OZ I can get a Ktm or something like it with a little more dirt feel and lots of balls and ship it over for almost he same price.. I also thought of and do not want to Buy a bike in every new Continent much rather find a bike I love learn it and take it with me for the next …. So many years…Would love to know your thoughts and Ideas and if I am wrong on the information I have gathered.. Also if you or your friend have a badass bike that you want to get rid of let me know..
Got my Tattoo thanks to my buddy at home who sent me a last minute drawing and idea that was way better than what I had.. well just different and really spoke for my trip I would say.. So I headed in.. I will just mark this experience up an another “adventure” My first and well my last tattoo I will get in South America.. I have gotten so comfortable with my friend who is an amazing artist tattooing me in Denver that it is hard to get and trust someone else.. I Am stoked on my tattoo don’t get me wrong but goinbg to the same friend for so long 6+ years I think.. You just get used to someone elses level of work it is just hard to switch it up…
I was talking to my day on the 20th of Feb his 70th Birthday.. Happy Birthday dad!! Love ya you’re my hero.. anyways back to what I have to say.....
Before this trip I would absolutely say yeah I have had some "Bad Luck" But now my views on that have changed I think...
“Bad Luck”.. We were talking about my trip and the things that have happened with the bike and so on.. And I was telling him how I wouldn’t change a thing.. I have thought a lot about what if I had bought that 2010 F800gs I was looking at instead of this KLR and I can honestly say I am grateful I chose this bike because without my troubles I would have missed so many amazing experiences and would not have had such incredible relationships with such awesome people…. From my whole new family in Sucre Bolivia, to four very close and awesome people in BASA, too 4 others in Uruguay, and of course to some many new awesome lifelong friends and family from my time in Santiago, Chile. It is so true also that without the “Downs” the “highs” are not as AWESOME… My dad made a funny comment as he was laughing he said and don’t forget how much patience you have learned.. That is so true I was not the most Patient guy in the world.. I defiantly had lost my shit a few more times than I will ever admit at my snowmobiles and dirtbikes when I have had trouble before.. and myself for that matter.. This bike has taught me how no matter what situation you are in, nothing good comes out of getting angry and pissed off; all it is going to do is ruin your day and what’s the point of doing that specially when you’re out there doing a trip like this.. I am grateful I chose this bike for the lessons I have learned, the new experiences it has brought me, and especially the amazing people I have met now. With that said let’s see if “animal” holds up to three to four long days of shred to get me down to Ushuaia, Argentina finally..jajjaajjajaj

DRYING OUT GEAR

VIEW FROM THE HOSTEL

PAPA MADE IT BACK TO ARGENTINA!!!



WORKING ON MY MODELING CAREER

DAY RIDING







LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH MASSIVE POLLO SANDY


GOTCHA SUCKAS




LOVING THIS LIFESTEEZLE!!!




THIS NEXT FOUR ARE MY FAVORITES FROM A "SITTING ON THE BEACH DRINKING BEER SESSION"





Thanks for following along..

BIKES READY... WAIT IT WAS READY.. SHIT.. OH WELL GOING FOR IT

Cry ROUND 4 With "Animal" the KLR..

DAY 463-466
2/12-15/2013
Woke up ready to shred, packed the bike up and left the hostel with everyone giving me shit that they will see me in a day… I was planning on riding only 500kms or so... but once I got on the road and the bike was already using oil by the time I hit 300 km’s I knew I was committed. If I went back and tried to figure out the problem which is I need a new Cylinder, which I would also have to get new piston and rings since mine are over sized… Which means a lot more money into a bike which will not be going with me to OZ…? I said fuck it and made an executive decision to ride the bitch till she dies and make it to Ushuaia… I rode 900km’s to Pucon... using only 3 quarts of oil…. Hahaha I got me a dang ol’ Heavy, slow, two stoker... and she runs like a lawnmower... Hahaha If you need me to break it down.. 1 quart of oil every 180 miles… hahahah
Honest, funny, and a little bit embarrassing story… so my Fly helmet has been pissing me off, the visor does not stay up any more and falls over my goggles, messing up my vision... with polarized goggles and clear visor everything looks weird and I cannot get air… so my visor keeps falling down (every 5 seconds), my bike is running like shit again, so much oil, I’m over my bike, and I just lost it while riding down the highway…. Hahaha I was the crazy guy punching myself in the visor, punching the dash, flicking off the bike, kicking it like a pissed off kid, and swearing “fuck you you piece of fucking trash crap kawasucki FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!” hahahaha The cars got a good show, I hope someone videoed the gringo losing his shit… hahahahhahahahahhahaha I just started laughing at myself with a few salty tears.. hahahaha
I got of the main highway 5, and got onto a small paved road that was awesome, the sun is setting and the road is super twisty heading into the mountains and lakes.
I finally make it to Pucon as it’s dark just about 10pm; I cruise around town looking for a camping area… I find one outside of town by 2km’s along the lake; it is more than I was hoping to pay but oh well pasta for lunch and dinner and I will be fine. Camping is 9 bucks a night…
I asked if they sold beer in their little store, no I would have to go to the supermarket. As I check in the young guy working says he will show me a nice spot, so he jumps on his KTM (at this point I was swearing Noah from across the world…) Haha As I start to setup my camp in the dark a guy walks up says Hi and hands me a warm beer and just walks away… I almost cried... Hahaha I snapped it open and had a well needed gulp of wonderful beer. At this point I just started to laugh and smile at the situations I keep getting into and the outcomes of them. How awesome is this lifestyle… I walked into town to find the super market, although I should be watching my budget and cooking for myself I was exhausted and found a little pizza joint for 7 dollars who made really good thin crust pizza with internet...
I woke up in the morning exhausted for not riding big in almost 2.5 months to busting out 900km’s I felt it, but it is that good soreness. It was nice out so I walked around a lot and just took in the day. I am heading for Bariloche Argentina then B-line it to Ushuaia………. Fingers crossed..
The next few days I will chalk these up to gnarly rain storms and solo time. If you don’t know me I love people and spending time with others, but I do very much enjoy my solo time hint me doing this trip solo. So after spending almost 3 months living in a hostel surrounded by people I needed a few Fletch days just to chill and walk around in my own head… Now I will head for Bariloche, Argentina and stay in a hostel for a few days hopefully meeting up with this artist I have heard of and get my forearm tattoo done.
LOTS OF PICS FROM MY CAMP SPOT IN PUCON









NICE SUNSET SHOTS

LUNCH TIME

HAVING DINNER ON THE BEACH WHILE THE RAIN TAKES A BREAK

CATCHING UP.. TOOK A BREAK.. MORE BIKE PROBLEMS..


Alright lets get into what I have been up too.. here is the first segment since I took a break...
Grab a few  and enjoy....

DAY 454-462
1/28-2/5/2013
Monday and Tuesday we ran around getting last minute things for the bike and I worked on dropping a lot of gear and weight that I would not need and could grab on my way through to Oz in a few months. I had a problem with my bank so my account was frozen so that threw a spin on a few things like getting the Argentina Visa. I changed the oil on my bike, and made sure she was ready to shred. I worked on my blog and RR getting it caught up before moving on.
We got our shit together running around in the morning on Weds and was ready to go by 11am, My suspension had me a little worried the preload was not correct, but we set off anyways..
The first 50 miles or so the bike ran perfect no burning oil, no smoking, snappy throttle response, and it just over all sounded perfect. We stopped for lunch and some gas a bit later around 120 miles since leaving Santiago. I noticed a little black soot on the fender again and checked the oil level; it had gone down just a bit. We stopped to fine some camping for the night we were both haggard from the weekend of drinking. After only 200 miles my oil had gone down a lot and left a lot of soot on the fender, “Is this really happening all over again!!” Come on Moto Gods give me a break... hahahaha
After a lot of riding in circles and jumping through hoops we finally found a nice camping area by the water in San Clementes. We started messing with my suspension trying to stiffen it up. There was not enough room to get it done without pulling the suspension out. I will be completely honest with you guys… I truly had my first all out break down of the trip... I was torn up … six months of the bike running like crap, starts to wear you down… Especially since it was running so good around town when I was testing it out for a 100kms or so before leaving.
But once again when I was getting down and all angry... I just looked up realized I was living my dream and was in Chile camping by a river and just started to laugh at myself. Nothing else I could do, oh and I went to bed at like 7pm Hahaha. Woke up in the morning trying to figure out what my next move do I back track to Santiago or do I push forward and hope the bike sorts itself out… (Yeah I know that doesn’t ever happen but a dude can dream right...) Will be honest, drop a few a tears while breaking down camp and packing the bike up to head back to Santiago…. So I said goodbye to Andy and headed north within the 300kms from where we camped to Santiago I burned 1.15 liters of oil, yup I was thinking that same four letter word. Haha I sorted out my suspension back at race tech they were very apologetic and the owner showed the tech guy my bike and how much sag he had set up and yelled at him. Then the owner got down in his nice slacks and collared shirt and got dirty as he had to make a special tool that would fit in my frame and let him tighten up the preload. I headed back to Ventana Sur Hostel head hanging a little low. Pulled up and went to ring the gate a van pulled up behind me honking. I got back on my bike and heard the gate unlocked and I hit the gate with my front tire a little harder then I meant to. The gate slammed open hit the wall and came back to me. Oh well I was committed so I slammed into again blasting into the driveway. Ivan (the owner) was standing there laughing and asking what the hell was I doing back… haha I told him the trouble he threw an arm around me and said well welcome home. Let’s drink some whiskey... uum OKAY!!! Dave came back seeing my bike and I was expecting a lot of crap from him but all I got was open arms and a hug from one biker to another who has had troubles on the road.. Hahaha then we all drank a few glasses of whiskey shooting the shit…
So I made some emails and talked to some other riders trying to find the best guy to help me out. Since I cannot figure it out, nor the two other highly recommended mechanics one in BSAS and one here in Santiago; they both have “fixed it” which last 200 kilometers or 500 kilometers. Haha
So I hung out at the hostel for a bit having whiskeys and just chilling, made some pasta for everyone and got a hold of my friend Maca. Yes it sucks my bike is having issues and it is not so awesome that I keep meeting other guys on 08 and 09 KLR’S also having similar problems and worse. (One had a broken crank shaft) But it could be way way worse, I could be stuck in the middle of nowhere; but instead I am in Santiago which is a cool city, with good group of friends, and having lots of awesome/ new experiences!! No complaints from this guy…. Just still enjoy this crazy adventure one day at a time..
I hung out with Maca over the weekend, although on Saturday I was sitting back at the hostel and was in a little funk thinking about my bike and what I was going to about it. It is a holiday here now so I kind of have to wait to get some help until Monday Morning. Dave, Zach, and myself, went up to Maca’s house to meet up with her, her roommate, and a friend of theirs. We hung out there for a few hours drinking Piscola’s and Pisco-Gingers, it was a very entertaining time to say the least that had Dave riding through the apartment on a bicycle, also was a few hours of ridiculous amounts of laughs. We headed out and caught a cab which ended up being covered in fuzzy Zebra print and black lights… We arrived at the club and proceed to drink entirely too much until the club shut at 5am when we all headed home.
The next day we all died... not only was it the hottest day I had experienced in Santiago cracking over 104F but it was also luckily the most hung-over I have been this whole trip.. hahahaha
Monday Ivan jumped on the back of my bike and we headed out of the center about 30 minutes away to a shop called Johnny Moto, super nice guy and very very honest. He came highly recommended. Although when he saw my bike he was not too stoked... “No not a newer KLR, these things are nothing but trouble” oh sweet thanks for that Hahaha. He is quiet busy but is willing to help out a fellow world shredder. I will find out all on Tuesday... I went up to Maca’s to cook dinner for her and her roommate and just to relax and not think about the bike.
Tuesday came and it was hot as well… I got in touch with the Shop his name is not Johnny it is Rueben super rad guy, he said my valve seals were shot and my rings was fucked. (Funny considering the Kawi shop told me they looked perfect 600km’s ago) sweet thanks for actually take time to look at my bike brobrah…. Haha
I went to the Kawi Dealer to talk to the head mechanic who had done my bike as well as buy some OEM parts from them. The guy saw me coming asked me how I was I told him bad and then he kind of pushed me onto someone else and snuck away. I asked to talk to him a few time to no luck. They tried to charge me full price for all my parts, not a chance… after a bit this kid just gave me a wink and quietly gave me 20%off which saved me 35 bucks. The head mechanic was nowhere to be seen he kept avoiding me the whole time I was there... so I just left, oh well let it go all apart the adventure…
Called Rueben and will take him the parts tomorrow.
As I was dropping of the parts we were talking about how the coolant still comes out the over flow I the back of the bike when it has been running for a bit. He looked concerned and grabbed the cylinder. Using a heat gun he heated it up. and then tapped it.. the sleeve moved freely.. he looked worried.. My Spanish still sucks.. but the jest of it was that was really bad.. So when it gets hot in the bike it can move a little and that is why the coolant is leaking. So we resealed it.. but he was not confident in it.. and said the other option was to get a new cylinder… and that would be a lot since we would also have to get new rings and piston since I am running an over sized piston at the moment. So fingers crossed that the jimmy fix works.
Got the call the bike is ready to go and I can pick it up in the morning. He is fast, honest, and a really good guy. Check him out Johnny Moto (on Facebook).
Got the bike back and went for a Quick ride up to ski resort El Colorado a quick 100km’s felt good; no use of oil or coolant.

RAINY AND CLOUDY DAY FOR A RIDE.. BUT STILL A SMILE ON MY FACE!!





Saturday was a lazy day running around hanging out at the hostel. We had a massive Asado and then Ivan busted out a handle of Jim Beam 1.74 liters… Between 5 of us we smashed through it pretty quickly and then decided to go out and each had a wine glass full of Absinthe... and well here are the pics that go with that night… ugh….. Although it was a win since I made it back to a couch not a sidewalk… Hahaha

COME ON WHAT'S THE ONE THING THAT WILL ALWAYS MAKE UR DAY BETTER!!!

YUM YUM YUM IN MY TUMMY!!!

OUR SWEET NEW HANDSHAKE.. CALLED "JUST THE TIP WITH A LIL KNUCK"
JAJAJA

WHISKEY TURNS EVERYONE INTO A SWEET SUPERHERO!!!

PICKING ZACH UP TO SHOW HIM THAT HE CAN FLY

NO NO, HE COULD NOT FLY WITH ZACH IN HIS ARMS.. CRASH LANDING IN THE POOL.. HAHAHA


NO MORE WHISKEY MAKES A SAD FLETCH... HAHAHAHA


PEOPLE STILL GETTING THROWN IN THE POOL IN THE MORNING..HUNGOVER

ZACH PLAYING THROUGH....NOT READY FOR A HANGOVER???
THEN JUST KEEP DRINKING...
Sunday woke up very hung-over and went for a ride, bike felt good again. Met up with Maca for Sushi and some wine; just a nice relaxing Sunday evening. Went for another ride on Monday bike felt good but a little sluggish, and used a little oil which should be normal since I have new rings. Swung by Johnny’s we adjusted my carb which made the bike peppy again. I packed up my shit and went to bed early.

A BLUEBIRD DAY OF SHREDDING







ALRIGHT ANIMAL, FOR F#$%SAKE PLEASE BE SHRED READY THIS TIME.. HERE HAVE A BEER AND LETS TALK THIS OUT.. I KNOW WE HAVE HAD OUR PROBLEMS BUT I AM WILLING TO PUT IT ALL BEHIND US IF YOUR WILL TO SHRED... AND IF YOUR NOT.. I WILL MAKE A GOD DAMN BONFIRE OUT OF YOU!!!

PLEASE!!

LISTEN UP BUDDY

CHEERS

I WILL BURN YOU TO THE GROUND.... HAHAHAHAHAHA
MUCH MORE UPDATES AND PICS COMING.....