CALI AND FOOTBALL MATCH

DAY-129-131
3/12,13,14/2012

Had to quickly scramble around fixing a shipping screw up, they never emailed me to tell me they did not have one of my parts I needed so I canceled the order. I called the direct machinist for a doohickey and riser links, and then ordered spring and chain set from another website. After sitting around on a rainy day I decided to order a pressure suit, a few crowbar lenses, and solid raingear. Everything shipped quickly and should be in Florida ready to ship to me cheaply by Friday morning, except my order from Happy-Trails which is taking forever and I am not impressed with them. I went through my luggage and organized and got rid of everything I didn’t need. I met up with a friend Dave from OZ, we ran around the city a little bit together. I have just been taking it easy doing research for everything I need to do for a carnet and trying to change my travel insurance.

The 14^th was a pretty relaxing day ran around with Dave, I woke up from a nap around 7pm or so just in time to meet Marc and his friend from Brazil who were headed out to a huge rival football match between Cali A team and Cali’s B team (America “Red Devils”) The taxi driver was not willing to take us right to the stadium to dangerous he said…ugh what did you just say? Okay... he then went on to give us detail directions on what to do and where to sit and so on so we wouldn’t get our asses kicked…. Ugh maybe this is not the best idea... haha We then got out of the cab and headed for the madness; there were cops and riot police everywhere. We bought some fake tickets off of the street for 13 bucks each and headed for the “Red Devils” side. We had to wait in line for 10 minutes while everyone got patted down; I was worried about my camera second thought on that one. As I got into get patted he gave a horrible not comforting pat down and told me to give up my belt! Oh well it’s just a belt sucks that I have had this Volcom belt for 8 years but I can always get another one. I walked into the stadium heart pounding not knowing what to expect. We were all nervous getting out of the taxi, tickets, line up, pat down, but all relaxed and started getting into the mood once we grabbed our seats.

We were on the second level; behind each of the goals sat all of the fans. I mean they were packed into three levels thousands of them all in Red or Green, they are so loud and crazy they separate them with the length of the field. They sung and battled back and forth the whole game singing louder and louder, dropping huge flags and so on. The first half to be honest was sloppy and crappy football. The second half was faster pace and the Red Devils scored a beauty of a header. The crowd went mad so loud and amazing. With ten minutes to go in the game and looking like the Red Devils had won it was time to get the hell out of there. We had been instructed by locals to leave ten minutes early safer and get in a cab and get out of there. I also realize we are the only gringos in these tens of thousands of fans. As we leave tons of locals who do not want any trouble are running out of the stadium and down the streets. We get to the streets and there are cops and riot patrol everywhere. We quickly find a cab and get going, there are mass amount of people strolling around getting rowdier and rowdier as we leave the area.

It was truly an awesome experience to have, the atmosphere and vibe at and around the game was tremendous. I am so stoked that I went and that we had no problems. Such a great night, got back had a few beers with the Brazilians and talked about riding around Brazil… (Hmmm maybe I should take an extra month and ride though Brazil at least the south).

GETTING CLOSE

LINE UP

"RED DEVILS CROWD"

CALI'S CROWD...BOOOO

THE FIELD.. TP GETTING THROWN

FRIENDS FROM BRAZIL

DAVE FROM AUSIE

FOOTBALL YIPPPPEEEEEEE!

(THEY DON'T SERVE BEER, I SEE WHY)

THEY WERE WEARING HELMETS TAKING THE ATHLETE OFF THE FIELD.. HAHA

CALI CALI CALI

QUICKLY LEAVING THE STADIUM

GETTING READY FOR A RIOT, COP ON LEFT WEARING ALL PLASTIC!

CATCHING UP CALI, COLOMBIA

DAY 126-127

3/9-10/2012

        I ran around and talked to a few shops making sure they had the right tools and knowledge to help me do a valve check and a Doohickey change (I know I know I should of done that before leaving, but my local shop said the 2009 model did not need to change (wrong) haha). I went back to the hostel got my shipping information sorted out and went online to figure out what I wanted. I got a doohickey, 550lb rear coil, and riser kit for the rear suspension (this will stop the sagging and give me back my suspension haha, just look at the pictures if you don’t think my bike needs this haha). I ordered the parts and then talked with Mike the hostel owner for awhile. Nic and I just walked around town checking out a few things getting small nicnacs for the bikes. Pretty chill evening, had a few beers with the people at the hostel and past out.

        We got up early and headed to the shop where we can work on bikes, and started taking Nic’s bike apart. We replaced his back tire with a fresh knobbie and took off his skidplate so it could be modified to fit the headers better. We finished pretty fast between us and headed back to the hostel. I had a lot of catching up to do between my RR and my Blog so I work on that stuff for nearly 5+ hours uploading photos and writings to the sites. Had a few more beers and hung out in the movie room.

DAY-128

3/11/2012

        Nic headed toward Bogota today hoping his passport was figured out. I met up with an Irish Couple and an Ausie mate and went for a hike. We were going to hike the hill behind Cali up to the three crosses overlooking the city. We headed off and grabbed water on the way, after getting lost for a little bit finally found the small trail up. It was easy going trail up the hill, at the top starting breathing a little heavy and sweating like a fat kid. Finally came to the top, syke nope halfway crap… haha lady selling water stopped bought a bag and kept moving I took a swing and spit it out. Looked at the Irish couple they just laughed because the fresh bag of water tasted like it had been filtered through trash so nasty tasting. The last 400 meters or so was straight up rock crawling to the top (my buddy Jason would of loved it for his Jeep). We made it to the top sweaty and breathing heavy as we get there we realize there is a freaking work out area with weights, pull up bars, the whole nine. I just started to laugh at how out of shape I have become...hahaha the views were jaw dropping, Cali is a big city. The crosses were sweet to see up close huge structures. We headed back down, skidding our way. We came out at a different area then started but figured it out pretty quickly.

        After getting back relaxed for a few decided on what to do tomorrow and got in touch with family and friends via skype and caught up with them. It was a great day and cannot wait to see what tomorrow holds, I have to do at least a few lessons on my Rosetta stone that a friend just gave me!!

YUM YUM YUM EMPANAD'S GET IN MY BELLY

FINALLY FOUND THE TRAIL/WAY TOO THE CROSSES

WERE HEADING UP TOP TOWARD THE CROSSES

GETTING THERE

TRAIL TO THE TOP

GETTING THERE, FAT KID SWEATING NOW

MADE IT, CROSSES ON THE TOP

PHOTOSHOP FUN

CALI CALI CALI!!!!

                                                           NICE NICE TRIPLE CROSSES

WELCOME TO CALI, COLOMBIA

POPAYAN-CALI

DAY 124-125
3/7-8/2012
        I had a pretty relaxed day walked around and took in the town. I met a few nice guys from Australia and England and had fresh potato empanadas. I caught up on a lot of uploading pictures and writing. Nothing to crazy just a well needed do nothing kind of day. I got in contact with Nic from Canada who is on a DR650 and found out he was in Cali at a rad moto guy Mikes Hostel Casa Blanca. I will head there tomorrow and work on my bike; I notice some gnarly sounds coming from the engine when it is in 1^st or second climbing. Had a relaxed night and went to bed early.

        I got up and took a nice slow morning, coffee and empanada breakfast. I worked on the bike, tightened up the chain which had become loose, hoping that has caused my problems. I loaded up the bike and headed out, sweet no noises it was just the chain, being too loose. I made it with in 20km and the noise started again. I got into town and gave a mototaxi the hostel card and followed him. Nope the guy was an idiot and took of leaving me in the dust with my hostel card. Sweet I see him in the distance but he can weave through the cars without problem, because he doesn’t have huge panniers. I ride around lost as hell for about an hour starting to get very frustrated, alright Fletch relax not that big of deal you have been lost plenty of times. After asking over and over for directions a guy on a moped rides up and ask if I need help, he takes me to a Kawasaki dealer (Nic had told me the hostel was near a Kawi shop”. Wrong one but a guy on a bicycle and his friend on a moped asks if I need help. A shot in the dark I ask if they know Hostel Casa Blanca and by some miracle they do they try and tell me direction I just look at them blankly, they just laugh and tell me to follow them. I ride off the sidewalk and chase after them, the traffic was thick and the bicycle was in the lead the whole time. They take me on a sidewalk/ bike path through the city, ugh okay. We pop out at an intersection right in front on three cops, cool no problem I follow them right to the doorstep of the hostel. They shake my hand and ride off into the city. People keep surprising! So lucky.
Mike is at the hostel; and we sit and talk about riding, where to work on my bike, and how to ship stuff cheaply from the states. I am going to take this time to hang out for a week here and order a few things for the bike. I met up with Nic and we headed out for a huge chicken dinner for 3bucks. To bed early and then up to order parts and get help with the bike.

AGUSTIN-POPAYAN

DAY-123

3/6/2012

        Got a move on pretty quickly, ran around coffee and got on the ride. I headed out the bike sounded fine so I decided to head for Popayan. I stopped and made sure I was headed in the right direction; I asked again and then headed for the dirt. It didn’t seem right so I asked another moto rider; nope wrong way go back through town and then take the next dirt road.  The road turned into a nice paved road and we rallied it hard climbing up, all of a sudden it turned into a gnarly dirt road. Bouncing around splashing through some pretty good mud holes, just laughing and ripping. I passed a bunch of trucks and cars, just having fun. I head into the first and only military check point; the first guy gave me thumbs up. The rest walked out into the road and stopped me, first time getting stopped in Colombia. Turned off the bike and the first guy put his hand out and we shook. One guy wanted me to take my helmet off; once I did they told me I had mud in my beard. We all just laughed and talked about what I was up too and where I was headed. They were very intrigued and could not be nicer.

        I rallied through the dirt for over 120km, lost of construction and potholes. It was nice to get muddy again, warms the soul.

I made it to Popayan, after running circles for a bit I found a Moto taxi and gave him a dollar to take me to my hostel. I got into the hostel parked my bike down the street in a parking area and took a well needed shower. Walked around town looking for some food and just taking in my surroundings. I went out for coffee with a really cool group of people from all over the world and just traded stories for about an hour. I made some dinner and crashed out for the night in the DVD room.

VIEWS FROM THE RIDE

RIDE ANYONE

CHURCH!!!

JEEPING IT UP

DAY-122

3/5/2012

It has been 4 MONTHS- 8,000 MILES-12,875km, since I left Colorado 11/5/2011.
        My night in the hammock was very comfortable, first time I have ever slept in a hammock overnight. I woke up early and headed into town for a little coffee and breakfast. A lot of people from the hostel were going on an 8hr jeep tour that sound pretty fun for around 15bucks. Last minute I decided to join them and jumped into a Trooper with seating for 8 and a huge roof rack. We drove into the hills and stopped for pictures on a high road with a 1000ft drop off to the right. He told us that we could ride on the roof if we wanted, so we took turns all day riding on the roof we had 4-5 people up at a time. We drove some crazy roads up, down, and crises crossing through the mountains. It was a nice day meeting new people, relaxing, cruising, and seeing the Colombian Mountain side. We did all different hikes, stone carving parks, delicious lunch, amazing views, waterfalls, and lots of laughs.

        We made it back to town around 5:30, grabbed a cup of café and freshly made Pollo and Potato empanadas. Had a relaxing evening and passed out in my hammock.

HUGE WATERFALL!!

THUMBS UP FOR RADTASTIC VIEWS!!

WATERFALLS EVERYWHERE

SUGARCANE BEING BROUGHT IN BY HORSE

JUICING SUGARCANE!!!

THERE IS A FIRE UNDERNEATH THESE TUBS, THEY USE ALL OF THE CRUSHED SUGAR CANE AS FIREWOOD

MALTED COOKED DOWN SUGAR CANE!!

COOLING DOWN AND THEN BLOCKED UP READY TO SHIP!! VERY TASTY SCRAPS!!

THERE YOU HAVE IT, HOW SUGARCANE BLOCKS ARE MADE!!!

DROPPING INTO THE VALLEY

ROOF TOP RIDING

MARY'S WATCHING OVER

WE SAW LOTS OF CARVINGS AND GRAVES TODAY

RAD DAY!!!

TO SAN AGUSTIN

DAY-121

3/4/2012

The sun woke me around 6:30am, nice cool morning with beautiful views. I took a nice morning pee in a field and started my day, walking around taking photos. I saw Robin was up, talked with him for a little bit, he was working on a drawing. It was actually a comic and it was a comic of me!! A picture of me wrecking on my bike.. haha

I packed up my tent and gear and headed off for San Agustin around 8:30, I made good time all day twisting through the mountains. Starting off was nice with about 10km of dirt, bouncing down the dirt road smiling, dodging cows, splashing through rivers, and lust laughing! I got to the first town, with a few bad directions and 10 minutes of getting lost I was on my way. The road was awesome; I was ripping through gnarly hairpin turns, huge turns, S-ing my way through the hills of Colombia. I climbed high into the mountains then came whipping down to the rivers and back up again. There was not too much traffic on the road due to it being Sunday. Stopped for breakfast which consisted of veggie soup, rice, fried eggs, and a cup of café. The road signs are quiet impressive, the best on this trip so far. There were tons of dogs all over the road today, but there was one sitting in the middle of the road a puppy maybe 10 weeks old with a bow around its neck. (I hope it didn’t get hit!) The last pass I had was a cold and rainy one. I was ripping up toward the top when I saw one of the most amazing waterfalls across the valley from me, that I literally pulled to the side stopped and took pictures right from the bike. The views of had in Colombia do not compare to anywhere I have been thus far on the trip. It is amazing that I never thought about travelling through Colombia Before this trip , I will have to come back again and travel some more. Colombia defiantly took me by surprise, it is radtastic!

I pulled into San Agustin around 2ish, stopped in the rain and grabbed a bunch of groceries for the next for days. I had to climb a pretty steep and muddy road to get to the hostel. I wanted to camp (5bucks a day) but all of their camping areas were swamped out from all of the recent rain. The dorm room was around 10 bucks, but instead I was able to grab the last hammock for 5 bucks. I dropped my gear off the bike and headed for the Archeologist Park. All of these massive sculpted stones all over the park, a nice 2hr walk or so. I climb up the steep muddy hill back to the hostel. I was nackered, I ended up reading my book and falling asleep around 8:30PM.

WALKING THROUGH THE PARK

GRAVE

RAD CARVING

NICE VIEWS FROM THE BIKE

CARVINGS

MY FAVORITE

HOLY CRAP!!!!

EPIC SHOT

DESERT

SO RADTASTIC!

EPIC WATERFALL SHOT IN THE RAIN FROM THE ROAD