Terradrifting

Over the years, Gore-Tex has become a more popular option in motorcycle apparel. In the right environments. Gore-Tex can be a true and tried option for keeping yourself warm and dry. Although Gore-Tex is promoted as a all-season apparel, is Gore-Tex the right choice for riding the Americas? Riding the Americas you will experience all types of environments. From the North slope of Alaska, to the tropics of Central America, and the high altitude mountains in South America. Gore-Tex Incorporated jackets and pants may sound like all-in-one solution. However, all in one solutions tend not to be the best solution.  Gore-Tex was created in 1969 by accident using a material called polytetrafluoroethylene. It is a micro porous fabric that is 70% air. This allows moisture vapor to escape but does not allow moisture droplets to penetrate.  Over time Gore-Tex became popular in commercial hiking gear, snowmobile riding gear, and eventually into motorcycle riding gear.  Gore-Tex g...

So, as you might know, the winds in Argentina and Chile are terrible in the summer months. Countless people who ride to Ushuaia write about the winds blowing them off the road or riding on a tilt from the strong winds. Going to Ushuaia was not so bad in November as the winds are not at their strongest, and I had the wind to my back in many cases because I was traveling south and east. But going back north would be a bigger challenge. The wind in you chest would be agonizing, and destroy my fuel economy. Also being on a 250 make is more challenging, not that would trade it. Any bike in these winds is going to be a challenge. And, because I have a smaller silhouette, I actually do better than most of the bigger bikes. Going north to Brazil, I didn’t want to deal with the winds, so I found a ferry that takes you from Punta Natales to Puerto Montt, where the Carretera Austral begins. This also puts me back on the west side of the continent, so I will have the winds to my back again goi...

The Carretera Austral is a 1,200 km road that runs to the end of mainland Chile. Starting in Puerto Montt, My day started fairly well. After leaving Puerto >, I Started my adventure down the Carretera Austral. The first section is not much to mention. You get you first ferry there. 30 minutes later, I was on the next bit. Just as the ferry was coming to harbor, the rain started to come down. Construction met me on the other side. Mud, deep ruts from the trucks for the next 20 kms. For me this was actually kind of fun, having good knobby tires and a practical motorcycle, I danced around on the muddy road, having fun, kicking out the back tire and tracking ruts from the trucks. My fun came to an end when I the road ahead was closed due to a mudslide. The rain was coming down harder now, and there was nowhere to go. So, I waited it out, making friends with the local construction guy. After the three hour delay, I reached the next town, where I would tak...