chasingsummercomments2

#781

Now thats how you put the ADVENTURE in advrider ....... Brave but border line crazy going up there on that route in those conditions and on your own.

Soto

#784

DAMN!!!!

Man I'm so sorry to hear that you won't make it to Ushuaia. The doc's were right, if you keep on that ankle you'll just tear it up more, especially riding by yourself.

It's been a great trip and a privilege to read. Hope you are able to get yourself and the bike back to SF safely.

#785

Sorry to hear about the bump.. BUT

The trips not over until you get home.

Your M/C riding adventure may have ended but the second and possibly more frustrating chapter has just begun.

Best of luck with what lies ahead.

#786

Best of luck on the final leg of this wonderful journey, my friend. Hopefully you're bouncing along in a truck headed for Lima by now.

#787

Sorry to hear things went that way, Jean Luc. Safe travels home, recover to ride another day.

#788

Very sorry to hear this, J-L.

Time... You have been maximizing yours. What a wonderful trip you have taken us on. Thank you.

#789

Noooooooooooooooo

#790

Oh man. So sorry to hear about your misfortune; like everyone else I was really enjoying your ride report and spectacular photography. Here's to a speedy recovery and the next adventure.

Cheers

#792

Merde! I just finished catching up with your Journey, Jean-Luc, and I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Thanks for taking us along, and heal quick!

JC

#793

Oh, NO

I have been playing catch up today with your trip report and cursing you every moment that I have spent doing so since I'm supposed to be packing for my upcoming trip to Central America and Mexico. Then I get to this page and find the bad news.

Man, I can't tell you how sorry I am. You have kept me entertained, thrilled and scared sh*tless by your epic journey. A million thanks for having taken me along on your journey.

And, as a very senior citizen, I can tell you that everything happens for a reason. I have had some setbacks and bad luck along my journey in life and I can tell you, as I look back on them, that, had it not been for those bad times I would not be at the point I'm at right now. And, my life has never been better and I'm looking forward to another great journey.

The good news (for me) is now I won't have to try and keep my trip report updated while at the same time having to keep up with your journey.

Best of luck to you, JL. And may you have many more epic journeys in your lifetime

. Just remember to take us along with you.

#794

Too bad JL. Sorry your trip ended this way. I'm also sorry for myself, that this ride report has to come to an end. However, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger (or something like that). Thanks for taking us along.

#795

Sorry to see the words and beautiful pictures come to an end... fun to read someone else report when one lives on the road...

Maybe someone has already asked and I might have missed it... but what camera and lens specially are you using... I am amazed at the clarity of the photos... the artistry for sure...

You be well... I am sure we will see you down the road sometime soon...

Ara & Spirit

#796

Beer therapy

Oh, that's terrible, especially when you just told us how you overcame riding through freezing rain at altitude, fjording a hip-high flood, and facing the 25-headed dragon of flat tires. Here's hoping a small miracle occurs and you figure out some way of continuing. Maybe you could buy a sidecar and convince someone to taxi you and your cast the rest of the route?

Whenever you do get back, I'll gladly buy you a

(/wine) in return for the many hours of enjoyment and escapism. On the other hand, maybe I'll charge you a glass for the lost productivity

.

This has been a helluva report. You should seriously consider turning it into a book, even if it's for your own use only.

#797

Bummer man!

I was just caught up and saw you posted so came to check it out. I've been linking friends your pictures for the last 4 days :-)

Heal up! Safe trip home!

#798

Sooo sorry to hear this news.

You have done more in the last 5 months than most of us will do in a lifetime.

You have taken us on a beautiful and scenic trip and I appreciate it.

Heal quickly and I can't wait for your next adventure, maybe even "Chasing YOUR Summer" part 2.

#799

Heal fast J-L

Thanks for taking the time to write the world through your eyes for us.

#800

Quote: (Originally Posted by Santa)

Noooooooooooooooo

What he said! I don't believe it. It's almost like... like... I don't know what it's like. It just sucks that it's over. Heal quick and thanks for taking my lazy ass on an adventure of a lifetime. I'm going to have to ride out to SF and buy you a beer

#801

Heal quickly

Jean-Luc,

I'm so sorry to read your latest post. You've been on an amazing journey and I've appreciated reading your regular updates; they've always been the highlight of my advrider reading each day. The photographs are incredible and are an inspiration for those of us that have not yet been able to embark on on such an adventure.

Thanks for taking so many of us along with you for the ride.

#802

Well that's a bummer. Like you said though, it's the ride, not the destination and you've had one hell of a ride. I always tell my self that the stuff I didn't see the first time provides the excuse to return and you're a young man. You have plenty of time to get back down there and pick up where you left off.

#803

Thank you J-L

I am so sorry that you didn't get a chance to finish the adventure. I truly enjoyed your RR and know it won't be long before you'll be on your next adventure. I hope you consider a book venture with lots of pictures, I'd buy it. Maybe this is just a precursor to the other half of this trip. And just maybe you'll find the magnet in your wheels thats been attracting all of the sharp objects. One of these days I hope to meet you and shake your hand, maybe on the same route through an exotic location, until then thank you for enriching my life through yours.

#804

J-L, i'm saddened by the news of your misfortune... Hope that your recovery is fast and trouble free!

Will it be possible for you to resume/finish the trip after you heal up?

All the best and thanx for the ride so far. It was a superb adventure you took us on! Thanx & Heal well!

#806

BUMMER......... best wishes for a speedy recovery and thanks for a really entertaining report JL.

#809

Thank You for taking me to places that I may never get too, but want too go to now...If you need anything when you get home, it's just a short ride down the hill.

#811

Jean-Luc,

As far as I'm concerned you did it.

It - what "it" ? ? ? ? ? Mainly you just did it!

The "it" was all of your riding that you shared with us.

Set out on an epic journey. planned it, rode it, and posted oodles of interesting an awesome pictures along with your commentary which only inspired other ADVriders to do something perhaps a little outside of their comfort zone . . . . . . Thank you!

As many others have stated, it's not the destination that's important, but the journey - that's what matters.

Jean-Luc, you've travelled well and set an example for most of us to only strive toward.

As was stated before, FORMIDABLE!!!!!!!!!

Heal up quickly Jean-Luc.

Thanks again.

#815

Jean Luc, you are the man!

I bet you are pretty disappointed right now and I am sure you are pretty sad about ending your trip like that. Let's be honest though, you have been doing what only a minimal number of us would even contemplating doing.

I did not expect to read that tonight and as I was looking at your picture in the water with the bike stalled, I could not believe it. I mean you are by yourself with a heavy bike and decide to see how much water it could handle... You make it fine out of that to get stopped by one of the most unfortunate small fall off. As it was said earlier it is probably for the best but I am still feeling sorry for you. Thanks for taking us along though, this was an absolute magnificent trip.

#817

Sorry to hear about your injury, but it could be worse.

You made it a lot farther than I did, and you can always do it again.

Congrats on a great trip and ride report!

#819

Thanks for the inspiration

Thanks for the inspiration JL. Also thanks for the info on the camera. Maybe you will get to read about my comparatively small trip to Alaska and back from New Hampshire in July. Good luck, heal fast, thanks for the ride.

#820

Oooh! Sorry sorry to read of your accident Jean-Luc.

Your adventure has been amazing. Very inspiring, motivation and educational. Plus a real feast for the eyes. Thank you so much for taking us all along.

It has definitely revved up my own adventure plans, as well as many other readers as well. I've been telling people about your adventure and had just sent out links to 2 more people today.

I'm just recovering from an accident myself ( 1st day out snowmobiling this season). Broke my shoulder blade. This in part at least has allowed me the time to read your RR.

So anyway, thank you for at least making this time still an awsome adventure, yours! And still, it was pretty long, I know there are a lot of envious readers out there, me included.

Hope you have a speedy recovery and I'll certainly be watching out for your continued or next Adventure.

Hope our paths may be able to cross one day.

Take good care,

#821

Jean-Luc, I've always enjoyed your reports... so how did I miss this one until today? Despite your unplanned return, it's a fantastic trip and a superlative report. Merci.

Heal well and quickly.

#822

Been following since mid-December. I'm sure you'll have some adventures on the way home - keep us updated. Thanks for your ride report, it's been some quality reading.

#823

Bummer about your ankle, I hope you make it home safe and mostly sound so you can heal up. You can always finish you trip another time.

I have enjoyed your report and I hope you are able to write some more.

Good Luck with the leg

#825

Jean-Luc,

You made little moto angels and moto god cry. What are we supposed to dream about while at work?

I wish you the best, and a very quick recovery.

Best,

#826

Thank you J-L for such a great adventure

#827

Bonne chance, Jean-Luc

Wow! What an absolute BUMMER! It took your misfortune to get me out of Lurker Mode

but here I am!

I have followed this thread from the beginning and it is the one I most look forward to reading each time I light up the Advrider pages. Thanks for the wonderful photos and commentary Jean-Luc, it has been superb!

Heal well and fast and I look forward to your next adventure.

Cheers,

#828

El fin

Saludos JL,

I opened up your RR from where I left off yesterday and was excited to see three new pages waiting to be read. Oh goodie, I thought, he's got lots of fotos this time! Then my heart sank to the ground when I read the post where you call it off.

However...

DITTO all the words of encouragement others have mentioned; may the healing and future plans begin.

Can't begin to tell you the joy I've felt

since I started reading your RR. I knew SA was beautiful but your fotos and insights---I don't know really how to put it---we've all tried at some point, but in the end I think we're all soooo ever grateful first that you're OK, and second for the time investment you've made to share all this with us.

Two comments: 1) Have you considered LEAVING your bike in Lima and then coming back to finish the trip in 2 months or whenever?

2) For future travels to Portland, OR area or Costa Rica, don't hesitate to call if you need anything--and I'll do my best!

Que te vaya super bien...

paul

#829

Bummer, sorry to read of your mishap, hope you heal quick and well!

Bill

#830

After all the miles, you must be looking forward to being with your family.

I would be content with just a fraction of your trip.

May the bike have air in the tires when it arrives in SF.

#831

What can I say that hasn't already been said? It has been an absolute pleasure to have followed your trip, read the reports and admired the photos . Merci beaucoup, Jean Luc, and I hope that your injury heals quickly so that you can set out on another adventure!

May the wind be always at your back!

Mud (of which you have seen plenty)

#832

So the adventure is over? You have a job/life to get back too? Why not just stay there and heal, learn Spanish a little better, enjoy some good meals, make friends with the locals and continue on once you're better? A fracture usually heals quicker then a break, you could be back riding in 3 weeks.

Of course it is only my selfish need to see your ride report continue that makes me ask. Its been a great RR with superb pics and unadorned, from the heart commentary. Please tell me its not over!

#833

Rest and heal. More to come, no doubt.

#835

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jean-Luc)

I can't continue this trip and I have to go back home

Well isn't that just great...now how am I supposed to start my mornings off if not with a good dose of your adventures

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jean-Luc)

To say that I'm extremely disappointed would be a severe understatement. I was so sure I would make it to Ushuaia...

You're not the only one

Heal well my friend

#837

So sorry to hear about the outcome of your little tip over

All in all.....your trip and report where simply fantastic and a great inspiration.... and as Funklab said, you can always continue it some other time (if you do, and consider Venezuela in your itinerary, I'll be happy to buy the beers

)

Heal fast!

#838

Omg -

JL, we'll probably never meet, but a heartfelt thanks for this adventure, your courage, your fantastic pictures and your fine writing style. This - for most of even this motley crew - would be the ultimate adventure ride.. somehow I think you'll top even this.... someday.

Simply fantastic.

#839

Jean Luc I'm sorry an unfortunate, freak accident put an end to your epic adventure. As you pointed out it's the journey not the destination...you'll be back on the road soon.

I've enjoyed reading every word of this amazing Ride Report. Thanks for making the considerable effort to take all of us along on your journey...it's been an inspiration to everyone who dreams about making a similar trip.

#841

NO!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it ended like that. So sorry to hear that you got injured. I wish you a very fast and complete recovery.

Keep us all posted on what your plans are with shipping your bike home and the rest of your up coming less-adventurous adventure.

All the best

#842

Sorry Dude.

Getting hurt sucks, no matter where you are. You will have a much better story to tell than if you slipped on the ice , going to the Mailbox.

I have really enjoyed following your trip.

Get well soon!

#843

Oh, no!

J-L, how horribly sad that this silly little accident has ended your magnificently recorded journey through life - Sth American style. I'm honoured to have ridden with you for just one day in Costa Rica. I was looking forward to catching up with you as our paths crossed somewhere, you going south and I north.

Thank you for all the glorious photos. We both travelled some of the same roads in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, but you "saw" more than I, and have made me realise yet again that I must slow down, and take many more photos, with MY little Panasonic TZ3 - the same camera as yours!

Take care, my friend, and heal quickly, completely and well. I'll contact you when I'm coming through San Fran next summer.

Margaret

(still in Ushuaia)

#844

Aaaargh!

Jean-Luc,

Afraid I don't have a good enough command of any language to express how this makes me feel. C'est malheureux, vraiment. Thank you again for the many hours of enjoyment that you brought to all of us. Fantastic report!

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery...may we meet on the road someday.

#845

Thanks Jean Luc, for being first click for the last few months - images a delight on their own, the commentary a perfect complement. An ache in the stomach for it to be over, but what a ride - congratulations.

For a good leg-up read on ancient civilizations in the territory you were in when the curtain came down, try Hugh Thomson, Cochineal Red, Travels through Ancient Peru. A good diversion as bones heal.

Best wishes for a quick recovery, and please, more of this soon.

#846

DUDE! Sorry to read about your accident.

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT READ and PICS!

I'd recommend that you submit your write ups to Road Runner mag or Cycleword. It was a great ride report!

#847

So disappointed to see it end this way after so long, but hope you get the opportunity to finish it later. It was a wonderful journey and a fantastic report.

#848

JL,

I am glad that it was not worse. What a great adventure and instead of the adventure being finished, I have a feeling that it is more like being interrupted. Best of luck on a speedy recovery and thanks again for the hours of enjoyment.

#849

Thanks

How can I express my appreciation to you for your gift to all of us in the ADV community in sharing your amazing adventure by simply saying THANK YOU. I chanced upon your report at the beginning and eagerly awaited every post. Easily the best report ever!

Best wishes to you and your family.

#853

DAMN!!!!

I'm sorry to hear that JL!!! You are a super man for having done what you did !

who am is supposed to catch i Argentina now??

Take care man.

-DAve

#854

My wife and I both are elated at your decision. I'm sure it wasn't an easy one.

Please continue to keep us informed as to how you are doing.

Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

Bill (and Phyllis)

#858

Back in the saddle again!

Wow Jean-Luc! What a decision to make.. I hope your better judgement hasn't been clouded by all of our posts but I, for one, am thrilled to hear that you intend to make a go of it and try to complete your journey.

I wish you the very best of luck with the next phase (healing) and look forward to your next post.

I guess productivity is down the tubes again.

Cheers,

Allan

#852

I know that you will make it work J-L. I know you will.

#859

[quote=Jean-Luc] .. I'm re-considering my decision right now... /quote]

Awesome!!! ....I think. Oh yes - just do it!

#861

I think you have chosen wisely. If you stay off the leg as much as possible then it'll probably heal rather quickly (says the ex pre-med student from thousands of miles away).

Good luck and if you need any help with logistics I think you might be able to find one or two (hundred) people on here to help.

Buena suerte.

#862

Good Luck, JL. And I too hope that your judgment has not been clouded by all your admiring fans on this forum. Take it easy and very careful, if that needs to be said.

#865

YES!

Yes!!

YES!!!

You go, man! You go!

After all you've been through this ain't nothing! Mount that Austrian beast and bring it home.

If you only knew (well, maybe you do by now, counting all these post of encouragement...) what source of inspiration you are to me & god only knows how many 1000's of other FF's the world over!

#866

Man, I just caught up after a few days away from your adventure JL!

So sorry about your injury, I was so bummed your trip was over, then you decide to stay in Lima! That is so cool! Heal up and continue!

You ARE THE MAN! Awesome!

#867

You Can Do It!!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

#868

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jean-Luc)

... Of course there are obstacles! Financially it will be a burden to not have a salary for 6 more weeks + a plane ticket. Then there is the weather issue: will I make it to Ushuaia before the snow? And lastly, what about if I need a surgery, maybe more complex than anticipated?

However, and after discussing with my wife I took the decision to give it a try and continue this trip as soon as possible

Un fricken believable!!

hombre, que desicion mas valiente

Just as nobody expected to hear of your accident that seemingly ended your journey, I'll wager that few of us were expecting this post. Part of me says "man, I sure hope he's fully healed before he rides on" and another part of me says "yes!! ride on, ride on!!" Nice wife, that!!

Cuidate...

#875

Thank you, thank you

J-L as always your pictures are killing me here. I even went so far as to go out and buy the same camera hoping I'd be able to capture similar images...

Best of luck, heal fast. You have an incredibly loving family. Many men and women dream of accomplishing these dreams, you are fortunate that your family puts their life on hold so that you can accomplish yours.....you are a very lucky man know that.

As spoken by Sir Edmund Hillary....

"You defeated me! But you won't defeat me again! Because you have grown all you can grow.... but I am still growing!" (about Mount Everest)"

Best wishes...........Tyler.

#876

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jean-Luc)

Sorry, I was not clear: I'm flying home in about 4 days (paid by Medjet) to recover and have my ankle examined to know if I need surgery or not. Then I'll fly back to Lima to continue my trip...

I am very glad to hear that!! Heal and continue on...Vanina will assist in your recovery (SHE ROCKS)

I am sure of that!! You, my friend, are lucky and deserving. You have family and friends that love you very much! (us especially) Our door is always open. Christi

#877

I hope you heal well and you can continue your journey.

Via con Dios.

#878

Jean Luc,

Sorry about your accident.

Don't stop now, stay in Lima, see a doctor there and kick back in Miraflores for a 4 or 6 weeks before continuing. Then again recuperating at home would be nice too. You've gone too far to call it off. The only problem is you will not reach Ushuaia until April when the days are shorter and the temps chillier.

Seeing your photos and reading your report brings back memories of when I was in Huaras on my R50/5 in 1978. Thanks and looking forward to meeting you someday.

Steve

#879

I'm so amazed with your awesome pictures and narration of your trip. I just sit staring for minutes at a time at most and more on some.

So sorry about the ankle, but, that can be made better. Heck, think of that poor horse you saw with the broke leg. His choice is very limited.

Hang tuff and will be waiting for your return and the continuation of an awesome trip and even greater reporting ability.

God Speed

#880

What can I say

that hasn't already been said?

J-L, I started reading your RR because you were riding a 950. I continued reading because of your pictures and commentary. And I learned an new appreciation for "it's the ride, not the destination".

I think that it is great that you take time to walk around town in the evening, and in the morning before departing. It adds so much to our understanding of the places you visit. And that you travel off the main track and visit the lesser known sites. It's wonderful.

Your photos are fantastic; what you choose to photograph, the composition, the lighting, and the comments. I agree that they are worthy of a book.

I found it amazing that you were riding over 4800+m (that's 16,000 ft for those in the US) in inclement weather. I am curious of the effects of high altitude on you and the performance of your bike.

I've been planning a trip to Alaska with a friend this summer and you have provided several routing ideas. He has wanted to take the ferry back, and I have resisted that idea. So I have proposed taking the ferry from Haines to Skagway as you did, to get a taste of the ferry and more great riding. Thanks.

I've read several discussions about traveling alone versus traveling in a group and agree that traveling solo promotes much more interaction with the locals and immersion in their culture. Your experiences in SA definitely reinforce that conclusion.

I do hope that you resume your journey after taking some time to heal your body. Your contributions to the worlds of motorcycling, travel and international relations are invaluable. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us.

#890

Jean-Luc,

Reading your ride report is such a real treat for me. We have some truly spectacular ones on Advrider, but for me this one has no equal, as its truly inspirational! I had simply no idea that Columbia was such an amazingly beautiful country. Its now on my list of places to visit for sure.

Quote: (Originally Posted by R-dubb)

Dude....

Yup, wot he said!

Quote: (Originally Posted by JimC)

J-L,

Just stunning, you leave us all speechless and awed by your adventure.

Thank you!

X a gazzilion!

Lastly, just wanted to say that your wife must be an angel. Make sure you give her a big hug from all your 'readers' please and I need to set up a meeting with her and my wife as soon as possible!

C'est magnifique!!!!!!!

891

The easiest thing to do:

Stay at home and read ride reports of fantastic rides such as yours.

Harder to do:

Actually go and commit to a ride of some duration.

Even harder to do:

Plan and execute a once in a life time ride of epic proportions.

What puts you in your own class:

Not letting something that would cause most people to quit to stop you from achieving your goals. When you are 90 and looking back at this you won't have regrets about taking more time off in order to finish this trip. This would not necessarily be the case if this was to be the end.

My wife and I have been enjoying your ride, just like many others here. It was painful for both of us to read the post where you had conceded that your trip was over. I hope you have a smooth recovery -- enjoy your time with your family. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed until we see you back on the saddle.

Thanks,

Steve

#892

So, that's what Peru really looks like Todo!

Sorry to hear about the mishap JL. Was really getting into your RR and the Peru stuff just blew me away.

Trust you will heal ASAP and be able to finish your journey!

Stay safe, enjoy the family and bonne chance with the scoot.

Looking forward to your return.

Cheers....Steverinoh

#899

JL: 6 weeks after our crash in Peru and today with my bike somewhere in the pacific, your decision to continue does not surprise me and quite the opposite seems so great for you to continue you amazing trip!!

You make it seems too EASY!!!!WAY TOO EASY!!!! As Rick says

My bones are healing and my spirit trying to recuperate for the inconclusive trip; too late to return for me, but not for you count me on your support team! We will have dinner and exchange notes!

#900

I've read some great Alaskan travel reports, but the quantity and quality of your pictures are the best I've seen.

#903

Wow, I had to skip a bunch of stuff, as I hadn't caught up yet. This has been epic! Heal soon and fast. You can do it!

#905

Bummer about the delay, but that's why it's an adventure. Speedy recovery and I'll look forward to your continuing trip... it's be awesome from my chair.

#906

Epic Ride

#907

Lovin' it

Hey I'm on p.2 and loving it. Just my kind of adventure. Thanks for all the pics and the work you put into sharing the adventure with all of us. Okay, gotta get back to reading, got some catchin' up to do looks like.

#908

Thanks for sharing your awesome adventures!

Jean -Luc

Thank you so much for sharing your awesome adventures.

I hope you are healing well.

Your great RR's has been superb reading, and a real inspiration. Plus your pictures are awesome.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

#909

Thanks

Hi J-L I haven't caught up on this report yet and do not know whether you have finished it yet or not but I am completely hooked on it. I am part Colombian and lived in Bogota for over 8 years and I now live outside of Dayton, OH. Thanks for writing so nicely about Colombia its nice to see someone who appreciated the country as much as I do.

#910

sorry about your ankle and having to end your trip early JL. but what an adventure! thank you for posting and letting us tag along, really enjoyed it. I hope you heal up quick!

#911

Anybody heard from JL?

I've been following this thread for 6 weeks and wish JL the very best whatever direction he goes from here.

Best wishes.

#913

JL, you've expanded the horizons of me and the rest of your readers. How many teachers have failed in their attempts to do this?

I had no idea of the beauty of S A. Now to conquer my fears.

Thank you!

And your last couple posts are more proof that no matter what happens to the ride; the Adventure Never Ends!

#923

Sheese...

I'm cruising along just drooling over your pics and the RR...

when Bam!

You got a broken ankle!

No more pics or ride RR !

Then.... you're flying home and going to continue!

Hey, next time, bring some duck tape so you can tape up your ankle!

although the 2 guys that I know that did exactly that wish they hadn't been quite so stupid...

Seriously, take care, get pretty well healed up, and make sure you're not going to get stuck in any snowstorms..

If nothing else, there's always next year or the year after...

Thanks so much for all your efforts in sharing your trip.

It's much appreciated!

Mary aka krashdragon

#924

Good you did get the surgery. I had both of my ankles broken with one left unset properly (overlooked due to many other injuries at the same time). It has very bad arthritis and so is often extremely painful.

Good thinking and good luck. Heal fast so you can return to riding fast.

#928

. Your trip is soooooo awesome it boggles the mind . My friend Brennan went to SA and had two accidents, laying him up for 2 months total. He continued his trip too, and I hope that you will as well. It isn't the journey alone but the spirit of the journey that is important.

You and riders like you are a true inspiration for many others.

I was dismayed to read about you mishap and the course this trip was going to take. Your decision to continue your journey is totally admirable. I, and many others will be looking forward to your, continued, most excellent RR!!!

PS: Thanks so much to all ADV riders helping out anyone that needs it. These actions are what make the ADV community so unique!!

#929

Get Well Soon

Just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery and thank you for the fantastic trip you have taken me on for the last several months. I have been reading this thread since the beginning and look forward to reading the rest of your journey. Your trip pushed me to take the next step and get on a bike again after 8 years. I am picking up a KLR on Thursday and though I have to start out with local rides I hope to at least see the US, Canada, and Mexico by bike eventually.

#930

Really awe inspiring

Hey JL, I caught up with this thread last week (the server wouldn't let me post till now). But a great big thank you for taking the time to take all the pictures and go through everything in such captivating detail. For 3 days straight I read this whenever I could at school (I'm 16 so still in high school) then Id come home and read this thoroughly for hours and hours. It is one of the most captivating and intriguing writings I have ever read and it really inspired me to travel more since thats my dream, especially on a motorcycle. Your stories and narratives each day are incredible, and its fun to tag along with you since Ive been to Guanaguato and San Miguel de Allende in Mexico myself. Its really been amazing and I was planning on getting my motorcycle license soon but now I just cant wait to get it! Thanks for the great stories and inspirations. Best wishes for your ankle, (when I first read about your injury I was as sad as if I already knew you as a good friend

) and bon voyage for a fellow francophone! J'attend a ce-que tu recommence ton voyage pour que je puisse le suivre de nouveau! Merci beaucoup beaucoup!! You are a great inspiration to me! Thank you and go JL!!

I look forward to hearing the rest of the story!

#931

Our thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself for the long term. I'm looking forward to reading of your adventures for many years to come.

#932

Hi J.L., I just thought I'd chime again in to say hello and I hope your healing well. I have a screw in the exact location in my left ankle and I was back riding in about 5 weeks as I recall. But I think if I were in your shoes I'd make sure that you get the Doc's OK before you continue your epic ride. Obviously you wouldn't want to try to stop the mighty beast from tipping over with a weak ankle.

I'd like to say that I am so very impressed with your dedication and generosity in sharing your almost indescribable, suspenseful, fantastic voyage with all of us. It is like reading an epic, living documentary on the beauty of the people and places you have been so fortunate to be able to immerse yourself in. I have truly been so inspired that doing my own very similar adventure is on my short list of things to do before I'm too old to do it.

Again, Thank you so very much for sharing!, Chris White

#933

Get Well Soon

Hey J-L get well soon can't wait til you get back on the road. You have made a RR junkie out of me.

#936

Jean-Luc,

Hope your recovery is going well and you can continue your epic trip.

#939

One more for the road

It always seems to me that others may have already said it all.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the

things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So

throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

Obviously Jean-Luc already knows this!

“It's like there was 2 dimensions here: the huge scale of the scenery and, when looking down, a different world, minuscule and delicate. Both just as beautiful though.”

- Jean-Luc

Damn,

Motorcyclist

Photographer

Writer

When I grow up I want to be Jean-Luc

#942

Best wishes from a Cyclist...

Hey J-L,

I don't have a motorcycle, actually I don't even know how to ride one! (the shifting part, that is)

I am a long distance cyclist looking for info on South American roads and I stumbled unto this wonderful website and your great travel log.

Get well soon and continue your story. I will be checking in from time to time. (consider quitting your day job and writing a book $$$, I would buy it! )

Regards to all motorcyclists, from my Bianchi bicycle...

#943

This is the ultimate RR hands down!

I know it's been said before but of all the RR's I've read here and it's been quite a few, this one without a doubt has given me the most joy. I come home from work and really have to watch my mouth or my wife will know that I'm not working as hard as I claim to be. Really sorry about your mishap

and hope you get well very soon but on the bright side, now I can hurry and do all the work I've been ignoring while hooked on my latest addiction. Hopefully you will have returned by the time my desk peeks through the paperwork again and we can merrily travel together again.

I too had no idea that Peru was so magnificent (rivaling Switzerland if not just plain exceeding it) and thanks to you JL this trip has taken the top of my "things I gotta do before I die" list. Thanks again for making the effort to share it with us. Can't tell you how happy I am that you are going back

I firmly believe that you are da man's man !!!

#948

Quote: (Originally Posted by OffRoadCruiser)

What type of boots were you wearing?

Assuming they were not MX boots would that type of solid boot have helped?

I have a new pair of Alpinestar Tech 3 boots and I cannot get comfortable in them never mind learning how to shift and brake.

I saw Ewan drilling holes in his boots in LWD so MX boots must be a real pain on a long trip.

If you have some time maybe you can give us your updated thoughts on what boots would be best for extended trips.

Quote: (Originally Posted by H-Jay)

When you get a chance I was wondering if you can share what type of boot you were wearing and any thoughts on how to prevent a similar accident.

Good question! I pondered that myself...

The boots I was wearing are the Daytona Trans Open GTX.

They're called "Enduro" but despite their thick leather and excellent build they are too flexible (sole and ankle) to offer good protection in real off-road. Only the front of the leg is protected by some hard material. I took them because this trip, like all our dual-sport rides is a matter of compromise:

- The Daytona are completely waterproof (Goretex) and considering the rain I faced that was extremely handy.

- The Daytona are very comfortable which is very important when spending so many hours/days/weeks/months most of the time on the bike.

- Since I have only one light pair of shoes for the trip I could also use the Daytona for hiking in wet/cold conditions.

- Even if I was able to lock the boots to my bike it's still way more practical to not have to change boots/shoes when you want to visit ruins or something similar...

I don't think MX boots would have saved my ankle. They are off-course more rigid and usually good for 'torsion' injuries but this one was done by 'compression': the bike pressing the ankle against a rock. I'm 99% sure that no MX boot would have been rigid enough to resist to the impact of a fully loaded 950. Something like the Asterix knee braces resist well for 'compression' accidents like that but I don't know any equivalent for the ankle.

That said and to be safer, I brought back the Daytona from Lima and I will go back instead with my MX boots Sidi Flex-force. They are not waterproof but they're reasonably comfortable and they were fine during our 3 weeks PCQ epic ride. Certainly not as great for walking but it will have to do...

#952

Well, JL, one of the things I'd been thinking about for days before your crash was how you could endure the ride. Now we are different, of course, but I know how tired I feel after a day riding a heavy d/s bike. Now you add in the mud and water crossings you faced. A single day of that with me being home that night would have caused me to feel very tired.

Then add in that you are all alone in foreign nations, often unsure of your location / route / destination condition. Each night you must adjust to a new place, worry about getting the bike inside, then explore to find food. Also the food itself, even if perfectly good food, isn't food with the micro life you are used to. So that will put a bit more stress on you. Add the constant problems you had with flat tires and...well if you add all the stressors up to a sum of stress, maybe this was a bit much. I am very athletic and in excellent shape. I doubt I'd have made it as far as you did.

#966

Hey Slide, this is a very good summary of the different stressing factors of such a trip . It looks like you've been there too .

Unlike you I'm certainly not in "excellent shape" so yes, I was really tired at times, especially in Peru. Everything was 'more' there: more altitude, cold, rain, mud, crashes, punctures... And I never stopped 2 nights in the same place.

In the same time, if a longer trip may increase the stress and fatigue it also makes your body adapt to it and become more resistant. Before my surgery I had to do some medical exams and I had not been in such a great shape for a long time: lower blood pressure, lost 15-20 lbs and just feeling very good overall.

I of course took the time to reflect on the accident since it was a mistake on my part even if it was a provoked one (better a rock than a truck

). Maybe I could have avoided the accident if I had been less tired but I'm not sure. After all it was only mid-day. My only regret is that it might have been avoided with a better rear tire but who knows

. I'm going to take 2 rear D908 and 1 front TKC80 on the plane. My bike will look like a tire truck but I still think that it's the best option since I can't find those in SA.

#967

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jean-Luc)

I had not been in such a great shape for a long time: lower blood pressure, lost 15-20 lbs and just feeling very good overall.

One of the things I know from riding with you is that you have incredible natural stamina - mentally and physically.

If you need to cover a lot of ground, make sure JL is in trip control.

. Like for anyone else fatigue makes me more prone to riding mistakes...

Quote: (Originally Posted by slide)

Better tires make a huge difference and may also reduce your mental stresses especially if you didn't need to change the tubes so often. Maybe you can take this downtime to investigate how to prevent so many flats. It almost seemed to me that the flat tire events for an entire continent sought you out for a few of those stretches.

Sadly true

. I will do two things to try to reduce the punctures: at the next opportunity I will carefully examin the rims' inside to make sure that everything is all right. The other thing is that I've bought Michelin ultra heavy duty tubes with 4mm wall thickness! Heavy and bulky but it can't be better than that to avoid at least the pinched punctures. Of course the D908 will also help with their stiffer sides and the increased distance from the potential 'nails' in the ground.