Trip Preparation

30 April 2013

 Between my last posting and update till now there about a month gap + -. I have been busy with my farm work, lecturing in the University and other chores. Riding has been mostly local and into the farm. I enjoyed the robustness of the KLR which I bashed around up and down the farm, drop, stuck in mud, carrying loads for the farm and ferry me to and fro house some 51 km away from the farm. Call it Working Camel. That's exactly what it is. No wonder the USMC still relied this machine in their inventory.

Working Camel   

By end of March, I got the Canadian visa stamp in my passport and the US visa on 18 April. Finally what a relief from the visa application questions and answers. A bit on the US interview that I have gone through just to share with my fellow Malaysian. I fixed my interview time at 7.20 am. The earliest possible time the better. The queue at the main entrance to the US Embassy build up very fast for Visa applicants. I was queue number 9. As I was called for the personal interview, these were the questions the official asked me; Why are you going to the US? Do you have  friend in the US? How long your friend have live in the US? You have been to the US 5 times, what were you doing there ? Why your wife is not accompanying you ? How old is your youngest child? Do you have any grandchildren? End questioning. 
  Last month also I had a visitor from Australia riding round the world on his motorcycle. I offered him to stay in my rented house in Batu Gajah, Perak ( about 210 km from Kuala Lumpur the capital city). We had the opportunity to share experiences and ride up the hill (Cameron Highland). We also did some Geocaching hunts. That was my first Geocache experience and thought it was a wonderful way to enjoy riding activities. Thank you Richard.
          

Richard getting ready for C.Highland ride.

Richard the TravelingStorm

Richard got tied up!

The TravelingStorm

On the trip preparation, I bought a new rain-proof luggage and a rain coat. Other than that I think all my riding gears can still last this trip and would not want to spend unnecessary. Already the flight tickets have taken a large chunk of the budget. So, I must say I am almost ready to go now and counting days. Set date 14 June 2013 I fly out Malaysia for Canada, transit UK enroute. Salam.

Canada and Alaska

Mar 18, 2013  
                      
       Possible route Canada into Alaska and return. Hah! I love route planning. Look at places from map, interesting places to visit and stay, stories of that places and what to do there. The more you know the better equip you are before you physically there. So, you are imagining things already. That why I like about looking at these new places. Call it dreaming, if you like. But I had had the same dream of Europe, South America, New Zealand, South East Asia and Middle East. And I had traveled all of them. That wasn't dreaming but reality. So here goes and let start from Nelson, AB Canada:

      Nelson - Jasper - Kamloops - Vancouver - Prince George - Whitehorse - Beaver Creek (border cross into US) - Tok, AK USA - Big Delta - Fairbanks - Livengood - Coldfoot - Wiseman - Galbraith Lake - Deadhorse.

Let say this Northbound leg takes 2 weeks of traveling time.

    Deadhorse - Coldfoot - Arctic Circle - Livengood - Fairbanks - healy - Anchorage - Glenallen - Tok - Boundary (cross border into Canada) - Little Gold Creek - Dawson City, YT Canada.
This Southbound leg takes around a week but slightly more if I stay longer in the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.

        

22 Feb 2013 - The Bike (potential candidate)

Lets call her "Red Riding Hood".  Why this bike? This kind of question has been dealt with since the invention of the adventure bike era. No one answer is right. What ever answer given has it own merit and reasoning. I have mine too. I want a bike that I have knowledge of riding. I rode this Wee during my Europe Ride in 2010. Except for a minor hiccup in Taragonna, Spain the bike performed superb. Cheap to operate and comfort on long day ride over paved and mild off-road routes.
 I would leave the bike in as it is condition during the time of purchase or rental. No additional fancy frackles!
More on this later.

Canada and Alaska Trip

20 Feb 2013 - Canada and Alaska Trip

  Its ride preparation again! This time cross Canada and North to Alaska. First, I was looking how much and how long this trip going to be. Hmmm.. I say, let plan for 3 months all together; 2 months in Canada and a month in Alaska. starting mid June end mid Sept. Alas! I hit into Ramadan the fasting month! No problem as to wait later month means I will ride into the cold season which is not fun to do. How much budget? Very tricky question I said, and as rule of the thumb MYR 10K per month including air fares and bike purchase/rental it could easily reach to MYR 60K! Wow! That much eh?
  I managed to establish contact with another fellow biker in Nelson BC, Canada who is willing to help me out with the bike requirement. So, I am bang on to him now. Its a Wee Storm. Similar to the Europe Ride. I think it a good choice.
  Next, the visa application. You know what, Malaysian going to Canada have to apply visa at the Canada High Commission in Singapore. The amount of questions they asked is just mountain! Rocky mountain? I finally managed to put up my application and had it courier to Singapore today. Hope all in order and after this the US visa application.
 I also jot down various routes to take and camp sites and cheap hostel along the intended route. This has been going for sometime now and unfinished yet.
 Interestingly, I met another Malaysia biker who is planning to ride the world  starting from Canada about the same time of my trip date. We met couple of times, compared notes and hope to ride Alaska together. Let see. 
     The trip preparation continues..

 
 

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My Beautiful Malaysia

My Beautiful Malaysia
 
  Riding along the lower plain towards the upland area of Malaysia one experienced a change in perception;  on the upland you asked whether you are in any temperate countries.  However, you are surrounded with green environment regardless of altitude level. This is something I loved most of this beautiful country. The myriads insect, plants, trees and vegetation amazed me. How blessed this country is.

Typical lower plain river

Green padi estate at Central Perak State

Upland road and surrounding - cool

Sometimes mist develop but clear soon enough

Colonial building turned into reasonable rate hotel

   On the lower plain on the country it is hot and humid temperature dominate the environment but still there are many green. On the upland its temperature drops slightly and give a bright and cool surrounding; very comfortable environment. The green gets greener here on the higher land.
 If travelled on four wheels you would not enjoyed the most. Try on two and you know what I mean. Take your time and stop at the very instance you sight something that attract you. Regardless whether you are local or foreigner dont take  thing for granted just because you see them often. Believed me you will be fascinated.
    Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

June 24, 2012. 

  What is the best time-out activity you chose from your adventure ride? Mine is definitely stay and watch nature at works in the farm. No stress, no noise, no nothing just the green and nature surround you.

 

Past Time Favourite in the Kebun

No stress, just the kebun by the lake 

             Life like that.....                            

Summary of My South America Adventure Ride 2012

14 June 2012 

  This summary of my South America ride covers:

1.   Preparation             -    I put forth total duration, budget, places of interests and route selection.

2.   The Route               -    Basically I intend to ride in a round trip of  selected countries in South America.

3.   Budget                    -    All inclusive of flight, tours, bike purchase, daily budget, fuel and contingency

4.   Day to day report     -   From 10 Jan till 21 May 2012

5.   Conclusion               -   Observations and recommendations.


Preparation

Basic maps and diary to start preparation 

I bought the South America maps from a local store in Kuala Lumpur to give me a general view of the places to go. Of course my dairy, a must, to scribble and document every small details I find necessary. My first entry of the preparation stage was on 22 Aug 2011, about 5 months plus before my start date 10 Jan 2012. Meanwhile, I started to read about ride reports of other travellers in the internet and some adventure ride books. The list is long so I wont bother to include them here. Oh! One more thing, I started to dream of the would be adventure that I am going to have. Also, I keep broadcasting this trip to families, friends and  my 'working' partners.
  Since I have decided to buy a KLR 650 somewhere in Colombia, I might as well get to know more about this bike while I am in Malaysia. Yes, I have a 2008 KLR 650 in Malaysia and with it I mount for drill bags in front and bag on the top rack. I also, went for ride few days to get the feel of weight and handling. Technically, I think I have a basic knowledge how this machine works so would not be a big problem if minor repair occurs during the ride. I think I am OK that.
 Physically I think I am fit to ride this trip. I often did long rides on my KLR 650 or my Honda Fireblade 929 sportbike. Riding is mostly sit down effort and do not need physical, however one must remain focus on the road for hours. This required full attention and alertness which directly proportionate to your mental fitness. Mentally, I leave behind my other administrative things to my family especially to my beloved wife. Thank you dear for keeping an eye on things while I am away. Fear is always there in mind but common sense prevails. Make sure my common sense is common all the time.
 Money. What is enough for me may not be enough for someone else. So, how much is enough is very subjective. Please read the Budget section later. But I will go shoe-string budget. Camping where possible but would be happy to have a decent private toilet with toilet papers. If I have warm water, it is a bonus otherwise I can live with cold water for washing.
 The route basically is covering the Pacific coast from Colombia down to Ushuaia, Argentina and the Atlantic coast upward return to Colombia. In between I will cross the Andes range, Atacama desert, the Patagonian plain and lake districts of Chile and Argentina.
 Simple and keep it that way. The more details you add for any riding plan the more you get confuse. So, keep it simple stupid (KISS).  Thats the preparation.