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Motoventure Day 10: Finally IT BEGINS!

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After all the waiting, after all the drama, after all the jealousy, hype, rage, fear, disappointment and pain…  We shall begin!  Though I have to admit, reading about a car falling into "the abyss" and some guy getting robbed of s/3,000 by two guys in a mototaxi made a weird start to the day.

 

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I have been assigned a mototaxi, I had literally the very last one in the hat when we drew (all remaining teams but four or so will be leaving tomorrow).  I have named my trusty steed "Jau" in honor of Jau-Ling Chou, who did the Rickshaw Run earlier in the year and inspired me to do this.

 

Lucky me, four out of the 18 bikes were 150cc instead of 125cc and all the kind people accidentally left one for me!  This means I will have a slightly easier time of it, as my extra 2hp (for 13hp total) gives me a noticeably smoother ride when starting and getting going.  I'm quite excited!

 

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Paperwork just arrived from Lima and we will be set to go shortly – they are sorting it in the lobby right now.  Starting at 4:30AM tomorrow morning we will be able to get our paperwork and leave.  The current plan for me is to wake up around 5AM, grab a shower/etc., get my paperwork, and load up all my stuff into a taxi to hit the training ground.  Warm up the bike and be on the road by 6:30AM to beat morning traffic in town.

 

P1040340 Since lots of people have had problems (I did check "Jau" out and he seems all good after some quick throttle tweaking and resorting some cables), I will probably be caravanning for the first day at least with Rob & Will and probably Scott & Nate as well.  This is going to ROCK!

 

Let's talk route…  The route we are planning to take doesn't even show up on Google Maps.  Heh.  Nutshell, we're heading from Huancayo towards Ayacucho.  Then the next day towards Cusco, then down south towards Lake Titicaca and La Paz.  I'm planning to head towards the salt flats after that, spending a night at Tehua in the north then riding across the salt flats (no one else actually seems crazy enough to try this from discussion) towards Uyuni.  After that it's up to Potosi, then most likely back up towards La Paz to end things up.  If I'm having a great time I'll extend the trip, otherwise that should be a solid 8-9 days of awesomeness that will stand on its own.

 

Thanks so much for sticking with me in all this drama and "boredom" over the last few days.  As of right now I've been spinning in Huancayo for over a week, so it's really a fantastic feeling to know I will finally be getting a mototaxi on the road.  VICTORY!

 

There's going to be some really good stuff coming, I'm sure of it! :D

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Comments

Unknown said…
i can feel the adrenaline man! please try not to beat the crap out of me too much lol

take care man, and try your best to caravan, especially in the remote areas, which probably will be most of them. i'm looking forward to the adventure!
October 31, 2009 at 6:24 AM
Balaji said…
All the best for Pete and "Jau".
October 31, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Alex said…
I'm reading this in order from the beginning, so I don't know the outcome, but man I hope you get to the Altiplano salt flats. I have a friend who was there last year; his pictures look fucking amazing.

...yeah, it's a slow day at work here.
April 13, 2010 at 1:15 PM
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