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Riding Colombia

I wanted to share a short note on my experience riding Colombia solo. It was great, I loved it!!

I'm a female from Kentucky, USA. I was fortunate to find this Colombian gentleman via Internet. He wanted me to see his beautiful country by motorcycle and he assisted me to get a bike. His friend lent me his Yamaha 650cc VStar. Only stipulations, any damage I pay. That's understandable, though I had no intentions of owning a Yamaha in Colombia. I brought the bike back in one piece. :-)

My routes:
Bogota, Melgar, Girardot, Prado, Tocaima, La Mesa, Bogota
Bogota, Honda, Dorado, Rio Claro Park, El Penol, Medellin
Medellin, Santa Fe de Arequipa (Old road), Medellin
Medellin back to Bogota
Bogota, Villa de Leiva, El Olivia, San Gil, Bogota

I want to express I never had a thought of fear at any time. I felt completely safe! Yes, I was always aware of my surroundings, though everyone I met was was extremely nice. Everyone was so accommodating, kind and helpful. Knowing only limited words in Spanish, I had no problems getting around. My main problems were the big cities like Bogota & Medillin getting lost. You can find taxis on moped that can help you get to your destination in or out of the city.

I had such a good time in Colombia and will be back again soon. I love the men in uniforms & machines guns. ;-)

~Cindy

By cflo on Jun 7, 2008, 18:06 in Travel tips.

webmanco says on Jun 7, 2008, 18:43:

Nice to hear about your riding experiences, traveling on Motorcicle is the best, I hope you did not get much rain.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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webmanco says on Jun 7, 2008, 19:11:

Niños en la vía Bogotá Tunja

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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sanandressi says on Jun 8, 2008, 07:37:

Well, they say Colombia is a lot safer with Uribe. However, the idea of a FARC or ELN roadblock (falso reten) does not appeal to me. It only takes once.

Until the FARC and ELN are totally demobbbilized I would not do this but it is your life not mine!

It only takes once and with 6,000 to 10,000 armed subverisives, bandidos out there still I would not do this.

Support Plan Colombia, re-elect ilena Ros-Lehtinen

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sanandressi says on Jun 8, 2008, 07:43:

BTW I never heard of the guerilla group (FMLN) in El Salvador (1980's) kidnapping or killing tourists like they do in Colombia. Maybe it happened but Colombia seems different?

Support Plan Colombia, re-elect ilena Ros-Lehtinen

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huskie says on Jun 8, 2008, 08:24:

Cflo: I am glad to hear you had a good experience. Thanks for posting a positive image!
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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RUV says on Jun 8, 2008, 23:51:

Cindy,

Can you post some pictures? Sounds like a fun way to travel around Colombia. It looks a little scary driving around in a motorcyle. Seems like everytime I have went to Colombia I have seen at least one Motorcyle accident. Then again, in Colombia there may be more motorcycles in Colombia them most places I have been.

Thank you for your post.

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Mononoke28 says on Jun 9, 2008, 10:14:

I was thinking the same thing. I'd love to see pictures that you may want to post. =D

Diana

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adrimm says on Jun 10, 2008, 18:38:

Wow, what journey!

Cindy Please let us know if you will be putting photos up on the net - I'd love to see some of your trip!!!

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cflo says on Aug 1, 2008, 18:02:

Sorry, for the long delay. I couldn't remember my user name on here.

Below are the links to my pics, video and Yamaha Custom Club Colombia.

http://flickr.com/photos/1sol/collections/

http://www.youtube.com/kybikerck

http://www.yamahaccc.com/

Honestly, no fear whatsoever on the road to Medellin. The Army men are at every mile or so in the hot zone area. Carlos (internet friend/Yamaha Club President) and I stopped several times in the area to take pictures. You definitely have to be a defensive rider in and around major cities. What's the best in Colombia, there's no road rules!! :-D

I want to thank the Yamaha Custom Club Colombia members. They went out of their way making my trip so wonderful. I am forever grateful to their generosity and hospitality.

Carlos is coming to ride the USA & Mexico with me in May 2009. He wants to meet the members of Yamaha Mexico. http://yamahaccm.webs.com/ For me, nothing like have a free translator in Mexico! :-) Only problem for Carlos, little English, no Yamaha, only Harley and Kawasawki. Haha!

~Cindy

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webmanco says on Aug 1, 2008, 21:53:

Thanks for sharing with us.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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