Hi all
As my preparations progress, I thought I'd share my developing blog with you for my trip next year.

http://patonabike.blogspot.com/

Hope you find it of interest.

Pat

Looks good! Take care and have fun!
Nice piece of fur on yer saddle......

How about a suspension upgrade? You'll probably need it, it'll be a good investment.

Greetz, Hans.

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visit: www.hank3.com

SRV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU0MF8pwktg

Hi Pat,

this is going to be a wonderful trip.
Maybe you will find it useful, the best map of southern argentina i have found so far, was this road-sign. Here you can see what the road conditions are going to be.


Best Map one could find von ncgerharra auf Flickr

Getting close now - here is the latest post on my preparations for the really big adventure - for all those unable to sleep!

patonabike.blogspot.com/

Happy reading, and an even happier crimbo
Pat

Here is the latest offering. Less than 2 months to go now, and time is flying!

http://patonabike.blogspot.com/

Very many thanks to all you folks who have been offering good wishes. I hope the blog turns into something you will find of interest and entertaining.

And - who knows - we may well meet on the road.
Pat

never heard back from and just saw this post, not sure if i told you when you go into gas stations in Argentina use the YPF stations, virtually all of them have free wifi so you can keep us updated, and you don't need to spend any money to use it, they also have hot food that sometimes isn't visible or on the menu just ask

i checked your blog and noticed the mount on the top bar above the speedo, i would suggest against using that for the garmin 550, the weight and the vibration on the ruta 3 and ruta 40 will snap the welds in you inner headlight mount, (it happened to a guy i riding with) i used this http://www.ztechnik.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p227.html a lot stronger and handlebar mounted instead so less vibration

paul

Hi mate - thanks for the post, and sorry I've been off line of late. Work has been really mad, but I can't complain as they have given me 4 months off! 6 weeks to go!

Seems the YPF stations will be a real blessing for lots of reasons. Thanks.

Also thanks for the heads up about the sat nav bracket. You mentioned that before, so last month when I had the dash in bits, we tacked a couple of extra supports on the underside. Looks pretty solid now.

I hope to keep regular updates to the blog - and include some photos, but unlikely to match your great shots.

Where are you now? Do you think our paths might cross in the Americas? If not, there's a beer or two already chilling for when you get to Europe!
Pat

not sure if we will meet in the americas, i continue in may 2013, a quick lap of the US and then to Iceland, i will be in Europe probably 4 or 5 times over a about a 5 year period, so beer, yes for sure let me know the location i will head that way

just a little thing i found that you may want to pick up, i got a mr. funnel



gas in Bolivia is touch and go, quality and availability, if you head off the beaten path you will be getting gas from some strange places, this thing filters out grit, dirt and most importantly water, it cost me $14

also as you leave Argentina make sure you fill up (brim it) and be sure of availabilty, last year there were shortages in Bolivia and in some very remote places and gas cans are not easy to find so if that is the case get a gas can in Argentina, you could find them in most supermarkets

Thanks again to all for the messages - especially to Paul for all his help and advice and inspiring photos.

For those with an interest you can find my latest ramblings on trip prep available at: http://www.patonabike.blogspot.com/2...wn-blog-2.html

I�ve also updated some of the additional information pages, and added the facility to subscribe - so you can get a little email message when I update the site when on the road.

Hope you like - I like!

Pat

I had a butchers at your site and wow it looks and sounds fantastic, very best wishes for your trip!!! I would agree with one of the posts here that I would consider a suspension update, expensive but probably the best mod you can make to your bike. The Ohlins looks really worth it in terms of comfort and hey you will have some hours in the saddle!!! Good luck and best wishes, Simon

__________________
(Now sold on, sob) 2011 Blue XT660X with gold wheels, was 26,500 km.
Engine mods: K&N Stage 1 filter, DNA Stage 2 filter, snorkel removed, Kev fuel mod fitted.
Plus: smoked Puig screen, Yam aluminium sump guard, Yamaha / Acerbis handguards, Givi Trekker aluminium side cases, Leo Vince X3 cans plus Kev front fork mod and Fender Xtender. Just fitted Michelin Road Pilot 3 tyres.

SOLD the XTX for a Super Ten 1200. And just bought a Raptor 700 so staying on here for some tips....