Onward to San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico

Becky Konshak, Michael Konshak and us

The picturesque view of the beaches in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico

The picturesque view of the beaches in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico

We would like to thank Michael Konshak and Becky Konshak for taking care of us for 3 nights in San Carlos in their beautiful home, and showing us around the town of Guaymas. We love the sunset by the beach of San Carlos. Waking up to the sounds of the waves is a unique experience indeed!

- Written by Kelvin

New friends, new plans (Deming, New Mexico and Vail, Arizona)

Dan Wilson with Kelvin Cai

City of Rocks State Park (New Mexico, USA)

City of Rocks State Park (New Mexico, USA)

City of Rocks State Park (New Mexico, USA)

Warning sign in New Mexico, USA. Dust storms can occur over there.

Debbie and Kelvin with John Comé

John Comé's creative collection

John Comé's creative collection

John Comé's creative collection

With Greg Turp and Melanie Ramse Turp

As many travellers have told us, plans will change along the way. I never thought it could be so impromptu. Don't get me wrong. It changed in the best possible way it could ever be.

When we were at Albuquerque, Kelvin and I were researching and looking up info on the possible places that we could stay before crossing into Mexico via El Paso crossing.

Plan changed! Alex Smith left a comment on our Facebook post called "Break South" and contacted his friend, Dan Wilson and he responded so swiftly. There we were... headed to Deming, New Mexico instead.

After we left Albuquerque in the morning, we were just concentrating on getting to Deming, New Mexico on time in the evening. Who would have known that Dan would actually come up to me at the Phillips 66 gas station near the Lemitar exit on I25 highway (South) in the afternoon and say hi? I was in shock! I never seen him or met him before. Besides, I was expecting to see him only on that evening.

We followed Dan to his cosy abode and our week's stay has been great. We learned a wealth of knowledge from this seasoned world traveller which was so useful for us greenhorn travellers.

Dan graciously allowed us to use his garage to change our chain and even gave us tips on modification to the bike that will be useful to us like using a SAE connector to get a portable air compressor running. Trust me! We were actually thinking that hand pumps would work! Luckily we had a veteran to correct us.

Dan also gave us tips on sizing down our tool kit that will be useful. He has also introduced us to quite a number of friends like Michael and Becky Konshak and Greg and Melanie Turp whom we are grateful to have met.

At first, we were intending to cross into Mexico via the El Paso crossing but our plan changed again. We decided to cross at Nogales instead, so we decided that heading to Arizona next would be a good idea. We utilised Adventure Rider Tent Space and contacted riders who live in the Arizona area. Lo and behold! John Comé got back to us and we headed to Vail, Arizona.

He is a gentle man with immense creativity. Look at what he created with pliers, timing chains and assortment of motor parts. I am so amazed!

Unfortunately, due to the impending rain storm ahead on Tues and the next few days, we decided to get out of the storm and headed southward and only stayed at John Comé's place for a night. We wanted to stay longer but we didn't want to face a thunderstorm if we know that we can avoid it. At first, we were running away from snowstorm. Now, it's the thunderstorm that we are running away from.

We have been touched by the kindness of Americans and had a nice time in USA. We will definitely explore USA more thoroughly in future.

Greg and Melanie Turp will be heading from Deming, New Mexico to Algeria in March. We wish them all the best for their upcoming trip.

- Written by Debbie

At Albuquerque, New Mexico

I assessed the threat as he approached us from a distance as we were loading our bikes, carrying many bags over his shoulders like a homeless person.

Debbie considered if the man was a drug addict as he whistled and sang while walking along the street.

The man wished us well, as he walked up and down the street carrying more stuff. A lady stood beside us as we chatted with him, and we learnt she was his friend. He rides bikes too and is friendly and curious about us.

The 3 men are the same person.

Later beside the I-25 Highway, I dropped my bike for the first time, and the bungee cord somehow jammed up rear brakes as I pushed the bike to a more even ground. As Debbie and I thought through our options, a Goldwing rider stopped behind us and offered a jack knife. Some 15min of prying and I freed the rear brake of the shredded bungee. A loose mirror was left to be fixed at the next gas station.

Because of the chat with the man as we rode off, and my dropping the bike by the road side later, prying the rear brakes, and fixing the loose mirror, a friend we are supposed to meet in Deming, 200 miles away pulled in and introduced himself. I could not believe the odds of that happening. We have never met him before, and he pulled up beside us on the same petrol station on the I-25 and called out to us, and we drove in convoy to his home, 200miles away. Everything seems to happen for a reason, including my Oakley shades that I realized had gone with the wind in the morning, perhaps to teach me acceptance of the impermanence of all our kit, and of accepting and living in the present moment.

Break South

We broke South at 5 Celsius (41F) with a window in Denver's snow. We had to make Albuquerque, where temperatures were more tolerable, but fell short by half the distance. Trying to save some money, we wild camped behind a petrol station on truckers' lots at twilight. Strong winds fought our efforts to anchor the tent down with our panniers, when a stranger, a trucker cautioned us against parking on the truck lots. He said it would be dark in hours and snowing, and the late night truckers pulling in wouldn't see us in the dark, that we could be rolled over by the container trucks. Gary even helped us shift our tent and pin the stakes down, all in the brutal Colorado winter wind at freezing temp. At night sleep would not come easy, if at all, huddled underneath the 6 layers of clothing and raincoat in the sleeping bag rated for 0 Celsius, looking at the thin film of ice on the tent's rain fly. Our physiques are used to tropical heat. At day break, spurred by the cold, we broke camp and depended on the portable stove to rewarm numb fingers as we packed the ice covered, wet tent.

We broke South once more, determined to find warmth as far South as we could. Later we would agree that we have never felt this cold for this long in our lives. The wind chill at 80mph (128km/h) cruising through the mountain mist at single digit temps sipped through our 6 layers of clothing, still kept on since setting off. At times we shivered, but we couldn't stop, for there would be no respite from the cold until we reached Albuquerque. We could only go on, one small milestone at a time, each mile bringing us closer to warmth for as long as we could ride safely. From Denver to Alburquerque (715km/447m) we did not see a single motorcycle on the road. Now enjoying warm cooked meals and friendly conversations with fellow hostellers, what we remember from the experience, is our now established cold weather tolerances for riding and camping, and the warm memory of a helpful trucker called Gary who looked out for us.

Written by Kelvin

Off to the Land of Maple Leaf!

After an eventful shock to the system with the bitter cold in Denver, we jetted off from Denver, Colorado (USA) to Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) to meet two very special people whom we actually met back in April 2016 in Singapore. At that time, they rode on two motorcycles all the way to Singapore.

Of course, they went far and beyond. They are Gene and Neda, a globetrotting motorcycling couple famous for their thread on ADVrider.com called "Quit our jobs, sold our home, gone riding...". They have been travelling the world for the past 7 years and are currently residing in Squamish, British Columbia (Canada), a town north of Vancouver. This cosy town is away from the hustle and bustle city traffic so it definitely provides a tranquil retreat from all the rush that city people can relate to. They have kindly hosted us for a week and I got ample opportunities to eat so many delicious food that Neda cooked. I bet she can cook Asian food better than many Asians out there. They also did so many things for us that I am so grateful for that I feel indebted to them. They have shown much kindness indeed.

The view just outside Gene's and Neda's place. The maple leaves are just so red!

You just see the mountain outside their place. Splendid!

Initially, I used to think that when I visit a country, I must be on a quest to visit as many attractions as I possibly can. However, I realised that it is the people I meet, the chance to understand the local culture I meet and the kindness that I see on the road that matter.

First up, Gene and Neda brought us for some nice freshly baked cheesecake to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. Cheesecake has always been our tradition for celebrating our wedding anniversaries. It was the first time we celebrated our wedding anniversary that far away from Singapore.

Then, I got a chance to experience Halloween for the first time in my life. Kids knocked on our door and dressed in their cute costumes asking "Trick or Treat?" and their parents being well coordinated in their dressing made it so entertaining for me. It was heartwarming for me to see parents not being self-conscious and dressing up for Halloween and having fun with their kids. Beneath the costumes and makeup lies family unity that makes Halloween all the more meaningful.

On a side note, it was so fun applying tattoo on my face. Gene and Kelvin were so hilarious! Just look at them. Lol! Gene and Kelvin looked so scary.

All of us getting dressed up for Halloween

It was Walking Dead in the house!

The ladies with the face tattoos

Then, we had some Japadogs in Vancouver. When Gene and Neda told us about Japadogs, we didn't know what it was. Apparently, it is an exclusive to Vancouver and not to be missed. A Japadog is basically hot dog bun served with seaweed, teriyaki sauce and mayo. The french fries also includes Japanese seasoning on it. Very delicious!

Next up, we went to a famous Canadian coffee place called Tim Hortons. It's also a very Canadian thing to do. In fact, it's a favourite meeting place for bikers to be at. It is pretty much like how bikers groups in Singapore would meet up at the Indian coffee shop to have some Indian pancakes called Roti Prata and drinks. Oh yes! I tried Tim Bits, the signature item on the menu. It is mini donuts in assortment of flavours.

Neda (1st from left), Debbie, Kelvin

After that, we went for eagle viewing in the morning. We also saw some seagulls too. The beauty of nature took my breath away in the cold 9 degree celsius air. It was so easy to be in the moment, focusing on the scenery and the birds.

What's more, we went to visit the Whistler Village. Apparently, the 2010 Winter Olympics was at Whistler. It was all pretty commercial as you can find apparel brands like Lululemon, Quiksilver, The Body Shop and high-end hotels like Hilton, Westin and Pan Pacific. However, it's THE place for skiing and many people from around the world would travel there just for the sport.

The highlight is getting to shoot real guns! It was all thanks to Kevin and Manon who brought us to Port Coquitlam & District Hunting & Fishing Club to shoot with a Sig pistol and semi-automatic AR-15 rifle. It was exhilarating and an adrenaline rush. Kevin was so patient in showing me how to use a the pistol and rifle as I have never used one in my life. Guns are not allowed in Singapore. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn how to use these weapons. I think I am equipped to deal with zombie apocalypse!

Biting the bullet!

Top row: Gene, Neda
Bottom row: Manon, Kelvin, Debbie, Kevin

In fact, Gene and Neda met up with Kevin and Manon at the very start of their trip and now, we are at the very start of our trip and we met up with them too! I think Kevin and Manon have an affinity with beginner globetrotting travellers.

Gene (1st from left), Neda, Manon, Kevin - Photo Credit: Gene Lee

Gene and Neda did not know us that well and yet they have shown us so much kindness in letting us stay at their place and showing us around and introducing us to their friends, Kevin and Manon. We did not even know Kevin and Manon and yet they have been so open with us.

Kindness abound in this world and only if one opens his heart and give the world a chance, one may be surprised at what the world has to offer.

As Forrest Gump once said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." I am ready for the next surprise. Can't wait.

- Written by Debbie

The Opening Gambit - Denver Snowstorm

We touched down in Denver after 27 hours flying and transiting, hitting the ground running by meeting our kind host Alex Lafleur for lunch and going straight to Sun Enterprises, the dealer for the first of two Honda CB500X motorcycles we were purchasing. After jumping through the relatively straightforward loops of signing paperwork for the motorcycle purchase and handing over USD$7200 in cash, we had a heart stopping moment when the staff processing the insurance paperwork declared that we couldn't be insured after checking her workstation computer.

Thankfully, we had the Progressive Insurance covering us for USD $300 for the first month for 2 people, and a monthly recurring charge of USD$250 for the subsequent months. We would terminate the insurance payment once we were out of the United States. When the time came to renew the insurance for annual registration which was necessary for the issuance of Carnet De Passage, we would get a policy for a month again. 

We quickly realized our plan for installing the equipment ourselves was going to consume more time than we originally estimated, given the social activities lined up and kit we still had to purchase to be ready to ride. Furthermore, our maintenance skills learnt was enough to perform routine servicing, but we really had little confidence in improvising on installation works ourselves. There are no dry runs, no shakedowns, and a snowstorm was coming to Denver soon. 

This was the morning view when we woke up the next day. I'm 34, and I have never seen snow in my life. So it was perhaps time for a bucket list item moment - throwing snow. I couldn't feel my fingers after I did this the second time.

We brought our purchased Pelican luggages, Oxford heated grips and K&N Air Filter, and sponsored Puig crashbars, windshields, handguards and fender extenders to the dealers to install them for us, and also completed the paperwork for the 2nd motorcycle dealer, Fay Myers. The labour cost at Sun Enterprises was USD$330 for 5.5 hours, after a 50% discount was thrown in as the bike was purchased from them. However, at Fay Myers, my eyes went wide open when Debbie and I were quoted USD$1100 for the installation of the same parts on the 2nd motorcycle.

My mind was telling me this was a daylight robbery and the stress levels were racketing up, but I also knew I had no leverage in this negotiation. I didn't had the time to find another shop to finish the job. So, I took out the newspaper article written by Zaihan Mohamed Yusof and explained to Chris Ortega, the sales staff our itinerary and the labour prices we paid at the first dealer, Sun Enterprises, persuading hard for a discount and appealing to his kindness to do us a favour and consult his superiors. After some tense moments waiting, we were informed they would bring the price down to USD$660, matching the labour hours quoted by Sun. We paid up in relief.

This meant that on day 2 in Denver, we could leave in the afternoon for Granby, Colorado where our host, Alex and his wife Carli had a home in the mountains, with stunning views.

The Colorado mountain silence is etched in my memories, and the walk in the woods cleared the fog in my mind. There is something healing about walking on snow in silence, with no ambient noise, nothing but woods ahead of you and on the sides. Alex explained how he tracked elk and deer, with a grin about his successful kill last year. We spent the weekend cooking, chatting over meals and soon it was time to fly to Vancouver, Canada, where 2 special people were going to pick us up from the airport. The motorcycles can wait in the Denver snowstorm in -9 celcius (16F). We were not going to ride anywhere in that weather. Denver was facing record cold weather that came early.

Written by Kelvin

In Partnership with Singapore Kindness Movement

We are glad to announce our partnership with Singapore Kindness Movement, and would like to thank its General Secretary Dr William Wan, for giving us 2 of his autographed books 'Through the Valley: The Art of Living and Leaving Well' and 'My Best with Honour'.

Media Coverage: The Straits Times and The New Paper Feature

The Straits Times Front Blurb (17 Oct 2019)

The Straits Times Article (Click on the picture for a clearer view)

The New Paper Feature (21 Oct 2019)

These two look curiously familiar on The Straits Times and The New Paper! Thank you Zaihan Mohamed Yusof (The Straits Times/TNP journalist) for the feature on these two national newspapers.