Through the Darién Gap with Helge Pedersen - Lessons from his first ride up the Pan-American Highway
Adventure motorcycle legend Helge Pedersen recounts his journey and lessons learned on his first R80G/S adventure motorcycle ride from Ushuaia to Panama, through the treacherous Darién Gap. Not just "off-road" - in the Darién Gap there are NO roads or vehicle trails, just the Cuna indian foot paths. It took Helge 20 days to travel 80 miles, crossing the border from Colombia into Panama.
For more than ten years, Helge and Olga, Helge's sturdy BMW motorcycle, traveled in vagabond style. Their journey took them across five continents and over 250,000 miles, more than ten times the actual distance around the world! Documented and told in the "10 Years on 2 Wheels" hardcover book:
Buy a signed copy directly from Helge with PayPal at info@globeriders.com or from Touratech USA touratech-usa.com/Store/Book-...
Helge Pedersen @ globeriders.com
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#R80GS #SouthAmerica #PanAmericanHighway #PanAmericanHwy #LongWayUp #Darien #Gap #DarienGap #Colombia #Panama #tim.tyler.cine #bmwmotorrad #west38moto #findMOTOTREK
if you are looking at going to South America on your motorcycle and you live in North America you have no excuse here's how you do it go out your front door start your bike head south it's as simple as that if you live in Europe do the same. and you can do the same in Africa and you are laughing at me and you're saying oh yeah you're privileged you have a lot of money this and that i tell you anybody can do it it's all up in your head. welcome to MOTOTREK. i'm Helge Pedersen and in 1985 i traveled with this cargo ship all the way from Oslo to Buenos Aires came to Buenos Aires in the fall of 1985 and headed straight down to Ushuaia since my first trip to Latin America I've been back several times I've ridden central America down the Pan-American highway I've been in Ushuaia five times now it's kind of funny to see the picture from the first to the last time but these times I've done it leading tours if you want to see patagonia sit down and it will all blow by you
i was sitting there on my bike and just hanging on for my life but i finally made it down to Ushuaia and everything changed mountains beautiful pine forests lakes and i happened to got the job and the reason i wore looking for a job was i want to learn some language i was very lucky because i got to work with Mario and Graciela and we were clearing a path off to Lago Fungano and we ended up staying there for two months it was tough it was summer January i mean we wake up to like an inch and inch and a half of snow in the morning but the biggest problem we had we worked our way up and we used up all the food we had i was so starved after that experience I've never been that starved in my life but what an experience it was usually for that reason is a very very special place and I've been back many times later and i love it so when you travel in Patagonia you have to go on a Ruta 40 and it's in famous for its brutal gravel roads it was tough with the Patagonia wind and you are going in this deep rooted gravel and the worst is usually when you have a grader coming through because then it's extra deep and you're just dancing there and hanging on plus you've got the wind and then you meet the truck and it's like usually i would then just stop and park myself and head on after in Patagonia you have to go and see mount Fitzroy came there parked my bike picked up my tent couldn't see it couldn't see it three days went by and i said okay enough is enough it was just caked in in fog so the following day i was going to take off and just forget about it was kind of disappointed really i looked forward to it look out my tent i couldn't believe it it felt like i was right at the foothill and there is this majestic mountain just reaching for the heavens it's just like a rocket when you travel the best currency you can have with you is time don't let time press you out of a situation that could be a beautiful experience take your time
Пікірлер: 865
This guy is a legend!
@morqi545
3 жыл бұрын
no u
@kignacio
3 жыл бұрын
@@morqi545 no u
03:41 : "When you travel the best currency you can have with you is time..." Such wise and true words!!
@manuelfvdias
3 жыл бұрын
If you know, you know.
@d37tae
3 жыл бұрын
I checked the comments to make sure this was here. This is the most important advice. I love the way he phrased it. I will be using that.
@DanielMores
3 жыл бұрын
Just wanted to write the same thing. Wise words.
@MOTOTREK
3 жыл бұрын
This kind of adventure is not for everybody, Jonathan Champagne.
@DanielMores
3 жыл бұрын
@@jonathanchampagne7683 Not everyone is as materialistic as you are. Or me, for that matter, because I cannot imagine giving up a "home" to travel the world. Quite often it's young people with no strings who dare to do this, sometimes even families. I admire them, travel vicariously through them but could never do what they're doing ... wife, two boys, cars, house, stuff. By the way, what is actually meant with the currency quote is that you're better off traveling for a long time with less money than doing a quick trip with a lot of money. Money can't buy you memories.
Hi Helge, watching your video brought back many memories to me as I walked the Darien Gap solo in 1992, likely no motorbike 😁, I walked it north to south. I did stay in Paya for a few days then a couple of local kids guided me over the border and into Colombia, it took me 18 days to reach Turbo. I have never met an other traveler who has crossed the Darien Gap. I was backpacking then but since that I have been around the world 4 times on motorcycles. My first long motorcycle trip was from Melbourne Australia to Paris in 1997. Anyway, well done on taking your bike through the Gap, I wouldn’t have done it, just too difficult. Cheers 🍻
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#didlermartin Yes, it is not often one encounter another person that has traversed the Darien Gap. In this case very nice to meet you and I would love to meet you in person one day, what great conversations we would have. If you ever are in the Seattle area feel free to contact me and we could meet. Knowing what I do today I would never again take a motorcycle through the Darien Gap, but I actually went back to hike in the Darien many years later. At that time I did it to spend some time with the Cuna and Embera indians in the Darien and it was a wonderful experience. Sounds like you have had some great tracks around the world on your motorcycle, good for you following your dreams. I hope we can meet one day.
@didiermartin9386
3 жыл бұрын
@@helgepedersen877 , not sure when I will be in your neighbourhood Helge but I’ll keep it in mind, I’m stuck in Australia right now. Cheers mate🍻 .
@bucktooth002
3 жыл бұрын
I want to make it from the Tropic of Cancer to the tropic of Capricorn every June on a 200 or 250 cc adventure bike. If not Utah or Idaho will do if I'm strap for cash.
@lusciousbobby
2 жыл бұрын
Itchy Boots got me here
@ROLABOLA22
2 жыл бұрын
Itchy boots also brought me here. Congrats on your journeys or better saying, on your life. Well done, sir!
I had the privilege of riding with Helge on two tours, Himalaya and Southern Africa. Adventures of a lifetime.
@grimsadventures-bikesnpetr7913
3 жыл бұрын
I am South African, where did you ride in Southern Africa
@stephenbecker9237
3 жыл бұрын
You can check on GlobeRiders website for detail. But Cape Town. Botswana, Swaziland, Okavango Delta, Zambia, Namibia and others. Beautiful country and wonderful people.
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
@@grimsadventures-bikesnpetr7913 Like #stephenbecker says you can find lots of good stories if you go to www.globeriders.com and look under journals where the stories from all of our past journeys are archived. We love Southern Africa and have a 37 days journey and we also have a 63 days journey from Cape to Cairo. We will be back in January 2023 to do another Cape to Cairo.
@TheRadgeOne
3 жыл бұрын
@@helgepedersen877 2023 Sounds like an awesome opportunity, how fit do you need to be to complete a trip like that?
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
@@TheRadgeOne Send me an email helge@globeriders.com and we can discuss. We ask all new members to GlobeRiders to complete a questioner before taking one of our tours and that way we make sure that you are a good fit for our journeys.
I can't believe he convinced that German guy to go too.
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#rafetizer Both he and I did not really know what we were getting in to and that might have been good.
@mattcarballo935
3 жыл бұрын
@@helgepedersen877 I really want to know what happened to the German guy, did you keep in touch after all these years? did you part ways in Panama? Awesome story
@unknownmovement
3 жыл бұрын
@@chrissi.enbyYT alter lachs... its the guy the video is about, did you even read the title😅
@bilbo5775
3 жыл бұрын
@@unknownmovement No Shit , right ?
@tiffanyclark-grove1989
3 жыл бұрын
Right?! Lol
Helge is one of the wealthiest people in the world when one considers his experiences as currency. He is a real inspiration for those of us who plan to what he did, "someday".
Truly inspiring stuff. This guy imparted more wisdom on me in 15 minutes than I could have imagined possible.
I wanted to “like” this more than once. I have read of several people’s exploits through the Darian Gap. None seemed to be as cavalier as yours. Thank you for sharing.
This was the best story in all youtube this month for sure.
That's a great story. We went through the Darien with motorcycles 4 years ago, January 2018. Took us 7 days and we had a lot of help. It was very difficult. But Helge had it way more difficult than us it sounded like.
@MOTOTREK
3 жыл бұрын
Congrats, Alex!
@tucuruicomercioerepresenta2308
3 жыл бұрын
Hi! Did you Cross with what kind a bike? I plan to go from Brazil to prudoe Bay, but the darian Gap makes the trip get trouble.... I pretend to Go with a 110cc carbureted, there was a Brazilian that did It, but he flyed over the Gap... Thanks!
@alexmanne
3 жыл бұрын
@@tucuruicomercioerepresenta2308 We went through with Kawasaki KLRs. It took a lot of planning to go through the Darien. We also had to get permission from the Panamanian Government and SENAFRONT.
@martinzeddy
Жыл бұрын
@@alexmanne Is there any other platform to see the doc (for non-USA residents)?
@alexmanne
Жыл бұрын
@@martinzeddy Revzilla, but you have to pay for the subscription - it's about $60USD. However, they're putting it on youtube soon from what I was told. The trailer is on there.
This video got suggested after I had watch Itchy Boots trying to get her Honda past the Darian Gap. God bless the KZread algorithm because your story is just as fascinating.
Helge is the man. So many great stories.
Living Legend. And a man that speaks the truth. Brilliant, thankyou.
It's funny, sitting here in my house with my comfort and ease, and watching people go out and really experience the planet. Stories like this are gold, they are treasure, thank you so much for sharing. I work towards my own adventure and feel inspired by this story.
@MOTOTREK
3 жыл бұрын
Right on, Jim!
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#jimfrueh Glad that you could get inspired, we all need inspiration in our lives. I seek inspiration all the time and some times it feel good to give back, thanks for your words.
Wow! What a ride!
You are a inspirtaion for many Riders around the World. Thanks
Wow! 80 miles in 20 days--that's some hardcore terrain. Very inspiring! Thanks for the great story.
Helge Pedersen, just want to say thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. "Carpe diem". Greetings from Portugal.
Respect Helge, RESPECT my brother!
That’s the adventure spirit you can’t learn. No big budget, no fancy gear and equipment. Just a will to connect. This guy is the real deal, a true soul
This is the inspiration we all need to stop thinking about it and just do it !
A true legend among motorcyclists........!!!!! It would be great to see a video about the bike.......the struggle he faced,the problems and failures he faced!!!!!!!!
A star. Words cannot do this justice. Thanks for publishing this.
Hats off to you, sounds brutal hacking through the jungle...
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#rockbreaker From your handle "Rockbreaker" I bet you have done some good adventures yourself. Yes, the jungle part was brutal.
@JMARTIN1947
3 жыл бұрын
"And then we got attacked by bees..."
@alexhulinsky7954
3 жыл бұрын
Especially for 20 days!!
This is what we should be watching on Netflix or whatever. Can't get enough!
Such a crazy legend from Norway....kudos!!
What a legend! What an inspirational adventure - Thank you.
Just found the channel and man every single word he says strikes me hard. This, my friend, is gold.
Respect!! God bless.
I bought your book many years ago and it has been such an inspiration to me. As I was planning my own adventure I was involved in an accident that severely injured my spine and I thought riding was done for me. You have been such a positive influence on me throughout my recovery. Seeing what you have gone through and your relentlessly positive outlook on life has helped me fight back to finally being able to ride again. Thank you sir being such a positive influence.
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#christopherhughes Sorry to hear about your accident, what a terrible thing to happen to you. I can not imagine what you have gone through, but I am very happy to hear that you have given it all and now can ride again. That is amazing and I wish you the very best on your continues healing and many adventures ahead. You are the inspiration, Ride Far - Ride Safe!
Came here for the great video by the Legend Helge Pedersen. I remember the book from the crossing years ago, being so inspired by his travels. Back then crossing continents on motorcycles was not something normally done. Thanks to pioneers like Ted Simon and Helge, and later others like Hubert Kriegel (Google him - he has passed but his website with his world travels is a work of art - you will thank me), long distance motorcycle travel is now commonplace. Thank you Mr. Pedersen. And if you saw this video read all the comments. So positive and interesting too.
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#dashford06 Thanks for the kind words and I could not agree more, Hubert Kriegel www.thetimelessride.com, has inspired me to try out sidecar riding and I love it, what a great story he told, go and check it out.
Fantastic! Congratulations from Brazil.
@MOTOTREK
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
"Take your time." Thanks for sharing your absolutely fabulous adventure - in spite of what you say, not many could complete it. Congratulations
Great story and told as only you could tell it, Helge. Thanks.
What a story , what an experience!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Mr. Helge Pedersen, you are a great man. I admire you so much!
What a fantastic adventure, that story about the ticks will stay with me!
It also helps being a young. Helge, you are one tough dude.
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
@Gamal Elsayed Very well said, we need to look after our health to stay young and healthy, it takes work and commitment.
Thanks for sharing this story, thank you Helge, I enjoyed this interview a lot!.
Thought I would see just another video and was blown away by it! For me, personally, this is the sort of inspirational stories that connect well with the more technical ones. I would love to see more of these. Keep up the good work! Cheers from Portugal. Bruno
@MOTOTREK
3 жыл бұрын
Wow, thank you!
Woooooo I found my mostest favorite motorist! My hats off hands and feet up to you, Sir! You are the GOAT!
Legend say a guy did it with a Honda 90.
@mrpalaces
3 жыл бұрын
Well he took a bout through the gap but I sill have made respect for him
@someone46018
3 жыл бұрын
A 90 would be a lot easier to do than with that BMW hog.
@TC-yx1qt
3 жыл бұрын
90 is plenty.
Not all men are created equal, & Helge is living proof. This man is a legend.
its unexpectedly great stories like this that make youtube great. Well done Helge!
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#Efone Thank you and credit goes all to Tim Tyler for doing such a great job with this channel. I am glad you enjoyed the story.
Excellent sage advice. Probably the best I have ever heard.
WOW, what amazing and inspiring story!! Thank you very much for sharing!! 👍
Man it's always so satisfying bringing a bike or vehicle in places that it probably shouldn't be, or hadn't been done before.
Just an awesome video here. Love the story.
What a freaking legend, thanks for your story!
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#alexanderseling Thanks for the nice words, but really, I am just another rider that chose to ride the world and make it my lifestyle. I have loved most of it and by that have very few regrets. Not all of it came easy as you see in the video, but I think these events make you stronger. Glad that you enjoyed.
love his story...definitely inspired to go on my own
So beautiful! Thx, Helge.
Amazing story. Thank you Helge
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#mattyh73 You are welcome.
I am from Colombia and I was sometimes in Darien........this story is absolutely incredible. Respect !!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Helge. I finally ran out of excuses.
Wow. What a story! Thanks for sharing
I never got as far South as you but I'm still dining off the stories I gathered 35 years ago. Got as far south as Guatemala and then went down with Yellow fever - I figured it was natures way of telling me to head back North :) I was always impressed by the few photo's I've seen of your journey through the Gap and it's nice to watch this and see the person behind those photos.
Thanks for sharing your amazing experience!
You are a inspiration for me. Thank you for sharing this story
Great adventures, and absolutely beautiful pictures!
Thanks for sharing your experience!
hahaha "I could see the horses falling out of the engine"
@rockjockchick
2 жыл бұрын
Such a great description! Made me smile wide! :)
‘Fortunately for me, I didn’t know I had broken my hand’. I love this guy haha
08:00 what a picture that is!! Hats off for what you acomplished, no words can describe...
Its funny that I just saw this video. I was at a presentation you gave at the "Iron Horse" BMW dealer in Tucson Arizona when I first saw you. It's a fantastic story you have. Now watching a woman "Itchy Boots" doing south America to Alaska. So many adventurous people. Your video was fantastic!
Thanks for sharing Helge, and what and adventure...
Absolutely agree with you. Many thanks for your great history ❤
What a beautiful and challenging experience! Choosing to see the growth and vibrancy in every moment of a seemingly insurmountable obstacle and conquering it! You’re the man Helge!! I love and share your philosophy! I’m planning a similar trip soon.. just got back from 15 months exploring Southeast Asia on 2 wheels... central & South America are my next adventure... maybe we’ll get the chance to ride together sometime!
Gosh ! RG boots Imhad them in the late 70’s when riding my Bultaco Sherpa. Amazing channel ! 👏
Great advice Hedge! Life is for living, best to get on with it right away!
What a legend, I can't imagine myself pulling that crossing off.
WOW!! What a fantastic story. Never heard of anyone taking a bike through The Darien Gap before. Has anyone else done it?
@MOTOTREK
3 жыл бұрын
Only a few riders have made it through, Geoff.
@Mike-nn3tf
3 жыл бұрын
The situation in the area is much less stable currently, drug and human traffickers control most of the route.
I would love to go for a pint with this man! Inspirational! 👍🏻
Absolutely Fantastic! So Very Well Done!!!
Another awesome film. Incredibly inspiring.
@MOTOTREK
3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it, Marcus.
Great video and inspirational message! We met in Silverdale, WA a few years ago and I always remember you in my class. Safe travels always!
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#rich Glad that you enjoyed the video and I sure had a great time learning sidecar riding from you in your excellent class. That was a good start on yet another adventure, so much fun. Happy trails to you too Rich.
Great story and advice...thank you for sharing!
Couldn't agree more "It's all in your head"!
The cover of '10 Years on 2 Wheels' hangs on my office wall. Helge, Ted S. and R. Fulton. are my inspiration. There is an '81 R80G/S (mine) and '84 R80ST (hers) in the garage just waiting for the time bucket to fill up so we can hit the road. Thank you for stoking the fire of adventure
@MOTOTREK
3 жыл бұрын
Right on, Dan!
This is simply wonderful! Great pics!
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#Massimocristaladi Glad you liked the pictures, they are from slide film that I have scanned. Just wished that I had a better scanner. for my book I had the slides scanned professionally and the cost was about $40 for each scan, beautiful, but expensive.
Fantastic, what a powerful story.
Okay can I say this... This is the best motorcycling Monologue I have come across and absolutely loved it 😊 Thank you Mototrek.
@MOTOTREK
3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoy it, Rajen!
Wow! I could listen to you all day. Fantastic, thank you!
So amazing, its great to here story's like this, definitely need to get his book.
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#ryanmoore I hope that you will enjoy the book, let me know.
Your the man. Thanks I read your book in the 90's now in my 60's I am readying to go. Thanks for the motivation.
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#jackmahones Good for you, you are in a good age for some serious adventures. Happy Trails to you, Ride Far - Ride Safe!
I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A VIDEO LIKE THIS FOR WEEKS!
Fantastic adventure !!! Freedom. Challenges ..positive vibrations ! ! -That's the way I like to drive !
Awesome Journey.....
Adventures are only fun in hindsight. Otherwise it's called a holiday.
@thepassionofthegoose5472
3 жыл бұрын
Too true. This morning I saw a picture of my bike sitting on the side of the road with a blown motor the last day of a 15,000-mile trip. When I took the picture I was feeling pretty bad, but now when I see it I smile. Cheers.
@clonkex
3 жыл бұрын
@@thepassionofthegoose5472 Out of curiosity, what blew on it?
@TucsonDude
3 жыл бұрын
Actually, famous writer Louis L'Amour said: “Adventure is just a romantic name for trouble. It sounds swell when you write about it, but it's hell when you meet it face to face in a dark and lonely place.”.
@tuckerstewart5138
3 жыл бұрын
Nah, you just have to change your mindset to make it fun no matter what. People who don't have fun in sports usually don't become professional athletes, people who don't have fun going on adventures usually don't make the best adventurers, people who don't have fun working out usually don't work out.
@suzzer99
3 жыл бұрын
The difference between adventure and ordeal is attitude.
Incredible! My first months out of college I started from Louisiana to California, down through Baja, then on to mainland Mexico, and back up to the states. Next summer I want to drive to Alaska and then start the Pan American. Thanks for the great footage!
@kitsachie.
2 жыл бұрын
Take me with you next time, also a fellow Louisiana native.
imagine if vlogging was there back in the day. we would've got amazing content from him. still, Mad respect to you.
Amazing! Thank you for sharing your experiences.
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#markwakefield You are welcome, glad you enjoyed.
brilliant guy..big salute to you sir!
Wise words of wisdom, I did 5yrs tripping about myself. 1000 mistakes made, but the 1 right thing was going.
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#peterbrown Good for you to taking the leap of faith and venture out. Yes, we all do mistakes and it is what we do with the mistakes that define us. Thanks for sharing.
Phenomenal, extremely encouraging to learn about Helge’s journeys and experiences, and providing perspective, thank you so much....watched this in conjunction with Evan McGregor and Charlie Boorman’s super prep & big team production Long Way Up TV series
"Your website really looks terrible. I can help you." Make a deal with them. Continue like that.
@Turk380
3 жыл бұрын
boomer alert. lol
@AlexanderSimic
3 жыл бұрын
@@Turk380 this guy is not a boomer. Boomers sit home fat watching tv after 9-5 job. This dude lived life to the fullest
@d.b.cooper1
3 жыл бұрын
@@AlexanderSimic True I agree I wouldn't call him a boomer But tbh times change & I generally think in a world full of influencers/travellers around every corner, you wouldn't get the same welcome/reception you did back then 15/20+ years ago & in 70s/80s etc. if you needed $3k back then, you would easily need $15-$20k+ now with less opportunity for making easy money along the way for the average traveler. In fact so many countries now as part of entry requirements for tourists require proof that you have enough funds & return tickets as so many tourists over stay their welcome, run out of money during long stays etc. Either way, he seems like a great guy with plenty of stories, & I agree with the jist of his 'get out there' message'.
I’m 68 years old, and I’m inspired to go. I’ll skip the Gap though! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Brutal and brilliant... After doing Belgium to East Africa, Alaska to Ushuaia is my next plan. Darian Gap included of course...
Absolutamente ADMIRABLE. Es una azaña verdaderamente monumental. Soy de Colombia🇨🇴 y conozco el Tapón de Darien. Y no es nada fácil esta área. Son demasiados obstáculos. Ud debe tener un orgullo magnánimo. Muchas Felicitaciones!!
@helgepedersen877
3 жыл бұрын
#saincorrea Gracias por tus amables palabras, amamos a Colombia.
Was thinking can this be crossed on bike and the masterpiece popped up. such handsome being and full of life. God be with u always. An lndian
Thank you man.