Dominican Republic motorcycle adventure. The DR is much more than the beach– The Big Loop - Tom Junkans

[bob saunders]

Checking to make sure all is OK. All good.

The road is mostly in good shape. A couple times I feel a weird sensation with the front tire, like the front wheel is sliding on ice. Fine powder sand on mostly hard pack. Weird!

Riding through various climate zones I pass areas where long moss is hanging from the trees, cool...

Cruising along I apply too much front break just before a hidden gully. I went straight down in an instant after the front tire locked and the steering cocked and dug into the gully. Dead stop and down I go. My head is the first thing that hits, OUCH!

I believe my new Biltwell helmet saved my life. At least it saved my face. I may have a broken jaw or cheek but nothing serious I hope. My knee hurts like H, my shoulder and arm to. Everything is still working including the bike, so again I come out lucky. Whoosh! This will NOT happen again...

I lay in the grass in the shade until I know I am not going to pass out or something. I saw stars and for sure had my bell rung. In todays sports world they call this a mild concussion. I'm hoping it's mild anyway.

I ride on, all good...

No more front brake today!

Where am I? What am I doing? .......

Good thing you were not bleeding all over the place. Not a lot of medical help out there. Glad you are still able to go on. Could a normal car, like my Subara Forester navigate that road?

 

[AlterEgo]

Wow, glad you’re okay. A solo trip like this isn’t for the faint of heart. We’re all with you in spirit!

 

[cavebiker]

Wow, glad you’re okay. A solo trip like this isn’t for the faint of heart. We’re all with you in spirit!

Thank you. Another reason I love posting trip reports on DR1 I feel like I have a huge support family riding along with me. A great feeling indeed.

On with the REPORT!

This is a great route for adventure bikers not to be missed. Before something horrible happens, like pavement...

More hanging moss.

Southern park entrance.

Now I'm looking for the first hotel so I can take inventory of the physicality. Priority one.

 

[cavebiker]

Unreal! I cannot believe it, almost to the paved road I spot a ice cream bike with bars for sale! Like sent from above just what I need.

These guys are a hoot. I'm over the moon with the ice cream just appearing in the middle of nowhere and everyone can sense my joy. We all celebrate together!

Thankful I made it this far...

DR pool hall. So cool!

I finally make the town San Jose del Orca and call it quits here, I am toast. I score a super nice hotel for $30 US with balcony overlooking the city and beer on site! The city center is just a few blocks away. I need to look for more first aid supplies and take inventory of the body...

This is a great little town. Big enough to find about anything I need but small enough to walk cross town in 10 minutes, perfect. Lots of coffee and I proclaim to Heidi on the phone this is the new street empanada capital of the DR! There is nothing about this town I don't like.

We are all kidding about me taking a photo. The guy behind the counter says "No I'm ugly!" I say no you're not and turn the camera away from him while we all laugh.

Huge city park just blocks away, nice

And Coffee!

https://photos.smugmug.com/Adventur...VLPLSDFCdKsb44Kcr6w42gpHHRp4/L/IMG_5260-L.jpg

Everyone enjoyed getting their photo taken today. Fun group of people.

Hydrogen peroxide and large bandages are in order. I like this town and hotel so decide to spend two nights so I can heal a little, inventory the head and make some repairs to the bike. I feel the need to make sure I can continue this ride safely. I need to make sure I can feed myself and stay alert number one.

I have some custom repairs to the bike to make. Visiting a hardware store anywhere in Latin America and having to speak Spanish is always a great joy, a reason I like to travel.

I need to fuel the body to help the healing. It hurts like hell to open my mouth or chew. I can suck down a few soft fried eggs OK. Super happy for that!

And coffee of course.

Hang on! Lots more on the way...

 

[colmcb]

I just LOVE your pictures. I hope you're ok after the fall and that your jaw is ok. It doesn't sound fun with that pain. What an exciting adventure - something that most people will never have an opportunity to do. Enjoy and ride safe!

 

[drstock]

I can't find San Jose del Orca on Google maps. Should it be San José de Ocoa?

 

[cavebiker]

I can't find San Jose del Orca on Google maps. Should it be San José de Ocoa?

Ah yes you are correct thank you 'Ocoa' And I don't know how to type the é in José on my US keyboard. Can anyone help me with that? All I can do is cut and paste these characters é

 

[bob saunders]

Ah yes you are correct thank you 'Ocoa' And I don't know how to type the é in José on my US keyboard. Can anyone help me with that? All I can do is cut and paste these characters é

How to type Accented Spanish Letters on Keyboard (ñ á é í ó ú ü) - How to Type Anything

Accents on Spanish letters are diacritical marks that are used to indicate stress or a different pronunciation. The accent marks on Spanish letters are

howtotypeanything.com

 

[colmcb]

Ah yes you are correct thank you 'Ocoa' And I don't know how to type the é in José on my US keyboard. Can anyone help me with that? All I can do is cut and paste these characters é

Don't type in the letter "e" at all. Just hold "alt" and type 0233 - the é will type itself. For an á hold "alt" and type 0225

 

[cavebiker]

How to type Accented Spanish Letters on Keyboard (ñ á é í ó ú ü) - How to Type Anything

Accents on Spanish letters are diacritical marks that are used to indicate stress or a different pronunciation. The accent marks on Spanish letters are

howtotypeanything.com

Super thank you that works.

 

[cavebiker]

Don't type in the letter "e" at all. Just hold "alt" and type 0233 - the é will type itself. For an á hold "alt" and type 0225

Thanks but for some reason that doesn't work on my Windows 11 machine. I found all I need to do is hit Ctrl + ' (CTRL and the apostrophe key together) then the letter I want an accent above. At least I have it now and have no excuse to not to do it right. Great!

 

[colmcb]

Thanks but for some reason that doesn't work on my Windows 11 machine. I found all I need to do is hit Ctrl + ' (CTRL and the apostrophe key together) then the letter I want an accent above. At least I have it now and have no excuse to not to do it right. Great!

Interesting....I have Windows 11, and yet I just tried that and for some reason it doesn't work for me (could be operator error on my part). I'm glad you figured it out. Ride safe ........ I am just one of the many people enjoying your epic adventure.

 

[cavebiker]

Interesting....I have Windows 11, and yet I just tried that and for some reason it doesn't work for me (could be operator error on my part). I'm glad you figured it out. Ride safe ........ I am just one of the many people enjoying your epic adventure.

Ha funny thing, the technique I describe above does not work in this DR1 reply panel but does work in Word or notepad. Then I cut and paste to the DR1 and all shows up fine. Oh well we all love Windows :| HA!

 

[cavebiker]

San José de Ocoa

Street empanadas are everywhere here, I need to try some. I'm able to get one down with great pain but had to toss out the other two. I buy three large yogurts, two large chocolate milks, two bottles of Insure and water to bring back to the hotel. This stuff I can consume and will keep me going with calories. Empanada capital of the DR and I only eat one. This is not right!

Curbside Empanada service.

More hardware supplies. Epoxy and super glue each cost only $1.25 US. Love it!

Large bucket of ice cream. I will recover I will figure this out. This ride will continue!

The canned meet and tuna I carry for emergencies is coming in handy. much needed protein.

Survival kit check. I'm glad I carry this always.

San José de Ocoa is a fun town to walk. These guys have an intense Dominoes game going complete with spectators.

Fabricating a piece of metal to complete the bike repair. This should work. I found the spoon in a vacant lot next to the hotel. Sweet!

 

[cavebiker]

The bleeding has mostly stopped and I'm feeling good, I just need to continue eating whatever I can. Oh Yeah!

Next morning before riding out of town I stop for a giant plate of Mangú with fried eggs and coffee. Mangú requires minimal chewing and is perfect road food. All good! I'm wondering what the bright yellow stuff is? I think I would like it...

I like all of this!

Riding to the Barahona area today. This is a beautiful area that didn't have much going on years ago when I was last here. My recent research has shown a lot of lodging along the coast now. The plan is to maybe splurge a little and stay somewhere on the water. We will see...

I use this same technique to load a motorcycle when I don't have a ramp. I can tell these guys have done this before.

The plan is ride as far down as Paraiso today looking at places to stay along the way and in Paraiso. My research shows a lot of lodging near Paraiso.

 

[keepcoming]

Again, I just love your posts, the photos are great. Safe travels...

 

[JD Jones]

Every time I look at them they bring back a truckload of great memories. Some of the friendliest and easy going folks you'll find anywhere.

 

[cavok]

Are some of those small dirt roads that more resemble trails actually on a map?

 

[cavebiker]

Are some of those small dirt roads that more resemble trails actually on a map?

Yes these roads are on the maps I have but you don't really know what to expect until you get there. Like the Haiti border road / trail I've done in the past is super challenging with steep climbs large boulders and deep mud with tight squeezes to get through that only a motorcycle can get through. But for adventure motorcycle travelers that's what makes it so great. The scenery the climate zones and the people you meet along the way is second to none on that trail. I would have liked to do that route again but the border climate and my solo status and the bike I'm on convinced me to not, this time anyway. Maybe if there is another crazy out there who is a good rider willing to try it with me I can always get a real dirt bike for the attempt.

As far as maps, the large paper map of the country I have is an old print that doesn't show all the roads AND some of the roads on the map are no longer there. So that's just a good start. To plan my exact detailed route I use a phone app called 'Map of the Dominican Republic offline' It's super detailed and allows you to put markers on the roads like 'Turn left here and go North' or 'Good hotel with parking' and stuff like that. And the best part is that it's an offline app, meaning you don't need a cell signal to use it. Good question man, thanks.

OK, on with the report: Riding the Barahona area.

I always enjoy helping for a good cause.

Fresh water oasis.

Wild!

It feels like Paraiso is really trying. Fun atmosphere.

A few people around but a little slow. The hotels all seem closed or not places I want to stay at. I enjoy the park, hydrate and start riding back along the coast. On the ride down I didn't like the budget places I looked at so now I need to step up my game and check out more upscale lodging.

 

[cavebiker]

Looking for affordable lodging in the Barahona area:

The second hotel I check has the word 'Lodge' in the title so I thought it would be too expensive. $80 US I have my own place with infinity lap pool overlooking the beach and crashing waves. Breakfast included at the restaurant. OK this is what I'm talking about!

Local guy is fishing with a line wrapped around a coke bottle.

This is fun stuff! Hope you are enjoying riding along