- Thread starter cavebiker
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Dominican Republic motorcycle adventure. The DR is much more than the beach– The Big Loop - Tom Junkans
What broke on your bike?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!
Indeed. The pictures I posted are route 47, which isn't more than a horse trail in many parts.
Good question, the right side mirror perch which unfortunately includes the front brake master cylinder, which is OK but you have to replace the entire thing. If it were the left side perch it would have been cheap to replace and easy to find the part. The right perch not so. The hunk of metal from the spoon is to bridge the gap between the broken perch and the front brake fluid reservoir, so to add rigidity to the rearview mirror. It’s been working perfect so far. I really like the added safety the double rearview mirrors give me. Most bikes in the DR have no mirrors, the bikers constantly have to turn their head to look back, which is dangerous of course.
Thanks for all the likes and replies everyone. This is a blast!
On with the ride--->
Restaurant view.
A great breakfast to order is included with the room. A large portion of mangu and scrambled eggs with coffee. Easy to eat and a super way to start the day.
My route today is to the Southeast area of the island. I'm backtracking now so I'm messing up my longest continuous motorcycle ride but that's OK, I'm doing what feels best. My main concern is getting around Santo Domingo. I've taken a bus there many times and that has convinced me I never want to drive there, especially on a motorcycle. This should be interesting...
I like to pull over and chill where the moto concho drivers are gathered, it's usually a good spot with shade and food. I like it when I get a glance or two and nod of approval once they see what I'm doing. It's a good feeling being a solo moto traveler. We are all one as bikers here on the island and that feels good.
Me too! I've retired from motorcycle racing in Baja (my body doesn't like all the crashes I've endured) but want to continue in a vintage dune buggy or old truck class so Heidi can be in the seat next to me. She want's to be the pilot! This truck would be perfect for that.
Man, is that tempting.
I agree, friendly and easy going to say the least. I want to keep traveling deeper and deeper. Fills my heart with joy.
The plan is to stay the night in either Bani, San Cristóbal or somewhere past Santo Domingo.
The traffic around Bani and San Cristóbal is just insane, I don't like it at all. Kids are riding wheelies down crowded city traffic. I ‘m sure I’m about to see someone die. I need to make sure it isn't me. The plan is to ride north starting at San Cristóbal on a secondary road then loop over on what looks like an autopista bypass around Santo Domingo then East toward Punta Cana. Looking closer at the map I don't like where I'm heading, crowded city after city and fast roads.
I love to chill near river crossings. The way it looks I’m thinking these guys are panning for gold.
I like these back roads and the feel of the countryside. My plans are changing on the fly. I want to get the heck away from Santo Domingo and skip the Punta Cana area. The feeling I'm getting is that the traffic will get worse, the cities more hectic and there's the tourist effect near Punta Cana. Not what I want not what I enjoy.
When I cross the autopista I jump on heading North blasting toward Banao for tonight. I like Banao and I know a fun hotel there. Whoosh I survived the day!
Back on the road I point South toward Piedra Blanca where I can catch back roads and get back onto my route. Piedra Blanca is a hub of activity with a lot of food options and people milling about.
I try adding one empanada to my breakfast plate of mangu. It is painful to eat but I managed to get it down. The good news is that every day the pain is less and I can eat more. I hope this continues...
A lot of hangers around at this intersection. My motorcycle seemed to attract a lot of attention even though everything is locked to it except my helmet and gloves. I keep a close watch...
I point deep into the interior of the island on secondary roads around lake Hatillo.
Light traffic and rural scenery, I can dig this.
This looks like one badass angle.
The villages along this route have traffic but nothing close to what it is like near Santo Domingo. I am happy I like this stuff.
Gathering spot behind the gas station. I wonder what is cooked in the pot.
Sugarcane snakes for school kids.
Yes thanks, I looked at this bypass around Santo Domingo but just like rides in the USA I do everything to avoid freeway roads opting for the rural state and county roads instead. This bypass looks like a new fast freeway with nothing interesting to see.
I did not get the number. But if you go to San José de Ocoa it's located around the Northwest side of town, should be easy to find by walking around.
Thank you very kind. As you see I'm currently pointed away from that route but who knows, this ride may circle back there
These guys see me taking a photo of the moto guy redoing his rope holding onto his pannier. I thought it was cool because it is what I do all the time. After, they ask me to take their photo. Joking all around!
The best motorcycle road food ever, pineapple and papaya chunks, just great!
It is painful to open my mouth for the big chunks but I know I must eat. All good...
I am hanging out behind this gas station in the back under a big shade tree. This guy starts talking to me real polite I thought he wanted me to purchase gas here. I told him I am full "lleno" then looking embarrassed he communicates he is out of gas and needs some. I can feel his pain having to ask. I quickly slip him a 100 peso bill and smile. He lights up and hugs me thanking me. I saved his day apparently. Amazing what $1.60 US can do when in need.
Samana, beautiful as always but it is taken on a more commercial feel now that the cruise ships are coming here. I consider spending the night but can find no desire to stay.
I jump on the back road to Las Terranes.
This is a great route passing by several beach areas.
I pull into my favorite Las Terranes hotel. It's the low season so only $25 US for a nice mellow cottage room just across the street from the Malecon, perfect.
I enjoy a quiet evening at the hotel reading and chilling. Last time I was here was a holiday and it was super noisy. I am glad that is not the norm, Heidi and I enjoy staying here.
Maybe you have already been to Las Galeras, but you missed an opportunity to ride on a lot of interesting roads there. If you come back this winter, let me know and I can show you around if you haven’t already toured some of these back roads.
Those Series II were the defacto cargo trucks for many companies in the 60s in the DR.
Man, is that tempting.
Tropigas had these "Green Trucks" as their main cargo service for gas refills door to door back in the day. They were mainstream before the japanese trucks (Nissan, Toyota, Daihatsu, etc) took over the market in the mid 70s.