Medellin and Rio Miel

As I walk into the hotel lobby to get some more coffee I find Luis sitting there waiting for us. Not only is Luis the rep for SENA in South America, he IS EnMoto and hence knows everyone one might need to know in Medellin for anything motorcycle related. He is ready to get the Twins problem solved. After many jump start attempts we get the Africa Twin to run. Azure gets a ride with Luis and we make it to Moto Test. We discuss the symptoms and the mechanic promises me that he will work it out. I look at Luis and he tells me this is the best man for the job. I don't like having anyone else work on my bike but this seems to be the only way. We watch the bike go up in an elevator to the workshop and we are told to come back in the afternoon. 

After lunch Luis gets a phone call. He hands me the phone. It's the mechanic. He does not really know how to start. It makes me nervous. "I ran a couple of tests and nothing worked" he says. "Soooo then I checked the battery connection...", "the bolt was loose". NO WAY!!!! I checked that! That can't be it! "Yes, that was it", he replied. I can not believe it. I feel so stupid! Then I remember I just checked by hand. Damn. All that work on that bridge for something I have seen so many times before and is a 1 minute fix. Luis tries to make me feel better. "At least the problem is fixed and we don't have to worry about that anymore". We go back to the shop and have a chat with the mechanic. I still feel bad. The mechanic starts and stops the bike a couple of times to show me that the problem is fixed. He seems to like the noise of the Twin as he makes sure to rev the engine to the top as he does this. I notice my seat is missing. "It will be back tomorrow" he says, "then you can ride your bike, again." Luis winks. Right... We leave the bike and go back to the hotel. Now this is out of the way there are many other things that require attention. Making movies, writing blogs, finding new tires, indicators and so on. Oh, and Luis is determined that we will experience ALL of the culinary highlights of Medellin. 

 

The next morning we are all set go get my bike, but I can't leave the hotel room. A stomach bug that I've been battling since Bogota has finally won and I spend my time equally between the bed and toilet. Not fun.

 

By the afternoon, I pull it together enough to hop on Azure's bike and we head to Mototest. Not only are we not charged anything for the testing, it came with a brand new seat including Honda logo. A gift from our host who could not stand the looks of the sheep skin and the ripped seat underneath. The Colombians do not cease to surprise me with their kindness and generosity. While we're there, Alfonse (of MotoInsider who we re-met in Villa de Leyva) shows up. His tour around Colombia is wrapping up and he happens to be staying a few blocks away from Mototest. 

 

We spend the next couple of days getting to know Luis's friends, the city and it's cuisine. Time flies by and before we know it it's weekend and we get invited by Luis to go and relax at Rio Miel. Although we just came from that way we are happy to join him and some of his friends for a weekend in the jungle. We go by car to give the bikes some rest. In no time Azure is car-sick in the back on all the twisty roads. What is such a joy on a bike is just hell in a car. 

 

With Luis and his lovely girlfriend, Saritah.

 

The scenery on the way to Rio Miel

Our breakfast spot on the way to Rio Miel. Luis knows his food.

Hours later we end up at Rio Miel. A long boat takes us down the river and we end up in paradise. A bamboo structure overlooking a crystal clear river will be our house for the night days. It was just what we needed. Hang out in the river and talk bikes and bike travel for the weekend. Thanks Luis!

 

 

 

Our 'new' home...

Back in Medellin it is time to wrap up and hit the road again. I find a set of Metzeler Tourances for a reasonable price. I have been wanting to try these tires for ever. We tie them to the bikes and Luis, who has become a very good friend, guides us out of town with directions to some of the best roads in Colombia. It has been another example of amazing Colombian hospitality in what used to be Pablo Escobar's home town. It is time that the world educates itself and starts looking differently at Colombia. It is one of the most beautiful countries to travel in and the people will blow you away. Not with guns but with a warm welcome that comes straight from their hearts.

 

Getting some great route advice from Luis