Yes, riding a motorcycle is heavenly — like sailing, except on beautiful roads. It fills me with a wonderful feeling of aliveness.
Every now and then, however, one finds oneself in Motorcycle Hell.
I have never cursed so much in one day in my entire life as I did the day I traversed the 17-kilometer Tapanti park trail (Route 408). 🙂
I headed off to Tapanti, via La Suiza de Turrialba, through Pejiballe, to end up in the Orosi valley. Sure, the road was a bit gravelly, so I asked someone if he thought I could take it all the way over. He looked at my Honda XL 200 and said, “You have a good bike. There are lots of rocks on that trail, but with your bike, you will have no problem.”
Oh my God! It turned into a steep uphill and downhill rocky riverbed! And I mean, big rocks, not just little fist-sized rocks. My motorcycle hell.
I’m glad I survived and made it without a broken leg or broken neck. I am a bit stunned, actually, that I have the skill and stupidity to make it through that kind of terrifying trail. The next time someone says, “You have a good motorcycle. No problem,” I will take that as a red flag and won’t go. I will turn around. 🙂
But, it’s true. I did not have a problem. 🙂 My Honda certainly did save me! For I made it through. But stressing out for an hour or two is not my idea of a fun Sunday ride. I don’t particularly want those kinds of adventures.
Coming out, the views of the Orosi river and valley were lovely. These kind of views are one of the main reasons I ride. Of course. 🙂
So. Here is the song for Tapanti: “It’s too late to turn back now.” Hahahah! Very true for when one is riding uphill on gravel!! And the rest is true as well: “I believe, I believe, I believe I’m falling in love…” with riding in Costa Rica!!
Fortunately, I took my rain gear for the first time that summer (2017). Heading home, I ran into a severe storm in Heredia, first summer rain and it was a heck of a deluge! Roads turned to rivers! Wow! Block-long rivers. I have never seen Heredia like this. A tough ending to a tough day. But, I made it home! Yay! Phew!
Honda. No problem. 🙂 Thank goodness.
I also got myself in trouble riding up above the paved part of Calle Rodriguez in Grecia.
I was sore for a few days after this unpleasant adventure, for I walked my bike down — not being brave enough or experienced enough to ride it down. Oh well. We learn as we go forward. Or downward!
Here is my FB album on my Tapanti trip if you’d like to see a few more photos: Accidental Motorcross-ist – Tapanti Rt 408
Live the power.
Riding in Costa Rica 