Motorcycling South America

Ruben and his friend, Geraldine, just completed an 8,000 mile trip throughout South America on Ruben's 250cc motorcycle! That is like driving an entire loop around all of North America. With Geraldine hanging on tight behind Ruben, the two traveled through Peru, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. There are not many highways in South America. This means that the pair spent a lot of time zipping along two lane roads as they toured. Ruben says they rode the motorcycle nearly every day for one month from sunrise until sunset. One time, they were about to drive on a 400 mile stretch of road where there would be no gas station the entire time. The tank of his motorcycle only holds enough gas for 250 miles. What did they do? Ruben and Geraldine simply filled up several gas cans and Geraldine held them on the back of the little motorcycle as they continued their journey. That is one tough woman!

Motorcycles and mopeds are a common means of transportation in South America. In Iquitos, the city that we are in right now, nearly everyone on the roads drives a motorcycle. Even the taxis are three wheeled motorcycles; the customers sit on benches behind the driver. One of the reasons people drive motorcycles is because they are inexpensive to buy and they don't use a lot of gas. Can you think of other reasons why motorcycles are so popular in South America?

May the forest be with you,

Anna