AMW Trip Reports
North America 4 corners ~ BMW R1100RS

Who Jim Marsh ~ email
ProfessionRetired Parks Designer Manager
Born 1950Nationality Canadian
Previous travel experienceEurope - backpacking and hosteling for 10 months. Mexico and Central America.
Previous bike travelsShort trips around British Columbia
This tripFour Corners of North America - Victoria, BC to St. John's, Nfld to Florida to San Diego to home.
Departure dateAugust 2007
Number in groupOne
Trip duration2 months
Distance covered15,000 miles
Cost of trip (not incl. bike)approx. $5,000 US - mostly camped.
Best dayRiding the 180 miles of the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia - fabulous biking road.
Worst/ hardest dayFlat in Talahasee, Fl. and having to walk in 95 degree heat.
Favourite placeNewfoundland
Biggest headacheHave a fairly small gas tank so finding gas stations before running out of fuel was a little nerve wracking.
Biggest mistakeNot taking enough time.
Most pleasant surpriseLost 30 pounds and became a lean mean riding machine.
Any illnessNone.
Other trips plannedAlaska to Tierra del Fuego.
One travel tipRide at your own pace, don't let anyone else dictate it.
Bike Model1998 BMW R1100RS
Age/ mileage on departure10 year, 82,000 miles
ModificationsOhlins shocks, aux. lights, titanium exhaust
Mods you wish you'd doneNone
Type of baggageBMW side bags, large RevPak bag for camping gear.
Tyres usedBridgestone Battlax
Number of puncturesOne
Bike's weak pointMileage tank of gas.
Bike's strong pointComfortable, fast and reliable.
Bike problemsNone.
Number of accidentsNone.
Same bike again?Whole heartedly for that kind of trip. Fun yet very comfortable for long hours in the saddle.
One biking tipTraveling alone is a great way to meet people.