Ecuador, Earth’s Halfway Point

     Working our way south we crossed the middle of the earth at the Equator in Ecuador.  One of the things we learned almost immediately was how overloaded was our motorcycle.  The motorcycle is rated for about 300 pounds, which if we were both riding naked would be our weight limit.  Unfortunately we each have boots, helmets, heavily padded jackets and pants, then our luggage.  On top of that we carry all the spare parts and tools we may need because where we are traveling we will not be able to find any should the motorcycle break down.  Our guess is we have an additional 100-150 lbs. of weight over what the motorcycle is designed to carry.

    What the excess weight means is our suspension is nearly bottomed out.  Each time we hit a bump or small indentation in the road the bump is felt as if someone had hit the bottom of the motorcycle with a sledgehammer and jars our backs.  Some bumps can not be avoided, like the speed bumps the South America countries use to slow vehicles down as they go through towns.  The speed bumps are just high enough that the bottom of the motorcycle hits them when the front wheel is on one side and the rear wheel on the other.  If Greg makes one small mistake and fails to see the speed bump and slow down enough, the result will be a cracked engine case or crash.  From the back Donna-Rae can not see over his shoulder to warn him in time, so each day is ridden at a high extreme of caution.


Donna-Rae at the Equator, halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole.