19. A ride to Copan, Honduras

After having rested from the sailing trip to Cuba, I rode to Copán in Honduras with some friends from Guatemala.

We were 2 BMW F650 Dakar, 2 Bombardier Can-Am trikes and my Harley Fat Boy.
The BMW´s were very fast and agile, made for this kind of road. Personally I prefer a bike because one cannot lay a trike into the turns, but they hold up very well on straight roads. Of course, one must be careful to avoid potholes, which is more difficult on three wheels.

Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. It was the capital city of a major kingdom from the 5th to 9th centuries AD. It was inhabited more than two thousand years, and developed a distinctive sculptural style, perhaps to emphasize the Maya ethnicity of the city's rulers.

The city suffered a major political disaster in AD 738 when Uaxaclajuun one of the greatest kings in Copán's dynastic history, was captured and executed by his former vassal, the king of Quirigua, another wortwhile Maya site in Guatemala.

We stayed at one of the colonial hotels in Copán Ruinas, a quaint village with cobblestone streets, lots of little shops, bars and a transient population of foreigners who come here to see the famous Maya ruins.

After a visit to the ruins we enjoyed the amenities of the Hotel Marina and went for an early dinner at one of the local restaurants that cater to the tourist trade. Excellent food for reasonable prices. We were even treated to an impromptu street concert by a local band.

On Sunday we rode back along the road to Ipala and stopped for a glass of natural fruit juice at one of the roadside stands. Great stuff!!

After 6 hours on the road we reached Guatemala City. It was a hot ride with temperatures in the 100´s, co I could test the ventilation of my new BMW motor jacket. It will hold up well on the .........TRANS AMERICA RIDE!!

The target of the ride is to raise $10.00 for each mile of the ride, which would make a total of around $35,000.00

I you decide to support this ride, you may:

1. Buy miles: Buy one or more miles at $10.00 per mile. There are 3,500 miles to be sold.
2. Sponsor a local event when I am in your area (a ride, a barbecue) for a $200.00 minimum.
3. Become a Student Sponsor at Ak´Tenamit for $30.00 (one month) or $360.00 per year
4. Become a Health Care Partner for $10.00 or $120.00 per year.

All funds should end up in the GUATEMALA TOMORROW FUND in the United States.

If you would like to sponsor a child, become a Health Care partner or simply want to buy one of the 3500 miles of the ride , just go to http://guatfund.org/

tick the box ¨Trans America ride¨and authorize a charge to your credit card.

If you prefer to not to use a credit card, just see Chapter 5 of this Blog on how to donate.

LIFE IS GREAT, ENJOY THE RIDE!
JEAN , THE RIDING DUTCHMAN

transamerica.tenamit@gmail.com