Brainrotting: Episode 13 – Argentina, Ushuaia Ruta 40 BMW F650gs Adventure Motorcycle Overland
I ride and I record. There’s no editing of video’s when I’m back at home, my video’s are all edited on the road because I want to share my experiences as they happen, so… Follow my journey through North, Central and South America. I’ve jacked in the job, packed my life into a pair of panniers and a roll bag and tied them down to a BMW F650 Dakar. Now it’s time for some fun. In this episode I ride form the north west of Argentina through Mendoza, along Ruta 40 to Perito Merino, on to Ushuaia and then back to Buenos Aires, the home of Maradona.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Posted in South America. 25 comments
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I’m not a soccer fan but that was a hell of a play!
I have a Panasonic HD camera mounted on a monopod (see toilet of the month) which I often turn and point at myself, and I have a VIO POV1 helmet camera. I’ve been using Pinnacle Studio to edit the videos and clearly I travel with a laptop. I’ve just bought a Contour HD 1080p helmet camera and I’m making the change to editing with Final Cut Express… I return to SA at the end of April. I’m glad you enjoy the videos, they take quite a bit of work but I enjoy it.
Hey Graham (I think)
Really enjoying your vids, especialy once you got down this far. R eading your other comments I agree with your choice of bike. Sorry to leach your camera secrets but what filming kit are you using, especialy to film yourself. Your info says you edit and upload on road, but how? Appreaciate a lot of questions. Keep up the good work. I’m jealous as hell.
Mat
Hi Mat, Who needs a truck full of production assistants to film you when you can buy a monopod! The helmet cam I use is the VIO POV1 but I’ve just bought the Contour HD 1080p and will be using that too when I return to South America. Drop me a msg if you have specific questions, you can find Brainrotting on Facebook & Twitter
Hey there Graham (Ithink),
Really enjoying your vids and green with envy. Sorry to leach off your camera secrets how you doing that self filming (enter that in google and you get some interesting hits) spotted in the worst toilets mirror, plus any thoughts on helmet cams. Keep up the cracking work.
Mat
I’ve met a fella whose crossed the sahara and through the Amazon on a BMW 1100 but there’s no doubt that the smaller singles are popular, and for me weight was a big issue because I’m traveling on my own. I would have had more problems if I’d opted for the larger bike.
Fantastic vids. I have to say, that “bridge” crossing was a cliff hanger.
Lol at Ewan McGregor riding the R1150GS, Of all the shows Ive seen, I always remember him having issues handleing it, picking it up, and getting stuck. Way to big to be off roading for long distances imo.
hummm……ok then, caipirinha huh!!? huahuahua nice…..so if u route bypass the 277 road in brazil after Paraguay and if u need something u fell free to contact me because we could help u guys anything. Hey our “samba on streets” will happen now in 13 – 16 february at south Brazil but….. all over the year in the northeast of brazil ok… so dont hesitate to contact us, I know some guys from BRAZIL RIDERS that would be honored to help u guys anything…WHATCH OUT IN PARAGUAY!
LOL.. what!? You’re probably right. Thankfully I have a new macbook and I’m going to get to grips with Final Cut Express so lets hope any new videos don’t have the same problem.
[Warning: tech blah] Java is not used for videos here (Adobe Flash is) it displays videos as they are. My guess is that original footage is recorded as interlaced (1080i ?) and no deinterlace was done before exporting as 720p (progressive). So video has visible artifacts from the interlace (fuzzy edges when objects move across the screen).
Or is it really just me?
I return to Uruguay at the end of April, then its back to the North of Argentina, Paraguay and BRAZIL
I’m looking forward to caipirinha and dancing samba in the street
I’m not sure why you would suffer interlacing, I can only assume its a browser or Java issue. The last couple of video’s have been uploaded in HD so I don’t know if that made a difference?
where the hell r u going next?? and what about that brazilian flag? huahuaua
I love the series. Why the interlacing? Anyone watching this on an old telly?
I do take your point DJ & certainly as they are actors, PR bods could never allow too much to happen to them but God they did have a few nasty busters! I think you have to take both Graham & the LWR/LWD for what they are. When I first saw LWR on TV a few yrs back I tuned in just as CB went off his head over the KTM’s…that’s what pissed me off & so I put on a DVD.
Where-as GS had to tough it out on his own with little help…& doesn’t make 9Mill a film; Ewan could have paid for the trip?!
I wasn’t having a go at you Graham, it was just a reply to DJ, I do however take his point on board but regardless if you’re in pairs or on your own or with a support team…after a few 100 kms on a bike, a saw arse is still a saw arse!
Getting parts is a bitch at any time, so in your case you did very well indeed, as for bike types, its just a case of what 1 can afford & what you feel right with?! as I said in my e-mail Graham, you “really” should write a book…great pics on the blog too!
I agree with you on the Ewen Charley debate… and to be fair it makes excellent TV seeing them on the 1200 GS.
Most long distance riders I’ve met are on 400 cc – 650 cc bikes because they’re lighter and easier to maintain. Also at about 30,000 miles the extra purchase cost of the Beema is over taken by the running costs of non-injection Jap bikes, so for a long trip the Beema proves to be a good option.
All the best for the new year
Graham, I can appreciate your perspective on Ewen and Charley and all their support. Part of that is, I’m sure, their celebrity and it would look poorly on BMW if anything happened to them.
Your choice of 650GS appears more practical, too, despite the R-GS getting all the accolades. Somehow I’m not finding Episode 2. Found your vid’s by searching for F650GS.
Best wishes on the rest of your trip. God willing, I’ll have business interests in Paraguay in 2010.
They make great adventure television and hopefully make us a ll dream a little about what might be possible. When you travel solo crazy sh*t happens and adds to the fun.
Thanks Rod, I hope my ramblings were a help to you… BTW I’m thinking of ditching the PC for a MAC and using Final Cut Express
I started in May 2008 so its 20 months up til now…. bike and equip approx $10,000 USD, budget from $900 – $1500 USD a month depending on country. Cheapest Bolivia & Peru, expensive USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Chile, Uruguay.
I love Ewan and Charley and I enjoyed all their adventures, I just got frustrated with BMW. They make great bikes but if you’re on your own you’re stuffed… gotta carry the spares with you.
I thank you!
I need a new laptop, new head-cam cables, and yep that mic is on the list! Bloody expensive business this.
I’ve got a few months off, returning to SA in April… time to produce a Brainrotting guide to London?