Through the Darién Gap with Helge Pedersen - Lessons from his first ride up the Pan-American Highway

[@KombiLife]

This guy is a legend!

[@morqi545]

no u

[@kignacio]

@@morqi545 no u

[@didiermartin9386]

Hi Helge, watching your video brought back many memories to me as I walked the Darien Gap solo in 1992, likely no motorbike 😁, I walked it north to south. I did stay in Paya for a few days then a couple of local kids guided me over the border and into Colombia, it took me 18 days to reach Turbo. I have never met an other traveler who has crossed the Darien Gap. I was backpacking then but since that I have been around the world 4 times on motorcycles. My first long motorcycle trip was from Melbourne Australia to Paris in 1997. Anyway, well done on taking your bike through the Gap, I wouldn’t have done it, just too difficult. Cheers 🍻

[@helgepedersen877]

#didlermartin Yes, it is not often one encounter another person that has traversed the Darien Gap. In this case very nice to meet you and I would love to meet you in person one day, what great conversations we would have. If you ever are in the Seattle area feel free to contact me and we could meet. Knowing what I do today I would never again take a motorcycle through the Darien Gap, but I actually went back to hike in the Darien many years later. At that time I did it to spend some time with the Cuna and Embera indians in the Darien and it was a wonderful experience. Sounds like you have had some great tracks around the world on your motorcycle, good for you following your dreams. I hope we can meet one day.

[@didiermartin9386]

@@helgepedersen877 , not sure when I will be in your neighbourhood Helge but I’ll keep it in mind, I’m stuck in Australia right now. Cheers mate🍻 .

[@bucktooth002]

I want to make it from the Tropic of Cancer to the tropic of Capricorn every June on a 200 or 250 cc adventure bike. If not Utah or Idaho will do if I'm strap for cash.

[@lusciousbobby]

Itchy Boots got me here

[@ROLABOLA22]

Itchy boots also brought me here. Congrats on your journeys or better saying, on your life. Well done, sir!

[@letmejustsay]

03:41 : "When you travel the best currency you can have with you is time..." Such wise and true words!!

[@manuelfvdias]

If you know, you know.

[@d37tae]

I checked the comments to make sure this was here. This is the most important advice. I love the way he phrased it. I will be using that.

[@DanielMores]

Just wanted to write the same thing. Wise words.

[@MOTOTREK]

This kind of adventure is not for everybody, Jonathan Champagne.

[@DanielMores]

​@@jonathanchampagne7683 Not everyone is as materialistic as you are. Or me, for that matter, because I cannot imagine giving up a "home" to travel the world. Quite often it's young people with no strings who dare to do this, sometimes even families. I admire them, travel vicariously through them but could never do what they're doing ... wife, two boys, cars, house, stuff. By the way, what is actually meant with the currency quote is that you're better off traveling for a long time with less money than doing a quick trip with a lot of money. Money can't buy you memories.

[@stephenbecker9237]

I had the privilege of riding with Helge on two tours, Himalaya and Southern Africa. Adventures of a lifetime.

[@grimsadventures-bikesnpetr7913]

I am South African, where did you ride in Southern Africa

[@stephenbecker9237]

You can check on GlobeRiders website for detail. But Cape Town. Botswana, Swaziland, Okavango Delta, Zambia, Namibia and others. Beautiful country and wonderful people.

[@helgepedersen877]

@@grimsadventures-bikesnpetr7913 Like #stephenbecker says you can find lots of good stories if you go to www.globeriders.com and look under journals where the stories from all of our past journeys are archived. We love Southern Africa and have a 37 days journey and we also have a 63 days journey from Cape to Cairo. We will be back in January 2023 to do another Cape to Cairo.

[@TheRadgeOne]

@@helgepedersen877 2023 Sounds like an awesome opportunity, how fit do you need to be to complete a trip like that?

[@helgepedersen877]

@@TheRadgeOne Send me an email [e-mail] and we can discuss. We ask all new members to GlobeRiders to complete a questioner before taking one of our tours and that way we make sure that you are a good fit for our journeys.

[@Banditmanuk]

This video got suggested after I had watch Itchy Boots trying to get her Honda past the Darian Gap. God bless the KZbin algorithm because your story is just as fascinating.

[@charlesnash4579]

Helge is one of the wealthiest people in the world when one considers his experiences as currency. He is a real inspiration for those of us who plan to what he did, "someday".

[@BMWWolf]

Truly inspiring stuff. This guy imparted more wisdom on me in 15 minutes than I could have imagined possible.

[@troycongdon]

I wanted to “like” this more than once. I have read of several people’s exploits through the Darian Gap. None seemed to be as cavalier as yours. Thank you for sharing.

[@newmachine00]

This was the best story in all youtube this month for sure.

[@G100666]

A star. Words cannot do this justice. Thanks for publishing this.

[@jimfrueh4641]

It's funny, sitting here in my house with my comfort and ease, and watching people go out and really experience the planet. Stories like this are gold, they are treasure, thank you so much for sharing. I work towards my own adventure and feel inspired by this story.

[@MOTOTREK]

Right on, Jim!

[@helgepedersen877]

#jimfrueh Glad that you could get inspired, we all need inspiration in our lives. I seek inspiration all the time and some times it feel good to give back, thanks for your words.

[@alexmanne]

That's a great story. We went through the Darien with motorcycles 4 years ago, January 2018. Took us 7 days and we had a lot of help. It was very difficult. But Helge had it way more difficult than us it sounded like.

[@MOTOTREK]

Congrats, Alex!

[@tucuruicomercioerepresenta2308]

Hi! Did you Cross with what kind a bike? I plan to go from Brazil to prudoe Bay, but the darian Gap makes the trip get trouble.... I pretend to Go with a 110cc carbureted, there was a Brazilian that did It, but he flyed over the Gap... Thanks!

[@alexmanne]

@@tucuruicomercioerepresenta2308 We went through with Kawasaki KLRs. It took a lot of planning to go through the Darien. We also had to get permission from the Panamanian Government and SENAFRONT.

[@martinzeddy]

@@alexmanne Is there any other platform to see the doc (for non-USA residents)?

[@alexmanne]

@@martinzeddy Revzilla, but you have to pay for the subscription - it's about $60USD. However, they're putting it on youtube soon from what I was told. The trailer is on there.

[@rafetizer]

I can't believe he convinced that German guy to go too.

[@helgepedersen877]

#rafetizer Both he and I did not really know what we were getting in to and that might have been good.

[@mattcarballo935]

@@helgepedersen877 I really want to know what happened to the German guy, did you keep in touch after all these years? did you part ways in Panama? Awesome story

[@unknownmovement]

@@chrissi.enbyYT alter lachs... its the guy the video is about, did you even read the title😅

[@bilbo5775]

@@unknownmovement No Shit , right ?

[@tiffanyclark-grove1989]

Right?! Lol

[@michaelhayward7572]

Living Legend. And a man that speaks the truth. Brilliant, thankyou.

[@MeganKaptein]

Wow! 80 miles in 20 days--that's some hardcore terrain. Very inspiring! Thanks for the great story.

[@thinoronha]

Fantastic! Congratulations from Brazil.

[@MOTOTREK]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@christopherhughes8402]

I bought your book many years ago and it has been such an inspiration to me. As I was planning my own adventure I was involved in an accident that severely injured my spine and I thought riding was done for me. You have been such a positive influence on me throughout my recovery. Seeing what you have gone through and your relentlessly positive outlook on life has helped me fight back to finally being able to ride again. Thank you sir being such a positive influence.

[@helgepedersen877]

#christopherhughes Sorry to hear about your accident, what a terrible thing to happen to you. I can not imagine what you have gone through, but I am very happy to hear that you have given it all and now can ride again. That is amazing and I wish you the very best on your continues healing and many adventures ahead. You are the inspiration, Ride Far - Ride Safe!

[@elchefmoteroca]

You are a inspirtaion for many Riders around the World. Thanks

[@charlesbromberick4247]

"Take your time." Thanks for sharing your absolutely fabulous adventure - in spite of what you say, not many could complete it. Congratulations

[@colinmcgrath6877]

Just an awesome video here. Love the story.

[@bmbsilva]

Thought I would see just another video and was blown away by it! For me, personally, this is the sort of inspirational stories that connect well with the more technical ones. I would love to see more of these. Keep up the good work! Cheers from Portugal. Bruno

[@MOTOTREK]

Wow, thank you!

[@fridakahlua6674]

Woooooo I found my mostest favorite motorist! My hats off hands and feet up to you, Sir! You are the GOAT!

[@manuelfvdias]

Helge Pedersen, just want to say thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. "Carpe diem". Greetings from Portugal.

[@mollygrubber]

Helge is the man. So many great stories.

[@Stno3582]

That’s the adventure spirit you can’t learn. No big budget, no fancy gear and equipment. Just a will to connect. This guy is the real deal, a true soul

[@RangKlos]

Just found the channel and man every single word he says strikes me hard. This, my friend, is gold.

[@kriskjellquist1758]

This is what we should be watching on Netflix or whatever. Can't get enough!

[@JuJu_Vega]

08:00 what a picture that is!! Hats off for what you acomplished, no words can describe...

[@rajenjoshi]

Okay can I say this... This is the best motorcycling Monologue I have come across and absolutely loved it 😊 Thank you Mototrek.

[@MOTOTREK]

Glad you enjoy it, Rajen!

[@oldvaliant]

What a legend! What an inspirational adventure - Thank you.

[@wallacerobertsconsulting2894]

Not all men are created equal, & Helge is living proof. This man is a legend.

[@alekseikhvorostin8186]

Love it sir!!! Doing my Mexico to Argentina soon! Thank you for sharing your experience!!!

[@tarjeik7162]

Such a crazy legend from Norway....kudos!!

[@mikebikekite1]

I never got as far South as you but I'm still dining off the stories I gathered 35 years ago. Got as far south as Guatemala and then went down with Yellow fever - I figured it was natures way of telling me to head back North :) I was always impressed by the few photo's I've seen of your journey through the Gap and it's nice to watch this and see the person behind those photos.

[@advridertim]

Hats off to you, sounds brutal hacking through the jungle...

[@helgepedersen877]

#rockbreaker From your handle "Rockbreaker" I bet you have done some good adventures yourself. Yes, the jungle part was brutal.

[@JMARTIN1947]

"And then we got attacked by bees..."

[@alexhulinsky7954]

Especially for 20 days!!

[@zenrider_9622]

Mr. Pedersen, you are my hero. I seriously hope I can get the chance to shake your hand one day. I'm working towards doing the same thing, traveling the world on two wheels.

[@helgepedersen877]

#zenrider I wish you all the best for you to achieve your dream of traveling the world on two wheels. Ride Far - Ride Safe!

[@Ioannis-81]

A true legend among motorcyclists........!!!!! It would be great to see a video about the bike.......the struggle he faced,the problems and failures he faced!!!!!!!!

[@roderickmclean9927]

I flew through those peaks in a Dauphin helicopters many years ago. I was based in Rio Grande and that time in my life will be with me forever. Then came the war with Argentina and it was all over for me. I still have my 1200 GS here in the Philippines but I’m 74 now and a bit late for that kind of adventure but enjoy your stories to the max. Thank you Helge.

[@Silodrome]

What a fantastic adventure, that story about the ticks will stay with me!

[@efone3553]

its unexpectedly great stories like this that make youtube great. Well done Helge!

[@helgepedersen877]

#Efone Thank you and credit goes all to Tim Tyler for doing such a great job with this channel. I am glad you enjoyed the story.

[@callspreadzero854]

Incredible! My first months out of college I started from Louisiana to California, down through Baja, then on to mainland Mexico, and back up to the states. Next summer I want to drive to Alaska and then start the Pan American. Thanks for the great footage!

[@kitsachie.]

Take me with you next time, also a fellow Louisiana native.

[@hrmacdonald4471]

Great story and advice...thank you for sharing!

[@robertfilla8359]

Great story and told as only you could tell it, Helge. Thanks.

[@MattyH73]

Amazing story. Thank you Helge

[@helgepedersen877]

#mattyh73 You are welcome.

[@randywilliams5337]

Its funny that I just saw this video. I was at a presentation you gave at the "Iron Horse" BMW dealer in Tucson Arizona when I first saw you. It's a fantastic story you have. Now watching a woman "Itchy Boots" doing south America to Alaska. So many adventurous people. Your video was fantastic!

[@evanmacleod3330]

What a beautiful and challenging experience! Choosing to see the growth and vibrancy in every moment of a seemingly insurmountable obstacle and conquering it! You’re the man Helge!! I love and share your philosophy! I’m planning a similar trip soon.. just got back from 15 months exploring Southeast Asia on 2 wheels... central & South America are my next adventure... maybe we’ll get the chance to ride together sometime!

[@rich1184]

Great video and inspirational message! We met in Silverdale, WA a few years ago and I always remember you in my class. Safe travels always!

[@helgepedersen877]

#rich Glad that you enjoyed the video and I sure had a great time learning sidecar riding from you in your excellent class. That was a good start on yet another adventure, so much fun. Happy trails to you too Rich.

[@Uliio]

Wow. What a story! Thanks for sharing

[@dashford06]

Came here for the great video by the Legend Helge Pedersen. I remember the book from the crossing years ago, being so inspired by his travels. Back then crossing continents on motorcycles was not something normally done. Thanks to pioneers like Ted Simon and Helge, and later others like Hubert Kriegel (Google him - he has passed but his website with his world travels is a work of art - you will thank me), long distance motorcycle travel is now commonplace. Thank you Mr. Pedersen. And if you saw this video read all the comments. So positive and interesting too.

[@helgepedersen877]

#dashford06 Thanks for the kind words and I could not agree more, Hubert Kriegel www.thetimelessride.com, has inspired me to try out sidecar riding and I love it, what a great story he told, go and check it out.

[@jangevaert3615]

Brutal and brilliant... After doing Belgium to East Africa, Alaska to Ushuaia is my next plan. Darian Gap included of course...

[@Aaadleee]

What a story , what an experience!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@marcusrichardson3472]

Another awesome film. Incredibly inspiring.

[@MOTOTREK]

Glad you enjoyed it, Marcus.

[@grecoa7]

Wow! I could listen to you all day. Fantastic, thank you!

[@georgiapeyton6871]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@MapRider]

The cover of '10 Years on 2 Wheels' hangs on my office wall. Helge, Ted S. and R. Fulton. are my inspiration. There is an '81 R80G/S (mine) and '84 R80ST (hers) in the garage just waiting for the time bucket to fill up so we can hit the road. Thank you for stoking the fire of adventure

[@MOTOTREK]

Right on, Dan!

[@maxalbrecht889]

I am from Colombia and I was sometimes in Darien........this story is absolutely incredible. Respect !!!!!!!!!!!

[@boboneleg]

Fantastic, what a powerful story.

[@DarthLukesDude]

Man it's always so satisfying bringing a bike or vehicle in places that it probably shouldn't be, or hadn't been done before.

[@janisthompson9801]

So beautiful! Thx, Helge.

[@srinivasvaranasi1645]

Wow! What a ride!

[@peterdonahue8294]

amazing accomplishment !! hope you keep riding. your bike and your story should be in a museum. wow !

[@helgepedersen877]

#peterdonahue The bike ended up in the BMW museum in München, Germany, in 1993 when BMW traded it for a brand new BMW R100GS. I am still riding the world and love it and we, my wife and me, will keep doing it as long as we can. Happy travels to you.

[@lovelessissimo]

I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A VIDEO LIKE THIS FOR WEEKS!

[@RadicalEarth]

Great advice Hedge! Life is for living, best to get on with it right away!

[@alfvonharpe1819]

congratulation Helge for showing us this Video much better explained as in your book I enjoyed it very much I would very much enjoy to see you one day back in Rancagua Chile..take much care of yourself Best Regards ..Alf..

[@helgepedersen877]

#alfvonharpe Good to hear from you Alf and I think of you and Lelo many times when I edit pictures and memories of you guys come back. Sad that Lelo is gone though. Yes, hope to see you next time I am down that way. Stay well my friend.

[@wgchacomer]

Excelente video, la tranquilidad y la paz con la que hablás dan ganas de montarte a la moto e ir, solo ir. Muchas gracias por tan maravilloso material!

[@helgepedersen877]

#waltergonzalez Gracias por las amables palabras

[@oesda]

Thanks for sharing this story, thank you Helge, I enjoyed this interview a lot!.

[@mcristaldi]

This is simply wonderful! Great pics!

[@helgepedersen877]

#Massimocristaladi Glad you liked the pictures, they are from slide film that I have scanned. Just wished that I had a better scanner. for my book I had the slides scanned professionally and the cost was about $40 for each scan, beautiful, but expensive.

[@antonios8136]

Thanks for sharing Helge, and what and adventure...

[@deliciousgroove]

My hero! I would never attempt that, so thanks for doing it for us!

[@luismetalcraft]

Wow! I live in Brazil and i've been thinking crossing the jungle safely is almost impossible but unsafely it is. Congrats Sir and thanks for Share this with us.

[@pepeletrailer2512]

Love this guy! We’re ready to hop into the trailer with our 2 cats tomorrow! Vamos ya!!

[@helgepedersen877]

#pepeletrailer Happy journey to you and the cats, sounds like an adventure for sure.

[@bricetetrick1457]

Amazing story, thank you.

[@empath2]

Love what you're doing... we are watching 👀... We are new to the adventure lifestyle... 7000 km so fare... now in turkey 🇹🇷

[@Ari_Arlo44]

Mr. Helge Pedersen, you are a great man. I admire you so much!

[@gas3d]

Thanks for sharing your amazing experience!

[@juancarlosgianola630]

my respect for you Mr 👏👏 congratulations

[@Jaffa1951]

WOW!! What a fantastic story. Never heard of anyone taking a bike through The Darien Gap before. Has anyone else done it?

[@MOTOTREK]

Only a few riders have made it through, Geoff.

[@Mike-nn3tf]

The situation in the area is much less stable currently, drug and human traffickers control most of the route.

[@KDFRxpo2]

Incredible journey!

[@kamilien1]

love his story...definitely inspired to go on my own

[@simlarry100]

Absolutely Fantastic! So Very Well Done!!!

[@gordonhowell9701]

Inspiring. Having just hit 60, this throws me back to my own adventures, notably about 5000 miles on mostly gravel around Alaska and Canadian Arctic back in the late 80s. (On an r80g/s!). 5 years ago it was Zambia on dual purpose for charity. Yet here I am thinking those days are behind me. I’ll probably give Darien a miss, but there is a lot of Europe and Asia I haven’t touched with two wheels! Think I will tell my wife the bad news tonight :-)

[@helgepedersen877]

#gordonhowell You certainly have done some great adventure riding yourself and at 60 you should have plenty ahead. Happy trails to you.

[@wilfredvasquez5908]

Respect!! God bless.

[@diegolainfiesta]

Incredible story. Just...to the Darien Gap: Some conditions have changed since then, robbers and migration in the region make the path very dangerous. One thing is to fight the jungle another one to fight the jungle and bad men at the same time. All other paths are doable. Incredible video!

[@helgepedersen877]

#diegolainfiesta There was a story on TV some times back about the migration through the Darien and you are correct with that comes bad people. At the time I did this, 1988, the issue was drug smuglers that used the Darien Gap as a transit to the north, We were warned about this and it made us nervous at times. Several years after I crossed the Darien with my bike I went back to visit the region. Together with a nature photographer we hiked, no bike, and visited the Emebra and Cuna villages to learn more about their way of living. My first crossing with the bike made me curious about the life in the jungle so this second visit of one month living with the people of the Darien was and incredible experience, but that is another story.

[@diegolainfiesta]

@@helgepedersen877 That makes all far more interesting. I find it very impresive that after the infection you decided to come back to get to know the people that normally live in the jungle a little better. I have been thinking about doing a trip through America with the motorbike, let´s see how it turns out. But your video/history definitely inspiring. Thanks!

[@calablanca]

Gosh ! RG boots Imhad them in the late 70’s when riding my Bultaco Sherpa. Amazing channel ! 👏

[@markmurphy1995]

I would love to go for a pint with this man! Inspirational! 👍🏻

[@AlexanderSeling]

What a freaking legend, thanks for your story!

[@helgepedersen877]

#alexanderseling Thanks for the nice words, but really, I am just another rider that chose to ride the world and make it my lifestyle. I have loved most of it and by that have very few regrets. Not all of it came easy as you see in the video, but I think these events make you stronger. Glad that you enjoyed.

[@fraser2283]

You are a inspiration for me. Thank you for sharing this story

[@AspectStudio]

So very inspiring. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@helgepedersen877]

#aspectproductions You are welcome.

[@stephanseidel9463]

Thank you Helge. I finally ran out of excuses.

[@rvr4617]

Great adventures, and absolutely beautiful pictures!

[@BlackThor15]

WOW, what amazing and inspiring story!! Thank you very much for sharing!! 👍

[@vrk1131]

your advice about money is really the best. we can just continue travel by doing work along the way. it will give us more experience and memory about our trip. thank you so much. i'm an engineering student and it's my dream to travel the world in a motorcycle.

[@russellflesser3447]

Excellent sage advice. Probably the best I have ever heard.

[@jackmahones3855]

Your the man. Thanks I read your book in the 90's now in my 60's I am readying to go. Thanks for the motivation.

[@helgepedersen877]

#jackmahones Good for you, you are in a good age for some serious adventures. Happy Trails to you, Ride Far - Ride Safe!

[@maxwema333]

Phenomenal, extremely encouraging to learn about Helge’s journeys and experiences, and providing perspective, thank you so much....watched this in conjunction with Evan McGregor and Charlie Boorman’s super prep & big team production Long Way Up TV series

[@ImTheDudeMan471]

It also helps being a young. Helge, you are one tough dude.

[@helgepedersen877]

@Gamal Elsayed Very well said, we need to look after our health to stay young and healthy, it takes work and commitment.

[@NewsMoto]

this is excellent! I never knew that passing the Darien gap was possible!

[@NewsMoto]

i watched this thrice! I'm going! Give me until 2025! THANK YOU!

[@wcsdiaries]

@@NewsMoto you're going to try the darien gap?!?

[@mrspeigle1]

It's possible, Just remember the actual trails are only part of the equation, Personally I'd be worried about meeting the wrong people along those trails

[@paulblackfield473]

This is the inspiration we all need to stop thinking about it and just do it !

[@Johnrag1000]

Its Amazing and motivational..🤞 Thanks for sharing

[@rhettacypert1261]

Amazing! What a journey, I really have no excuse.

[@helgepedersen877]

#rhettacypert If your desires to travel are stronger than your excuses you will soon be on the road traveling the world. Best of luck to you.