MotoNomadas
Name: Bagna LaTorre
Hobbies: Photography, Capoeira, Samba.
Motorbike Trips: Cumberland Island, GA (2008); Blue Ridge Parkway, NC (2008); Lewis Ocean Bay, SC (2009); Botany Bay, SC (2009); Whitewater Falls, NC (2009); North America (2010); Canada, BC (2010); Mexico (2011); Guatemala (2011)
Function/Skills: Photography, Logistics, Planning.
Contact Info: motonomadas@gmail.com
About Me:
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, a very small place full of energy and beauty. That is where my devotion to and caring for the environment began to grow, and determined my fascination for photography.
I finished my Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science in 2004, and I was motivated to continue. That is why I moved to Charleston (SC) to finish a Master Degree in Hydrogeology (2008). Through all these years of study, I always envisioned myself traveling around the world to truly appreciate some of the major natural settings and most importantly the cultures.
While working on my Master Degree, I became part of the Capoeira Charleston group, where I met Efrain who shares the same passion for exploring the world. This fusion was responsible for bringing together the idea of traveling the Americas on a motorcycle. I foresee this trip as an opportunity to make a difference by helping others and delivering a message of hope.
If you are interested on my experiences through this adventure or have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at motonomadas@gmail.com
Hobbies: Photography, Capoeira, Samba.
Motorbike Trips: Cumberland Island, GA (2008); Blue Ridge Parkway, NC (2008); Lewis Ocean Bay, SC (2009); Botany Bay, SC (2009); Whitewater Falls, NC (2009); North America (2010); Canada, BC (2010); Mexico (2011); Guatemala (2011)
Function/Skills: Photography, Logistics, Planning.
Contact Info: motonomadas@gmail.com
About Me:
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, a very small place full of energy and beauty. That is where my devotion to and caring for the environment began to grow, and determined my fascination for photography.
I finished my Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science in 2004, and I was motivated to continue. That is why I moved to Charleston (SC) to finish a Master Degree in Hydrogeology (2008). Through all these years of study, I always envisioned myself traveling around the world to truly appreciate some of the major natural settings and most importantly the cultures.
While working on my Master Degree, I became part of the Capoeira Charleston group, where I met Efrain who shares the same passion for exploring the world. This fusion was responsible for bringing together the idea of traveling the Americas on a motorcycle. I foresee this trip as an opportunity to make a difference by helping others and delivering a message of hope.
If you are interested on my experiences through this adventure or have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at motonomadas@gmail.com
Name: Efrain Martinez
Nationality: Colombian
Hobbies: POI, Capoeira
Motorbike Trips: Cumberland Island, GA (2008); Blue Ridge Parkway, NC (2008); Lewis Ocean Bay, SC (2009); Botany Bay, SC (2009); Whitewater Falls, NC (2009); North America (2010); Canada, BC (2010); Mexico (2011); Guatemala (2011), El Salvador (2011), Honduras (2011)
Function/Skills: Rider, Mechanic, and Logistics
Contact Info: motonomadas@gmail.com
About Me:
I will give just a basic description about myself, just in case anybody wants to know a little about who Efrain Martinez is. I am a common Biologist born and raised in Colombia, where I used to participate in different outdoor activities, including mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, and performing POI (fire spinning). After I finish my college studies in 2004, I moved to Charleston, South Carolina with the hard mission of learning English, and work as a Biologist in a foreign country. Fortunately, in 2005 I had the opportunity to work as a research specialist for the Medical University of South Carolina. Two years later, I joined Capoeira Charleston where I met Ileana (my partner in crime), and also restarted performing as a fire spinner, a skill that helped me a lot to get part of the funds needed to make my dream come true.
After five years in Charleston and experiencing a great adventure in Peru with Bela during the summer of 2008, I started planning the big project "MotoNomadas-Explorando el Sur". This project was born as a result of the desire to live our lives to the maximum, taking advantage of facts such as we are still alive, young and healthy. So, having all these facts in our favor, Bela and I decided to embark ourselves in the greatest adventure of our lives, to cross a big part of the planet by motorcycle. I think I went crazy, thinking about quitting my job, sell the apartment, and go to live on the rode for a few years is a really scary thing to do, but as my mother has always told me “it is better to regret what you have done than regret what you did not do”, so I decided to go for it and here we are.
Nationality: Colombian
Hobbies: POI, Capoeira
Motorbike Trips: Cumberland Island, GA (2008); Blue Ridge Parkway, NC (2008); Lewis Ocean Bay, SC (2009); Botany Bay, SC (2009); Whitewater Falls, NC (2009); North America (2010); Canada, BC (2010); Mexico (2011); Guatemala (2011), El Salvador (2011), Honduras (2011)
Function/Skills: Rider, Mechanic, and Logistics
Contact Info: motonomadas@gmail.com
About Me:
I will give just a basic description about myself, just in case anybody wants to know a little about who Efrain Martinez is. I am a common Biologist born and raised in Colombia, where I used to participate in different outdoor activities, including mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, and performing POI (fire spinning). After I finish my college studies in 2004, I moved to Charleston, South Carolina with the hard mission of learning English, and work as a Biologist in a foreign country. Fortunately, in 2005 I had the opportunity to work as a research specialist for the Medical University of South Carolina. Two years later, I joined Capoeira Charleston where I met Ileana (my partner in crime), and also restarted performing as a fire spinner, a skill that helped me a lot to get part of the funds needed to make my dream come true.
After five years in Charleston and experiencing a great adventure in Peru with Bela during the summer of 2008, I started planning the big project "MotoNomadas-Explorando el Sur". This project was born as a result of the desire to live our lives to the maximum, taking advantage of facts such as we are still alive, young and healthy. So, having all these facts in our favor, Bela and I decided to embark ourselves in the greatest adventure of our lives, to cross a big part of the planet by motorcycle. I think I went crazy, thinking about quitting my job, sell the apartment, and go to live on the rode for a few years is a really scary thing to do, but as my mother has always told me “it is better to regret what you have done than regret what you did not do”, so I decided to go for it and here we are.
Name: La Guerrera
Nationality:Japanese-American
DOB: 2010
La Guerrera was born from the fusion of Morcega and Morceguinho. This is The Ultimate Adventure Outlander Vehicle
Nationality:Japanese-American
DOB: 2010
La Guerrera was born from the fusion of Morcega and Morceguinho. This is The Ultimate Adventure Outlander Vehicle
Name: Morcega
Nationality: Japanese
DOB: 2007
About Morcega:
To make this trip possible, the acquisition of the right motorcycle was necessary. Efrain has been riding motorcycles for a few years, he bought his first motorcycle "La Negra" in 2007, a new BMW F650 GS, which he rode together with Ileana on different trips around the East coast of the U.S. La Negra was a really fun motorcycle to ride, but after significant research, Efrian and Ileana realized that they needed to look for a motorcycle less expensive to maintain and repair. It was then that they bought "Morcega".
Morcega, a Suzuki V-Strom 1000, was purchased in 2009 with 20,000 miles on it. Since its purchase Efrain has been studying and learning more about how this bike works. He has sought the valuable aid and advice of the local V-Strom John Weldon, located nearby. Mr. Weldon is also the administrator of www.v-strom.info. He has been a valuable resource eager to teach Efrain mechanical necessities on how to keep Morcega running efficiently, and perform major repairs when necessary.
Nationality: Japanese
DOB: 2007
About Morcega:
To make this trip possible, the acquisition of the right motorcycle was necessary. Efrain has been riding motorcycles for a few years, he bought his first motorcycle "La Negra" in 2007, a new BMW F650 GS, which he rode together with Ileana on different trips around the East coast of the U.S. La Negra was a really fun motorcycle to ride, but after significant research, Efrian and Ileana realized that they needed to look for a motorcycle less expensive to maintain and repair. It was then that they bought "Morcega".
Morcega, a Suzuki V-Strom 1000, was purchased in 2009 with 20,000 miles on it. Since its purchase Efrain has been studying and learning more about how this bike works. He has sought the valuable aid and advice of the local V-Strom John Weldon, located nearby. Mr. Weldon is also the administrator of www.v-strom.info. He has been a valuable resource eager to teach Efrain mechanical necessities on how to keep Morcega running efficiently, and perform major repairs when necessary.
Name: Morceguinho
Nationality: American
DOB: 2009
About Morceguinho:
Morceguinho is Morcega's companion since 2009, made by the best and most cooperative sidecar specialist on the East Coast, Claude Stanley. MotoNomadas team requested his expertise regarding what would be needed, and what would be most efficient during this greatly anticipated journey. It is expected that the ride will be 70% on roads and 30% on dirt roads; therefore Morceginho was essential for better maneuvering and safer rides in particular on the dirt roads. To quote Hubert Kriegel, "Gravel roads are the nightmare of the solo bikers and the pleasure of sidecars" further confirms that Morceguinho is a wise choice to ensure that the trip's goals are accomplished securely and comfortably.
Nationality: American
DOB: 2009
About Morceguinho:
Morceguinho is Morcega's companion since 2009, made by the best and most cooperative sidecar specialist on the East Coast, Claude Stanley. MotoNomadas team requested his expertise regarding what would be needed, and what would be most efficient during this greatly anticipated journey. It is expected that the ride will be 70% on roads and 30% on dirt roads; therefore Morceginho was essential for better maneuvering and safer rides in particular on the dirt roads. To quote Hubert Kriegel, "Gravel roads are the nightmare of the solo bikers and the pleasure of sidecars" further confirms that Morceguinho is a wise choice to ensure that the trip's goals are accomplished securely and comfortably.
