Joe Pichler was born 1960 in Lungau, Austria and is traveling the world by motorcycle together with his wife Renate since 1984. In 1990, Joe overlanded South America for the first time where the rainy season in the Amazon almost lead to cancel his adventure. In 2002, Joe fulfilled his dream, quit his regular job as technician in an engineering office in Salzburg and motorcycle travelling and platform presentations became his new exciting life. After overlanding numerous continents he returned to South America again in 2021/2022 to explore another 14’000 km of the Northern part.
Joe, you have been traveling the world for many years now. Do you remember your first motorcycle overland trip and what advice would you give your “20 years younger Joe”?
My first trip was around the Mediterranean in 1984, as far as it was possible at that time. Greece, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Spain.
I was 37 years younger then and the tip would be to prepare a little better. Going to the Central Sahara in July was not a very good idea.
What made you choose to particularly overland South America recently and what were your most mesmerizing moments or highlights of your trip?
My last trip before that was to Africa and I wanted to go to South America again. When I was in Colombia 15 years ago, I could not travel through a large part of the country for security reasons. But I was excited about the country and wanted to see more of it. To that end, I’ve never been to Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
There are two highlights. Motorcycle-technically certainly the legendary route from Lethem to Linden. 450 km offroad fun at its best. And the visit to the egg-laying sea turtles at Galibi in Suriname.
South America has one of the world’s highest crime rates and hence a reputation for being dangerous. What is your experience?
In the 2 years I spent in total in South America, I never had a problem. Neither with the gold seekers in the Amazon rainforest nor in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. There are, of course, corners that should not be visited at certain times. With the necessary common sense you can travel South America without any problems.
Traveling solo with a motorcycle always comes with its own challenges. Do you remember a specific one that stood out during your South America adventure? And if so, how did you overcome it?
The journey along the legendary BR 317 from Brazil to Peru used to be a real challenge. Extremely bad roads and partly no or dilapidated bridges. But with enough time and some driving skills even that was doable. I needed five exhausting days for 400 km.
As an Austrian, you chose of course a KTM adventure motorcycle for your overland trip. Was it a good choice?
Yes, of course! In the 4 months there was not a single problem.
How did you transport your motorcycle to South America? Can you share your experiences with us?
The motorcycle was transported to Bogota by air freight. Also on previous trips the transport to South America has been done by air freight. There was never a problem to get the bike through customs. But due to the Corona crisis the freight costs have increased exorbitantly. When transporting by sea, it is essential to clarify the import modalities in advance. Can be a big problem in Brazil, for example.
You have chosen the Guajira desert as your favourite picture of your South America adventure. Why in particular this one?
Punta Gallinas is the northernmost point of mainland South America, I’ve always wanted to go there.
Last but not least, if you could summarize your Motorcycle Overland Adventure in South America in one word. What would it be and why?
Unique! Because every continent I traveled to was special.
In his upcoming platform presentation “South America – a journey into the unknown” Joe talks about pure adventure which lead him and Renate through the north of South America on their KTM. What starts on Colombia’s Andean tracks ends after an adventurous ride through the Amazon region on the coast of Brazil… and a huge backpack full of uncertainty as a faithful companion always with them. Where do they go from here? Which borders are open to them? A real odyssey: exciting and awe-inspiring. Dates will be available soon.
Read more about Joe Pichler’s adventures in South America and around the world.
Website: www.josef-pichler.at
Instagram: joe_pichler
Facebook: Joe.Pichler.Salzburg
Zenmotero's Motorcycle Overland Guide Book South America
Read Joe’s and many other interviews, case studies, expert advice from experienced overlanders in zenmotero’s Motorcycle Overland Guide South America. Download: zenmotero.com
Filled with expert advice, interviews, case studies, insights, local tips and useful references and addresses, the zenmotero overland guide is essential reading for anyone interested in overlanding South America by motorcycle, weather you are new to overlanding or an experienced overland traveler starting again.
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