Less than three months to go

My name is Kyle and I am 26 years old currently working in the banking industry in the oil booming economy that is Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. My work has graciously granted a 4 month leave of absence making this dream a reality.

About three years ago I had a dream, conjured up in the last year of university. I wanted to explore South America by land and I was going to take this jeep.

At the time I was quite into 4x4ing and camping and was avidly developing my love for wrenching. One day while browsing Expedition Portal I came across Dan's website; The Road Chose Me (http://theroadchoseme.com/). Somebody else was actually doing this trip! Somehow I have to make this happen... Well there weren't any takers, life went on.... a career was started and the jeep was sold. 

In 2011 a friend asked if I was interested in going to Thailand and Cambodia for a couple weeks. The travel bug was reignited. Around that time I was also getting into dirt biking, at home in Alberta as well as beautiful British Columbia. Thailand was also the first time I legally took a bike on the street, I was hooked. In Cambodia I found Siem Reap Dirtbike tours (http://www.siemreapdirtbikes.com/). I convinced them to take a friend and I out for the day, no formal tour. It was a highlight of the trip. Exploring far from the tourist areas. Terrain ranging from rice fields to mine fields to ancient hill top ruins. It was amazing.

Life continued. In spring 2012 I bought a house and shortly there after a 2003 DR 650. I figured a DR would be close enough to a dirt bike to make me feel comfortable on the street. At the time I was also influenced by ride reports on Advrider, the Long Way Around and Motorcycle Diaries.

In September 2012 I met Trevor at a friends BBQ, within the first 10 minutes the South America motorcycle trip/dream came up. I was not going to let this opportunity pass! In October it was finalized. One year later we would depart for Argentina by motorcycle. Shortly thereafter Alex joined the crew. I met Alex in Business School in 2007. We have worked on projects together and started a business over the years.

So here we are, July 2013, less than three months to departure. The parts have been ordered, the bikes purchased and the approximate route set. This dream is becoming a reality!

Ed: Tagged post for future reference and removed double spaces.