THE YAMAHA EXPEDITION TASTED “THE TRUFFLE ROUTE”

NOTE S MOTOS MAGAZINE.

Photos: Claudio "Látigo" Morales, special correspondent
Raid Organizer: Felipe Prohens, from Atacama Rides

At the beginning of May 2024, we had a unique experience as a specialized magazine. Invited by Yamaha Expedition, we went on a 400 km sporting-cultural tour to “Las Azudas de Larmahue”, Nancagua, VI Region, that took us out of our competitive DNA and with high doses of marketing within the motorcycle industry. Guided once again by the Dakar instructor Pipe Prohens, who assures that every motorcyclist must carry a good story in their saddlebags, on this occasion we headed towards Nerquihue, also in the Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins Region, following “The Truffle Route”.

*TRUFFLE (or Mushroom): Fruiting body of a predominantly subterranean ascomycete fungus, one of many species in the genus Tuber. Truffles are fungi that are usually found in close association with tree roots. Spore dispersal is achieved through fungivores, animals that eat fungi, which have important ecological functions in nutrient cycling and drought tolerance. (Wikipedia summary)

It was last Saturday when a dozen Yamaha expedition members, riding their Teneré motorcycles, as well as the staff and our photojournalist, left from the headquarters on Avda. Las Condes to face the search for the so-called "black gold" in international gastronomy. A great and attractive excuse to ride a lot on 2 wheels, with 200 km more than in the previous adventure, three and a half months later.

Route 5 Sur took its engines through Rancagua, San Fernando, Placilla, San Gabriel, Chépica, Cruce de Lima, Chile, La Lajuela, almost reaching Lolol (600 km round trip), crossing movie-like landscapes, palm groves, native trees, crops, wild flora and everything that can be found in our beautiful country, traveling with the safety of a Teneré, especially for those who did it on the new 700…

»To a model that is practically perfect - says Felipe Prohens - Yamaha has improved it by incorporating new technology such as the TFT screen, which allows us to synchronize the phone, find different navigation modes, customize the ABS for either the rear or front wheel. It is a very reliable bike, very user-friendly and pleasant for on and off road. It is very enjoyable to ride and you have the peace of mind of having Japanese technology at your service.»

IN SEARCH OF “BLACK GOLD”

The diamond of the kitchen, as experts also call the very expensive truffle, was one of the objectives of the expedition group to Region VI. Instead of going for it at the end of the rainbow, the task focused on the roots of the Spanish oak, almost at ground level, with the help of the bloodhound Mark and the expert searcher Alberto.

The riders found the treasure, taking it directly to the kitchen set up on a lookout point over the countryside, with chef Cristóbal Galleguillos in charge of a wonderful vegetable risotto with truffle in the background.

Yamaha Expedition Group: Thomas Leon, Christian Diaz, Diego Matas, German Caceres, Claudio Malhue, Francesca Mantelli, Ricardo Leon, Luis Salas, Alex Pabst, Angello D´Arcangeli, Mauricio Cabrera and Luis Rolando Salas.

Staff: Pipe Prohens, Rodrigo Daza, Gaspar, Oscar Vargas (Yamaha marketing), Amaru Parra, Alfredo and Kenai Parra. Also "Látigo" Morales who is already one more in the peloton.

Prohens plans a couple more rides for the rest of the year by Yamaha.

Photos by Rodrigo Daza: