RawHyde Adventures Organizing Ecuador Earthquake Relief Efforts

The April 16 earthquake devastated parts of Ecuador. With deep ties to the country through motorcycle tours and personal relationships, RawHyde is arranging for shipment of a container of donated goods to the hardest-hit areas. (Photo: CNN)
The April 16 earthquake devastated parts of Ecuador. With deep ties to the country through motorcycle tours and personal relationships, RawHyde is arranging for shipment of a container of donated goods to the hardest-hit areas. (Photo: CNN)

RawHyde Adventures, one of two BMW Motorrad Off-Road Training Centers in the U.S., is leading a charitable relief effort for victims of the recent earthquake in Ecuador. Utilizing contacts made during the company’s annual guided tour to follow the Dakar Rally, RawHyde founder Jim Hyde has made arrangements for a shipping container to be delivered from the Port of Long Beach, California, directly to Ecuador, where a team of local adventure riders will be on hand to unload it and distribute the goods to those in need.

RawHyde is accepting donations of goods such as:

  • Bottled water/sports drinks
  • Folding beds and cots
  • First Aid supplies
  • Packaged or canned food
  • Tents
  • Sleeping bags
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Clothes
  • Small toys

Those wishing to donate money rather than actual items may do so as well, with the first of the money earmarked for the purchase of portable toilets for hard-hit areas where sewer and water systems have been disrupted.

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Jim Hyde explains the amazing coincidences and connections that are making the effort possible: “The story began three years ago as I prepared to ship bikes to Peru for our annual Dakar Rally tour. I contracted the shipment through a company called DGX (Dependable Global Express). In the process of handling the shipment of our bikes, I became friendly with the shipping manager of DGX, a guy named Antonio Bellido. I guess Antonio kept my email address, because I received an email from him three days ago stating that DGX will ship any aid free of charge that I or any of their other customers could provide.”

The next part of the story is even more amazing. “My friend Jorge Cherrez is the founder of the Brosters, a BMW club in Ecuador, and the Minister of the Interior of Ecuador happens to be a member of the club and fellow GS rider. This makes for a perfect partnership to do some good and be sure that things actually happen…and that folks who need our help actually receive the supplies we might be able to send. The process of doing this will be amazing and the Brosters will keep us posted on what they are doing with the goods we provide! It’s a great chance to see the adventure riding community pulling together for a common cause.”

If you would like to help with the effort, RawHyde is asking that you call them at 661-993-9942, or email Audrey@rawhyde-offroad.com, and they will discuss collection of the goods.

Brad Barker of The Ride of My Life has volunteered to go to Ecuador personally and produce videos of the relief process, so those involved can see their donations being put to good use. Learn more about Brad’s involvement here.

2 COMMENTS

  1. How do we get the Arizona Thunder Run Veterans Day Rally posted here. It is Nov. 11, 12, 13, 2016 at Westworld in Scottsdale, AZ. We will have the Moving Wall, Fireworks, and Vendors to celebrate our nations veterans. This is the first event of it’s kind. Thanks, Andy

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