Destination Africa - Experience Not Required

Africa is a top pick for motorcycle riders seeking adventure, but many see it as a tough destination for only experienced travelers. Is it too risky for beginners? Do you need special skills? What's there to see? In this episode, we'll explore these questions with an expert in Southern African motorcycle travel.

Posted on March 7, 2024 and filed under Africa.

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DEEP TROUBLE: Pinned

Two adventure riders, worlds apart are pinned by their own motorcycles. Join Dave Rodgers and Joe Siegel, as they face perilous challenges in this episode of DEEP TROUBLE.

Posted on February 29, 2024 and filed under Deep Trouble.

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Out of the Box - Reaching Ultimate Freedom

In 1999, Todd Lawson lost his brother, Sean, to cerebral malaria after a motorcycle journey through southern Africa. Wracked with guilt, Todd meets Christina, a kindred spirit, and together they embark on a motorcycle trip across the Americas, spreading Sean's ashes along the way. Inspired by Sean's adventurous spirit, they decide to return to Africa to distribute mosquito nets to those in need, turning their journey into a meaningful exploration of the continent's beauty and its people.

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RIDER SKILLS: Situational Awareness on the Road

Situational awareness while riding a motorcycle means being aware of your surroundings and predicting what might happen based on what you see. It's about paying attention to the road, other vehicles, weather, people and more. In this episode, Clinton Smout, Chief Riding Instructor at SMART Adventures, tells us how by staying alert, you can anticipate dangers and react quickly to avoid them.

Posted on February 15, 2024 and filed under Rider Skills.

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Messaging - Changing the Way We Use Sat Comms

Satellite communication has been used for many years for emergencies during motorcycle adventures. But what about non-emergency situations? Sometimes, we might have a breakdown, need a part, be running late, feel sick, or decide to stay somewhere for an extra day. In such cases, messaging is the key to getting in touch with someone without causing panic. In this episode, Morris Shawn, President of Zoleo, discusses the importance of comprehensive satellite messaging for motorcycle riders. Additionally, Sean Steede's experience in British Columbia highlights the necessity of reliable communication, as he faced an unexpected situation during an off-road ride and had to use his satellite messenger's SOS button for assistance.

Posted on February 8, 2024 .

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Mañana No More - Carl and Isabel Abrams

Carl and Isabel Abrams led a content life in the UK, with a comfortable home and fulfilling jobs that they enjoyed. In 2017, they embarked on a memorable motorcycle tour of Scandinavia, igniting a dream to circumnavigate the globe on their bikes. However, everything changed when three months later Isabel discovered a lump in her breast. The subsequent diagnosis forced Isabel to confront her mortality, abruptly shifting their perspective on the future. The idea of travelling the world once again came to the forefront, and they started to do some research, even buying the bikes. But still, the prospect of a world tour was a distant and flexible goal, as there was no set date; it was a plan for someday, something they couldn’t actually see happening. Until they surprised everyone, even themselves, and the day when they finally followed their dream arrived.

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The Best Things in Life are Free - Lavi and Ollie

Lavi Scholl and Ollie Gamblin met when picking cherries on a farm in Australia while on working holiday visas. It might have been Ollie’s van, maybe his guitar playing, but something sparked for both of them and they have been partners in travel and life ever since. They seem to fit together like pieces of a puzzle, complimenting each other, naturally falling into the roles that allow them to travel even farther on a budget. Their mantra and secret for travel is underpinned with a simple mantra - that the best things in life are free. After trying out van life, backpacking, and cycling, they ultimately fell in love with the perfect mode of transportation - the motorcycle. Lavi and Ollie have just returned from a trip around the world.

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Climb That Mountain - Jamie Parker

Jamie Parker is a true adventure enthusiast, he doesn't just wait for it to come his way, he actively orchestrates it. While he's no stranger to various adventures, venturing on a motorcycle is a recent addition to his repertoire. Embracing this new challenge, he propels himself to make every ride a rewarding and fulfilling experience, finding true value in the journey itself.

Posted on January 18, 2024 .

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RIDER SKILLS: Common Mistakes Motorcycle Riders Make and Ways to Avoid Them

On this episode of our Exclusive RIDER SKILLS we have Chief Riding Instructor Clinton Smout from SMART Adventures talking about common mistakes motorcycle riders make and how to avoid them. Clinton offers unique insights into what can go wrong with novel suggestions on prevention. He also talks about exercises that can be done while driving a car that will improve your motorcycle riding skills and safety.

Posted on January 11, 2024 and filed under Rider Skills.

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Crossing the Amazon: Never Again - Chad Horton and Rose Padilla

Chad Horton and Rose Padilla have been exploring South America by motorcycle for years, with no specific agenda or direction. Recently, they took on what can only be described as an adventurer's route that was far off the beaten path. It was a route that would bisect the Amazon Jungle from east to west, passing through some of the most remote and unfrequented areas of the region. However, what they didn't anticipate was that the Amazon was experiencing a 125-year drought that would affect all travel in the area. Moreover, they were not aware that some of the boats that they were told could carry their motorcycle would not, while others would unload them far from land on the muddy bottom of a diving river. One boat's owner even attempted to hijack their motorcycle deep in the Amazon jungle. It was an incredible story of high adventure that was worth doing, but one that Chad and Rose say they would never do again.

Posted on January 4, 2024 and filed under Amazon, Women Motorcycle Riders.

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How to Use Your Motorcycle to Slow Down Time

Throughout the year, we find ourselves busy with various tasks that are necessary for us to live and get by. At times, it can feel like we are stuck in a never-ending cycle of doing the same things repeatedly. As we approach the end of the year, we begin to reflect on how quickly it has gone by, and how quickly every year seems to pass. But, what if there was a way that you could use your motorcycle to slow down the passage of time?

Posted on December 28, 2023 and filed under Solo Travel, Mongolia.

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Not Just Any Old Bike: Nick Adams

Going on a motorcycle adventure triggers the excitement of preparing yourself and your bike. Selecting the perfect jacket and pants, and even contemplating the ideal bag for your top box becomes part of the immersive experience. And for many there’s a satisfaction in knowing that their bikes and gear are meticulously prepared, ensuring they’re equipped with top-notch quality where it matters. However, there exists an entirely different approach, embraced by those who simply hop on their bikes and venture into remote areas with older motorcycles and non-technical gear. This somewhat minimalist approach is their version of thorough preparation, and it works remarkably well for them. Two seemingly polar opposite pre-trip approaches—one meticulously detailed and modern, the other laid-back and relatively minimalistic. It appears that Nick Adams, an adventure rider from Eastern Ontario, Canada, aligns more with the latter description—a testament to the diversity of approaches for gearing up for the open road.

Posted on December 21, 2023 and filed under Canada, Solo Travel, Moto Guzzi.

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RIDER SKILLS: In Your Head - Motorcycle Drills Practice

This episode of RIDER SKILLS is for all riders, regardless of the type of bike you ride or your riding style. Some simple drills that can be done on any surface, be it dirt or pavement. Do them before heading out on a ride, while waiting for a friend, or even when approaching a stop sign or traffic light. These are simple straightforward drills that require no pre-planning, no specific location, and each one will help develop multiple skills at once.

Posted on December 14, 2023 and filed under Rider Skills.

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DEEP TROUBLE: Lost in Bolivia

In this exclusive series, we’ll explore the captivating stories of riders who found themselves in DEEP TROUBLE. We'll be dissecting these situations, shedding light on the challenges they faced, the strategies they used and the valuable lessons they learned. Most critically, we’ll discuss how the situation could have turned out differently if some controllable aspects were changed. We’ll talk about the possibilities and potential outcomes, so that perhaps other riders can learn from their experiences and avoid making those mistakes that get them into DEEP TROUBLE. Join adventure travelers Chad Horton and Rose Padilla, along with Spencer Conway and Cathy Nell from African Motorcycle Diaries, as they face perilous challenges in this episode of DEEP TROUBLE.

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About Motorcycle Travel and Riding Siberia’s BAM Road - Lorraine Spence

Lorraine Spence is an avid traveler who rediscovered her love for riding motorcycles after a two decade hiatus. She decided her first big trip in 2012 would be across Asia via the BAM road in Siberia, which could be considered one of the last challenges for adventure motorcyclists. The BAM road is a dilapidated service road for the railway in Siberia that requires planning, determination, and a bit of luck to overcome.

Posted on November 30, 2023 and filed under Women Motorcycle Riders.

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Two Wheeled Troublemaker - Israel Gillette

Israel Eugene Gillette is an extreme motorcycle enthusiast and has been travelling to different countries around the world with a dog in his panier for well over a decade. Since he first started riding in 1995 Israel has found himself running from the police, accused of kidnapping and being shot at. Whether trouble finds Israel or he finds trouble himself is a matter of debate, but his adventures are sure to amuse you and make you question why he does what he does.

Posted on November 23, 2023 and filed under Dogs on a Motorcycle, Extreme Riding, Long Distance Rider.

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Close Call: A Story About the Importance of Counter Steering

After months of planning, John Ciribassi headed out on his first Backcountry Discovery Route adventure in Colorado with three riding buddies. The journey took an unexpected turn on day one when inexperienced in pavement riding, a distracted John misjudged a fast-approaching corner, panicked and locked up the front brake. He collided with the corner of a horse trailer being pulled by a semi-truck. Miraculously escaping with only mild road rash, the incident served as a wake-up call about the importance of skills like counter-steering. And to explain counter-steering, we asked MSF Coach, Jon DelVecchio, to shed light on this essential skill that can make a significant difference in navigating corners safely and efficiently.

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Skid Control - Clinton Smout - RIDER SKILLS

When riding on slippery surfaces, the risk of the rear wheel sliding out from under the bike is ever-present. Whether due to excessive braking or spinning out from rapid acceleration, the rear wheel's speed can cease to match the speed over the ground, causing it to stray from following the front wheel. Without adequate preparation and practice, this situation could lead to a potentially dangerous high side. However, with a grasp of the fundamentals and some diligent practice, managing this occurrence can transform from a potential hazard to an exhilarating experience—one that you might intentionally seek out for the thrill.

Posted on November 9, 2023 and filed under Rider Skills.

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Riding Some of the Toughest Terrain in the World: Mongolia

Some time back, we interviewed Tom Medema from Rally for Rangers, an organization that delivers motorcycles to rangers around the world, to help them safely and successfully protect parks from poachers, illegal tree cutting, manual mineral extractions, and other violations. When 71-year-old Lester Appel heard the episode with Tom, he decided to take action and apply to join the 9-day motorcycle trip across Mongolia with Rally for Rangers. On this journey a group of volunteer riders would donate and deliver motorcycles to the rangers in Southern Mongolian National Parks. Not only would Lester play a part in helping the rangers preserve the precious parklands they were protecting, but he would also have the adventure of a lifetime riding through some of the world’s most challenging terrain. But, just two days in to the trip, Lester had a crash that could have changed everything for him.

Posted on November 2, 2023 and filed under Mongolia.

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DEEP TROUBLE: Spencer Conway and Cathy Nell | Clinton Smout

In this exclusive series, we’ll explore the captivating stories of riders who found themselves in DEEP TROUBLE. We'll be dissecting these situations, shedding light on the challenges they faced, the strategies they used and the valuable lessons they learned. Most critically, we’ll discuss how the situation could have turned out differently if some controllable aspects were changed. We’ll talk about the possibilities and potential outcomes, so that perhaps other riders can learn from their experiences and avoid making those mistakes that get them into DEEP TROUBLE.

Posted on October 26, 2023 and filed under Deep Trouble.

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