Crossing a river, pond or puddle can be great fun, exhilarating in fact, that is assuming you make it through. Because if you don’t, the result can run from mild to very serious, even leaving you stranded or walking out. And it only takes one of many possible mistakes to ruin your day. But there is a procedure, and if you follow it through you will have the best chance of getting to the other side smiling. On this episode of Rider Skills, instructor Clinton Smout will walk us through that procedure, step by step, and give you some exercises to do at home to build your skills while you’re still dry.
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We’ve heard much talk and debate about the modern motorcycle, with its computer systems and how it affects one’s ability to ride in remote or far off places. Some riders insist on riding bikes that have older technology, while others say the new systems are reliable and are worth the risk of the remote chance of having a problem. The choices for new motorcycles without computer technology is dwindling quickly as manufacturers modernize their line-up, complying with emissions requirements around the globe. But what is this system that we’re so afraid of? This computer system that is so magical, mysterious and yet loathsome for a rider with a broken one? Is it really as difficult, as out of reach, as impenetrable and difficult to understand as many would have you believe? This, travel and motorcycles on today’s episode of ARR.
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On last month’s episode of RAW, the panel discussed some of the most iconic places in the world to ride a motorcycle and what they came up with was The 7 Wonders of the Motorcycle Travel World. And when debating the destinations that would make the cut, there were two routes that run somewhat parallel in South America that Michelle Lamphere felt must be included. So she suggested that although these routes are different and offer unique experiences, they could be done as a loop. And from that was born the Patagonia Loop. According to the RAW group of motorcycle travellers, this is one of the best riding experiences in the world. And the great thing is, you can fly there, rent a bike and experience much of it in just weeks. And to tell you more about it, we have Michelle Lamphere, RAW co-host, who has herself ridden the all new Patagonia Loop.
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Several years ago, Steve Mason and some good friends spent five months on the road, an exceptional trip riding through foreign lands and crossing borders. When it was over, they headed home and got back to normal life. But as you can imagine, this didn’t scratch an itch so much as kindle a flame. And for Steve, returning home was bit rough. He had quit his job before he left, spent a good junk of money on the trip and had a family that depended on him. It was difficult getting settled in again and he couldn’t shake that desire to get back on the road. He just had to figure out how to make it work so that he didn’t come home and have to start everything all over again. And this time, he wanted more… he wanted the round the world trip.
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We all know that a motorcycle is less stable at slow speeds, which is when so many falls happen. For street riders, it’s usually parking lots or roadside stops where slow tip overs happens, but adventure riders have an even higher tip over rate, just because of the nature of riding an adventure bike. We tend to ride on dirt, gravel, rocks, mud, over uneven and slippery surfaces and that’s part of the appeal of adventure riding. How do we avoid falling over at slow speeds? What are the key ingredients that some riders have mastered so that they can slowly work their way around obstacles at slow speeds and not fall over? What’s the secret?
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Riding the Trans America Trail across the United States can be a challenge in itself. But add to that challenge a motorcycle that is so unsuited to the task it would almost be considered insane to tackle. At this point, Brendan O’Leary walks in to the picture, he’s an engineer by trade with a tremendous passion for working on small Honda motorcycles. Brendan decides that he’s going to buy a new Honda CT 125 and ride the TAT. And there begins the story, with Brendan putting his plan in to action starting with logistics and preparation, before he sets out on his very first, perhaps absurd, motorcycle adventure.
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Declan McEvoy arrived at work one morning to discover that one of his co-workers wasn’t there, that he had actually died while getting ready for work that very day. It hit Declan hard - not only was this a close coworker but he was only 50 years old and Declan himself was 45, just five years off. Suddenly it was clear to him that he had no idea how much time was left and he had the urge to do the things he had always dreamed of. And even though he hadn’t ridden in over 20 years, it all began with a motorcycle.
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Back in March 2021, the Stahlratte sailing ship, which had up until then been ferrying passengers and motorcycles around the Darien Gap, made its final voyage. Except this voyage wasn’t around the Darien, it was to Cuba. And one rider, embarking on a round the world trip, loaded himself and his motorcycle onto the Stahlratte to make a side trip to ride Cuba. After all, the pandemic was in full swing and Cuba was on his list.
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Both on and off-road, choosing the correct line is an important riding skill and it can make the difference of whether or not you get through a challenging situation. But how do you build the skill of choosing a line? What should you watch for and what are key factors in your choices? On this episode, we have instructor Clinton Smout from SMART Adventures teach us these important skills.
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Matt Shields and his fiancé, Lucie, wanted to do an adventure and they decided the mode of transportation would be a motorcycle. And although they had no bike, no license and no gear they decided to take the leap and put their idea in to motion. They left the UK in May and have recently arrived in Kenya, and after six months and 20,000 km they are now halfway through their adventure. They’ve learned as they went and have had some fantastical experiences on what they call a ‘wild ride’. Matt and Lucie are a testament to the thought process that we can do anything if we set our minds to it.
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A few years ago, David Prigel had a motorcycle get-off on his way to work, one that resulted in injuries and a short stint at the hospital. David’s wife wasn’t keen on the idea of him getting back on the bike again, in fact she was adamant that she didn’t want him to ride anymore. When we had them on the show back in 2017 they talked about their dilemma of whether or not David should ride his motorcycle again. Since then a number of things have changed in David’s life and on this episode we find out what happened to him, what he learned from the crash and where it took him. We also hear from Clinton Smout about dealing with the fear of a get-off and he has some tips that should help you overcome those fears.
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For most of his adult life, Mathew Sturtevant found himself so paralyzed with anxiety and fear that it limited him in almost everything he did. In search of a cure, he decided to face the dragon head on using ways that he knew would challenge him the most, a cross country motorcycle ride following the Trans America Trail where he would face remoteness, extreme weather, high altitudes and difficult riding conditions. His hopes were that by facing his fears using his motorcycle that he would gain his life and freedom back. For this adventure he enlisted two friends to go along with him and the plan was that he would document the trip and his transformation. Except it didn’t go as planned, he found himself unable to face his fears, unable to shake the anxiety and unable to be honest with his friends that had committed so much for this adventure.
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Motorcycle tire pressure settings are critical and for adventure motorcycles heading into the dirt it could make the difference between a fun ride or steady frustration, but does the perfect setting exist? Can we look at the chart, match our terrain and riding style to our payload and suspension, and then adjust our pressure to the recommended setting? Well not quite, but it may be a little easier than you think and to walk us through this we turned to two rider trainers with slightly different approaches. Bill Dragoo, although very technical minded, likes to keep it simple and has some great ideas he has developed for setting tire pressures he can live with. Chris Birch comes from a high level racing background and is very in touch with his tire pressures and how subtle changes make a difference in the way the bike feels. Both are top level rider trainers that will help put us on the straight and narrow for setting our off-road tire pressure on our adventure motorcycle.
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Jon Evans was at a low point in the adventure of life, having recently gone through a divorce, when a YouTube video caught his eye. By the time it was over Jon knew what he needed to do - go to India and ride the Himalayas. The question was how. He didn’t have a budget, so he searched for the cheapest way for him to have an adventure on a motorcycle in the Himalayas - a tour company. Not just any tour company but the cheapest tour company he could find. What he couldn’t know was just how much of an adventure it was going to be. And just what an impact it would have on him and his life.
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What if you could go on a motorcycle camping trip and not take any gear? Sean Burch did just that when he recently rode the South Carolina Adventure Route, and met up with his wife at the end of each day. And what if you could take your motorcycle to work with you and use it every chance you had? Scott DeMello is the Captain of a 50 meter super yacht and he gets to take his motorcycles with him to ride when he and his wife, the boat’s chef, are on shore leave. On this episode, we talk about two very different kinds of motorcycle travel, on land and sea.
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Ali Peberdy, retired motorcycle cop, has just returned from an eight week trip to Europe. Before she left, we spoke with Ali and she told us about some concerns she had, things like dropping her bike, going solo, age and breakdowns. Ali is back in the UK now and she has some stories to tell about the things she experienced on her trip, from the rude hotel receptionist to the mishap in the cornfield, and whether or not her trip concerns were valid.
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Riding a motorcycle downhill isn’t particularly difficult, but what does make it difficult and unnerving for many riders are the obstacles encountered on the hill. If it were just a steep slope with plenty of traction, the type you may have ridden in a parking garage or some other paved steep decent, it would be no problem. But in the dirt, surfaces are not flat, they don’t necessarily have good traction, they may have ruts, rocks, roots and a host of other obstacles that add to the challenge of riding downhill. On this episode of Rider Skills, Clinton Smout walks us through how to deal with each obstacle. Then he has some simple downhill riding exercises that you can practice with your own motorcycle at home, and you wont even need a hill.
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It all began with an image of a modern day Marlboro Man, rugged, weathered and on an adventure. The image that would eventually lead to the experience that Jeff and Kelly Traviss had on a dream trip that would demand every ounce of their stamina and endurance. They faced incredible discomforts and challenges, yet they clung to hope and knowing they had no choice but to push on they found the strength to continue. What happened and could they have done anything differently?
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The idea of riding a motorcycle around the world presents enough challenges for the average rider, there’s border crossings, break downs, logistics, and so many other things to consider. But, add to those challenges running a business while you’re on the road, raising funds for a charity you really care about, bringing a 75 pound German Shepherd with you, and fitting everything you need for work, your dog and camping on your bikes. These are some of the things Jess and Greg Stone have been dealing with but they’re having the time of their lives doing it. Now, it’s not always sunshine and roses, they’ve already had their share of troubles, but there isn’t anything going to stop them from riding around the world. Jim talks to Jess and Greg about how they do it, their outlook and we hear some amusing stories of things that have happened to them since they left Guatemala a few months ago.
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Spencer Conway and his wife, Cathy Nel, have a goal to circumnavigate all seven continents on Earth. So far Spencer has completed Africa, which most riders would consider to be the most difficult one and recently he and Cathy completed their circumnavigation of South America. And because Spencer does not stick to the main routes he often finds himself lost and has incredible experiences. In fact, he refuses to take a GPS with them just for that reason because he thinks that the key to a successful trip is to get lost every now and then. Spencer has come away with some fantastical tales of adventure and the troubles they’ve faced in South America, which he shares on this episode.
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