Podcasts about motorcyclists

Motorcycle traveller Andy Scherer was riding alone through a remote part of Mexico when a series of troubling encounters led to armed roadblocks—and his abduction. In this episode of Deep Trouble, Andy and his daughter Leslie share what happened, the decisions he faced and what other motorcycle travellers can learn from the experience.

Why a motorcycle first aid kit should be part of your riding gear — and why the kit itself is only part of being prepared.A motorcycle first aid kit often gets treated like an extra — something for remote trips, cautious riders, or people with medical training. But if riding motorcycles carries risk, then first aid should be part of the preparation. Not just a small pouch of bandages, but a kit that makes sense for motorcycling, the places we ride, and the situations we may come across.

Nearly 50 years after a magazine story planted the dream of crossing Australia by motorcycle, Allan Waldon finally set out to make it happen. Riding unsupported with his mate Adam on two small motorcycles, he faced more than 6,000 kilometres of remote desert, flooded roads, deep gravel, fierce winds and slippery red clay. This is the story of two riders crossing a continent—and one man proving it's never too late to pursue a lifelong dream.

We talk about getting keys made, Vintage Motorcycle Days prep, the demo brands headed to Mid-Ohio, flat track community suffers another loss, the Women Riders World Relay world record, Suzuki's new SV-7GX crossover, possibly the end of the road for Cycle World, a Yamaha hybrid scooter, and more... News starts @ 00:27:28 Music Pick: $10 Cowboy by Charley Crockett Check out our shirts & stickers! Recalls: Go check the NHTSA website or motohop.co/recalls News: Flat tracker Alyssa Kruppenbacker passes away at 14 AMA renames its Amateur Athlete of the Year Award to honor Dan Bromley Women Riders World Relay chases a world record Vintage Days demo rides announced - Harley, Honda, Royal Enfield & Suzuki Suzuki SV-7GX crossover confirmed for the US - and a stripped-down “Value” GXV Octane Media layoffs - the end of the road for Cycle World and Motorcyclist? Yamaha developing a hybrid twin-motor scooter 2027 AJP PR7 Adventure arriving in the US late summer VW restructuring fuels fresh Ducati sale rumors “We don't really need VW,” says Ducati's CEO Reference Links: Motorcycles & Misfits 683: On The Road with Liza and WR3 Wendy's Guinness record - 172k miles on a 2005 FJR 1300 Women Riders World Relay Suzuki SV-7GX (official)~~~~~~~~~ Email us at podcast@motohop.co Website: https://motohop.co Merch: https://motohop.co/merch Instagram: @motohop_ & @ms.motohop ========= Our Favorite Podcasts: Cleveland Moto Motorcycles & Misfits Noco Moto Creative Riding ========= Find the best AMSOIL products for your vehicles: https://motohop.co/oil

Chicago police are searching for the driver of a car involved in a hit-and-run crash that left a motorcyclist critically injured in the Old Irving Park neighborhood. The crash happened around midnight July 8 at Addison Street and Pulaski Road.

Reported 'microburst' storm moves through area, causes damage; Fire at poultry house brought under control; Motorcyclist injured in two-vehicle accident at Birdtown; Conway County OEM assists in locating missing Van Buren County man; Morrilton City Council, South Conway County School Board to meet, Menifee to discuss annexation; Morrilton High School facilitating new community service graduation requirement; AEDC seeking nominations for Opportunity Zone program; Five Razorback baseball players picked on first day of MLB draft; we visit with Dustin Taylor of Main Street Morrilton about this week's Third Thursday Farmer's Market.

Chicago police are searching for the driver of a car involved in a hit-and-run crash that left a motorcyclist critically injured in the Old Irving Park neighborhood. The crash happened around midnight July 8 at Addison Street and Pulaski Road.

Chicago police are searching for the driver of a car involved in a hit-and-run crash that left a motorcyclist critically injured in the Old Irving Park neighborhood. The crash happened around midnight July 8 at Addison Street and Pulaski Road.

In a world of GPS tracks and turn-by-turn directions, motorcycle orienteering brings riders back to paper maps, route choices, checkpoints, and discovery. Andrei Tuch explains how moto-orienteering works in Estonia, and why finding your own way can still be part of the adventure.

Motorcyclists made up 16 percent of Washington traffic fatalities over the last five years, despite being involved in just 3 percent of all crashes. Law enforcement agencies across Clark County will run High Visibility Enforcement patrols from July 10 through July 26, targeting dangerous behaviors by both riders and drivers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/increased-motorcycle-safety-patrols-coming-to-clark-county-july-10-26/ #TargetZero #MotorcycleSafety #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #TrafficSafety #RideSafeRideOn

Local news from Chester, including 1. Chester Zoo helping to save the rare Javan green magpie. 2. Firefighters' incidents in Chester. 3. Grosvenor Rowing Club commitment to making rowing accessible to everyone. 4. Proposed new housing estate in Tattenhall set to be approved. 5. Reopening of Chester City Baths' Pacific Pool. 6. 6 week summer of fun festival based at Chester cathedral. 7. Chester man jailed for online child sex offences. 8. Chester Zoo team collect cacti seeds in Chile for seedbank. 9. Chairman appointed to Blacon Project. 10. CWAC supports ASB Week. 11. The Blues new signing. 12. Mold primary school wins Welsh climate award for waste reduction work 13. Flintshire children invited to design Wales Deaf Rugby World Cup shirts. 14. Borderlands line passengers could be overpaying at station terminals, Flintshire councillor warns. 15. Bettisfield Colliery winding house collapses in Bagillt. 16. Motorcyclist stopped at 96mph on return trip to Wirral from North Wales found with illegal tyre. (Duration: 2:08:23)

Balance on a motorcycle is often treated like something a rider either has or does not have, but low-speed motorcycle balance is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and refined. Clinton Smout from SMART Performance Centre and host, Jim Martin, examine what happens when the bike slows down, how riders manage balance through steering, peg weighting, body position, acceleration, and foot placement, and what putting a foot down can reveal about motorcycle control, confidence, and riding skill.

The All Local for Monday, June 29th, 2026

How to Choose the Best Camping Setup for the Way You RideBefore you start comparing motorcycle tents, sleeping pads, stoves, chairs, pack sizes, and weights, there is an important question to answer. In this episode, Ben Williams from Moto Camp Nerd talks about a simple way to think through your motorcycle camping setup before you start buying gear, so your choices are based on the way you actually ride and travel, not just someone else's packing list. Michnus and Elsebie Olivier of PikiPiki Overland and Turkana Gear also share lessons learned from years of motorcycle travel, including what they've overpacked, what they've replaced, and what has earned a permanent place in their kit. It's a practical conversation about choosing gear with purpose, not just following the latest trends.

In the early 1980s, Nick Ienatsch was studying English at the University of Utah and working part-time at a Salt Lake City motorcycle dealership. He wrote a letter to Art Friedman, the editor of Motorcyclist magazine, asking for a job. Friedman hired Ienatsch in 1984, launching a two-wheel adventure that has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists. “All we did was think about motorcycles,” Ienatsch recalls of his early days in moto-journalism. “I lived with [fellow editors] Lance Holst and Jason Black; we started Sport Rider magazine. We lived together. We worked together. We raced together. Everything was motorcycling. All we wanted to do was ride motorcycles. There were a lot of crazy, funny times, but it was all bikes.” Ienatsch eventually transitioned from writing road tests to rider instruction, first with the Freddie Spencer High Performance Riding School and, since 2008, the Yamaha Champions Riding School. His 2003 book, “Sport Riding Techniques,” remains a must-read. Over a 40-plus-year career, Ienatsch's enthusiasm for motorcycling has never dimmed, burning brightly to this day. Connect with Us:Website: www.driventoridepodcast.comInstagram: www.Instagram.com/driventoridepodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/driventorideEmail:hello@driventoridepodcast.com

Why Robert Pirsig's Famous Motorcycle Book Mattered to Him — And Why it Didn'tTed Simon is best known as the author of Jupiter's Travels, one of the most influential motorcycle travel books ever written. Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is another book that has long held a strange place in motorcycling culture: widely known, often recommended, and perhaps just as often left unfinished. In this conversation, Ted talks about finally reading Pirsig's famous book and why it matters to him in a way listeners might not expect. Is it really a motorcycle book? Why has it stayed in the minds of riders for so many years? And what does motorcycle maintenance mean when the machine beneath you is not just a symbol, but the thing that determines whether the journey continues? What begins with one famous motorcycle book soon opens into Ted's own memories of travel, breakdowns, repair, and the very practical reality of keeping a journey alive when there is no easy answer and no one else to do the work.

Today is Friday, June 19, 2026. The Brainerd Dispatch Minute is a product of Forum Communications Co. and is brought to you by reporters at the Brainerd Dispatch. Find more news throughout the day at BrainerdDispatch.com.

Solo Motorcycle Travel Through South America with Lala BarlowLala Barlow was working in musical theatre in Melbourne, Australia, when the pandemic brought the industry to a halt. Drawn to motorcycles, mountains, and Patagonia, she spent years preparing for a solo motorcycle journey through South America, including a four-month shakedown ride across Australia. Lala shares what it takes to plan a major adventure, travel alone in unfamiliar countries, manage fear and uncertainty, and ride through Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, and Patagonia. A conversation about preparation, perseverance, and turning a dream into reality.Links & ResourcesPhotos, links, and resources for this episodeMore episodes: Adventure Rider Radio and RAWSupport the show: Support ARRFollow Adventure Rider RadioInstagramFacebookAbout the PodcastSince 2014, Adventure Rider Radio has shared adventure motorcycle travel stories, Rider Skills, Deep Trouble episodes, tech and gear features, and conversations with riders from around the world. New episodes of ARR are released every Thursday, with new episodes of RAW released monthly on the 21st. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

If you're having a midlife crisis but you're not buying a motorcycle, are you really having a midlife crisis? Send your questions to us via email: podcast@bmwmoa.org. The Ride Inside with Mark Barnes is brought to you by the BMW MOA Foundation and is on the web at BMWMOA.org.

As we celebrate 12 years of Adventure Rider Radio motorcycle podcast, we're bringing back a story that still resonates today. Drawn together by motorcycles and a shared curiosity about the world, Maryna Matthew and Paul Knibbs left behind the security of established careers to pursue a life of adventure. Their journey is a powerful reminder that some of life's greatest opportunities begin with a single decision: to stop waiting and simply say yes.Links & ResourcesPhotos, links, and resources for this episodeMore episodes: Adventure Rider Radio and RAWSupport the show: Support ARRFollow Adventure Rider RadioInstagramFacebookAbout the PodcastSince 2014, Adventure Rider Radio has shared adventure motorcycle travel stories, Rider Skills, Deep Trouble episodes, tech and gear features, and conversations with riders from around the world. New episodes of ARR are released every Thursday, with new episodes of RAW released monthly on the 21st. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

One of the most frightening situations a rider can face is realizing the bike won't slow down on a long, steep mountain descent. That's exactly what happened to Seth Cooper in Costa Rica. In this episode of DEEP TROUBLE, Seth shares how a rented KTM 690 Enduro R, an unfamiliar mountain road, and a series of seemingly manageable decisions combined to create a genuine survival situation. It's a story about risk, assumptions, bike condition, route choice, and how options can disappear faster than you expect.Links & ResourcesPhotos, links, and resources for this episodeMore episodes: Adventure Rider Radio and RAWSupport the show: Support ARRFollow Adventure Rider RadioInstagramFacebookAbout the PodcastSince 2014, Adventure Rider Radio has shared adventure motorcycle travel stories, Rider Skills, Deep Trouble episodes, tech and gear features, and conversations with riders from around the world. New episodes of ARR are released every Thursday, with new episodes of RAW released monthly on the 21st. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A Solo Motorcycle Journey Across Morocco, Europe, and the Sahara Desert in Search of Freedom, Simplicity, and a Slower Way of LivingWhat happens when someone who's spent a lifetime chasing schedules, productivity, and control suddenly trades it all for the uncertainty of the open road on a motorcycle? After retiring from finance, Rob Bridges set off alone across Morocco, Europe, and the Sahara Desert on a six-month motorcycle journey—only to discover that the hardest part of the adventure wasn't the riding, but learning how to slow down.Links & ResourcesPhotos, links, and resources for this episodeMore episodes: Adventure Rider Radio and RAWSupport the show: Support ARRFollow Adventure Rider RadioInstagramFacebookAbout the PodcastSince 2014, Adventure Rider Radio has shared adventure motorcycle travel stories, Rider Skills, Deep Trouble episodes, tech and gear features, and conversations with riders from around the world. New episodes of ARR are released every Thursday, with new episodes of RAW released monthly on the 21st. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Eva Strehler had already learned what drew her to the road on a motorcycle: freedom, movement, and a way of living outside the usual shape of things. Then she built a sidecar for her dog, Polly, and headed east. What followed was meant to be another long motorcycle journey — through Turkey, into Iran, and across landscapes that changed as quickly as the people she met along the way. But somewhere during the trip, the journey became about something else entirely. This is a conversation about travel, companionship, risk, solitude, and the moments that quietly change the meaning of a journey while you're still inside it.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Newfoundland and Labrador. On this episode of The Signal, a panel of motorcyclists highlight how road safety is everyone's responsibility as riding season begins. GUESTS - Lez Snow, Motorcycle Safety Coordinator for the Iceberg Alley Riders; Wayne Morgan, Chapter Director of the Iceberg Alley Riders; Ellen Thompson, Chapter Director of the Iceberg Alley Riders; David Moores, Motorcyclist traveller

What do you do when your adventure bike is buried in sand, lying sideways on a slope, or wedged deep in a rut miles from help? In this episode, Jim talks with Clinton Smout, Adam Owens, and Chris Birch about the mindset, techniques, and recovery tools riders use when things go wrong off-road. From smart trail-side decisions and energy-saving recovery methods to simple techniques that can turn a bad situation around, this episode is packed with practical knowledge every adventure rider should hear before they need it.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month... Bikers are 28-times more likely to be killed in an accident, but modern technology is making it safer to enjoy the open road (at 14:05) --- Don't look now, but Mother's Day is almost here... We'll help you find a gift that will be truly meaningful for mom (at 22:24) --- Another collection of recipes from Kyra's Kitchen (at 43:28)

Clif Holland shares a father-and-son motorcycle adventure that took an unexpected turn shortly after arriving at Big Bend National Park. After a 700-mile ride to reach the start of their backcountry route, the decision to explore before staging their gear set the tone for what followed. Riding a heavily loaded BMW R1200GS on remote backroads, Clif quickly found himself facing the challenges of sand, weight distribution, and the limited margin for error on big adventure bikes, which led to DEEP TROUBLE. We talk about backcountry riding and the importance of preparation, training, and testing your setup before tackling routes like the BDR.

We catch up with Gail Kjenstead for one last preview of the fast-approaching Red River Valley Motorcyclists Spirit of America Bike & Car Show this weekend at the Alerus Center! For more info on this weekend's big two-day show, visit their website - https://rrvmnd.org/ - or Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/RRVMND Show is recorded at Grand Forks Best Source. For studio information, visit www.gfbestsource.com – Or message us at bit.ly/44meos1 – Help support GFBS at this donation link - https://bit.ly/3vjvzgX - Access past GFBS Interviews - https://gfbsinterviews.podbean.com/  #gfbs #gfbestsource.com #grandforksnd #interview #local #grandforks #grandforksbestsource #visitgreatergrandforks @grandforksnd @THECHAMBERGFEGF #belegendary #followers #everyone

Luuk and Emma from the Netherlands are passionate dual-sport riders who have made it their mission to find that sweet spot between minimalist motorcycle travel and meaningful challenge. Riding their Honda CRF300L motorcycles, they're currently pushing themselves to travel as light as possible — aiming for just 9 kg of gear per person — while still tackling terrain that stretches their skills.

When the front tire starts to lose traction or the bike suddenly feels like it's about to go down, most riders react with some kind of defensive move that feels instinctively right. But is it? In this Rider Skills episode, Clinton Smout joins Jim Martin to look at what's really happening in those split-second moments when an adventure motorcycle starts to let go off-road — and why what feels like a save may not be one at all.

Four humans loop the far side of the Moon, splash down in the Pacific, and then say something that stops me cold: the most overwhelming part wasn't the Moon. It was Earth. After Artemis II, Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen describe a perspective shift that's hard to unsee, especially when Koch talks about the blackness of space and how Earth feels like a lifeboat hanging in the universe. That image turns “planet” into “shared home,” and it quietly raises a bigger question: what do we owe the only ship we've got? Today, we take that spaceflight awe and bring it down to street level, because you and I don't need a rocket to feel wonder. I talk about the moments that shaped my own sense of scale, from childhood trips to Colorado and first looks at the Rocky Mountains to decades of riding the American West by motorcycle. Out on the open road, you're not watching life through glass. You're inside the weather, the silence, the distance, and the mystery, and that full-immersion ride can feel like moving meditation. We also get practical about stress and modern life. When schedules, bills, and bad news start to close in, sometimes the best reset is simple: a long ride with no plan, a little time for wonder, or even just stepping outside at night to look up at the stars. If you've been craving a mindset shift, this one's for you. Subscribe, share this with a riding buddy, and leave a review with your favorite road that brings you back to gratitude.Support the showTags:  Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.

Planning a motorcycle trip? Whether you're riding close to home or heading off on a long-distance adventure, the right advice can make all the difference. In this episode, we've curated the best motorcycle travel tips and adventure riding advice from past conversations—bringing together practical insights from experienced riders who have spent years on the road. Featuring renowned motorcycle adventurers Sam Manicom, Tiffany Coates, and Michnus andElsebie Oliver, this episode covers essential motorcycle trip planning, packing tips, travel mindset, and real-world lessons from life on two wheels. Whether you're preparing for your first motorcycle tour or you're a seasoned adventure rider, these expert tips will help you plan smarter, pack better, and ride with confidence. Because when it comes to motorcycle travel, the best way to prepare… is to learn from those who've already done it.

Motorcyclists around the country are putting their registrations on hold in protest at rising ACC levies. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Corin Dann.

Putting together the right toolkit can make all the difference when you're out riding—especially on an adventure bike, where help isn't always close by. We talk about how to build an efficient setup, from choosing what actually belongs in your kit to organizing it so it's easy to use when it matters most. The conversation covers how to prepare for unpredictable issues like flat tires, leaks, and bent or broken parts, along with the often-overlooked supplies that can save the day during a roadside or trailside repair. Along the way, Jim talks with Clinton Smout from SMART Performance Centre about building a toolkit around the jobs you're most likely to face, and we're joined by Matthew Kunz from Obsidian Adventure Gear to look at compact, bike-specific tool systems designed to keep you prepared without carrying half the garage.

Mexico is one of the easiest international adventures for riders from the U.S. and Canada—close enough to reach without a major expedition, yet different enough to feel like true travel. From Baja desert tracks to mountain twisties, high country, and coastal roads, the riding is as varied as the culture, food, and landscapes. Spencer Conway has spent the past several years living in Mexico and riding more than 66,000 kilometres through 24 states. Speaking from his home in Oaxaca, he shares what makes Mexico such a compelling destination for motorcycle travel, why he stayed, what many riders miss about traveling there, and why the country offers far more depth and variety than most riders realize.

There's a side of motorcycle training almost no one talks about — the mental pressure of learning new skills in front of other riders. Why can training make you feel like you've suddenly gotten worse before you get better? Why does confidence sometimes drop even when your skills are improving? Through rider Erik Wilkinson's experience, along with insights from expert trainer Chris Birch and Monica Birch, we explore what's really happening in your mind during training — and how to manage it so you come out a stronger, more confident rider.

Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with Zenith Irfan to discuss the importance of being the first female Pakistani motorcyclist to ride across Pakistan, and how her father's dream led her to embark on the journey on a 70cc Honda. Zenith also dives into her top tips for visiting the country, including geography, what to wear, eat, and drink, and what to expect in various regions of Pakistan. 

Motorcycles aren't meant to back up. If they were, they'd all come with reverse. Sometimes, turning around requires a little creativity—especially on dead-end trails, in parking lots, on hills, or even in your garage. In this episode of RIDER SKILLS, we have Clinton Smout walking us through a number of turnaround methods. Some you might expect, while others may raise your eyebrows—but all of them can be useful tools in your rider skills toolbox.

On a mountain road on Colorado's Guanella Pass, motorcyclist Adam Lamb spots a moose stepping out of the brush. Two seconds later, he's airborne, both arms broken and stranded off the road without cell service. Just behind him is Roger Matthews—a board-certified physician and search-and-rescue volunteer—who arrives and immediately begins managing the scene. In this episode, Adam recounts the moments leading up to the crash while Roger explains how he approached scene safety, organized bystanders, and assessed Adam's injuries as they waited for help to arrive. We explore wildlife hazards, speed and stopping distance, emergency braking, and why first aid training and preparation can make a critical difference when riding remote roads.

Nasiru Ibrahim — an architect from Nigeria and a new adventure rider — sets out on his first true motorcycle journey with a simple idea: ride his Yamaha Ténéré to the Ténéré Desert. It's an ambitious first trip, fueled by equal parts curiosity and confidence. Heading north through regions where the language and culture feel familiar, he anticipates the usual challenges — long distances, fatigue, border crossings, and the uncertainties of travelling solo. Instead, a routine stop in a small desert town leads to his arrest and detention in a politically tense region. What follows is a two-week ordeal far from home, as he navigates uncertainty, bureaucracy, and the stark realization of how quickly an adventure can take an unexpected turn.

Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with adventure motorcyclist, author, and traveler Heather Lea to discuss the realities of long-term travel. Topics include navigating new relationships, complex logistics, the joys and challenges of riding as a woman, and encountering the kindness of strangers along the way.

Motorcycles have evolved, and with that evolution comes more electronics — including CAN bus systems that many riders still misunderstand. If you've ever seen a mysterious warning light or struggled with adding accessories like auxiliary lights, you've probably heard CAN bus blamed. In this episode, we break down what CAN bus actually is, why it's not the enemy of customization, and how modern systems can actually create more opportunity for riders who understand them.

What happens when two seasoned overland riders trade full-size adventure bikes for 50cc, 50-year-old two-strokes? German engineers Bea Höbenreich and Helmut Koch set out to prove that real motorcycle adventure isn't about horsepower or gear—it's about mindset. From Australia's punishing outback to Cape York's legendary Old Telegraph Track, they battled bike drownings, deep sand, brutal creek crossings, and relentless headwinds on the smallest machines in the landscape.

There's something about being on a motorcycle that just feels right — in ways that are hard to explain, but easy to recognize. Not long ago on the show, cognitive scientist Mark Changizi, author of Motorcycle Mind, talked about how riding a motorcycle is unlike anything else we do, because the physics involved mean the bike responds directly to your body — your balance, your inputs, your movement — reacting instantly, almost like a hybrid of human and machine moving as one. That connection sharpens focus and pulls you fully into the moment, and according to Changizi, it can change how our brains process space, motion, and risk. Those changes don't necessarily stop when the bike is shut off, and for some people, riding becomes a place to return to — a way forward when other things aren't working, a focus when life is closing in — and that idea sits at the center of today's episode, as Rusty David shares his story.This episode contains a brief reference to suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

10th Anniversary of the show (and indeed, the Network)! On this exact date, 10 years ago, we started our oHOTmu or NOT? adventure. And today... A goddess who loves her enemy. A rocky clobberer. The God of Thunder. Motorcyclists. A warrior from the future. Which are Hot? Which are Not? Find out, as the Hot Squad continues its coverage of OHOTMU's 13th issue and reveals how datable its characters are. Featuring permanent panelists Isabel, Nathalie, Josée, Shotgun, and Amelie. Listen to Episode 111 below (the usual mature language warnings apply), or subscribe to oHOTmu OR NOT? on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Relevant images and further credits at: oHOTmu or NOT ep.111 Supplemental This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK! Visit our WEBSITE: https://fireandwaterpodcast.com/ Like our FACEBOOK page: https://www.facebook.com/FWPodcastNetwork Use our HASHTAG online: #FWPodcasts Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fwpodcasts Subscribe via iTunes as part of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK. And thanks for leaving a comment.

Adventure riding has a strange relationship with risk. We prepare, carry tools, research routes, ride with friends, and do everything we can to stack the odds in our favour on adventure motorcycle rides. But every now and then, something appears that wasn't on the map or in the plan, and it shows up faster than we can process it. In those moments, the problem isn't just the obstacle itself, but what happens next. This story takes place on a remote stretch of Nevada's historic Pony Express Trail, a well-known backcountry route for adventure riders—experienced riders, familiar terrain, and a route travelled for generations. It's the kind of ride where preparation feels like it should be enough, until it isn't, and decisions suddenly matter in ways you don't expect when riding far from help.

Gravel riding makes many motorcycle riders uneasy — not because the bike is out of control, but because it doesn't behave the way pavement has trained us to expect. The front wanders, the bars move, braking distances grow, and the instinct is to hold on tight and slow down — usually making things worse. On this episode of Rider Skills, we break gravel riding down into four clear lessons: how to let the bike move without panicking; how throttle, braking, and electronics change traction on loose surfaces; how to read gravel roads and choose lines intentionally; and why braking and cornering with limited traction is not only possible, but fun.

In 2003, Bryan Jones and his wife, Max, joined a guided motorcycle tour through Cambodia, expecting a challenging but well-run adventure motorcycle trip through jungles, villages, and remote roads. What they got instead was something very different — aging bikes, a guide who kept disappearing, and a journey that quickly became unpredictable.

In December 2019, Lisa and Simon Thomas left their motorcycles and gear in the United States, planning to return after a short trip home to the UK. More than six years later, those bikes are still there — and their lives have gone in a very different direction. This episode lives in the space between what was planned and what actually happened. We talk about building a life around long-term travel, what happens when health intervenes, and the emotional cost of stopping after years on the move. Lisa and Simon share what it's like to lose — and rebuild — identity, confidence, and purpose when the thing that defines you suddenly disappears. And through it all, we explore why motorcycles still matter.