Feeling Tall - From North to South America

Well that is the end of my North American
adventure. After 16,000 miles, 44 riders, 2 casualties, 6 breakdowns and Nick Sanders to deal with over 8 weeks you would think I was glad to see the back of it! Not so! I enjoyed the US more than I thought I would and despite having very little time to myself (something I cherish) over that time I thoroughly enjoyed everyone's company. I have have made some great new friends and learnt a little more about myself along the way. It's funny how you get used to moving from day to day and it was a great insight in to how I might feel during my world trip next year. It has given me a little more confidence and that can't be a bad thing at this stage! If you are thinking of riding the US then I would recommend you don't just stick to Route 66. It's nice to see but it's a cliche and there are far far better roads to ride either on your own or as part of a group. You can do far worse than taking Nick's incredible USA tour. However, it is not for the faint hearted. You will cover up to 520 miles per day and will have to be prepared to ride unguided at times. Of course you will have a road book and back up vehicle but this is no coach tour.It's an expedition. Be prepared! The sense of achievement you will feel on completing this mammoth road trip will be priceless! 8,000 miles in 3 weeks covering some of the best America has to offer. Coast to coast to coast. To book for next year or find out more info visit Red Moto Adventures

Highway 58 with Fastest Man around the world

I dont often do pillion riding. However riding on the back of Nick Sanders on Highway 58 was an awesome experience (and I don’t use that word lightly). As I have said before, Highway 58 is very understated and yet Nick will tell you it is one of his favorite roads in the world.  Caroline kindly gave up her seat for the afternoon and left us with the words “No showing off” ringing in our ears as we blasted off on route to Bakersfield from the Smoke house is Cayucos on the west coast. I can take or leave Highway 1 to be honest. It’s nice but that’s all it is. Nice! For me it is too busy. I was itching to get back to Higway 58 where I had had so much fun a month before riding it in the truck. Nick kindly offered to let me experience it on a bike this time around and so my co driver took over and Caroline jumped in with him.

As always when you really need your go pro the battery dies and I am left with nothing to do but enjoy the ride. We start off at a fairly sedate speed, warming up, enjoying the views which were draped in this beautiful golden light due to combination of the evening sun and the sandy colour of the hills around us. Then we go! What a buzz. I didn’t feel unsafe at any stage despite the lack of control on my part and the speeds reaching 110mph.

We blasted around the tightest of corners scraping the panniers as we lent and took off over the roller coaster section which is just the best bit of road ever. I felt privileged to be riding it with Nick because he made damn sure we made the most of it. I could not have been happier. This was just perfect!

We rode for 3 hours until we hit Bakersfield in the dark. The support truck was nowhere to be seen and so I went for my cold beer in my riding gear. Hot, sweaty and happy!!

This road is a must do if you ever find yourself in the area! Do it! Do not take an alternative route. This is a no brainer! Trust me!

Salt Flats revisited

So after a first few days of what seemed like everything being thrown at us, I am pleased to report that the bikes are now behaving, the weather is being kind and all riders are fit and well (no worse than when they started anyway!). Adventure isn’t Paved – even on a road trip!

How do I feel 10 days in to my second trip around America? Actually pretty damn good. 11,500 miles under my belt and it hardly shows at all!! Pah! I feel good, I feel confident and I have now just set myself up for a fall by saying that!!!! 

I was worried I would not be able to find the enthusiasm but it is actually great to go around again. I am loving the people watching and that is just within the group. Very interesting to watch the dynamics changing as the trip goes on and of course they are very different people to the first group so this all makes for a whole new adventure for me!