Good luck both...my wife n me are planning a rtw from april 2014...shall follow ur blog..ride safe!

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Hi aditya raj kapoor:

That is GREAT!! I hope you and your wife have an amazing time! If you have any questions or need any help you can always ask (and Horizons Unlimited is the BEST source of help and information on the internet)!

Take care, ride safe, and keep in touch.

-Mike and jasmine

__________________
Mike of Mikes World Tour
http://www.mikesworldtour.com
Samurai-Rider
http://samurai-rider.com/
SEE WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW! http://www.mikesworldtour.com/locate/

Living Our Dream Tour (Part V) – BMW MOA International Rally, Salem, OR

I don’t often go to rally's. I’m not for them, I'm not against them. I usually find myself just missing them or off riding somewhere else when I hear about them. There are a handful that I have made it a point to go to since they specifically target adventure riding (Touratech Rally Germany, Horizions Unlimited – Cambria, CA, and of course the BMW Motorbike Days, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany). So, when my wife's editor asked her to go to the 41st Annual BMW MOA International Rally in Salem, OR, I was very interested to see what it would be like.

Both I and my wife had a great time! The facilities, the vendors, the speakers, the entertainment, the weather & the food all combined to give everybody something to do and see with fellow BMW enthusiasts. It gave us the opportunity to make new friends and meet up with some friends that we have only corresponded with over the internet.

How to properly fit a helmet – Nolan Helmets


The USA counterpart to BMW BIKES Japan – on of the magazines my wife works for


Simon and Lisa Thomas (2ridetheworld.com)


Great food at the BMW MOA


Feeding eveybody!


One of the little bonuses about having the BMW MOA International Rally in Oregon was the “NO Sales Tax” offered on items purchased at the Rally. With the additional savings of “NO Sales Tax” I could not resist the opportunity to upgrade both my and my wife's suspension to Ohlins.

(Öhlins performance suspension, shocks, struts, and dampers home)


Discussing suspension options with Matt from Ohlins


One of the best seminars I attended was the “ADV Setup for Prime Off-Road Riding” by Jeremy LeBrenton. The information was well presented and very informative. And I never pass up the chance to see “How to Change a Tire Anytime, Anywhere!” by Grant & Susan Johnson.

“ADV Setup for Prime Off-Road Riding” by Jeremy LeBrenton


For my wife, I would say she enjoyed the “Women Who Ride – By Women Riders, for Women Riders” by Heidi Still. My wife not only attended this meeting she was also given the opportunity to speak for a few moments to describe our current adventure.

Samurai-Rider checking out “Women Who Ride – By Women Riders, for Women Riders” by Heidi Stil


Samurai-Rider speaking for a few moments to describe our current adventure


I don't know where we will be next year, but if I have the chance I will definitely attend the 42nd BMW MOA, St. Paul, Minnesota, July 24-27, 2014

__________________
Mike of Mikes World Tour
http://www.mikesworldtour.com
Samurai-Rider
http://samurai-rider.com/
SEE WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW! http://www.mikesworldtour.com/locate/

Living Our Dream Tour (Part VI) – The Adventure Rider Family

While at the BMW MOA in Salem, OR, I had the chance to meet Mel. He got me in touch with a amazing mechanic (Alyx of Alyxmoto). He also offered space on his property should we be passing through the Chehalis, WA, area. We were; and, as we got close, I gave Mel a call. He not only offered us space on his property, he let us use the shower and bed in his 'Toy Hauler' he had parked in his driveway as-well-as a fantastic dinner and company (with he and his wife Jo) and breakfast in the morning! My wife is new to the Adventure Riding Lifestyle, the little things that we take for granted every day, like a hot shower and soft warm bed, are an amazing gift to give. Thank you Mel and Jo for a wonderful stay and we hope to return your generosity in the future. Ride safe and keep in touch.

__________________
Mike of Mikes World Tour
http://www.mikesworldtour.com
Samurai-Rider
http://samurai-rider.com/
SEE WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW! http://www.mikesworldtour.com/locate/

Living Our Dream Tour (Part VII) – The Adventure Rider Family Grows!

While getting some service on my bike from Alyxmoto we found out that we did not have a part he needed to complete the task (a water pump). Since Alyx does some contract work for Ferndale, BMW, I called ahead and had the part shipped to their location. Alyx asked where I would go while I waited for the pump to arrive (of course this 'part not available during repairs' happened on a Saturday!). I told him we would just look for a campsite. Alyx asked if I was interested in staying on a Blueberry Farm. Blueberrys... Of course! After a few minutes on the phone all the arrangements had been made and I was going to stay with friends of Alyx on the “Eastview Blueberry Farm” [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eastvi...3937836006623]. Jasmine and I were guests of Dave, Leah, Peter and Jenny. One of my favorite TV shows is “How Its Made” and now I get the chance to live it and learn where and how blueberries are picked and processed. In addition to this very neat adventurer my wife was once again pampered with a soft bed, hot shower, good food, and internet access – which came in handy to finish an article for 'Girls Biker' magazine.

What made this stay special is that everyone in the family is a GS owner. Dave 1200GS. Peter... 1150GS. Leah... 650GS Twin. Jenny... 650GS Single.

__________________
Mike of Mikes World Tour
http://www.mikesworldtour.com
Samurai-Rider
http://samurai-rider.com/
SEE WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW! http://www.mikesworldtour.com/locate/

Living Our Dream Tour (Part VIII) – Seattle, British Columbia, the Yukon

Working our way North we have had the opportunity to meet some great people and enjoy some amazing scenery. Here are a few photos for you to enjoy.

Meeting Chad Yoshitomi – Represented the USA for the 2012 GS Trophy in South Africa


Farmers Market – Seattle, WA


The Space Needle – Seattle, WA


Helping out and learning about Blueberries – “Eastview Blueberry Farm” [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eastvi...3937836006623]
I was probably more hazard then help... sorry about the horn guys!


Samurai-Rider – Loving her new seat


Riding with new friends – [Dave, Leah] North Cascades NP


Playing around in Winthrop, WA


Close to Canada Port of Entry Nighthawk, Similkameen Rd., WA 98827


Close to Canada Port of Entry Nighthawk, Similkameen Rd., WA 98827


Our arrival in Canada. Samurai-riders first new country by motorbike


The lumber industry in Canada


Off the beaten path – The Packing House Cafe. Spences Bridge, British Columbia – Great Food!


Acacia Grove R.V. Park – Spences Bridge, British Columbia


Acacia Grove R.V. Park – Spences Bridge, British Columbia


Acacia Grove R.V. Park – Spences Bridge, British Columbia


Acacia Grove R.V. Park – Spences Bridge, British Columbia


Williams Lake, British Columbia


And I though Samurai-Rider had a lot of gear...!


Samurai-Rider cooking skills – Udon Noodles... Yummy!!


Smithers, BC – we arrived for their Centennial celebrations. Samurai-Rider got to sit on a horse for the first time in here life (she did not have the opportunity to ride anywhere because the horse was in an event, but still an exciting moment for her).


Smithers, BC – Centennial celebrations.


Smithers, BC – a little riverside yoga at the Riverside RV Park and Camping


Smithers, BC – Samurai-Rider and her many flavors of Japanese salt.


Smithers, BC – early morning motorbikes.


LeeAyna – rocking the Doggles


Russell and Michelle & LeeAyna – adding the the ADVRider Family


Mountain Shadow RV Park & Campground Mountain Shadow RV Park & Campground | RV Park Camping and Cabins | Iskut | Cassiar Highway


Mountain Shadow RV Park & Campground Mountain Shadow RV Park & Campground | RV Park Camping and Cabins | Iskut | Cassiar Highway


Mountain Shadow RV Park & Campground Mountain Shadow RV Park & Campground | RV Park Camping and Cabins | Iskut | Cassiar Highway


Mountain Shadow RV Park & Campground Mountain Shadow RV Park & Campground | RV Park Camping and Cabins | Iskut | Cassiar Highway


Rumors of GlobeBusters on The Stewart-Cassiar Highway were true – this is Bridget


Along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway


Along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway


Along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway


Entering the Yukon Territory


Sign Post Forrest - Watson Lake, YT


Sign Post Forrest - Watson Lake, YT


A mini-Moose (I am sure it is much bigger up close)


Some very cool adventurers toyota-adventure


Some very cool adventurers toyota-adventure


Teslin, YT, Canada


Whitehorse, YT, Canada – Robert Service Campground


Whitehorse, YT, Canada


SS Klondike – Whitehorse, YT, Canada


Whitehorse, YT, Canada


Whitehorse, YT, Canada

__________________
Mike of Mikes World Tour
http://www.mikesworldtour.com
Samurai-Rider
http://samurai-rider.com/
SEE WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW! http://www.mikesworldtour.com/locate/

Hi Mike & Jasmine,

Sorry to hear about the incident with your wife Jasmine. I felt that she is in good spirit and will continue to fulfill your DREAMs.

BTW, I'm new to this forum and found you as I'm browsing the site. I'm not sure if you still remember me when we met at Ballarat during the Rawhide Rally in '2005. Our tent where side-by-side and glad to help you replacing your rear tire before you took off towards with your BIG Dreams.

Wishing Jasmine for her quick recovery...

Ride safe,
Gery

Living Our Dream Tour (Part IX) – “Living Our Dream” vs. “Living Our Reality”

The sun was shining, the temperature was comfortable (even in our riding suits and helmets), the views were amazing – we even saw a bear... Then reality set in. On August 11th, twelve miles outside of Tok, Alaska, Samurai-Rider (my wife) hit a gravel patch on a chip-seal surfaced road and lost control of her front wheel at approximately 50-55 miles per hour. Unfortunately, before she hit the ground and could begin to slide, the front wheel ran out of loose gravel and made contact with solid surface. The front wheel grabbed and threw the bike, tail over front, on an almost sideways angle and pitched my wife over the bike – who landed on her face and left shoulder*. The surface change – along with the speed – gripped the front wheel so completely that it ripped the left fork away from the center axle.

Hearing this all happen over my helmet intercom was worse than getting punched in the face. Hearing my wife scream and every sound of pain as she tumbled down the highway was a very unpleasant experience that I hope never to repeat. (This entire incident was much worse for my wife, who amazingly was more worried about me than herself.) I turned around and raced back to her as quick as I could.

She did not loose consciousness and had no life-threatening cuts or internal damage (we would find out later that she did break her left shoulder in 4 places and cracked it in 3 places). At this moment I can not stress enough how good it was that we were in full riding gear – head to toe, helmets to boots and everything in between. If she had one piece of this gear missing her injuries would have been much more serious if not fatal.

It's never good to crash your motorbike; however, crashing 12 miles outside of Tok, AK, turned out okay. Five minutes after the crash a SUV came down the road and the woman inside offered an amazing amount of assistance. She drove my wife to the medical clinic in Tok and sent both the State Police and Tow Truck back to me. Robyn took many hours out of her day to make sure both my wife and I were taken care of. Her generosity was phenomenal!

The next day we were able to get my wife and my wife's bike to Fairbanks, AK, and dropped off at the BMW Dealer – The Outpost Alaska (The Outpost Alaska) where we got an estimate for repairs and worked out the details with my insurance company; and, sought preliminary treatment for my wife's shoulder and made arrangements to fly to my parents home in Pennsylvania to give my wife plenty of time to heal.

With major construction over the next five years (on the USA side) and over 100 miles of gravel road (on the Canadian side) “The Top Of The World Highway” and “The Taylor Highway” between Dawson City, YT, Canada, and Tok, AK, USA, is a challenging ride and I am so very proud of what my wife accomplished. With everything that happened I can easily understand if my wife wanted to quit motorbike riding all together. However, her spirit is not easily broken. She has already told me that she wants to ride again and see all the US States by motorcycle, but would like to get some additional rider training (specifically off-road training).

Our “Living Our Dream” tour is now on temporary hold, but we hope to be back on the road as-soon-as possible. I would just like to say “Thank You” to all our friends, old and new, who have showed us such wonderful generosity and support.

Thank you, ride safe, and keep in touch.

-Michael and Jasmine (Samurai-Rider)

*I was riding in front of my wife when the accident happened – I am piecing the accident details together from my wife’s account, damage to the motorcycle and her gear, the marks left on the road, along with what the State Trooper could piece together from the same information. Photos taken at my wife’s request.

__________________
Mike of Mikes World Tour
http://www.mikesworldtour.com
Samurai-Rider
http://samurai-rider.com/
SEE WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW! http://www.mikesworldtour.com/locate/