"I thought I'd try and see if there was a dictionary or encyclopaedia definition for 'adventure motorcycling' or 'adventure motorcyclist' but there doesn't appear to be one... so that got me to thinking... perhaps we should write up a definition for wikipedia?"


The Tao that has a name is not the Tao

Time to move on.

and nothing at all to do with motorcycling. Why?

This largely BMW crowd

I would prefer to qualify as a Motorcycle Traveler.

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

where other people already live.

Unfortunately MollyDog, well said. I listen with envy to my Dad's motorcycle exploits when in the '40's, he and his friends toured around Europe and there was no one, and they camped in farmer's fields. Now the 'middle of nowhere' is becoming harder and harder to find. What I've learnt is anywhere there's a road, tourists are often right around the border... and alas, I'm one of them.
Lorraine

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Yes I see your point Patrick - it was actually Mr Simon who got me thinking about this, as half way through his book he raises the question himself - is he really doing this thing right by staying in hotels - he answers it pretty well - of course he bloody is!

For my part I've found myself getting more and more caught up in the preparation for the trip - I enjoy the prep as much as going - I love devouring all the books, the magazine articles, wandering around camping shops looking at the latest gadget... I'm not made of money but I have spent a fair bit of dosh on kit I'm sure I'll end up leaving at home next time.

It's also become a bit of a competition between riderssometimes I think... 'well I have the XDGHBNSISSS GPS system that integrates GHT with ITH and OWN and then calls my wife to get the coffee on when I'm back in the country'... and that makes me laugh - but I wonder if I'm any better sometimes.

The biggest adventure I've ever been on was when I was 14, 4 of us from school threw our tents and rucksacks on our back and disappeared into the Breacon Beacons for a fortnight - we didn't buy any food, drink or anything else whilst we were up there - we stayed away from any kind of civilisation and had an amazing time - we ate off the land, cleaned ourselves in rivers and spent our time just wandering in the middle of no-where....

Sometimes I think all I've done since then is to re-create that experience.


m

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I've just finished reading Ella maillart's "Forbidden Journey" (recommended, by the way). As she set out she wrote home to say "don't expect to hear from us for six months, and don't worry until a year has passed". That is adventure, but it can no longer be done; there is nowhere in the world where you could be so isolated for so long.

When I was still at school I went to the coast with friends several times, but I regard my first real trip as being a journey from Slough to Stafford to see Thin Lizzy. For the first time I was travelling alone and to an area I didn't know. On setting out I was apprehensive but excited, and on my return I felt I had grown by pushing my own comfort zone.

I know all I have done since then is trying to re-create that experience. The difference is that I am (much) older and (maybe slightly) wiser so my comfort zone has grown. Thus to get the same satisfaction I need to go further.

I am also aware that my children need a father more than I need that satisfaction, so I am no longer as adventurous. Perhaps that will change when they are both old enough to stand on their own two feet, or perhaps it won't.

Nailed it... 100% spot on!!!

Now I know I may get the boot for this.. But this weekend i realised that I am not a Motorcycle Traveler.. Just a traveler that prefers to do it by bike.. this is only because most of my travel has been on foot and I would prefer to travel by foot then not at all... I love overlanding.. and will do it anyway i can.. even by car/bus if i have too... So for me it is the Where and What not so much the how...


please can i have my bike back now?

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Xander,

Please leave your Africa Twin outside and your riding gear at the door, someone will be by to pick it up shortly.

ROFL!!!

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BUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

Ye Gods !

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Lorraine, don't forget that while others are talking about it you are out there doing it and being true to yourself, and were doing so before it started to become fashionable. While you may not get the public recognition that Ted (great bloke) and others get, you are no less worthy of respect - from me at least - for what it's worth!

I agree that it's a current marketing term. People are willing to spend money for what's perceived by others as adventure. I'm not sure what limits are possible. Probably the usual: Milk it until dry and then move on to something else.

Good rant, Patrick.

Nice shorty comment, peter. With few exceptions, someone else has gone before. No, we aren't special.

I'll also agree with the 'being a traveler' comments.

Are you buying something, selling something, or doing what you do because it just plain gives you wood?
A mode of living, perhaps?
Some people are more curious than others, and they often look for things out of the norm.
A drink at Senor Frogs or a cold cerveza under a crappy palapa in a fishing village? Having choices are nice.

I don't disparage any person who seeks adventure in their own way.

I find this can be very uncomfortable on the bike, unless of course that's the 'adventurer' part?

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Should we have to drink our own urine, perform self-amputations, etc to qualify as an adventurist? Hah, i reckon if it's an adventure to you relative to your existing lifestyle then that's what counts. Why do we have to justify ourselves in order to please others? It's the old "i don't acknowledge scooterists on the road - they're not bikers" train-of-thought, if we use 2 (or 3) wheels to get around, having to cope with inclement weather/dopey tin-box drivers/iffy roads etc then we're all bikers.
PS. i'm not a scooterist, but i sure admire those i see buzzing along the motorway loaded up to the hilt to attend a rally on the other side of the country - at 40mph...
Just my two-penneth-worth!

It is an interesting question, to me, if the ride excites you, then it is an adventure. Maybe too simplistic for some.