Dan,
I feel privileged that you responded to my post (although the other posts have much more depth). Believe it or not I have heard of you. In fact I read your article in Bike magazine last week. I don't understand half of what you say but enjoyed reading it just the same. I'm not sure whether you’re a literary genius or just spend most of the day thumbing through your pocket dictionary.

Your comments almost come across as what I would characterize as a "Dream Krusher", MikeBike Dictionary Def: "One who taunts and superimposes outlandish unsubstantiated societal expectations on another’s dreams for self actuating purposes"

It could be said that quitting one's job, hopping on a bike, and skirting all responsibilities in the absence of planning, and common sense is adventurous. Or it may be characterized as selfish and shallow. Is my approach better; Plan, gather information, search for the right riding partners, solicit other more experienced riders for help? I can't really say, but I have my approach, you have yours. Would it be righteous to criticize you just because you take a different path? I would argue not. I applaud your adventure, and would step up to help your cause in a moments notice if needed. Dan, your a ball crusher and that's why many of us are enamored with your writing. One thing that I like about you Dan, is that you speak before you think. Come to think about it that is how I am. Man do we have a lot in common. I am extremely stoked to see your response to my post....and believe we might very well travel together some day, and we could even exchange witty idioms!

1. You know what they say: "Better to be known for something, than never known." I guess my work is done here. LOL.

2. I take it that your comment is a form of writers’ comic relief. NO, I'm not kidding, this is me, my style, what you see is what you get, my humor might be dry, and make you cry, but it’s not arid extra dry, see the service desk for your refund, guy!

3. This is strait up. I did meet to talk with a "Life Purpose Consultant". Her name is Nancy. She says you may have a lot of problems to work through too. Bottled up anger, repressed child hood, you know all that physiological mumble jumble crap.

4. Keep in mind that I'm not just looking for an Adventure but a "soulful recognition of my heartfelt promise to journey on"; basically a Purpose in Life, a reason to get out of the house, to explore the world....as long as it doesn't take more than 40 days. Really now do I have to explain it to you. I don't want to miss the important stuff. I don't have time to read all the guide books cover to cover. I want to engage with other travelers, hear their tales, and become a WORLD TRAVELER. Besides, I only have one chance to see Central & South America, as my next trip will be to Africa!!!!!

5. So let me get this strait. You never go to the movies? You haven't seen ANY of the Motorcycle Adventure flicks? Have you been voted in as official HUBB spokesperson? How can you say "We don't need your film, we're living it?" Do you dare judge our adventure before you even see it? Shallow. SHAllow. SHALLOW. Maybe I can get You (DAN WALSH), Ted Simon, and Charlie Borman to make the run with me? Now that would be a movie worth seeing.

6. No disrespect to Grant & Susan. But they were the newbie once to. I'm sure they would agree that this website is far from perfect. All of us can improve, even if just a little. Of all the websites this one may score high in content but it needs a hearty dose of upgrade to be perfect. My site will likely not be any better, probably not even close...heck, I don't even have a functional website yet.

7. I don't get it! What are you talking about? How does Pilates apply here? I'm sorry to be the one to break the news to you:

a. Motorcycle travel IS the "The Next Big Thing"-The numbers of cross continent travel is growing each year and at a surprising rate. Well that's how I feel anyway. No facts, data or references to stand on; besides having official documentation would be veering too close to that capitalist thingy.

b. I think that motorcycle adventures could actually be the kabbalah, at least expressed by your words oh holy one. LOL. Never could picture myself as a monk either.

c. Come on, you write for Bike. What else clogs up the works and contributes to the Addictive System more than this sub culture? We buy bikes we don't need, travel where we don't have to go, waste precious natural resources bleaching, printing, and dumping a bunch of egotistical, corporate profit making, propaganda, pictures and words that do nobody any good.

d. If this is your concept of self-sufficiency then we are all doomed. Maybe you meant sustainability? But that hope burned up with the industrial revolution. Our cause today is Individualism not community. Which is what I hope our adventure movie will show. We are all in this together; let’s arrive with smiles on everyone’s face.

e. If you really want to see “how and who you are away from the safety nets of sat phones and breakdown trucks and travel guides”, then go and work five years for the Peace Corp, or perform some other dignified act. Driving around the world embellishing everything in your path isn't exactly a holistic and healing mantra.

8. If riding to self destruction is the adventure's way of life, I definitely don't want it. If you don't care about the cameras why do you write for Bike? Posing for pictures. The flight of uselessness. Purpose without reason. You can't get any closer to faking it than that. What do you mean “faking it for the cameras,” you give me too much credit. I'm not an actor, maybe a good extra, but nothing more. I couldn’t fake it if I tried.

9. If you don't want to contribute that's ok. I'll still buy Bike Magazine. Just wish they would list the bike specs in English System units, as I don't read Metric well. But let me pose a question: How does one make a Motorcycle Adventure Movie without riders; what movie doesn't have "Participants"? We don’t need another shite movie! Exactly my point, we don't want a shite movie that is why we won’t buy a camcorder, hop on our bike and expect it to be movie quality. It takes an idea, a theme, a story line, planning, patience, not bulldog tenacity. And as far a making a PROFIT, I don't even expect to even break even. I'm spending the money so that I have a video record of the adventure, of the life changing impact it will have, a record of the comrade and unraveling lust for life that will most definitely transpire.

10. It would be nice to get Ted Simon or other HUBB members to comment on my post. Is it really that whacked up and on par with dog dodo that it deserves this kind of lambasting? Not even ONE word of encouragement. Didn’t I say even ONE inspiring word? Irregardless, it doesn't matter as I have had more fun, laughs, and the more stimulating dialogue than I can ever remember. However, I may very well forget the whole thing and just throw in the towel now!

Any reccomendations on how to throw a towel?

Mike

PS How do you like your BMW Dakar? Doesn't seem to have the load carrying capacity that we will need but looks to be a very stout motorbike! Would you recommend it for our trip?

[This message has been edited by motorbikewithmike.com (edited 10 February 2006).]