Editor’s Note: This South Dakota article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2023 Issue. Small and isolated, South Dakota’s Black Hills seemed the ideal place for a self-imposed writing retreat. I’ve been working on a book for years and hadn’t so much as typed a single letter in the manuscript for over four months. I…
The Moment Collectors, by Sam Manicom and Friends
I’ve never been much of a short-story reader; I like to invest in written tales for book-length escapes from reality. However, The Moment Collectors is a different kind of collection of short stories altogether—at least it was for me. As a round-the-world motorcycle traveler, there was something in each writer’s tale that I could directly…
Bear-proof Food Storage for Moto Campers
Many of us traveling overnight or long distances on motorcycles are going into bear territory; that’s why we love our ADV and dual-sport bikes—to get off main roads and into the backcountry. But what about storing food out of reach from bears while we sleep at night? Growing up in the Canadian Rockies, I often…
BearVault: A Container for Safe Food Storage in the Backcountry
As a rider, I’ve traveled through a lot of bear country, particularly in British Columbia, Alaska, and Russia. As a hiker, I’ve encountered dozens of bears—even been chased by one, which is why I take food storage in the wilderness seriously. Not only do I want to avoid being woken in the night by claws…
Motorcycle Momma Muriel Magee—80 Years Old, BMW GS Motorcyclist
At 58, Muriel (Magee) Farrington was dating a man who said she’d be a natural at riding a motorcycle. A male friend at the time said the same, so Muriel decided to pick up the sport. Although she committed to two wheels later in life, Muriel once rode her uncle’s Cushman motor scooter in her…
Destinations:: Atlin, British Columbia
Known as “little Switzerland,” Atlin, B.C., is one of the most scenic places in Canada—a must-see side trip for overlanders heading to Alaska or the Yukon. The postcard-perfect town is encircled by Atlin Lake—the largest natural lake in B.C.—and majestic forested peaks. The name Atlin—Áa Tlein—comes from the Tlingit language and means “big body of…
AltRider Universal Highway Pegs—Designed with the Adventure Rider in Mind
Many touring motorcycles come with highway pegs for resting legs and feet during long-distance rides. But few ADV or dual-sport bikes do. That’s an add-on for almost all bikes in this genre. The problem with highway pegs on bikes that go off-pavement is they can stick out too far, creating an obstacle when trying to…
Rev’it Broadens Apparel for Spring/Summer 2022 Collection
Rev’it has hit the ground running for the upcoming riding season by expanding on its motorcycle apparel collection. New products will appear in seven segments, including Adventure Sport and Touring. Rev’it even has some cool-looking footwear for a well-rounded approach to riding gear. I’ve had great success with their suits in the past. True to…
AltRider Cylinder Head Guards for BMW R 1250 GS / ADV OEM Crash Bars
Most of us who ride ADV bikes have spent a small fortune in covering exposed, important areas of the motorcycle with after-market protection. Some bikes even come with OEM modifications, but in the case of the OEM crash bars on the BMW R 1250 GS/GSA, the valve covers are left exposed, hanging out past the…
Video of the Week: Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route and Film Release
The Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route (WYBDR) is number eleven from the BDR non-profit organization, and as of February 1, all route information is available on their website. Along with free GPS tracks, travel resources, and waterproof Butler maps, you can also find the WYBDR film, showcasing highlights from the route, such as: the Sierra Madre…
Book Review: Our Ridiculous World (Trip): Around the World on a Scooter with a Sidecar, by Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes
At first, it might seem odd that two friends with no motorcycle skills and subpar travel portfolios would decide to quit their jobs, leave their significant others behind, and travel around the world. On a scooter. With a sidecar. That kept malfunctioning and breaking down. Yes, odd indeed. But after reading Our Ridiculous World Trip,…
RawHyde Adventure Days at Zakar—April 21-24
Rawhyde Adventures, known for enduro and adventure motorcycle training, has some rescheduled 2022 dates for their ADV Days. You’ll be able to check out the Rally and Expo at their new facility at Zakar, which stands for Zombie Apocalypse Kompund at Rawhyde. The 2021 Adventure Days had to be canceled due to fires, but now…
100 Years of Moto Guzzi—a Documentary
A friendship between two aircraft pilots and one mechanic has turned into a century-old business within the motorcycle industry. Despite one of the friends being killed in an airplane accident, the two other friends carried on with the dream. In 1921, Moto Guzzi hit the road. The Moto Guzzi factory is located in Mandello del…
Destination: McCarthy, Alaska, and Kennecott Mine
In Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, there sits a village called McCarthy. If you search for this place on Google, you’ll find it says, population: 0. But people do live here. A 2020 census lists 107 residents, up from 28 in 2010. I rode my BMW G 650 GS to McCarthy in 2016. I sat…
Go Ruffly—an Off-Pavement Carrier for Your Dog
I stumbled on this while reading a post on Women ADV Riders Facebook page. The article from Jess Stone—about riding off-pavement with a dog on the back—drew my interest. But in reading her story, I was even more interested to learn Jess has started up a company called Go Ruffly, where she sells motorcycle dog…
Lauren Trantham of Ride My Road Advocates to End Human Trafficking
If you’re like me, you may have ignorantly and erroneously assumed human trafficking was problematic more in developing worlds or for immigrants. I’ve learned this is not true; human trafficking happens to people everywhere right under your nose—in the US, Europe, Asia… everywhere. Lauren Trantham is a motorcyclist who’s combined her passion for riding with…
New Yezdi Adventure Bike
If you saw the main image for this article and thought I’d made a typo, you’re probably not the first. The new Yezdi Adventure bike looks very similar to a Royal Enfield. Is that the point? Maybe. I’m not about picking sides in the war against what ADV bikes are the best. Instead, I’ll outline…
Moonbikes: 100 Percent Electric, 100 Percent Silent
I’m not a fan of snowmobiles. The concept is great: floating on snow, getting high up into the mountains with the help of an engine. But one significant reason why I go into the backcountry is for the peace and quiet. Sleds have their selling points, but they smell and are loud. For these two…
The Cold Start, an Off-Road Riding Clinic and Culinary Experience February 4-8
If you’re an ADV or dirt bike rider, you probably know about Baja, Mexico, and its incredible winter escape possibilities. Well, Baja just got even more enticing with The Cold Start, an Off-Road Riding Clinic and Culinary Experience organized by Kyra Sacdalan. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of anything better than…
Video of the Week :: Dakar 2022 Coverage All in One Place
Saudi Arabia’s annual Dakar race has started and as always, the event is packed full of adventure and intrigue—including a not so favorable caught-on-video display of mean sportsmanship between Toyota driver Giniel De Villiers when he hit and almost ran over rider Cesar Zumaran while the latter was stopped with bike issues. That video can…