Adventure Rider Radio Motorcycle Podcast. Travel Adventures, Bike Tech Tips

Ted Simon has moved to France and started his next motorcycle adventure, but in a different way. What he's doing offers a unique opportunity to learn something from a motorcycle legend and writer. Also in this episode, Aaron Steinmann chose to ride his KTM 500 EXC in New Zealand and then in South America to Oregon, not your usual adventure motorcycle, but then again, isn't every bike an adventure bike? Ted Simon Opens Writer's Retreat in France After living in California for over 35 years, Ted Simon, author of Jupiter's Travels, has purchased a house in France and opened a writer's retreat. His new home has ample room to accommodate aspiring writers, film makers and artists, and maybe even a traveler passing through. He's always had a foot in France, having gone there for the first time after the war, on a bicycle and then later living in France, so the move back to France was something he knew would happen sooner or later. Ted is soon to be 86 years old, and while back in California, he had been thinking of

Trui Hanoulle is a motorcycle traveler, that looks for adventure out of her comfort zone, and recently that included doing a solo trip on an electric Zero motorcycle from her home in Belgium to Istanbul. And Pat Jacques, retired MX racer and founder of ADVWoman, teaches women off-road riding skills and hosts the annual ADVWoman Rally in Colorado. Elektrogirl: Trui Hanoulle Trui Hanoulle’s home is in Belgium, where she works as a freelance photographer and graphic designer, but she’s also a traveler and a motorcyclist. She’s ridden throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East, connecting with people, exploring the backroads and off the beaten path places. She spends her time learning about the cultures and the countries she explores. She doesn’t follow the path of the mainstream tourist, she takes the time to really experience the different ways people live their lives. Trui’s last long distance ride was on a Zero electric motorcycle, and she’s discovered that there were great perks to riding the bike, cost of

  Space means safety on the road, and in this episode we talk about 5 simple and effective keys that have been used in commercial trucking for decades. Shawn Kitchen, a Driver Trainer from Smith System explains how these keys can be used when riding your motorcycle. And Phil Freeman from Motoquest in Alaska shares tips on riding the Dalton Highway, one of the most remote roads in the world. How the Smith System Can be Applied to Motorcycle Riding Since 1952, the Smith System Driver Improvement Institute has been providing collision avoidance driver training. Shawn Kitchen is a Driver Trainer, having completed a course with Smith System, and he's also a motorcyclist. The 5Keys used in their driving training program is applied to small and large vehicles as well as utility trucks. Shawn joins us on this episode to explain how these driving techniques can also be applied to riding a motorcycle. Riding Tips for the Dalton Highway in Alaska If you're thinking of riding the Dalton Highway in Alaska, Phil Freeman fr

Sharing stories about connections and kindness through their motorcycle travel experiences, Sam Manicom, Todd Blubaugh and Leon Logothetis tell some inspiring, feel good anecdotes that make us realize how important it is to reach out to people wherever you go. Both for what you receive and for what you give.  Travel Changes Us, and We Come Away Different People We've often heard from those who travel on a motorcycle about how it's the people they met who made all the difference in their experience. That people are basically the same all over the country or the world. And how being on a motorcycle makes it so much easier to connect with others. When we are so 'out there', open and perhaps vulnerable, we often form connections, which lead to friendships, emotional healing, acts of kindness, conquering fears, building trust, growing confidence, and so much, much more. Travel changes us, and we often come away different people.  Sam Manicom: The Importance of Connections Sam Manicom, is a renowned motorcycle adve

  Every now and again, we hear about motorcycle adventure stories, that have, well let's say a twist to them. So, how exactly do you tie in fruit or dice on a motorbike trip? This week Max MacGillivray and Isaac Simonelli share their unusual stories with us, and maybe you'll get some great ideas of how you can make your adventure a little different from the norm. Max MacGillivray: The Great Fruit Adventure Max MacGillivray has a strong background in the farming and fresh produce industry, and a passion for healthy foods. He's also a motorcyclist. And three years ago, he made a plan to ride from London to Cape Town in Africa, to promote the benefits of fruits and vegetables to parents and their children. He and dairy specialist, Gareth Jones set out to create awareness, visiting food producers and schools along the way. And after a three month trip, they plan to carry on their mission in the UK, inspiring and educating children on healthy eating. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegreatfruitadventure Webs

Backcountry Discovery Routes and the Trans Canada Adventure Trail are planned and organized motorcycle adventure routes in the United States and Canada. Great scenery, culture and riding is what you get on one of these free off highway routes. Jim talks to Paul Guillien and Ted Johnson about the BDR and the TCAT. BDR: Back Country Discovery Routes | Paul Guillien Backcountry Discovery Routes is a non-profit organization establishing and preserving off-highway routes for adventure motorcycle travel in the United States. For each route, they produce a documentary DVD, a Butler map, and free GPS tracks. Website: http://ridebdr.com/ TCAT: Trans Canada Adventure Trail | Ted Johnson The TCAT is approximately a 15,000 km GPS trail, coast to coast in Canada. Starting in Newfoundland and ending in British Columbia. GPS files are downloadable for free by emailing advcanada@gmail.com.  Website: http://www.graveltravel.ca/ Bret Tkacs in Africa If you're wondering what's been going on with our Rider Skills instructor, Bre

Dave & Becky Prigel: KLR 650 Rider A motorcycle off or accident is something that no one really wants to talk about, but if you're a motorcycle rider, a pillion, or someone emotionally attached to a rider, we think about it now and again. And in this episode we address dealing with accidents, recovery and getting back on the bike. Last year, Dave Prigel, an ARR listener, contacted us when he decided to get back in to riding after many years of being off a motorcycle, and he purchased a KLR 650. Just months later, he was in an accident which resulted in broken bones. He's nicely recovering now, and wants to get back on and ride, but his wife, Becky, isn't so sure about it. Becky is a nurse and has experience with treating motorcycle accident related injuries in her job, so she has concerns about Dave riding again. We talk to both Dave and Becky and get their views on what can be a touchy subject when a loved one gets in an accident. Andrea Brosnan - Mongolia Motorcycle Crash & Overcoming Language Barri

Annette Birkmann dreamt about riding a motorcycle since she was a little girl, but it wasn’t until she was 30 years old that she got her motorcycle license. In 2006, she realized that she had reached the goals she had set for herself, but still felt unfulfilled, so she quit her job as an associate in a law firm in Denmark to go an an adventure. As she rode through the Americas, she realized that while she left with the assumption that the trip would be her great achievement, she actually came away with much more, “a discovery of my inner strength and a new way of responding to challenges, adversity and conflicts”. Annette Birkmann is the author of “Rejsen til Mig”, the English title will be ”The Road to Getting Yourself Out of the Way”, available this year, 2017. Website: http://annettebirkmann.com/ This Week’s Show Sponsors: Support the show sponsors that help bring ADVENTURE RIDER RADIO to you. More information about contacting our sponsors can be found here. Max BMW Motorcycles Bestrest Products Green Chi

Voni & Paul Glaves - Million Miles on Her Motorcycle & the Mechanic Behind the Scenes Voni Glaves is one of two women who have ridden over a million miles on a BMW motorcycle. Back in the 1970's, Voni had no idea that women could ride motorcycles, but with encouragement from her husband Paul, she learned to ride just so they could take their kids on motorcycle camping trips. And since then there has been no stopping her. She's ridden through the United States, Canada, Mexico, South Africa and New Zealand. To date, she has put on almost 1.1 million miles and is riding towards her goal of 2 million miles. And someone important to Voni is her husband and mechanic Paul, who did all the repairs needed while Voni put 1,000,000 miles on her bikes. Website: http://web.bigbend.net/~glaves/ Custom Fitting Your Bike to Your Body: Part 3 The final segment on custom fitting your bike to your body size with Grant Johnson from Horizons Unlimited. Grant draws on his experience from being a motorcycle mechanic and dea

Custom Fitting Your Bike to Your Body: Part 2 This week on ARR we're in to Part 2 on custom fitting your bike to your body size with Grant Johnson from Horizons Unlimited. Grant's draws on his experience from being a motorcycle mechanic and dealer, as well as co-owner of Horizons Unlimited. In this series, he teaches our listeners about the three areas of your bike that can and need to change to fit your body. In Part 2, Grant discusses setting up the foot area of the bike, including the brake, shifter and foot pegs.  Next week: Modifying your seat. Grant Johnson - Horizons Unlimited - www.horizonsunlimited.com Aftermarket Foot Pegs  Scott Wright, off-road racer and co-owner of IMS Products, talks to Jim about aftermarket foot pegs, how they design the foot pegs, what goes in to the manufacturing of high quality foot pegs and they make for a better ride. Website: www.imsproducts.com Wind Powered Chain Oiler A chain oiler that has no moving parts and needs no electrical power or connection to your motorcyle. I

Custom Fitting Your Bike to Your Body: Part 1 This week ARR starts a three part series on custom fitting your bike to your body with Grant Johnson from Horizons Unlimited. Grant's vast background includes being a motorcycle mechanic and dealer, as well as co-owner of Horizons Unlimited with his wife, Susan Johnson. Grant has given many talks around the world as part of the HUBB presentations. In this series, he teaches our listeners about the three areas of your bike that can and need to change to fit your body. Grant discusses setting up the cockpit area of the bike, including the handlebars, windscreen area and levers. Next week: Foot Controls Grant Johnson - Horizons Unlimited - www.horizonsunlimited.com Flexx Handlebars: Cole Townsend | Fasst Company Website: www.fasstco.com The Flexx Handlebar absorbs shock and vibration that is transferred to your body, allowing you to ride longer, at a faster pace with more control. http://www.fasstco.com/collections/motorcycle-flexx-handlebars/products/flexx-handle

Veterans Back 40 Adventure Morgan Northrup & Chet Mainwaring Morgan Northrup was in the army and has served two tours, one as active duty and one as a civilian contractor in the Middle East. He’s also spent several years as a police officer in Tennessee. When he was suffering from depression and anxiety, as a result of his army and police careers, his dad stepped in and bought him a plane ticket to Colorado. There he attended a dual sport motorcycle retreat for veterans dealing with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). The experience left him feeling that he now had a new purpose in life, to help other veterans going through the same sort of trauma. Morgan’s trip with the retreat changed his life and he is launching a non profit outdoor adventure organization called Veterans Back 40 Adventure. Starting this year, Morgan’s organization will be taking veterans out on adventure bikes throughout the Northwest back country. Chet Mainwaring is a PSSOR riding instructor, who’s involved in helping get Morgan’s

Anyone who rides a motorcycle probably knows what it’s like to find any excuse or reason to ride. Some commute to work, some run all their errands using their bike… out of milk? No problem. Even though it’s easier to jump in your car, you’ll put on all your gear just to ride your bike around the corner. Whether it’s a day trip, a weekend jaunt, or perhaps an even longer adventure, it’s always in the back of a motorcyclists mind just what reason or excuse can they find to ride. Last week we talked about making a resolution to do an adventure this year, and this week we are giving you some good reasons and excuses to justify it. 1. Stuck, Bored & Sick of Work Lois Pryce: http://www.loisontheloose.com/ Tired of the cubicle job at BBC, in 2003 at 29 years old, Lois quit her job and set out on a solo adventure, riding from Alaska to Ushuaia. Adventure Rider Radio Episode: How I Found What I Wanted to Do in Life   2. Escape & Life Change Scotty Kerekes: Scooter Tramp Scotty Some go for a few months, some

This is the time of year many of us are looking to make New Year’s resolutions. It’s a tradition in many countries, to set goals for self improvement or personal gain.  But, usually these resolutions come with a price - pain. Like having to cut out food you love to lose weight, or the effort of working out to become fitter or maybe cutting out your favourite coffee shop to save more money. All good goals, all with some pain attached to them. Is it any wonder that we forget our new years resolutions as we fall back into everyday life in January? Instead of setting goals that you see as sacrifice or painful, how about setting a win/win goal? A goal that is achievable, yet fun too. How about a resolution to do at least one trip, one adventure, one outing that stretches your personal comfort zone, yet rewards you with experience. The melding of personal growth with motorcycle adventure.  But, how to go about it to ensure success? We decided to find out more about setting New Year’s resolutions. We found that in a

However you may celebrate the holiday season, we want to wish you all the very best from our home to yours. In this special seasonal episode, we bring you greetings from all of us at Adventure Rider Radio... Cast: Jim Martin - Host Elizabeth Martin - Producer Sam Manicom - RAW Co-Host Grant Johnson - RAW Co-Host Susan Johnson - Guest on RAW Shirley Hardy-Rix - RAW Co-Host Brian Rix - RAW Co-Host Graham Field - RAW C-Host Pat Field - Graham Field's Book Distributor & Mum Adventure Rider's Radio version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas  Written by: Elizabeth Martin Read by: Jim Martin   Music: Feels Good To Be - audionautix.com, Wish Background - incomptech.com   More motorcycle podcast episodes at Adventure Rider Radio A new ARR Show Drops Every Week!If you ever find your feed stops updating weekly for Adventure Rider Radio, then you need to refresh your feed. Just search for Adventure Rider Radio in your podcast app and click follow to reestablish your feed. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In a time when social media and youtube is so prevalent, Ken and Carol Duval are not the norm when it comes to travelling around the world and reporting on their trip. They haven't written a book, they don't submit magazine articles, and they don't have a website. They have a blog on Horizons Unlimited which Ken says they haven't been able to update for a while and they do post on their Facebook page. And although they are happy to share their stories with those they meet or know, and, lucky for us, with Adventure Rider Radio, they ride for themselves, for the experiences, not feeling an obligation to let everyone know what they are up to every day.  Ken and Carol are on their second round the world trip, with the first one being four years and now they have been out for nine years. Jim spoke to them while they are on a break from their trip in Australia. Good Adventure Company - Wiel Pender Mexico’s Copper Canyon Epic Adventure (March 4-11 2017)  "Good-ADV’s mission is to provide a personal adventure experie

Shorai Lithium Batteries Phuc Lam from Shorai Inc, and also an avid motorcyclist, explains lithium batteries in this episode.  Website: www.shoraipower.com Garmin Zumo 395LM Jim talks with Cesar Palacios, Media Relations Associate from Garmin International Website: http://www.garmin.com/ ** Garmin® Thrills with New zūmo® Motorcycle Navigators ** Source: Garmin Press Release Feb 16, 2016 Riding With Foreign Bikers If you're a regular listener, you probably know Shirley Hardy-Rix and Brian Rix, Aussies Overland, they're regular co-hosts on ARR RAW. We've also had them on the ARR show before, talking about their motorcycle travel adventures and their books. We asked them to come on the show and share a story from their last adventure, which they documented in their book called The Long Way to Vladivostok. Shirley and Brian have written two other books about their trips and you can purchase these books online on their website at www.aussiesoverland.com.au. Some music on this episode by: www.audionautix.com A n

Heather Ellis: Solo Adventure in Africa From 1993 to 1997, Heather Ellis went on an adventure on her Yamaha TT600 through Africa, and from the United Kingdom to Vietnam. She recently published her book Ubuntu: One Woman's Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa, which chronicles her journey in Africa. In her memoir, she shares life-changing stories, both inspiring and entertaining.  For more information on where Heather Ellis' book is available go to her website at http://www.heather-ellis.com/index.html GCAG Uprising Luggage System Source: Green Chile Adventure Gear: https://greenchileadv.com/products/gcag-uprising-luggage-system This kit will set you up with the full Green Chile Adventure Gear treatment. You will be able to haul up to four bags of your choice. One system that can be rigged for day trips and easily scaled up for an expedition or extended trip. No expensive bags required. Any bag becomes motorcycle luggage. The GCAG Uprising Soft Rack is the flagship Green Chile innovation. This unique product i

Motorcycle Manufacturers Offer Smaller ADV Bikes Recently, Honda, Kawasaki, BMW and Suzuki have unveiled their new small adventure bikes. In a bid to entice women, younger and smaller riders, the manufacturers are offering motorcycles that are lighter and with a smaller price tag.  Carl Parker, publisher of ADVMoto magazine talks about the new adventure bikes that were recently shown at motorcycles shows. Austin Vince, an advocate for small cc bikes for adventure travel, shares his thoughts on these smaller adventure motorcycles.   The smaller 2017 ADV bike line-up includes: Honda CRF250 Rally Kawasaki Versys-X 300 BMW G310 GS Suzuki V-Strom 250 Carl Parker - Publisher of ADVMoto Website: www.adventuremotorcycle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADVMotoMag Austin Vince  Website: http://www.austinvince.com/ Adventure Travel Film Festival: http://www.adventuretravelfilmfestival.com/ Into Iraq- Graham Field Taken from his book called Ureka, Graham Field tells the story of his efforts to get in to Mosul,

Catherine Germillac has been riding the same motorcycle for going on 30 years, a small 2-stroke Yamaha DTMX 125. As a young woman, setting out on a solo motorcycle wasn't a common thing to do in the late 1980's. But being inspired by Ted Simon's Jupiter's Travels, she fell in love with the idea of motorcycling, travel and adventure, purchased her beloved motorcycle, that she calls Desiree, took some lessons and then started riding. She spent 6 years travelling on her bike, taking some time out in Colombia and Ecuador, before continuing her journey to Australia. In this episode, the memories and experiences that Catherine shares about that extended trip really make you understand the essence of her character, feisty, strong, fun and determined. Good Adventure Company - JJ Lewis Mexico’s Copper Canyon Epic Adventure (March 4-11 2017)  "Good-ADV’s mission is to provide a personal adventure experience for all our riders and, in doing so, use those funds for significant, financial support for sustainable life-chan