One of the things I love the most about riding is the solitary experience. Riding alone provides space from the mental and emotional distractions that can dim my awareness that I am living a blessed life. On these solitary rides, it’s easy to feel a sense of adventure, especially when traveling in the more sparsely populated areas of Central Pennsylvania. It’s during those rides I am having an adventure.
I’ve always admired the work of writers who share their stories of solitary adventure in the wilderness or at sea. Reading Edward Abbey and Colin Fletcher led me to my own solitary hiking and backpacking adventures. Being dependent on no one but myself fuels a level of excitement and satisfaction but let’s be honest, my solo adventures, on foot, and on the road have taken place in the safe confines of the Eastern United States.
A few days ago I came across a video by a young woman named Noraly who describes herself as a 32-year old, Dutch, solo-female traveler – currently on a mission to travel the world by motorbike!
One particular scene at about 11:40 into the video where she comes upon a torrent of water rushing across the road and plunging off a cliff gave me the chills.
Frightening video. Courageous woman. She must faith — in herself, and in other people in the world. One note — I’m amazed she never swears or curses!
If you fancy yourself an adventure rider, or dream of creating your own adventure, this video is worth watching. Mud, dirt, gravel, rain, heat, cold, dogs, protesters and more await.
She’s riding alone through places like Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan. And generally across the planet. As I watched one of the videos I realized I could never do what she does. I have neither the courage or pluck to venture into the unknown alone.
I’ve enjoyed watching the films with Ewan and Charlie traveling across the globe and I know they faced challenges and hardships. So do the men and women who undertake the guided adventures of myriad ride companies. But being alone. That’s different.
The people who quit their jobs, sell everything and venture out into the world are a different kind of human being. I admire what they do. I could never do what they do. At best I can live vicariously through the stories they share.
Here are a few others you might want to check out if solitary adventure interests you:
Mike Saunders — 69,000 miles on his Honda Ruckus
Stephanie Yue — on the road with her Vespa GTS 250
Lois Pryce — epic solitary rides on her Yamaha XT225 Serow
Part of me would love to see my name on that list. But it’s just not me. My adventures will remain casual, safe, and in my mind.
Be well, be safe, and enjoy the road!
Ever since Lynne and I found out Noraly rode through Croatia not long after we ebiked there, and I found out she was motoring through the same roads I had been on in South America, we have followed every one of her adventures. She’s at least as good or better on rocks and washed out roads as I am. Bravo we say! Her getting out of quarantine in Peru and repatriated to the Netherlands was quite an adventure in itself.
I’m going to have to spend some time watching some of her other videos. She has done a lot of work on them in addition to riding.
I can imagine riding alone in some of the countries she has. I suspect a Dutch passport is far more useful these days than one from the United States.
Yes, yes and yes.
Don’t belittle your “solo adventures” in the “safe confines of the Eastern United States.” They are legitimate adventures. Most people never get out alone anywhere!!
I highly value my solo wanderings. Mostly though, I marvel at the pluck and courage some people have to go it alone in completely foreign situations with unexpected challenges and hardships. I don’t have the gene necessary to do that.
I must admit that I really prefer traveling on my own. Easy to stop whenever or change your plans anytime.
I prefer traveling alone as well for the reasons you describe and more. But I don’t ever want to feel in danger or alone in the way she must find herself.
The last long trip that I took was 15,000 miles in the US in 8 weeks – but that was on a 900cc airhead BMW and I was the passenger with my husband piloting. But I’ve always dreamed of taking my next long trip on a small displacement machine. Maybe someday…
I can only dream about an 8-week trip. Of any kind. Maybe someday…
I laughed when Noraly’s motorcycle fell over for the 8th time. I could hear her thoughts in my imagination, “Oh hell here it goes again.” I’m glad she just got out of the way instead of trying to catch it (with is what I’d do and then hurt my back). With all that weight of the packed gear perched up high on her motorcycle its makes keeping it vertical that much more challenging. I noticed my 700 Fatboy was much easier to keep upright
than my 550 pound BMW because its so low and all the weight is closer to earth. Paul “Close to Earth” Ruby
The magic of editing. Makes it seem like all she does is fall over.
A low center of gravity does make things more stable. But doesn’t help much when you need a tall bike with lots of clearance!
Yes she has no choice in the matter. The motorcycle has to have ground clearance.
All extraordinary travellers and inspiring too. Walter Muma’s moped travel is astonishing, WOW! I sometimes use Shirley’s XT225 for the day and it is indeed a revelation on so many levels. Other than our longer family rides most of my riding is solo and I too enjoy the freedom of going wherever and whenever I choose. I am a big fan of loose surface wandering, not everyone’s cup of tea and solo I can be as creative in my routing as I want provided I am tracking device equipped. Wonderful post as usual Steve 👍
Walter Muma’s ride is perhaps the most stunning to me. He was out there before cell phones and GPS, before the Yukon and Alaska grew a bit more civilized in terms of services, and he was on a machine that just goes slow. I can’t imagine it.
I enjoy riding on gravel and dirt and there are plenty of opportunities around here. I’ve been a bit more hesitant now as the Vespa is getting older and I fear it will come apart. I keep my eye open for a third machine to play with. I continually see Kawasaki 650 KLRs but I want something smaller. Like the XT225, TW200 or a Honda like my friend Paul rides. I haven’t broached the subject with Kim yet…
I have enjoyed big displacement thumpers for many years but moving forward I think the smaller bike would be a better choice for me. Most likely a slower more contemplative vibe which should suit today’s much smaller world. The lighter weight too will benefit my seventh decade skill set, energy levels and require less effort to pick up. Picking up does happens every so often. I will have my bigger platform for more ambitious aspirations. Good to stay in the game and keep the juices flowing eh. 👍
Selfishly, I hope I can someday write the same as you are now — that I’m in my seventh decade and still riding and assessing my skills and energy. As you say, part of making those seventh-decade assessments will be an honest appraisal of the size and weight of the motorcycle or scooter. I hope I remain open and flexible enough to make changes in what I ride without my ego getting in the way.
I’ve not dropped the scooter in about 5 years now (I think). It fell over on the center stand while I was taking pictures. Soft ground can still trip me up.
It’s nice having the K75 and the Vespa to ride. Different experiences. Different capabilities. But as you say, whatever I might ride, staying in the game is the goal for me too!
I’ve read Lois Pryce’s books….great rider and writer IMHO. Thanks for the list of the other ones! Like you, my name won’t be added to such an august list … but it’s all good. Adventure, depends highly on one’s perspective!
We have a good time Dom. That’s what matters. And you have some amazing adventures yourself with Yagi. The recent trip to Engineers Pass looks stunning.
My brother did a similar trip last year riding solo from Vancouver to Ushuaia on his GS650 Dakar… he got back right on time before the covid outbreak. I like my little solo Vespa ventures so far but that’s a whole different ball game! Still, so jealous when he posts another picture, really hope to join for a little adventure one day.
The Vespa may be your gateway machine to something different that would allow you to adventure a little with your brother. One never knows what tomorrow might bring.