The days are getting longer, the weather is warming up, and the sun is now a regular visitor. What does this mean? I'm just itching to take a trip on my motorcycle.
Last year, two of us plotted our week long trip, south-bound along the coast on 101 and then through the valleys of Oregon until we reached our destination at Crater Lake. Unlike car camping, the enjoyment came from the twisting roads and unrestricted views that led us to each campsite. We rode through thousands of butterflies during their afternoon flight. We regularly pulled over on the side of the highway to take a plunge into rivers and cool down from the sweltering weather. We created our own adventure.
Today, while considering the possibilities for this summer's next moto trip, I keep thinking about The Long Way Round and The Long Way Down, two books by Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor. The Long Way Round details their motorcycle journey as they rode their GS BMWs from London to New York, traveling through countries like Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. The Long Way Down covers their adventures during their second trip from Scotland to South Africa. Going through their stories, I kept picturing myself on my own (but certainly not as swanky) BMW F650, visiting each of these countries. They got me anxious for the road and my own adventure, even if it meant sticking to just one country and plain-ordinary paved roads.
The books are perfect for any motorcycle rider that's curious about taking a jump into that first big trip. To those riders who have put more miles on their bikes than Boorman and McGregor together, you'll still get a kick out of their blunders and mishaps. And to anyone who might be curious about their friends' obsessions with their own motorcycles, these books will give you a perfect glimpse of what makes us ride.
See you out there.
-Danielle
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