It is an uncertain world at the moment to say the least, and if nothing else the current predicament highlights the things we miss the most when ready access is removed. Lockdowns, quarantines and border closures have at times kept us from our regularly scheduled riding and it hurt. Like everyone else, I found 2020 pretty damn frustrating, but it helped me appreciate that I’d been taking some things for granted. The ability and opportunity to leave home on a bike and not return for a week or even just a night, is an exercise in freedom unlike any other activity that you can share with an internal combustion engine. Your riding gear is the only thing that separates you from the sun, the wind, the rain, the cold or heat, the insects and the occasional marsupial. Adventure riding is the ultimate placement of self in nature whilst simultaneously showing a deep appreciation for the motorcycle. You are both in this together. The bike is subservient to you but at the same time you are completely reliant on it. And regardless of how many systems, relays, or central processing units are present and furiously calculating air temperature, lean angles, throttle positions and this and that, your ability to make it from point A to point B will come down to how well you can steer, accelerate and brake. Just like it was in the early 1900s. Like it’s always been.
Let’s take a look back at some of the amazing rides, shoots and places we’ve ridden, seen and been over the last few years. Yes, it's been curtailed somewhat, but riding is about building memories and setting goals. Here are some of our favourite memories to maybe inspire you to set those goals and get out amongst it.
BOOTHY’S SAND SESSION
This was Shane Booth’s idea. I thought it was insane.
The sand was deep and soft and Boothy had trouble even getting onto the beach. But he was determined and the guy can ride a motorcycle; in my experience those two things together produce the best moments for the camera. Remember this is a shoot where we stop and start constantly, something that you almost religiously avoid when riding sand. It was hot and it was a long day but, in the end we had more shots than I could print and Boothy had absolutely conquered the type of riding I would sell a child to avoid, such is its degree of diffi culty. If you care to learn directly from the man himself and I recommend you do, check out the BMW Off
