Adventure Rider Radio – Motorcycle Podcast

In 1999, Todd Lawson lost his brother, Sean, to cerebral malaria after a motorcycle journey through southern Africa. Wracked with guilt, Todd meets Christina, a kindred spirit, and together they embark on a motorcycle trip across the Americas, spreading Sean's ashes along the way. Inspired by Sean's adventurous spirit, they decide to return to Africa to distribute mosquito nets to those in need, t...

Situational awareness while riding a motorcycle means being aware of your surroundings and predicting what might happen based on what you see. It's about paying attention to the road, other vehicles, weather, people and more. In this episode, Clinton Smout, Chief Riding Instructor at SMART Adventures, talks us through ways to read the scene around us as we ride and use that information to help pre...

Satellite communication has been used for many years for emergencies during motorcycle adventures. But what about non-emergency situations? Sometimes, we might have a breakdown, need a part, be running late, feel sick, or decide to stay somewhere for an extra day. In such cases, messaging is the key to getting in touch with someone without causing panic. In this episode, Morris Shawn, President of...

Carl and Isabel Abrams led a content life in the UK, with a comfortable home and fulfilling jobs that they enjoyed. In 2017, they embarked on a memorable motorcycle tour of Scandinavia, igniting a dream to circumnavigate the globe on their bikes. However, everything changed when three months later Isabel discovered a lump in her breast. The subsequent diagnosis forced Isabel to confront her mortal...

Lavi Scholl and Ollie Gamblin met when picking cherries on a farm in Australia while on working holiday visas. It might have been Ollie’s van, maybe his guitar playing, but something sparked for both of them and they have been partners in travel and life ever since. They seem to fit together like pieces of a puzzle, complimenting each other, naturally falling into the roles that allow them to trav...

Jamie Parker is a true adventure enthusiast, he doesn't just wait for it to come his way, he actively orchestrates it. While he's no stranger to various adventures, venturing on a motorcycle is a recent addition to his repertoire. Embracing this new challenge, he propels himself to make every ride a rewarding and fulfilling experience, finding true value in the journey itself. One remarkable aspec...

On this episode of our Exclusive RIDER SKILLS we have Chief Riding Instructor Clinton Smout from SMART Adventures talking about common mistakes motorcycle riders make and how to avoid them. Clinton offers unique insights into what can go wrong with novel suggestions on prevention. He also talks about exercises that can be done while driving a car that will improve your motorcycle riding skills and...

Chad Horton and Rose Padilla have been exploring South America by motorcycle for years, with no specific agenda or direction. Recently, they took on what can only be described as an adventurer's route that was far off the beaten path. It was a route that would bisect the Amazon Jungle from east to west, passing through some of the most remote and unfrequented areas of the region. However, what the...

Throughout the year, we find ourselves busy with various tasks that are necessary for us to live and get by. At times, it can feel like we are stuck in a never-ending cycle of doing the same things repeatedly. As we approach the end of the year, we begin to reflect on how quickly it has gone by, and how quickly every year seems to pass. But, what if there was a way that you could use your motorcyc...

Going on a motorcycle adventure triggers the excitement of preparing yourself and your bike. Selecting the perfect jacket and pants, and even contemplating the ideal bag for your top box becomes part of the immersive experience. And for many there’s a satisfaction in knowing that their bikes and gear are meticulously prepared, ensuring they’re equipped with top-notch quality where it matters. Howe...

This episode of RIDER SKILLS is for all riders, regardless of the type of bike you ride or your riding style. Some simple drills can be done on any surface, be it dirt or pavement. Do them before heading out on a ride, while waiting for a friend, or even when approaching a stop sign or traffic light. These are simple straightforward drills that require no pre-planning, no specific location, and ea...

In this exclusive series, we’ll explore the captivating stories of riders who found themselves in DEEP TROUBLE. We'll be dissecting these situations, shedding light on the challenges they faced, the strategies they used and the valuable lessons they learned. Most critically, we’ll discuss how the situation could have turned out differently if some controllable aspects were changed. We’ll talk abou...

Lorraine Spence is an avid traveler who rediscovered her love for riding motorcycles after a two decade hiatus. She decided her first big trip in 2012 would be across Asia via the BAM road in Siberia, which could be considered one of the last challenges for adventure motorcyclists. The BAM road is a dilapidated service road for the railway in Siberia that requires planning, determination, and a bi...

Israel Eugene Gillette is an extreme motorcycle enthusiast and has been travelling to different countries around the world with a dog in his panier for well over a decade. Since he first started riding in 1995 Israel has found himself running from the police, accused of kidnapping and being shot at. Whether trouble finds Israel or he finds trouble himself is a matter of debate, but his adventures...

After months of planning, John Ciribassi headed out on his first Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) adventure in Colorado with three riding buddies. The journey took an unexpected turn on day one when inexperienced in pavement riding, a distracted John misjudged a fast-approaching corner, panicked and locked up the front brake. He collided with the corner of a horse trailer being pulled by a semi-t...

When riding on slippery surfaces, the risk of the rear wheel sliding out from under the bike is ever-present. Whether due to excessive braking or spinning out from rapid acceleration, the rear wheel's speed can cease to match the speed over the ground, causing it to stray from following the front wheel. Without adequate preparation and practice, this situation could lead to a potentially dangerous...

Some time back, we interviewed Tom Medema from Rally for Rangers, an organization that delivers motorcycles to rangers around the world, to help them safely and successfully protect parks from poachers, illegal tree cutting, manual mineral extractions, and other violations. When 71-year-old Lester Appel heard the episode with Tom, he decided to take action and apply to join the 9-day motorcycle tr...

In this exclusive series, we’ll explore the captivating stories of riders who found themselves in DEEP TROUBLE. We'll be dissecting these situations, shedding light on the challenges they faced, the strategies they used and the valuable lessons they learned. Most critically, we’ll discuss how the situation could have turned out differently if some controllable aspects were changed. We’ll talk abou...

Brendon and Kira Hak have been living a nomadic lifestyle for the past six years. Kira has always had a passion for travel and Brendon for motorsports, so after a couple of life-altering events made them reevaluate what they were doing in their lives, they decided to do the big trip they had dreamed about. They spent years planning and in 2017 they set out for their motorcycle trip from Canada to...

Riding a motorcycle through challenging terrain can be extremely satisfying, but even with experience, things can go wrong, and you may find yourself picking up your motorcycle from the ground. On today’s episode of Adventure Rider Radio’s exclusive RIDER SKILLS program, we have Clinton Smout from SMART Adventures sharing five techniques to help you pick up your motorcycle. You can choose the one...

Helen Lloyd’s expectations and views on travel have changed over the course of almost two decades of travelling. Some years ago, Helen had embarked on a solo bicycle trip around Africa, which had turned out to be the trip of a lifetime, leaving her with a desire to return. When Helen decided to travel to Africa again, she opted to ride her motorcycle and share the journey with her partner. Even th...

Have you ever wondered about embarking on a big trip, such as travelling around the world, going from Alaska to Ushuaia, or exploring a foreign country for a few months? Have you ever doubted your ability to undertake such an adventure? If so, the story of Bridget McCutchen should inspire you. Bridget, a 22-year-old woman, is on a mission to set an official Guinness world record as the youngest wo...

Andy and Alissa have spent the past 19 years experiencing adventure at every turn. They have hiked, backpacked, and travelled by vehicle and motorcycle, but it has always left them yearning for more. To fulfill their desire for adventure, they decided to embark on a journey to ride around the world by motorcycle, to travel with no end date. After five years of saving, they set out on a cold and st...

Day trips with a group of riders are a great way to have full-on adventures. Whether starting from a hotel room or your own doorstep, having others along not only makes the ride safer but also more enjoyable in many ways. You get to share the experience with someone else and learn from other riders. Additionally, riding with others provides the benefit of working together to tackle tough situation...

In 2017, Tim and Marisa Notier embarked on an epic journey around the world, riding a KTM motorcycle. They travelled through North and South America, followed by Africa. When the pandemic brought everything to a halt, they decided to stay in Kenya for a while, but returned to the United States when their visas expired. They then decided to head north to Alaska, but were still eager to continue the...