Adventure Rider Radio – Motorcycle Podcast

Growing up, James Barkman had a friend who always talked about riding from Alaska to Ushuaia. When he got the call that his friend's dream was about to become a reality, James was excited to join him on the trip. However, James suggested an even more adventurous twist to the plan: he and his two friends would combine the motorcycle trip with mountain climbing. This meant that they had to pack for...

As the wind rushes past you while riding your motorcycle, the sights, smells and sounds all play a part in the experience and thrill of the ride. However, beneath the excitement lies a potential danger—prolonged exposure to high levels of noise can have a significant impact on your hearing health. On this episode, we are joined by Michael Carley, a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the...

The thrill of the road, the call of the wild and the comforts of home - motorcycle camping trips can have all those things. If you’re planning a trip or just looking for more camping tips, who better to turn to than experienced long-distance travellers who already have it all figured out? With more than four decades of moto camping experience under their gear, these globetrotters offer a treasure...

Every hill has its own characteristics that often change with the season and over time, which for an adventure rider means having a unique approach for every hill climb. But according to Clinton Smout from SMART Adventures, there is a magic formula. And once you learn it, you’ll be powering up those hills that will make your riding buddies wonder who this new rider is. Photos and links for this ep...

In this episode, we delve into the world of motorcycle camping, where the thrill of the open road meets the serenity of nature. Our featured guests are world travelers with extensive experience in motorcycle camping while travelling, and they are here to share their invaluable tips and tricks to ensure your own camping journey is nothing short of extraordinary. So, whether you're a seasoned rider...

Travis and Chantil Gill have been on their trip around the world for over three years, but they have not yet completed their exploration of Europe. Initially restricted by the pandemic, they found themselves embracing the concept of slow travel and all the incredible benefits it entails. As they continue their journey, their list of things to see and do keeps growing with each new discovery. Immer...

Alan Reid is on a mission to find his nirvana, the place that just might inspire him to set down roots. He left British Columbia about a year ago on the most suitable motorcycle for him, a KLR, but he didn’t really do any planning or make a budget. Despite not even having a roadside repair kit, he possesses the most valuable tool for a successful adventure – a positive attitude. Alan's approach to...

Should you stand up on your motorcycle and if so, why would you stand and when would you do it? And if you are going to stand how do you do it and feel confident? Perhaps you're a rider who sometimes stands but automatically sits at the first sign of trouble. If so, then this episode is for you, too. Motorcycle riding instructor, Clinton Smout, covers everything from when and why to stand, to bike...

In 1973, Ted Simon set out on a remarkable four-year journey around the world on a Triumph Tiger. After completing this adventure, he wrote Jupiter's Travels, which became a bestseller and inspired countless others to embark on their own adventures. Through his diverse and fascinating experiences, Ted offered profound insights into the human condition, making his book a must-read for anyone seekin...

Some level of physical fitness is crucial for adventure motorcyclists as it can significantly enhance the riding experience and ensure safety. Endurance, strength, and flexibility are important elements that riders should strive to attain. However, getting in shape can seem challenging and intimidating. Bill Dragoo, who broke his leg while riding his motorcycle, decided to prioritize his physical...

Keith Code is a renowned figure in the world of motorcycle racing and training. With decades of experience as a former racer and an influential coach, Code has revolutionized the way riders approach their craft. His expertise led him to establish the California Superbike School, an internationally recognized institution. In this episode, we explore Keith’s journey while he shares his expertise in...

According to the Greek philosopher, Epictetus, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters.”  Rose Padilla and Chad Horton were looking to their future and thought they had their retirement plans all figured out, until they weren’t. When things sort of fell apart for them, instead of becoming bitter and resentful they took stock and decided there was another adventure they wanted...

For motorcyclists, obstacles appear in many forms. On the street there may be road damage including missing asphalt on the road edges, potholes, construction, debris, dead animals and more. And off-road, anything from washouts that weren’t there yesterday, to rocks, boulders, roots, trees, and the list goes on. We have two choices when an obstacle presents itself, we can either avoid it or hit it....

After suffering a tragic double loss lori lozinski felt alone in the world, an orphan grappling with an existential crisis. lori found herself spiralling emotionally downward until she discovered salvation through her new hobby of riding motorcycles. Only then could she turn to what she knows best - professional film production to reflect on her past relationships from the seat of her motorcycle a...

Budgeting for a trip has always been a bit of an enigma, there are so many variables to consider. Will you camp, stay in hostels or B&B’s, all decisions that change the budget drastically. And on top of that, in the past couple of years prices have skyrocketed for fuel, groceries, parts and accommodations. It seems that almost everything has increased in price, not to mention the supply chain...

Sharon and Doug Wildeboer are a close couple, used to spending time together and both ride their own motorcycles. Doug is the original motorcyclist of the two and it was his idea to travel by motorcycle in Iceland and through Europe. Sharon is a skilled rider but she describes herself as a reluctant rider although a lover of travel. Being a reluctant rider can mean a lot of stress for Sharon, whic...

Combine a heavy adventure motorcycle with a narrow trail or tight space and turning around becomes a foot wrestle at best, or a job fit for a team. Today on Adventure Rider Radio’s exclusive Rider Skills we are learning two great methods to make the turnaround a non-event and get you back in the saddle again. Photos and links for this episode can be found on our website at adventureriderradio.com...

Many riders lack the confidence and skill to repair their own tire at the side of the road and much of that is derived from two things, not having practiced the skills required and using the wrong patches and plugs. The story usually goes something like this: I tried fixing my tire once but every time I pumped it back up it just leaked again, so I gave up and took it to a shop. The problem with re...

Jackie Layng and her partner Davide Focardi came from Ireland to America in part to ride the Dalton and then to continue down into South America. Jackie was a relatively new rider, with little experience and part of her motivation for doing the trip was to overcome the anxiety that had been infiltrating her life. Davide has been dreaming of doing a trip like this all his life, riding off into the...

Graeme and Katrina Perkins are riding the slow lane around the world. They left Australia back in 2016 and thought it could take a couple of years to explore the globe, but it’s now seven years later and they have only made it about half way around the world. They have learned plenty, met loads of people, crossed many borders, all along the way perfecting this thing called motorcycle travel. They...

There is a lot to remember when riding an adventure motorcycle in the dirt and challenges often come up quickly leaving little time for contemplation. That’s when having the skills you need in muscle memory can make the difference between an exhilarating ride or a ‘pick up you bike’ exercise or worse. So, to get some things clear in your mind once again Clinton Smout is going to walk us through al...

Chase Eckert says he’s drawn to fantastic stories told by amazing people and feels that if you listen to enough interesting people for long enough you will end up trying something interesting yourself. Chase grew up working at his family’s traveling carnival in Alaska. As things would have it, during Covid the carnival shut down, but when things started to open up again Chase went back to work. Wh...

Nothing beats heading out for a riding adventure with a group of friends, enjoying the ride and having someone watch your back while you watch theirs. But, there are some things that you should keep in mind when it comes to riding with a group including safety, preparation and buddy etiquette. Clinton Smout , who’s in Baja, Mexico riding sweep on a commercial group ride, talks about group riding b...

They say that everything has a season in life, a time, perhaps even a lifespan, and when it’s over we need to let it it go and move forward. But it doesn’t mean walking away and forgetting, it means taking with you what you have learned and what you have become from the experience. And that may be one of the things we can draw from Tom Reuter’s story, that it’s not about how many miles you have ri...

Janell and Stuart Clarke are both engineers and both enjoyed travelling and exploring the Australian outback by four wheel drive having so much fun that they decided to explore the world. So they began dreaming and planning a trip, but it soon became apparent to them that the cost of using a four wheel drive would deeply cut in to their budget. Then the idea of using motorcycles came up and that s...