How to Load Your Motorcycle


Motorcycles can be a great way to commute, transport smaller stuff from point A to B, or travel, sightsee and tour.

Depending on how much you carry, however, added weight can affect wear and tear on the whole bike, including suspension, tires, drive train, and brakes. It can also affect how well you can brake, corner, and of course, accelerate.

The more you pile on, the more you need to pay attention to where you place heavier items, how you attach them, and what the added ballast placed in various spots on your bike does to handling and control.

Following are some pointers to keep in mind, whether you are carrying the least or the most:

Keeping It Light

How-To Adventure Prep Your Bike: Before You Go A Guide to Being Smart About Your Upcoming Trip


I have to agree with this great article….again not only for Noobs is this written for…even experienced riders who travel far distances can always learn from insight. 
BMW GS Adventure Prep
By , Photography by BMW,

Nobody walks out to the garage and pulls on a helmet and riding gear thinking, “I really want to be bored. I think I’ll go ride my motorcycle.” Continue reading

If I don’t camp am I not a true ADV rider??????


I find there are three sides to the concept of camping while traveling on a bike. 

  1. Stealth Camping:  Living temporarily in a location, usually for recreation, in a covert or secretive fashion.  Stealth camping is also referred to as wild camping, ninja camping, or free camping.  (source:  stealthcamping.com)
  2. Tent Camping: Enjoying the great outdoors living in a tent usually in some sort of park or campground
  3. No way tent camping: Enjoy riding a bike from hotel/motel to hotel/motel

Cheryl and I are mostly #2 and #3.  Our theory about riding and camping/tenting is this…..If it’s not raining when we stop for the day and we are not too tired, we camp.  Our definition of camping can be setting up our tent or staying in a cabin.  We usually don’t mind if it rains on us after we get camp set up but truly dislike breaking down wet gear and having to pack it.  If it’s raining, we are tired we might still cabin it or hotel/motel.

We have foam pillows ;-)

camping gear can pack small

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Telegraph Creek, BC


Make sure you check out this great website helping you plan your adventure across Canada back road way…Gravel Travel

We missed this road while riding the Cassiar…A great reason to go back!

The DIRT

Name: Telegraph Creek

Location: Northern BC

Distance: 150 km (one way)

Duration: 1 day, we recommend spending a night in the area and making it a two day trip as a minimum

Rating: Class 2

marksampson

Photo by: Mark Sampson

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The DEMPSTER HIGHWAY


I found a great web site for anyone to peruse if you are traveling Canada on a bike.  I will be posting some of its content here but use this link, GRAVELTRAVEL.CA to read all about the many back country roads up here.  The site also include the TCAT-Tans Canada Adventure Trail.  Plus, like last year….anyone planning to ride to Alaska please feel free to post any comments or questions if you feel we might be of any assistance in your planning.

The DIRT

Name: The Dempster Highway
Duration: 2-5 days
Rating:  Class 2
Accomodations: Camping, motels
Distance: 734 km one way, 1468 km return trip
Location: Yukon and North West Territories

Photo by Russ, Dempster Highway, Yukon

Photo By Russel Higginson

Screen Shot 2013-04-07 at 6.25.58 AM

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Ottawa & Old Montreal (Part II)


We took the train from Ottawa to Montreal which was great the way there.  Unexpectedly I bought economy business class seats which included a full course meal that was actually good.  Plus, alcohol, snacks etc.  All for about $10 more than the regular economy class.  On the way back all those seats were sold out and we were out of luck but heading to Montreal was a treat…literally!

After arriving at the Montreal station we walked about 15 mins through town to get to our very contemporary yet warm and inviting hotel Continue reading

Ottawa & Montreal Recap (part I)


Not often do Cheryl and I get away without our bikes but when we do we make the best if it.  Visiting Cheryl in Ottawa while she continues her training for the IDENT section of the RCMP was great to walk about and see all the sights and sounds of these two Canadian cities.

We live in BC, Canada as many who read this blog know but heading to Ottawa and Old Montreal we both felt like we were in a totally different country.  While French is the official second language of Canada, most do not speak it in BC.  Having said that Ottawa and especially Old Montreal French dominates everyday chat.  Made us feel a little insecure as we both do not speak French.

Continue reading

2013 Adventure Bike Comparison Test


The Road to Armageddon map

The Mayans seriously screwed up. Either that, or we are not very good at reading their hieroglyphs. Most of us woke up last December 22nd and realized that the predicted doomsday hadn’t materialized. But it got the Cycle World staff thinking… Continue reading

2013 Dual Sport BC Newbie Spring Ride Pics


Official Video of the 2013 BMW F800GS


After taking my bike off road for really the first “technical” trail since I have owned it…I am happy to say this bike kicks ass….but…and there is always a but…when I get around to posting videos and picture of March 24th 2013 Dual Sport BC Spring Newbie ride…you will see I have one complaint about my awesome bike.  Have a watch of a professional video…Oh, to have a cinematographer in the family! Second video is me showing you the front end suspension of my bike.

The Inevitable


Roadside repairs are inevitable when out of the road…prepare for delays, stay calm and patient!

Adventure Riding Night


 Pacific motorsports. Vancouver BMW Triumph Aprilia Moto Guzzi Husqvarna MV Agusta dealer logo

Events and News


I am honored to be invited to speak at PACIFIC MOTOSPORTS our BMW dealer.

Free food, KLIM there and the intro of the new BMW 1200GS, plus me!  Cheryl is still in Ottawa but I get to share many pictures and stories about our Adventure riding endeavors!  What would be better than being around like minded folks/riders….good food and a great dealer?  Ummm…Cheryl being there but I think I can handle it!  ;-)

Hope some readers of this blog who are local will come down on Friday, March 22!  I think it’s going to be a fun night!

Special Guest speaker: LESLIE SOFARELLI

Friday, March 22, 2013 (6pm – 9pm)