Adventure Rider Radio

RIDE READY—a miniseries for anyone getting back on the bike after a break. Whether you’ve been off due to winter weather, a busy schedule, or you’re planning a riding trip, this series is packed with essentials for getting back on, plus tips and tricks for improving your riding skills—all from one of the most experienced instructors in North America, Clinton Smout. This is the final episode of the series.

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Chris Smith had long made a tradition of planning annual motorcycle adventures with friends and family. The year before, their trip was cut short when several people dropped out due to various challenges. This time, with a smaller group, they pushed farther—riding through active wildfires on their way to the end of Quebec’s remote Trans-Taiga Road. After a night camping at the Caniapiscau Reservoir, they began ...

Carl and Isabel Abrams traded their comfortable life in the UK for an open-ended motorcycle journey around the world after a cancer diagnosis reshaped their priorities. Now, 18 months and 16 countries later, they share unforgettable stories of the people they've met and the connections that have changed them. This episode is about more than travel—it's about chasing a dream and discovering the heart of humanity along the w...

Back in 2020, while the world was grappling with the pandemic and its many challenges, Brad Henrichs faced another devastating blow—he was diagnosed with cancer. Facing this life-altering moment, he felt the need to reevaluate his priorities. On his bucket list was a motorcycle ride to Alaska. He began planning and soon found himself riding his motorcycle to Alaska with his daughter sitting behind him. Some par...

In 2019, while reading a motorcycle travel book, Sal was saving for an extended trip when Ethan asked if she planned to ride around the world. Without hesitation, she replied, “maybe.” That moment set them on an extraordinary journey across Africa and the Middle East, encountering breakdowns, roadblocks, flash floods, and theft. They navigated war zones, endured malaria, and battled relentless mechanical failures, yet the ...

A couple of years ago, Stephen Oliver embarked on a journey from Tarifa, Spain’s southernmost point, to Nordkapp, Norway, traversing mountain passes, navigating high-speed autobahns, and immersing himself in the cultures of ten countries. The ride was not without its challenges—including a crash that injured him and damaged his bike, testing his resolve. Yet with every setback, he adapted, pushing forward with determinatio...

This is the second episode in our RIDER SKILLS Miniseries—Ride Ready Skills for Adventure for anyone getting back on the bike after a break. Whether you've been off because of winter weather or a busy schedule, or you're gearing up for a riding trip, this series is packed with essential steps, tips, and guidance on training and building your skills. You'll learn how to structure your training, master key techniques, and pi...

In 2008, Doug Oosterhouse’s annual motorcycle camping trip took a brutal turn on the Haywire Grade Trail in Michigan when deep sand and a hidden hole caused his fully loaded KLR 650 to crash. With no cell service and a serious injury that left his foot pointing the wrong way, getting help was no easy task. What followed was a painful ordeal, major surgery, and a lesson in just how quickly an adventure can go sideways.

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Scott Dobie spent years climbing the corporate ladder, enjoying success and financial stability while postponing the start of a family for 15 years to concentrate on his career. Faced with the demands of his job, he discovered something that would change everything: motorcycle travel. What began as a simple getaway soon transformed into a life-changing journey across the U.S. that not only reconnected him with himself but ...

At 38, Stefanie Eickhorn bought her first motorcycle—never anticipating it would take her across continents or away from the structured German life in which she was raised. A decade later, she set off solo, riding from Portugal to the deserts of Saudi Arabia, the peaks of the Balkans, and deep into Africa. She has encountered war-altered routes, shifting borders, and the battle between control and chaos. She has learned to...

In this BUCKET LIST episode, Maria Schumacher and Aidan Walsh talk about their experience riding in the Himalayas. Their journey offers compelling insights into adaptability and its role as a powerful tool in both travel and life, as they found India to be overwhelming and beautiful simultaneously.

BUCKET LIST is an Adventure Rider Radio series that features destinations through riders' experiences....

In late 2014, after losing his job and finding himself at a crossroads, Josh Kepkay decided to take a leap of faith. With $15,000 in the bank and no clear plan, he set off to travel the world. His journey began in Vietnam, where a motorcycle adventure to Sapa—despite never having ridden a bike before—ignited a lifelong passion within him. What started as a search for direction evolved into a life defined by motorcycles, ex...

This is the first episode of a miniseries within our RIDER SKILLS series — Ride Ready Skills for Adventure. This miniseries presents a step-by-step program to equip you with the essential skills for your upcoming riding season or adventure. The episodes are arranged linearly, so you can follow along in order over the next three or four episodes, building your knowledge and preparing for some fun and safe riding. This firs...

In his mid-40s, Philipp Amann decided it was finally time for an off-road adventure, despite the challenges of age, fitness, and relying on a 28-year-old BMW R1100GS. His first ride on the TET was a wild and humbling plunge into the deep end, but through grit, determination, and a passion for exploration, he transformed early blunders into triumphs. Along the way, he discovered the thrill of mastering off-road challenges, ...

While solo riding the rugged White Rim Trail in Moab, Utah, James Simonowski faced an unexpected ordeal when a crash left him pinned beneath his motorcycle. Equipped with a Garmin inReach, a device he carried with the hope it would work in an emergency, James put it to the ultimate test.

Links: Photos and links related to this episode can be found in the show notes on Adventure Rider Radio.

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As the year begins, many riders set New Year’s resolutions, often centred around sacrifice—cutting out indulgences, hitting the gym, or saving money by skipping small pleasures. All these resolutions centre around some sense of pain, which is why we often give up on our resolutions quickly. But what if your resolution fuelled your passion for two wheels instead? This year, aim for a win-win goal: plan one motor...

In the premiere episode of BUCKET LIST, Sheonagh Ravensdale and Pat Thomson, who first connected through the Women’s International Motorcycle Association (WIMA), share their incredible journey of adventure. Thirty years after their initial meeting, they continue to explore the world together. One memorable trip took them to Korea, where they were both surprised and deeply impressed by the unique experiences and...

Ante Dodig planned a motorcycle trip that would take him across Canada, up to Alaska, and all the way down to the southernmost tip of South America. This was his first foray into long-distance motorcycling, and while the trip didn’t unfold as he had envisioned, he said he would do it all over again, even knowing the outcome.

Links: Photos and links related to this episode can be found in the show notes on Adve...

Backroad riding is the essence of adventure motorcycling — exploring remote places and pushing limits. It’s not an everyday experience for most riders, making preparation and caution crucial. In this RIDER SKILLS episode, Clinton Smout shares expert tips for tackling backroads safely, handling challenges, and avoiding common mistakes — your ultimate guide to backroad adventures.

Links: Photos and links related ...