What if?

Ever play ‘what if’ as a kid?

My mate Steve and I did, all the time. You had a fiver and had to buy sweets for a week. We grew – and so did the game. First cars, best girlfriends, that kinda thing.

So it was with a smile (and a beer) that Steve and I had the same discussion last night.

This is how Steve put it, kicking back in my study the other day:

‘So imagine – you’ve got your nice, detached house, your big GS sitting in a twin garage, workshop all kitted out. You’ve got a big garden, pool, drive, electric gates. Wife’s happy. Kids too, getting good marks in a good school.

You’re financially comfortable – you have all the time and money you need to do your thing. 🙂

Life couldn’t be better.

Then you’re told you’ve gotta spend 30 grand. In 48 hours. What do you do?”

Have to say, I had to give it some thought and biking won out. So, here’s my choice:

New KTM 690 Enduro R (7 grand)

Rally Raid Adventure kit (2 grand)

Klim kit (a grand)

Adventure-spec hard parts and soft luggage (a grand)

Airlift bike and me to Cape Town (15 grand?)

Beer, whisky and cigars from duty free (couple of hundred quid)

A bit of female company (the rest) 🙂

What if , huh?

Time and Space in America: the real deal

Someone once asked me if it was ever possible to the capture a trip on a page. A big ask.

I’m standing at a gas station when the cashier says ‘Welcome to the United States. It’s a big country, enjoy it! And have a great day!’ I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone welcome me to their home soil like that. A nice touch.

But she was right – it is a big country. And if you like adventures, it’s a fascinating place. Rocky desert and far horizons in the south. Big sky and grassy plains in the middle. Majestic mountains taking you down to rugged coast and sun-kissed beaches in the West. Superb black top, challenging trails and cheap gas 🙂 At every turn a chance to explore new horizons. A new adventure, a new experience.

And at every turn options galore. You wanna beer – you can get a beer. You wanna play pool – you can play pool. You wanna know the road – someone will show you the right way, no problem. And if you wanna take off, you can take off. No-one holds you to account – it’s your call. Be who you want to be. It’s that good.

I got talking to a father and son in California. They had ridden from Canada on their annual tour, passing snowbirds on the way down. They lived in a  country that has tons of its own natural wonders. And they hadn’t seen them all. But they talked about going further and further into the States, about great new places and experiences. Now they were heading down the Pacific Highway, sea breeze coming in from the ocean.

‘You should try New Mexico. The terrain, the sights – just awesome’.

This wasn’t your typical overstatement. This wasn’t ‘awesome’ as in a new skateboard or the latest teenage sensation. This was ‘awesome’ as in jaw-droppingly, stunningly beautiful.

Like any country, the US has its pros and cons. In my view, a lot more pros. For an adventure biker, it takes a hell of a lot of beating. I’ve done three trips so far and can feel my off road skills and biking experience benefit no end. Those three trips won’t be the last…

For a taste of what I’m talking about, check this