Author: motorcyclejourneyman

I ride to find peace with myself. Amen.

So it’s been a while since I posted last .. lots been going on and I’d lost touch with my bike and the zen for me that comes with saddle time.

I’ve just got back from 4 weeks in Europe, 21 days of which was a motorcycle tour through the Baltics. Wonderful sights, food, history and people every day. And also saddle time!

Saddle time ❤️. At one with the machine – in this case a new BMW R1200RS. Wonderful bike. And the peaceful head space that comes with bike time.

This morning (back home) I headed out for a favorite ride to clear my head. Commonly known as the Cotter loop. Those who ride around Canberra will know it well. And then a coffee at the National Arboretum.

Anyone who rides a motorcycle can probably tell you that riding a motorcycle isn’t just a form of transportation, it’s an experience. When you return from a motorcycle ride, you are energized and happy.

Many refer to riding as their therapy. Feel bad? Need to sort out a problem? Ride. It works. Motorcycle riding releases endorphins which improve moods. Simple as that. 

Amen. 👏👏👏

Thank you Adventure Rider Radio: https://adventureriderradio.com/adventure-rider-radio-episodes/2016/3/31/proof-positive-motorcycle-riding-good-for-the-soul

Find that thing that makes you happy and just keep doing it!

I’m sitting in a coffee shop at Sydney International enjoying a coffee after nearly 40 hours traveling back from Reykjavík, Iceland.

I can honestly say that the last 2 weeks in Iceland has been amazing, and I’m almost lost for words. Thanks to Mike from ‘World on Wheels’ for an awesome tour. And a big thumbs up to our local guide Ragnar Unnarsson – Takk fyrir mate 😎.

Touring this beautiful country by motorcycle has truly been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had the privilege to enjoy.

It’s vast, it’s raw, and it’s wild. And I got to taste much of it. From rolling tundra, to immense mountains, high passes, inspiring Fiords, glaciers, and the vast oceans. I have thousands of pictures, but I fear that they just won’t measure up .. and capture the spectacular vistas we witnessed.

The weather threw it all at us – from clear blue skies to sleet, hail, pouring rain. And at times howling winds that threw us around all over the road!

Road conditions too threw up a few anxious moments. Mostly paved roads, with some fast gravel along the way. Some of the mountain passes were very wet and slippery, with some tight switchbacks and greasy surfaces making the bike move about unpredictably.

Every day we saw things that took our breath away. I can’t count the number of times I muttered to myself ‘wow’ .. ‘what the fuck’!! And sometimes struggled to take it all in and stay on the road.

So to the reflective part of this post…

Firstly, I’m blessed that I have the health and the financial means to do something like this. Two weeks in the ‘saddle’ was amazing, awe inspiring, and humbling.

Second I am reminded of the essential beauty of out planet, and our responsibilities to care for the environment. Iceland is clean – clean air and clean water. And we all need to work to keep it that way.

Finally, I’m humbled by the experience – I feel small given the immensity of Iceland. And I’m particularly struck by the hardship and struggle endured by generations of Icelanders. It’s a beautiful but savage place, and I can only imaging what life was like for them over nearly 1,100 years of settlement.

So I say to all Icelanders – takk og góða heilsu.

Motorcycle JourneyMan.