As a professional driver for the past twenty five years, I’ve traveled through 48 states (missing Hawaii and North Dakota somehow.) However, when I really examine that milestone, I realize that I have seen so little of the country. For the most part, trucks stay on interstates and then when we do get off the interstate, it’s usually on a U.S. highway. There’s so much more that we haven’t seen as truckers and that’s why I just started my mid-life crisis.
Adventure motorcycling has really captured my interest. I bet you’ve seen these geeky looking motorcyclists, sitting up straight on hybrid looking bikes that combine the power of a 1200cc engine with off road tires, suspension and other specifications that turn a street touring bike into an enduro bike. Street bikes usually have to stop where the pavement ends. That’s definitely not the case with an adventure bike.
There is even a trail that starts in North Carolina and ends at the Pacific Ocean in Oregon that is 90% off road and 10% hardball. No interstates! It’s called the Trans America Trail and the sound of it really appeals to me. People are not only taking adventure bikes on this trail, they also take 4 wheel drives too. Experts that have completed it say it takes about 25 days to complete. The distance is a little over 5000 miles due to the numerous switchbacks and windy paths. On this trail, it’s not about the destination, but the journey.
Check out my earlier blog that shows my current bike.