Have you ever wondered what it would be like to leave the hustle and bustle of the city and pursue your passion in the wilderness? I found that answer through adventure riding. When I discovered this pastime, I realized that my life had been missing something very important all along – adventure! These days, I’m able to enjoy the thrill of traveling off-road on two wheels, enjoying nature, and getting to know a new community every time I go out. Here’s how my love of adventure riding changed my life for the better!
According to Psychology Today, Riding motorcycles, for all its dangerous potential, can be psychologically calming and soothing.
This is certainly true for me. It has given me a new appreciation for life and a profound sense of belonging—to myself and my community. I’m not sure why that connection exists but it does, and it feels very good. And now when I find myself falling back into my old behavioural patterns of anxiety or depression, riding brings me back to centre.
A lot of people overlook physical health as a requirement to enjoy motorcycle riding.
The truth is that you need to be in good physical shape to be able to ride for long periods of time, especially if you’re traveling. Don’t worry though—even if you’re not in tip-top shape right now, you can still get into adventure riding and reap its benefits. Just start with short rides, ask for help from people like me and work your way up from there.
You may be new to adventure riding or even have a few miles under your belt, but there are always questions that come up. Here are a few of them.
What Gear Do I Need?
Whether you’re a new or seasoned adventure rider, most will agree that there’s never been a better time to be in motorcycling. The availability of gear has reached new heights, while costs have dropped dramatically. And there are lots of great options out there to fit every budget. If you don’t have a spare $10,000 sitting around (and let’s face it: even if you do), you can still ride and pack more than many might imagine.
Do I Need to Train?
If you’re a novice, it might be beneficial to get some formal training before taking your adventure bike off-road.
Adventure riding is mostly about skill, so take some time to learn a few things. This can be done by joining a club or through one-on-one coaching with an experienced rider in your area. It also pays to be physically prepared as Adventure riding can be arduous have a look over this website to find tips on how to prepare yourself physically.
There are plenty of places you can go on an adventure ride. But you have to ask yourself if your physical condition is up to par. An adventure ride can be over 300 kms long, and it’s not unusual for motorcyclists to travel over 1000 kms in a day. If that sounds daunting, remember that it’s about attitude and willingness more than anything else: Are you willing to push yourself? Are you committed to making each ride count?
Whether you live in Australia or Arizona, there’s a group of people out there who love riding as much as you do.
An adventure riding community isn’t hard to find—it may be easier than you think. All it takes is a little bit of online digging, and some genuine social media effort (so reach out, ask questions, share your own stories) to find clubs and groups of like-minded riders nearby.
