Adventure Motorcycling

Adventure Motorcycle Content RSS Feed

All-New Women’s Adventure and Dual-Sport Gear From Klim

Published in: News
Rigby, Idaho - KLIM is excited to release two all-new women’s riding kits, the Sedona Jacket and Pants for warm-weather adventure riding and the Rebelle dual-sport kit – complete with a jersey, jacket, int-the-boot overalls and gloves. These exciting new offerings bring a heightened level of capability and performance to KLIM’s women’s adventure line and dual-sport off-road line.

• Sedona Women ADV Jacket and Pants

The women’s specific Sedona Jacket and Pants are tailored for the aggressive female adventure rider looking for impeccable fit and mobility in a warm-weather-optimized package. Constructed with breathable 4-way stretch nylon, durable high-wear areas and CE Level 1 D3O armor, the Sedona Jacket delivers flexibility, durability and comfort in a variety of conditions. Strategically placed zippered vents and a cooling mesh liner provide relief from high temperatures.

KLIM developed the Sedona Jacket and Pants to answer the call of female adventure riders asking for breathable, flexible, versatile gear that perfected the balance of off-road functionality with on-road abrasion protection. The Sedona Pants, for example, are in-the-boot for improved performance in off-road conditions, but the entire suit still earns the coveted CE AA-rating for abrasion protection. Completing the package is a wonderful fit that’s tunable for a wide range of riders thanks to adjustment straps, zippered gussets and stretch materials.

MSRP: Jacket: $499.99 | Pants: 419.99

• Rebelle Dual-Sport Kit for Women

Listening to rider feedback is a core principle of KLIM’s approach to gear development, and the new women’s Rebelle kit is a perfect example. Female riders had been asking for an off-road kit with more features and durability than the popular Women’s XC Lite series – something that would be more comparable to the men’s Dakar lineup of gear. KLIM listened and built the all-new women’s Rebelle kit, complete with a jacket, jersey in-the-boot overalls and gloves.

The Rebelle Jacket is perfectly suited for a wide range of riding: dual-sport, light adventure, or even trail riding when temperatures are cooler. The jacket is built with stretch materials and durable ripstop nylon in key areas for a blend of mobility and durability. Removable sleeves turn the jacket into a vest, and adjustable zippered vents control cooling airflow when needed. The result is a highly versatile dual-sport jacket – it’s even compatible with armor pads (sold separately).

The Rebelle In The Boot Overall are purpose-built women’s specific overalls for dirt bike, dual-sport and light adventure riding. Bringing stretch, durability, three pockets, adjustable vents and cooling fabrics into a never-seen-before package, the Rebelle In The Boot Overall is a highly versatile piece of off-road gear. It even includes knee and hip armor pockets for riders who want to add integrated armor.

MSRP: Jacket: $299.99 | Overall: $279.99 | Jersey: $79.99 | Gloves: $39.99

For more information visit www.KLIM.com

About KLIM

KLIM Technical Riding Gear is a global leader in designing, developing, sourcing and distributing the most advanced powersports apparel for snowmobile, motorcycle and off-road riding. Utilizing the world’s most premium technologies in waterproof, breathable, durable and comfortable materials, KLIM offers gear for the most demanding riders. Driven by the continual feedback and input from dedicated test pilots and passionate customers, KLIM strives to do one thing above all – enhance the riding experience.

Read more...
In Search of Old West Coast Hippies

Published in: Rides

The route from Washington all the way to California is home to beautiful fairytale forests, snow-peaked volcanos, lush valleys, old Spanish lighthouses dating from the 18th century, sea lions and alluring beaches. It’s a route that includes the majestic nearly 3,000-year-old growth redwoods with their distinct Jurassic era feel. Some of these giants tower over five stories high. Although it’s a well-trotted route, there are hidden gems to still see and explore along the way.

We did not stick to the normal route of strictly following The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Our journey took us towards Baja California using BDR and Butler maps and our own research. Fortunately, we were often distracted along the way. There was so much to experience and see it was impossible to stay on any single route. We decided early on to explore more of the backroads and dirt tracks winding through the magnificent forest areas.

The PCH is actually an unofficial designation for a couple of different roads, and basically applies to whichever is closest to the coast at any given time. For example, travelling south of San Francisco, the signage is for CA-1, and north of there it is US-101. Most of the PCH was built in the early 20^th century and in 1923 was proclaimed as the longest continuous stretch of paved road in the world at that time.

We found the inland scenery and landscapes just as inspiring with its displays of rolling grass hills, elaborate wildflowers, picturesque waterfalls, flowered meadows, lush valleys, and majestic coastal mountains. We avoided crowds because it was late summer, and it was not overly hot during the day. Evenings were pleasantly cool.

Beautiful old Douglas firs filled our nostrils with their sweet scent as we rode to our campsite on Mount Rainier. After quickly setting up camp, we went hiking almost halfway up the mountain following cool streams to where the snow cap glacier was more visible. This is a place where one can camp for weeks, and daily hike and explore new sections of wilderness.

From Mount Rainier, a dirt road took us along the edge of the rugged Mount Adams, the second-highest mountain in Washington State, and past the once-mighty Mount St. Helens. In May 1980, this volcano blew half of itself into the sky in an enormous explosion and forever changed the landscape of this once near-perfect volcanic cone, flattening huge forest areas which to this day have not recovered properly. There are secluded places to camp in the woods all along the dirt tracks of this corridor. Our pick was at Horseshoe Lake, a strangely warm alpine lake with great views of Mount Adams and not a soul around. It’s the perfect place to go on short or long hikes to see wildlife.

The area with Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams Wilderness still provides a true backcountry wilderness experience.

Crossing the Columbia River into Oregon, we stayed along the coast with its breathtaking views of the Pacific. Whale watching at Coos Bay, astonishing beautiful sunsets, quaint working fishing towns and craft beer are all part of the scenic ride down the Oregon coast. There are so many super-cool campsites along the coast there’s no need to stay in hotels. Local American campers were eager to chat with us and hear our stories; we would never have met so many interesting people if we’d been stuck in hotels.

“They grew old and bought recreational vehicles.”

I asked an elderly man what happened to the authentic real hippies that roamed California and the Pacific coast in the ‘60s and ‘70s? The ones that smoked weed and had naughty naked parties on the beaches. We were hoping to mingle with the real ones. His answer was “they grew old and bought RVs.” It was a sad state of affairs, but our confidence in the free lifestyle was restored by the sheer amount of younger van-dwelling travelers cruising up and down the coast. They were mostly youngsters in raggedy old vans and VW buses wearing their parents ’60’s clothes, but at least they drank as hard and smoked as much grass, keeping up the tradition.

With that said, we’ve never been offered so much cannabis so often as in Oregon and California… cough, cough. It happened in campsites and a few times even when we stopped for fuel or something to eat. Locals came up for a chat and then in the end with much laughter and good cheer offered weed as a kind gesture. U.S. law enforcement seems like quite an angry tight-ass bunch, so we respectfully declined. Along some parts of Highway 1, north of San Francisco Bay, we’d often whiff the pungent smell cannabis as we rode South.

The one big reason for travelling PCH is to visit the redwoods and the Avenue of the Giants in California. Those unbelievable photos on the internet where a tunnel was built through the trunk of a tree. It’s so big that people drive their cars through… unreal. Those trees are shockingly huge to see in real life.

There are few things more overwhelmingly spectacular to see in real life than the redwoods (Sequoioideae) trees.

Giant sequoias and California redwoods (also called coast redwoods) are skyscrapers in nature. Baby redwoods often sprout at their parents’ base, latching onto their roots for nutrients. Because of this they often grow in circular clusters called “fairy rings.” Redwoods have a chemical inside the pores that makes them weather-, insect- and rot-resistant.

Hiking around the Redwood National and State parks is a great way to experience the magnificence of trees and the forest. The best part of it is the numerous camping spots in the Avenue of the Giants, spending time among these skyscrapers. As it was late summer, the air was crisp in the mornings, which also left a nice and fresh aroma in the forest.

It’s humbling to stand next to a living organism the size of those giants; their presence turns even the hardest of souls into a tree-hugging hippy kid. It might even contribute to good mental health, to sit in a forest just enjoying the quiet calm with these wonderful giants towering into the sky.

With a staggering number of options to beach camp, Usal Beach in our books is one of those best-kept secrets. This remote beach with its black sand is about a mile long and quite deep at the mouth of Usal Creek. It’s a seasonal park and normally open from March through October with suggested to access by 4x4s and adventure motorcycles.

The dark shadowy damp forest road wound all the way along the coast and descended to the beach, breathtaking stuff! It is the kind of road that invites and rewards dual-sport riders. While enjoying a late lunch and some beers that afternoon, after setting up our wild camp, we got the most amazing sight. We were near the beach with a few other campers in the distance, when a massive Roosevelt Elk silently appeared a few meters from our tent. It is a striking and imposing creature to appear out of nowhere, but a wonderful sight. We followed the lazy grazing of two of these magnificent animals the rest of the afternoon. Days later, a local warned us that Roosevelt Elk can be very aggressive in mating season. Maybe so, but we had no problems.

Sea lions play in the surf along this part of the coast. Nearby is Sally Bell Grove, a strikingly gorgeous grove of old growth redwoods along an estuary. High up on the bluffs you can see for many kilometers out to sea, including a groovy blow hole and a gorgeous sea cave. Osprey hunt for food at all the beaches. It’s the kind of stuff National Geographic documentaries are made of, except we saw it in real life.

Big cities are not really a highlight of motorcycle travelling, but I guess there are a few in the world worth visiting if you find yourself nearby. San Francisco is one such city in the middle of this beautiful route. The City by the Bay is a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures, and lifestyles—relaxed and easy-going. Places like Haight-Ashbury, the Marina, Baker Beach, Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf are all in a one-day trip, but ridiculously touristy. For foodies, San Francisco has some of the biggest variety of international foods available from every type of restaurant imaginable. Unfortunately, we did not spend nearly enough time there as it was quite a drain on the budget, especially for long-term overlanders like us.

Getting off the main route after San Francisco we headed towards Lake Tahoe and from there south into Yosemite National Park. The Americans did an excellent job building roads in and around Yosemite. As motorcycle riding nirvana, it’s not just the roads that make for a stunning ride, but also the spectacular granite cathedrals, soaring cliffs, domes, and free-falling waterfalls in Yosemite.

Yosemite Valley is a seven-mile-wide canyon with white granite rock formations including El Capitan, the world’s tallest granite monolith. Yosemite Falls is said to be the largest waterfall in North America. And to top it, the local Giant Sequoia are the world’s most massive tree, some estimated to be over 3,000 years old.

What makes them so unique apart from their humungous size is their very specific climate requirements. They only grow naturally in a narrow 400-kilometer strip of mixed conifer forest on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, primarily between 1.5 and 2 kilometers in elevation.

Continuing down through California, we saw only a very brief glimpse of the south coast and didn’t get a chance to touch the inland highlights like Joshua Tree or Death Valley. There’s so much to see and experience on the West Coast that it numbs the senses. It’s a relaxed enjoyable motorcycle ride with all the smells, tastes, and visual pleasures for a memorable trip you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Michnus Olivier, GenX’er born and bred South African product. Known on PikiPikioverland as “The Tyre Fixer.” Not known to follow or believe his own advice, however he loves to share stories and inspiration with others. Michnus and his better half, Elsebie, left South Africa 10 years ago on an initial six-month planned motorcycle trip up to Europe through Africa. Sold mom and the family pets, hit the road exploring on a semi-permanent basis to this day.

Read more...
Extreme Indonesia: The Journey into the Unknown

Published in: Rides

I’ve spent the last six years travelling the world via motorbike. When I left home in the south of England, I had no idea of where it would lead me. With a one-way ticket to India, I’d figure it out from there. Being an extreme sports and motorbike fanatic, some would say it was inevitable I’d end up travelling the world this way. But after a while, I started seeking something outside of the usual road trips—something you aren’t likely to find on a tour or in a magazine article… the next level.

Indonesia was a country that had never been high on my must-see list, but it turned out to be the best place I ever visited. I landed in Bali, found a Kawasaki KLX150, and set off looking for any dense forests, jungles and anything that looked like it would be fun. However, after locating one jungle trail, the deeper I got into it the more I began to panic. Although I was enjoying every minute of the experience, fear got the best of me and I decided to head back to base. It was a pattern I’d repeat several times before re-evaluating my approach.

Realizing I needed a better plan, I decided to get a newer and more reliable bike and do an east-to-west trip on as many rural trails as I could locate. I found a 2017 Honda CRF150, had it bored out to 200ccs and rode it for the duration of the four-month trip. I packed only a first aid kit, waterproof jacket, and a few basic tools along with a compass in the tank bag in case my phone died. Then, using Google Earth I looked for any hint of jungle or mountain trails, jotting them down for a rough path to follow, and off I went.

The newer bike and basic baggage were far better suited for this kind of travel. For the duration, I used Geo Tracker to record my route in case I needed to backtrack and find a different way out, which happened with regularity.

The first few days I went as far as I could, riding tracks I found on Google Earth, but it was difficult going. However, because I’d started in Bali, I was never more than a few hours away from civilization—but this didn’t mean it was particularly safe. At one point, I slipped down a wet jungle embankment and trapped my leg under the bike; it took hours to get free, but not before it started raining heavily and grew dark. I remember laying there with rain on my face, laughing because as crazy as this was, it was exactly what I wanted, and I felt alive. I got into jams that made me think it was all a bad idea, but I kept on going anyway. The more I pushed on, the more I began to let go of control, and the more I started to just go with it and see what would happen next.

“When you visualize the things you want in life, you only see the coincidences, but let go of all control and that’s when the real magic happens.”—Alan Watts

Eventually, this mindset became my way of travelling. I learned to completely let go of any fear, and by doing this, everything that followed, and I mean EVERYTHING, went in a way I could never have imagined. I had a rough idea every day of where I wanted to end up, but everything in between is where I practiced this philosophy.

The more I travelled in this way, the more it became my way of life. There were times where suddenly, I would get this feeling to travel in a completely different direction, and it never let me down. From places I found, people I met and things I saw—everything that happened was a direct result of letting go and trusting life to take care of the details. By expecting nothing, I received everything. I realized that you have to have a dream, you have to have a goal, but how you get there is best left for life to decide. “If you don’t know where you’re going, then any road will take you there.”

After arriving in Java, I managed to tap into a network of trails until I came to a roadblock guarded by the local military. Beyond the roadblock, I could see the signs of an unbelievable adventure, so I pushed past my frustration to find a way through. I communicated using Google Translate and I’m not sure how I managed it, but I convinced the guards to let me pass. I showed them pictures of my trip and explained what I was doing here, they looked at each other, laughed and gave me a pat on the back before letting me pass. It was the biggest relief and the best outcome, because those trails were some of the best I’d ever encountered. I didn’t see another soul for a long time and the path constantly forked, making tracking difficult. The trails swooped in and out of the oceanfront and I couldn’t stop laughing the entire time. At one point a group of monkeys ran next to me jumping around in the trees—it all felt quite surreal. I completely zoned out and it was pure bliss.

I continued travelling in this way to Jogjakarta; as I passed through a small village near Tumpak Sewu Lumajang, I bumped into a group of local riders advertising an enduro event sponsored by Honda. The locals said they would let me ride with their team. Although I was extremely tired I couldn’t pass up the opportunity, so I joined them. The event had a large stage, music and hundreds of local riders, I was the only westerner and when I took my helmet off, they seemed shocked. The ride was incredible, weaving in and out of jungles and forests with great obstacles along the way.

After saying goodbye to the team, I continued on to Malang, where I made friends with another great guy, Uphi. He owned a company called Moto East Java, and let me ride with his groups as their photographer, showing me some secret trails as well.

Uphi was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. We spent time together, doing different trails on different days, and meeting the people who lived along these tracks. The locals seemed amused that I was doing this off-road trip, and a large portion of them were enduro fans. Uphi gave me some local knowledge on the next leg of my trip and pointed me in the right direction to hit some extreme trails. He said I was crazy to do this alone, but was happy to help me.

I continued on until I made it to Jogjakarta, where I decided to return to Bali. By then I was exhausted and the thought of riding all the way back to catch my flight sank in. But, the journey back was the perfect time to reflect. The trusty Honda CRF had been a reliable ride and hadn’t missed a beat. I dropped the oil regularly and changed the sparkplugs and filters, but it was the best bike I could have used, although there were times I wished it had more power. Honda did a great job once again.

I barely touched regular roads during that trip to Jogjakarta. The network of off-road trails connecting this country are the most amazing I’ve come across anywhere. Used by jungle hunters, foragers, and other riders, it’s enduro heaven. I’d barely come across another foreigner over four months, and some of the things I came across had likely never been seen by any tourist. Many had been life-changing experiences, to say the least. Sometimes we get in our own way when trying to take control of everything, and I realized the best way to travel is just let go.

“We often kill the potential of a good situation before it’s had chance to unfold. Due to anxiety and the urge to control everything, we create our own depression.”—Harry Shelswell

If you are considering a similar trip to a foreign land, keep the following in mind: Always check weather conditions before departure; apply the gas-water-air rule (fuel, water, tires); have a clear map in your head of where you are going including stops; pack some food; and don’t forget the camera.

Harry Shelswell left home in search of adventure. Expecting to be gone for a few months, every time one trip was coming to a close a new one would spring into view. “I’ve travelled through eight countries so far. Rather than blasting through places I’ve learned to take my time to explore every nook and cranny. By travelling in this way, I gain a deeper understanding of the cultures and landscapes. And when I’m not on a bike I’m working as a photographer—combining two of my life’s passions as I get involved with many opportunities around the globe—capturing life in unique ways in an attempt to share the world as I see it.” Instagram @harry_shelswell.

Read more...
WABDR: Exploring Washington's Finest
Published in: Rides

If you are looking for a world-class adventure ride in the lower 48… look no further. This IS the ride to do!

The WABDR (Washington Backcountry Discovery Route) is approximately 650 miles of forest service roads, fire roads, and jeep trails connecting Oregon State to Canada. This incredible route will take you along the high mountain ridges along the Washington cascade, past the rich soils of Eastern Washington.

Living in Washington, and being too late in the season for another trip to Alaska or Mexico, I took a trip on the WABDR running south to north the first week of October. The first leg of the route is a great warm-up beginning at the “Bridge of the Gods” near Stevenson, where you will be led north through the heavy forest canopies of Western Washington.

This first leg ends near the small logging town of Packwood, where you’ll begin the longest stretch of pavement along the WABDR. This isn’t a bad thing as it will take you along Highway 12, one of the scenic highway passes, towards the east side of the state where you will rejoin the dirt for your northern treks.

The second leg is my favorite, being the most technically challenging (there are less challenging alternates for lesser skilled riders and bigger bikes). It was impossible to stop smiling as I shot along the backroads ranging from well-maintained forest service roads to forgotten jeep trails.

Like a mountain goat trail, the roads move back and forth as they climb the steep mountain walls providing breathtaking vistas all the way, every turn in the road calling for you to pause and take in the majestic snowcapped mountain peaks surrounding you.

As the WABDR transitions from the dense evergreen forest of the west to the sparse pines of the drier climate, the ground becomes looser and more challenging. Beastly bikes like the BMW R1200GS can wrestle and push their way through this second leg, like a bull pushing through a crowd of people.

It’s more work than pleasure, though, as this section is an absolute dream ride for bikes like the KLR650, BMW G650GS, or even my travel companion the BMW F800GS; the remaining four legs are easy to traverse even on a V-Strom, or other more street-biased adventure machines.

Of course there are less challenging alternatives for larger bikes or less experienced adventurers. The end of the second leg lands in the city of Ellensburg, where there are ample stores to resupply if needed (one of the best street rides in Washington leaves south from Ellensburg south along the Yakima river… worth the detour if you have the time).

The next four legs lead you to the Chopaka border crossing and continue to take you up and down the mountains, across valley floors, along the shores of Lake Chelan, through forest ravaged by fire, and along high mountain ridges where you will understand how Zeus felt as he looked down on the world below.

Camping is abundant along the way and there are even some state campgrounds if you prefer facilities. Each of the six legs lands near civilization for those preferring the comforts of a hotel and hot meal. Most of my adventure riding is closer to dirt than street, and I was expecting this to be a real bore… I was happily disappointed.

This ride rocks and was vastly more entertaining than even my recent trip to Alaska! Now I understand why adventure riders are flying to Washington State from all over the world to take advantage of these incredible roads and scenic vistas.

Maps and video of the WABDR: Touratech-USA.com

Free GPS downloads: RideBDR.com

WABDR notes:
- Most riders will take four to six days to complete the WABDR.
- Much of the route is without cell service so a SPOT, PLB, or sat phone is recommended.
- This is a great ride for riders with some experience but not good if it is your first time off pavement.
- Free camping is available along most of the route, pay sites are available as well.
- Route was selected for larger adventure bikes in the 650cc range and above.
- Route can easily be traveled as a complete route or in sections.
- There are a plethora of twisty scenic paved roads surrounding the WABDR.
- Pack a first aid kit and know what you are doing… these are remote areas.
- Strongly recommend wearing off-road boots or heavy-duty adventure boots.
Read more...
Women on Wheels vs. the Caribbean: Moto Adventures in Belize

Published in: Rides

“This trail gets a little singletracky, and after that, I’m not sure… could be a pretty cool path through the jungle. Could be a dead-end,” remarked Jurga, my riding buddy and partner in crime, as she pointed at an orange line on her Wikiloc screen. “Let’s give it a go?”

Armed with mosquito repellent, a vague sense of direction, and the aforementioned Wikiloc map that would sometimes work and mainly wouldn’t, we were scouting backcountry routes in Belize aboard two rental Lifan 250cc dual-sports. In just one week, we’d lead a group of female riders across the entire country, exploring dirt trails, rainforest tracks, caves, and remote places off the beaten path. But first, we needed to understand the lay of the land, test the mud soup sloshing ahead of us, and see just how much abuse the Lifans could take.

Belize is best known for its perfect white sand beaches, Caribbean turquoise blue waters, island resorts, sailing, and world-class diving. It’s a tiny country wedged between Mexico and Guatemala and isn’t exactly famous for motorcycle adventures.

But discovering the undiscovered is precisely what drew us there. Better yet, on dirt bikes. Best of all, in the company of other female riders.

• Girls on Bikes in Belize

Jurga and I have been organizing no-boys-allowed adventures here and there for a couple of years, taking women riders to places where they’d either hesitate to go alone or, as was the case with Belize, aren’t normally considered motorcycling destinations.

The “why” is simple: The world is a big and wondrous place, and exploring its less-known nooks and crannies on dirt bikes is ridiculous fun. The “who” is easy, too: We love riding with other women, giving them a little boost of confidence in an environment where speed or ability to wheelie is irrelevant, and creating meaningful connections. And the “where”: Anywhere remote, muddy, and obscure.

Five fearless adventuresses joined our Belize expedition, including Vanessa Ruck, better known as “The Girl on a Bike.” Vanessa’s story is nothing short of inspirational. She suffered a horrific accident on her bicycle a few years ago when she was struck by a car. Since then, she’s undergone several hip and shoulder reconstructions and years of recovery and physiotherapy to become miraculously even stronger than before. She took up motorcycling during her recovery, first riding street motorcycles, then throwing herself right into the deep end with dirt bikes. Last year, she finished the Romaniacs, one of the most brutal enduro races in the world, and took part in Rallye de Maroc—a Dakar qualifying rally race that can, and does, make grown men cry. In addition to her incredible story of recovery, persistence, and racing record, Vanessa also loves to travel, preferably on dirt bikes. So when we invited her to join the mayhem in Belize, she said “Yes!” without hesitation.

Our other four comrades in the Caribbean and sketchy bike life were Canadians Alana and Golnoosh, Suzanne from the U.S., and Mariska from South Africa. Different skill levels, backgrounds, countries, and one goal—to have as much dirt biking fun as humanly possible and live to tell the tale.

Could this international crew of women riders tackle Belizean mud, heat, and life on Lifans for 12 days? We were about to find out.

• Crocodile-Infested Rivers and Friendly Pythons

Starting our adventure in Hopkins, a small beach town a few hours from Belize City, we headed straight for the rainforest trails crossing the Cockscomb Jaguar Sanctuary, a wild place of jungle greenery and red earth trails that lead deeper into the rainforest.

We didn’t spot any jaguars along the way. Still, Suzanne, a Florida native, managed to pet a friendly python as it crossed the road, earning herself the title of “Snake Whisperer.” We’d been worried whether our riders would do well in the insane heat and humidity. Still, here they were, crossing crocodile-infested creeks like nobody’s business and taming boa constrictors as if they were cute puppies.

Next on the menu was some river tubing and a lunch of tamales by the water. Having finished the first day with a scenic ride to the beach, where Vanessa squeezed a few donuts on the sand out of her Lifan, we headed back to basecamp in Hopkins.

There, our host and bike rental owner Emma—a Swedish ex-pat who’d spent over a decade living and riding Belize—took us for lunch in a traditional Garifuna (descendants of West Africa) restaurant complete with an impromptu night drumming party, where we figured it was high time to try some local ceviche and coconut rum.

• Deeper into the Jungle

We rode north, covering a section of the Hummingbird Highway for the next few days. This is one of Belize’s most scenic roads, meandering across green, rolling hills and crossing Mennonite country. Belize is as diverse culturally as it is spectacular when it comes to landscapes: The Garifuna, Mayan locals, and Spanish influence here mix and merge with ex-pats from North America, Europe, and China, as well as Mennonite communities and just about everyone in between.

Belizean nature is as pristine as its Caribbean Sea coral reefs—the greenery of the rainforest brimming with wildlife is a sight to behold, and the deeper into the jungle you ride, the more you feel like Indiana Jones looking for some long-lost treasure in Mayan temple ruins being carefully guarded by iguanas and howler monkeys.

Along the way, we tackled muddy trails, a few hairy sections of rocky climbs and sketchy wooden bridges, singletrack running through the savannah, and tracks crisscrossing the jungle. Belize is a small country, but the riding delivers no shortage of dirt tracks, paved routes, and plenty of things to see and do.

Massive underground caves, river cruises, Mayan villages with friendly locals, beach towns, snorkeling expeditions, and bioluminescence tours make it an adventure destination on steroids—just as long as you’re willing to put up with mosquitoes, heat, humidity, and unpredictability… lots of it!

Every once in a while, a planned lunch place would be closed for no other reason than that it was Wednesday (or someone’s birthday). Trails would sometimes disappear in the grass or be so washed out we’d need to help each other across; a promising swimming hole would be gated and locked, “air conditioning” in a hotel would mean a rickety little fan or one of the Lifans would suddenly decide to kickstart only.

At the same time, a small opening in the ground would lead into a magnificent stalactite cave no tourists ever get to see; a river cruise captain would turn out to be a poet, and a local indigenous family would invite us to lunch in their home; and a farm stay would offer horseback riding early in the morning just as the sun rises, setting the jungle ablaze with the first light, mist, and dew rising from the damp earth. It was common for the locals to wave and smile, amused by the spectacle of a bunch of women on dirt bikes. And if those things weren’t enough, we’d get to see spectacular waterfalls, scarlet macaws taking flight, and sample delicious local food in the most unexpected places. Belize is still mostly untouched by mass tourism and exploring it from our motorcycle saddles felt like adventure in its purest sense.

• The Lifan Life

Speaking of motorcycles, riding Lifans was a first for all of us. We were aware of the reputation Chinese bikes have in the West, but the funny thing was, those 250s took on anything we threw at them—mud, rocks, creek crossings, tip-overs, overly-enthusiastic clutch abuse, and a lot more. Sure, they’re nowhere near as sprightly as Huskies or Yamahas, but they’re wonderfully forgiving for beginners, stable and reliable on any surface, and capable enough on dirt and gravel roads. That said, long highway miles on the Lifans would be painful, but we weren’t riding Belize for the highways. Instead, we were off exploring the most remote trails we could find, and for that purpose, the Lifans held up brilliantly. We bent some gear shifters and shattered a few handguards, but all in all, they were steady, ready, and fun.

As for our intrepid adventuresses? Jurga and I couldn’t have asked for a better crew. There was no shortage of both the classy and the hilarious, the ballsy and the sweet, the adventurous and the kind—but most of all, it was about the connection and the sisterhood (and, yeah, sweaty boob jokes).

Motorcycling is male-dominated—that’s impossible to deny, so when a group of like-minded women gets together to explore a place like Belize, it’s truly magical. Mixed riding abilities from six different countries united for the love of two-wheeled adventures. The trip saw us helping each other and growing, not just in riding but also in roadside repairs, snake handling, and lots of giggling. I’m not usually one to sway towards women-only motorcycle events or rides—perhaps because of my own expectations of us girls—but there, having experienced a female-only motorcycle trip, I’d do it again. The gals were total badasses, and while I love riding with men, there was a completely new connection, new bond, and an incredibly empowering energy of being a group of capable ladies out in the wild!

“It was an action-packed whirlwind,” Vanessa shared after the tour. And Jurga and I couldn’t have agreed more. It seems this women-only dirt biking business may escalate, as we’re now plotting and scheming another scouting trip to Colombia. Or Thailand. Or both—but likely, we’ll be riding Chinese bikes in weird places again.

As for Belize? It’s a wild and beautiful country, and a place you can’t quite understand unless you spend at least a few weeks trying to pick your way through jungle trails and muddy rainforest on a dirt bike, heading nowhere in particular and everywhere you can get to.

It’s got Mayan origins and Jamaican vibes, remote places and Caribbean islands, improvised drumming parties, smiling locals, and incredible wildlife—both on land and in the sea—and it’s still hard to describe something going on to draw us back again. Perhaps it’s just the mind-boggling greenery. Maybe it’s the touch of pristine wilderness. Or perhaps it’s that elusive sense of freedom and authentic adventure.

• CALLOUT:

If you’re thinking of riding Belize, it’s best to aim for spring or late fall months (keep an eye out for the hurricane season around September-October, while mid-summer can be insanely hot). No visa is required, but you only get thirty days upon entry; you can extend this for another month at the immigration office for $100 per person. In addition to dirt biking, there’s plenty to see and do—caves, river cruises, snorkeling, diving, island hopping, and fishing, so it’s best to plan at least three weeks here to take it all in. Motorcycle rental is available in Hopkins, Belize, and yes, it’s the famed Lifan 250s—but they’re more than enough on Belizean trails.

Eglė Gerulaitytė is a freelance writer on a quest to ride around the world and share her adventures with other riders. @egleontheroad | AdventureBound.world

Read more...