JFK international airport on Van Wyck Expressway in Southern Queens is massive with four runways over 5200 acres and a ring road connecting the airport terminals. A motorbike is the most convenient mode of transport to get you to the airport parking lot.
Imagine having a flight in the next one 30 minutes and the traffic to the airport is unbearable. What do you do? You can use your personal car or catch the bus to the airport. All these means can’t help you if you are running late. You need a fast means to get you there. We all dread missing flights especially if you are on official duties.
Over the years, the use of motorcycles has gained in popularity, not only for leisure but also as a practical means of transport with a wide range of user advantages.
Pros of using a motorcycle
Easy to park.
Motorcycles are easy to navigate around and park. If a family member needs to be dropped off at JFK airport, it is not difficult to find a parking space. Finding a slot for a car can be quite hectic during the peak seasons, but not a problem for bike owners. Bikes need less parking space and Parkos can sort you out with rates offered by the airport.
Motorcycles are easier to maintain.
Maintenance for motorcycles is cheaper than automobiles. Spare parts for motorbikes are also easily and readily available, making them very convenient to buy and maintain. You can even consider doing your own repairs.
Convenient mode of transport.
Traffic is a major problem during rush hours. It is thus a headache to access the airport, especially if you’re running late to catch a flight. Motorbikes are convenient to use because they don’t get caught up in traffic. You can easily make your way through the traffic and get to JFK airport parking space in time. Just the right time to catch your flight to your desired destination.
Omits less carbon into the environment.
With the increase in global warming, people are promoting transport with less carbon emissions and resorting to motorcycles. This is because bikes contribute lower carbon emissions.
Great way to relax.
If you enjoy travelling, a motorcycle allows you to fulfil your desires. You can use your motorbike to get to the airport and access parking with ease. If you have time to kill before your flight, a motorbike will all.ow you to get around the huge airport which is impossible to tour by foot. The advantage of using a bike is that it is quite fast to move around.
There are also some great hotels in the airport where you can relax while you wait for your flight. Grab a meal or a drink before you fly out without having to worry about where to park your motorbike. You can easily park your bike using Parkos which is the leading site for airport parking space.
Despite motorbikes having a range of advantages and enabling you arrive in time, they do have some cons: They can only carry one pillion and riders can be vulnerable to other traffic.
Yet motorbikes save a lot of time that could have been spent in traffic. Parkos offers riders who wish to access JKL airport parking space with information on their rates.
(Moroccan Magic in Dades Gorge. Image: World on Wheels (Sponsored post)
There are no methods to this crazy life we lead
No secret paths to walk upon
Just hang Love’s portrait in the cathedral of your heart
And warm the landscapes of your soul
– Billy Thorpe
Aussie rock legend Billy Thorpe’s passion for Morocco was well known and well documented. When he passed away in 2007 he was working on his final compilation, entitled Tangier. With subsequent help from another famous Oz guitarist Ian Moss, Thorpey’s album was released posthumously to great acclaim. Berber string arrangements can be heard prominently in ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’, from which the lyric above is borrowed.
Music has long been the thread holding together the fabric of Moroccan society. Minstrels in blue robes, still to this day wander the deserts with simple instruments like the gimbri, a three-stringed lute, and the darbouka, a single-headed drum played between the knees.
Jimi Hendrix was fond of visiting Morocco. Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Cat ‘Yusuf’ Stevens and Sting have all recorded there. Crosby Stills and Nash first rose to prominence on the back of their 1969 smash hit, Marrakech Express. Countless feature films have also been filmed in Morocco’s harsh and barren landscapes.
And World On Wheels have been conducting their popular motorcycle tours here now for more than a decade. One of the oldest international tour operators in the world, Australia’s WOW started way back in 1995 when it was considered by many to be simply too dangerous to contemplate riding a motorbike in foreign lands. Times have changed since those days and motorcycling is now more widely accepted as a bona fide transport option for global roaming, and WOW are still leading the way.
Their 20-day Moroccan Magic tour takes in the varied geographical regions of this diverse country, from the Mediterranean coastline to the forested Atlas Mountains, to the windswept Atlantic, to the deserts of the Sahara. Riding the latest GS range of BMW dual-purpose tourers, you’ll be staying in traditional riads and auberges and dining on authentic fare of cous cous, tagine, kefta, harira. There’s a camel ride into the desert for a night’s bivouac under a million Sahara stars, listening beside a campfire to the Berber minstrels mentioned above.
This September departure is a fully supported tour, with a luggage van bringing up the rear and an Aussie tour guide leading the way up front. All meals are included except on rest days, all fuel also included, all hotels are booked in advance with your name on the reservation sheet. World On Wheels can also help you get your Travel Insurance and airfares sorted.
Adventure riding got you down? Anyone confined to the pristine roads and mild off-road riding in their homeland is often looking to push the boundaries of adventure and themselves. For those who want to step it up a notch, hose down your Husqvarna and fasten up your Fox boots, South America will take you for one hell of a ride.
Colombia – Mountain Curves & Coffee Country – Route 40
Not the cocaine economy and Escobar entitled narco-state it once was. Colombia has some of the most pristine riding, stunning landscapes, and inviting riding in South America. To top it all off, Colombians are motorcycle crazy.
All roads lead out of Bogotá, and you can easily make your way through to nearby Salento in the wax-palm-lined Cocora Valley. The ride is roughly 300-kilometers on route 40, with peg-dragging roads that pass some of the worlds most sought-after coffee beans.
From Salento, take your ride just up the road to the cobblestone streets and café-lined square in neighboring Filandia. Real adventure bikers will first explore the countryside, then spend the night at the infamous Steel Horse Filandia. The front yard at Filandia is a regular mix of international license plates where riders from across the world are welcome.
To ride in Colombia, you can literally FedEx your motorcycle into Bogotá or hire from a company like Motolombia in Cali.
Don’t believe what you heard about Colombia. Ask anyone who’s ridden a motorcycle there, the response will be considerably more positive than you’d imagined.
Colombia is a vast mountainous region, make sure to check the season and altitude of where you plan to ride before assuming hot-hot-hot.
Brazil – Dirt Roads & Amazon Jungle – BR319
The most widely used adventure motorcycle in Brazil is the Honda Tornado, something similar to the Honda CRF250L, then the BMW GS line of bikes. Brazilians are equally as crazy about life on two wheels.
For a real adventure ride, make your way through the infamous BR319 road en route to Manaus in the Brazils Amazon region. The road runs through some of the most impressive stretches of the Amazon rainforest that can be accessed by motorists, with lurking Jaguars and lacking fuel stations. You’ll want to be well prepared for the 870-kilometer ride from Porto Velho up into the Amazons metropolitan hub.
The ride will offer up everything from dust in August, to complete road washouts in February and March. You can venture deeper into the rainforest depending on the season. The road is a bikers Pilgrimage for anyone with a longing sense of wilderness adventure.
A one or two-day ride could be six or seven in the wrong season. As for fuel, food, and water, pack what you need.
Flying or shipping a foreign motorcycle directly into Brazil is more red tape than you’ll want to deal with. Rent, or start in nearby Lima Peru, Montevideo Uruguay.
On the way, ride into the Pantanal. The worlds largest wetland. Picture a 20-kmph, self-guided motorbike safari with optional river cruise for you & the bike, incredible!
Chile – Patagonia Mountain Range – Carretera Austral
With the far north of Chile holding the majestic Atacama Desert, and the center offering up wonderful wine regions and horse-riding landscapes. The real riding though, is through the world-renowned Patagonia.
For anyone who’s a moto-camping aficionado, you and your ADV bike will fall in love with Patagonia. You can ride right into the Torres Del Paine National Park for a few days of getting in touch with your inner hiker. Then later slip away unnoticed into the endless rivers and remote regions around Coyhaique for some trout fishing right off the backside of your saddlebags.
From here, crank up those heated grips and ride further into the Tierra del Fuego region of the very south. Anyone looking to ramp up their road trip can cross the border into the most Southerly city in the world, Ushuaia Argentina.
The #1 motorcycle related activity in Ushuaia you ask?! Buy a sticker for your panniers.
A country that runs on longitude, the far north and far south are very different at any time of year. Pack cold weather & rain gear, any other riding will be a welcome bonus.
Chile has arguably the best paved roads in South America. If you’re looking for off-track riding, download Wikiloc
You can fly your motorcycle into Santiago or ship it to nearby Valparaiso pretty easily. For a short trip, look into someone like Compass Expeditions to hook you up.
Wherever you ride in whatever part of the planet, there has likely been thousands if not millions on that road before you. It’s easier, safer, and more memorable than even the best YouTube video or stories you’ve read. Stop dreaming, start riding, and for some of the best adventure motorcycle roads on the planet, South America has you covered.
Motorbike enthusiasts wishing to conquer the challenging but scenic tracks of Myanmar, also known as Burma, are being offered a discount on a once-in-a-lifetime journey in 2019 and 2020.
Burma Motorbike Tours is offering 20% off their 10 Day Best Trails of Myanmar tour, saving up to $519.
The promotion applies for bookings 30 days prior to these departure dates:
(2019) September 30, October 28, November 25, December 15;
(2020) January 5 and 25, March 10, April 10, September 30, October 28, November 25, December 15.
Participants will ride many hidden tracks amid spectacular landscapes, historical architecture while experiencing the authentic local culture. Riders will pick up their bikes in the Royal Capital of Mandalay and set off for an adventure through the countryside and the lesser-known parts of Burma.
Watch their tempting video.
The total distance is 1332km passing through Pakokku, Mindat, Kanpetlet, Bagan, Kalaw, Inle Lake and Pindaya with a mix of paved roads, winding tracks and trails. The riding is most challenging and scenic in the mountainous areas of Chin State through to Mindat and Kanpetlet with altitudes over 1000 metres. The magnificent scenery includes jungle-covered roads and pristine mountain forests. A highlight is the 135km ride on day 7 from Kalaw to Inle Lake along twisty paths with chilling panoramic views of the gorgeous Shan Hills.
In addition to the awesome riding, customers will get up close and personal with the massive temple plain of Bagan which is home to more than 3000 red brick Buddhist constructions, meet the unique tribe of the tattooed face women and enjoy a wonderful boat ride on Inle Lake, the second largest body of water of Myanmar.
Riders have a choice of the bullet-proof Kawasaki KLX 150cc, or the more Honda CRF 250cc and Kawasaki KLX 250cc at an additional cost.
Helmets, gloves and knee guards are included in the price, but you can bring your own gear if you like. Due to the hot climate, light and airy clothes are recommended for the journey. See all inclusions below.
The Best Trails of Myanmar Tour discount price is $US2080 for a rider (previously $US2599) and $US1483 for a pillion.
The tour can only run with a minimum of two riders.
Other inclusions are:
9 nights accommodation at selected quality hotels and resorts
9 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners
Mineral water, soft drinks, coffee or tea served with meals
Myanmar driving permits
Motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage (Kawasaki KLX150cc)
Fuel
Third-party liability insurance for motorcycles
Mandalay airport pick-up and drop-off
English-speaking professional licensed Road Captain
All entrance fees and sightseeing fees
Riding gear (Helmet, Gloves, Knee Guards)
Burma Motorbike Tours souvenir T-Shirt.
The tour price excludes:
Airfares
Myanmar visa fee
Alcoholic beverages
Single supplement (upon request)
US$160/bike surcharge for using Honda CRF250cc or Kawasaki KLX250cc
Room service, laundry, phone charges
Damage to the motorcycle caused by the user (excluding reasonable wear and tear)
Travel insurance (cover against cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness)
Tips & Gratuities to guide
All other services not mentioned
What are you waiting for? Contact Burma Motorbike Tours now to experience riding on the routes of the lost paradise – Myanmar.
Riding South Africa is safe, but you may have to pay the cops $2 for a “drink” if they pull you over for a random licence check, says Brisbane rider Jim Hulme (pictured). The 69-year-old has just returned from an eight-day bike 2900km motorcycle tour of the north-east of South Africa with friends and says he can allay people’s fears of travelling the magnificent country. Here is his story:
Safety and security
Think South Africa and you immediately think personal safety and security.
There are people on the roadside wherever you go, stealing goods or going places, so care is needed.
However, in the two weeks I was there, staying with friends in Cape Town for sightseeing and recovery from jet lag, and then friends in Pretoria followed by the bike tour, I did not experience any personal safety concerns.
South Africa is like Australia in many ways including climate, culture and friendliness, and most people speak English. Black South Africans were courteous and friendly and everyone was interested in Australia.
Five people with luggage on four BMWs and one Harley headed off on a route designed by my host.
Accommodation
He also arranged all the accomodation specifically avoiding the typical city tourist stops, to give us a better appreciation of the rural landscape.
The accommodation ranged from basic, similar to an old Aussie pub with creaky floors, to exquisite but inexpensive lodging.
As a foreigner, the food, drink and accomodation was incredibly cheap. The Rand was converting at about 10R = $A1 so a beer cost $2, a latte $2.40, “a policeman” $2 (read on!) and meals $7-14. I need to add that the meals were typically generous portion sizes.
While the accommodation was booked by my local host, the rates were cheap by Aussie standards.
Cedar Garden B&B
However, I noticed that the same places quoted via Tripadviser were charging at double the prices so direct bookings would be the way to go and avoid letting the venue know you are Australian.
South Africa roads
The roads across the north-east are very good quality, but there are some toll roads and you need a swipe credit card or cash to get through those.
Even rural highways are good quality but sometimes peppered with serious sized potholes that need to be avoided.
The speed limit is mostly 120km/h even on many rural roads and high-speed touring is possible as the police seem to allow about 10km/h over the limit before they are interested.
There were some speed checks mostly on the tollways, but we also had two random licence checks where the police were mostly likely looking for theft or cross-border smuggling.
In one of these checks, a policeman asked my host to buy him a drink. We offered $1, but he said it would cost at least $5. After some negotiation he accepted $2.
Jim at fuel stop
Police check
Corruption exists in many levels of government it seems.
Stunning scenery
Sandstone columns in the countryside near Bethlehem in Free State
While the scenery out of Pretoria is flat and agricultural, most of the country is amazingly hilly and scenic.
We stopped at Castleburn Resort at the southern end of the fabulous Drakensberg Mountains and it was stunning with thatched roof buildings, immaculate lawns, lakes and a mountain backdrop.
Castleburn Resort
Direct flights from Australia are available on Qantas from Sydney or on South African Airways from Perth. All international flights land at Johannesburg and there are many South African domestic flights available to connect to Cape Town including British Airways and South African Airways.
I didn’t have to rent a bike but an online search shows Samatours, a Pretoria-based tour business offers reasonable rates for self-guided tours. Fully guided tours on a BMW F 800 GS costs $A140 a day plus accessory charges at samatours.co.za for a seven-day-plus rental.
I highly recommend a ride in South Africa. Australia will seem over-regulated when you get back!
A Spanish woman who rode her Ducati Scrambler 15,000km through Africa has been honoured with the Spanish Geographical Society’s Journey of the Year 2018 award.
The Spanish non-government organisation provides humanitarian aid projects such as water supply and health care, initially in the Afar region of Ethiopia, but later extended to other African countries.
Alicia’s ride started in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, and crossed Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Lesotho before finally arriving in Cape Town, South Africa.
The only hiccup along the way for the Ducati ambassador was two punctures.
Round the world
It’s not Alicia’s first big adventure.
In 2011, she set off on her BMW F 650 GS on what would become a round-the-world ride that included Australia in 2012.
She rode from Spain to Asia, then Australia, North America down through South America and back to Europe in 2014.
Alicia became the first Spanish woman to circumnavigate the world on a BMW.
She has continued her travels through the Americas and Asia.
Other awards she has won include:
Illustrious Visitor of the City of Tarija, Bolivia;
The 2016 Penguin Honorific Award for “The Legend Continues”; and
In 2017, she took third prize at the I Madrid Motorbike Film Festival for “Adventure in India and Nepal” (below)
Motorbike riding is a thrilling activity especially when carried out on challenging terrains such as sand and rocks. If you are in Dubai for vacation, shopping and sightseeing are not the only things you can do. Dubai has more to offer for thrill-chasers apart, and dirt bike riding on the desert sand is one of them. While anyone can easily ride a motorbike on hard compact terrain, sand-riding is a whole different affair.
For first timers, you don’t have to venture into the expansive Dubai deserts alone or even own a motorbike to get your dose of adrenaline. There are lots of companies offering motorbike tours complete with motorbike rental services in Dubai; so you can hit the sand and really test your riding skills. Most of the motorbike rental providers also offer prior training to help beginners maneuver the sand with ease.
It can be intimidating to ride a motorbike on such a loose terrain and hostile weather conditions as those presented by the Dubai deserts for the first time. Below are a few tips to help you get ready for your motorbike desert adventure in Dubai.
Ensure That You Are Fit
Riding on sand is a challenging and physically tasking activity. You’ll have to constantly stand while riding your motorbike which requires you to utilize your legs most of the time. The pushing, balancing and even picking up the bike when it’s stuck—because you’ll get stuck in the sand at some point—can be exhausting. Before you decide to explore the sand, at least try and ensure your body is in good shape.
Practice, Practice, Practice
There’s nothing as frustrating as trying to get the hang of a new skill in unforgiving conditions. Whenever you can, take time to practice riding a motorbike on off-road paths before venturing into the Dubai desert. You can also learn a thing or two from the many videos online that focus on a dirt bike riding on similar conditions. The good thing is that motorbike rental companies like MX Dubai always provide proper training before your desert motorbike tour.
Remember to Carry Enough Water
Hydrating in the desert may seem like a no-brainer, but some people underestimate the effect of the scorching desert sun. You will be sweaty and thirsty, so pack enough water to stay rejuvenated throughout your sand-biking. Dehydration will not only slow you down, but it will put you at risk health-wise, too. You don’t have to suffer heat exhaustion just because you forget to carry a bottle of drinking water and energizing juice.
Dress Appropriately
The right attire for desert motorbike riding is that which provides total coverage and helps you keep cool. Make sure you are properly covered to avoid burns and dehydration from exposure to the desert heat. You may want to invest in a cooling vest as it helps cool your skin and doesn’t bloat up with moisture. Dressing appropriately goes a long way in keeping you comfortable as well as your skin safe.
Do Your Research
Whether you are going on a desert tour or a self-guided exploration with family and friend, proper research will help you know what to expect. Learn about the area, the type of dirt bike you’ll use and even the expected weather changes. Deserts are notorious for abrupt sandstorms, and Dubai is not an exception. You will be more equipped to handle stressful situations if you plan for them.
Riding a motorbike through the desert sand doesn’t have to be an arduous task when you prepare adequately. It’s even much easier when you are on a guided desert tour as opposed to going at it on your own. As you prepare for a ride of a lifetime, keep in mind that safety gear, riding safely and staying on a marked path is crucial in ensuring your safety and overall success of your desert exploration.
Over 15 months, Heather travelled 42,000km through 19 countries.
The book is still on the Amazon best-seller list and includes an endorsement from Ted Simon author of Jupiter’s Travels which inspired Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor and Cheryl Strayed author of Wild.
Second book
Her second book, Timeless On The Silk Road: An Odyssey From London to Hanoi, is an extension of the African tour on the same Yamaha dirt bike.
After her African trek, Heather was diagnosed with HIV in London at the age of 30 and given five years to live. It was 1995 when death from AIDS is inevitable.
Instead of giving up, Heather rides along the fabled Silk Roads of antiquity to Australia, thinking it would be her last adventure.
From Chapter 15: A Moment of Madness, Uzbekistan to Tajikistan, while Heather was travelling with three Frenchmen from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan.
Together, the four of us walked into the Tajik border post, a small tin shack where it was standing room only. In the cramped confines, the heat was oppressive; none of the Frenchmen wore deodorant. A middle-aged man in a sweat-stained grey military uniform, the buttons straining across his round belly, sat behind the desk. Two other younger men in the same grey fatigues stood beside him. The only other item of furniture was a tall wooden cabinet. Behind the official was an open window, which framed a spindly tree. A small bird sat on a branch tilting its head inquisitively.
‘Passeports,’ he demanded, the sweat beading on his brow framed by a stock of thick greasy black hair.
‘You no cross. Pay one hundred dollar!’ he boomed.
‘We are transiting to Kyrgyzstan,’ Fabrice replied while Patrick and Frédéric vocalised their objection in French with a few phaws.
An evil smirk spread across the guard’s face that dropped as a series of folded bristly jowls onto his collar. ‘You pay. No cross.’
Fabrice stood his ground. Hands on hips. ‘We have permission to transit. We have a Russian visa.’ As if anything to do with Russia was still held in high esteem in this backwater of the former Soviet Union.
I kicked his foot and leaned close to whisper: ‘We must pretend we don’t understand.’
At this point, a vehicle pulled up outside in a cloud of dust. The Tajik border official and his two off-siders pushed Fabrice aside as they headed towards the door. We filed out behind them. The vehicle was a four-wheel drive with UNHCR emblazoned across its side. A huge man unfolded from the vehicle. He stretched to well over six foot and was enormous both in height and body width. Not obese, but his sheer size demanded instant respect. Proclaiming his support for refugees, he wore a black T-shirt printed with the words in white, ‘Einstein was a refugee’.
‘Where you from?’ he asked. We pointed to our motorcycles parked opposite saying France and Australia. ‘Long journey,’ he said nodding to me when I said I’d ridden through Africa. ‘I was in Rwanda. Very bad what happened there,’ he added and told us he was from Bosnia and stationed at Osh in Kyrgyzstan.
Since Soviet independence, Tajikistan had been gripped by civil war from infighting amongst its various clan groups, but foreigners were allowed to transit the stretch between Bekobod and Kulundu, a distance of about fifty kilometres. But we were not at this ‘official crossing’ for foreigners. Instead, we’d ridden over a narrow bridge to cross the Syr Darya and across a semi-arid plain; it was as if a finger of the Karakum desert had followed me all the way from Turkmenistan. I’d read that nearly 50,000 Tajik villagers had died from the fighting between the clan groups, leaving more than half a million refugees. Russia had stepped in, and around 25,000 of its troops were stationed in Tajikistan, effectively making it a Russian protectorate. This peacekeeping force also made it safe to transit into Kyrgyzstan as long as we kept away from the Afghan border where there were still skirmishes between the faction groups.
It made little sense as to why Stalin, back in the 1920s, had so unreasonably carved up the borders where three Central Asian nations met: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. I could only assume it was to ensure the countries remained linked like the entwined fingers of lovers so they would forever retain a close and loyal bond.
‘Is there problem?’ the UN official asked the Tajik border guards.
‘Nyet. Nyet problem,’ the man in charge replied meekly.
‘It’s alright guys. You can cross.’ The Bosnian climbed back into his vehicle and with a wave, was gone just as suddenly as he had appeared. We all watched speechless as the vehicle disappeared in a trail of dust.
‘You pay,’ the lead official boomed from behind us. Then the three officials marched back to the tin shack. We followed.
‘Can you stamp our passports please,’ I asked in demure politeness pointing to our passports stacked on the desk.
‘No. You must pay five dollar.’
‘Okay,’ I said. At least the Bosnian’s arrival had saved us each US$95. The Frenchmen nodded, and we filed out of the hut to retrieve the money from our money belts so their prying eyes would not see our booty, especially Frédéric. He had told me he carried US$5000 in cash strapped to his belly. Fabrice and Patrick, I imagined, carried the same. ‘Aren’t you worried you’ll get robbed?’ I asked in disbelief when he’d told me. ‘This never leaves me,’ Frédéric had said patting his round stomach, his money belt hidden under his T-shirt with it all held in place by a wide kidney belt. It not only protected his kidneys and vulnerable insides should he crash, but also gave no indication that he carried a small fortune in a country where the annual salary was US$600.
Knowing you are going to die does strange things to your way of thinking, namely in the risks that you’d otherwise never consider taking. In the weeks that followed my HIV diagnosis, I rode around London with no regard for speed limits, road rules and consideration of other road users. Perhaps those vodka-infused days in Turkmenistan where I’d nearly come to grief several times while riding inebriated were also part of this disregard for my own safety. This wasn’t a conscious decision. It was just what happened. I was beyond thinking I might get hurt or I might die. What happened next at that Tajik border post, I can only think, had something to do with this unconscious death wish that occasionally took control of my behaviour.
But it was also a desire to seek approval, seek forgiveness from my father. The offer of a gift that would please him. A parting gift that was so significant that it may even go so far as to nullify the perceived shame I’d brought on my family. These were my distorted thoughts on that day.
When I’d walked into the hut, a grey Russian army cap lay on the desk. I’d picked it up, saying, ‘I give you ten dollar.’ The official sitting at the desk snatched it from me and threw it behind the cabinet. When he’d gone outside as the UN vehicle pulled up, I’d quickly retrieved it and stuffed it under my kidney belt and zipped up my jacket.
We paid our five dollars and with our passports stamped, were about to file out the hut, when the border official in charge pulled out his revolver and pointed it at Fabrice’s head. I held my breath thinking he’d thought Fabrice had stolen the cap. Patrick and Frédéric stood motionless beside me. Fabrice turned white. The two other guards smiled as if they shared a private joke. The Tajik with the gun flashed a demented grin, his finger on the trigger. Then he turned and fired the gun through the open window at a small bird sitting on the branch. It looked like the same bird as before. Unbelievably, it did not fly away. Like us, I expect, it was too shocked to move. The Tajik fired off another four shots, deafening us all in the tin shack, and still, the bird did not move. Only when it was quiet, and the Tajik had returned the gun to its holster, did the bird fly away. Without a word, we slowly filed out of the hut then ran towards our bikes.
Just as I was about to hoist my leg over the TT, the Tajik in charge stormed out of the hut, pointing to his head, his two assistants closely behind. I knew exactly what he meant, but the Frenchmen looked at him dumbfounded. I rushed back inside the hut, the Tajiks following close behind, but I reached the doorway first and knelt down near the cabinet and pulled the cap from under my kidney belt dropping it on the floor. The Tajik in charge grabbed my arm lifting me off the ground and shoved me against the wall.
‘Your cap. There it is. Remember, you threw it behind the cabinet.’
‘Duzd, Duzd,’ he repeated his face contorted in anger as he squeezed my arm. I assumed this was Tajik for thief.
‘Fuck off, you bastards!’ I screamed pulling my arm away and pushing past the three men like a deranged woman. ‘Go! Go!’ I yelled at the Frenchmen who sat astride their idling motorcycles.
The TT fired first kick. Pumped with adrenalin, I dropped the clutch and opened the throttle. The bike launched itself and me to freedom leaving the three Tajiks standing in a cloud of dust. I fully expected a bullet to lodge into my back, but no shot was fired, and yet again I’d escaped a respectable death. As I followed the Frenchmen, I realised I risked pulling them down with me. For their own safety, it was time I moved on.
Elspeth Beard is much-admired among many adventurers. At a time when few women travelled or rode motorbikes, Elspeth achieved an impressive feat- when she was just 23 years old she embarked on a solo motorbike journey around the world and became the first ever British woman to do so.
Let’s have a look at this formidable traveller and her two-year journey that took her from New York City back to the United Kingdom, with 35,000 miles (56,000km) in between!
The Beginnings of A Life-Long Love
The first time Elspeth rode a bike was when she was sixteen, a short journey on the back of her friend’s Husqvarna. This was enough to catch the motorcycling bug. Her first bike was a Yamaha YB100, a run-around just to help her to get from A to B around London. Around a year later, she upgraded to a 250cc Honda and then a second-hand 600cc BMW R60/6 …
Elspeth talks about the immense sense of freedom she felt with her BMW and began to travel further and further afield as her confidence grew. She started with trips to Scotland and Ireland, and then went onto bigger adventures like a two-month trip around Europe and a road trip from LA to Detroit. Elspeth had an incredible appetite for exploration.
Around the World in 915 Days (Roughly!)
Sure enough, as soon as she finished her degree in architecture in 1982, Elspeth began preparing to embark on her historic two-year solo journey around the world.
Starting in New York, she travelled across the USA to Canada. Her next stops were New Zealand and Australia, where she encountered a road block – she’d ran out of money. After working in Sydney for seven months, she shipped her bike to Singapore and rode through Malaysia and Thailand. She had to turn back to Malaysia after failing to gain entry in what is now Myanmar, and instead she caught a boat to India. From Chennai she travelled to Nepal, then around India to Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Yugoslavia, Europe and back to London.
That’s an incredible 23 countries and 35,000 miles over the course of two-and-a-half years!
However, her achievements went unnoticed – very few women travelled at that time and rather bafflingly, it was almost seen as a blip in her life rather than an achievement.
Immortalising the Elspeth story
Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then and Elspeth’s remarkable achievements are now celebrated. She enjoys the accolade of the first British woman to ride solo around the world on a motorbike, not to mention the fact she’s an award-winning architect!
It’s no wonder her story has now been immortalised in her memoirs, Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World, and she has joined the ranks of the likes of Che Guevara and Steve McQueen to become an ambassador for iconic British brands like Belstaff, who are famed for their motorcycle jackets.
We’re sure this isn’t the last time we’ll hear about this incredibly inspirational woman and we look forward to hearing about the feats that Elspeth will no doubt continue to amaze us with!
Each year, tens of millions of tourists visit New York City to take in the sights, experience the city’s melting pot culture, catch a Broadway show, visit one of the world’s leading museums, shop on Fifth Avenue, walk through Central Park, and so much more. In fact, there’s so much to do in New York City at all times that even if you lived there your entire life, you’d never be able to see or do it all. Still, that’s no reason not to try to do as much as possible! With so much to do in one city, you’d be missing out on a lot by sticking to just one or two areas. And that’s where traveling by motorbike comes in to help you see and do more.
Perks of Touring New York by Motorcycle
Over the years, motorcycles haven’t really been the transportation method of choice for New York visitors or residents, even though there are many benefits to choosing motorcycles over other options. In a congested city like New York, traveling by motorbike will inspire you to check out all of the five boroughs — instead of just Times Square, which is where tourists usually stick to — and unlock a world of excitement. You’ll be able to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or Highline, visit the Natural History Museum, and catch a Yankees game, all in one trip. It’s also cheaper than taking cabs everywhere, and more scenic than traveling around by subway.
Looking for more sights to check out? Here are a few other places you should visit when touring New York City by motorcycle:
Coney Island
Traveling by motorcycle might take you about the same time as traveling by subway, but it’ll be a far more pleasant experience — and more scenic! You’ll get a nice shot of the Manhattan skyline as you head into Brooklyn, and you’ll get to see how the neighbourhoods change. Once in Coney Island, you should set some time aside to lounge on the beach, hit up the amusement park (including the Cyclone, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the US), and stop by Nathan’s for one of their world-famous hot dogs.
Getting to Flushing by taxi or subway can be nearly impossible sometimes — many taxis won’t leave Manhattan, and there are frequently long train delays or other issues. Luckily, you can avoid all of this when traveling by motorbike. Flushing is home to some of the best Chinese food you’ll find in New York. You’ll also find plenty of other great food in the area (and nearby) such as Mexican, Greek, Thai, Japanese, and so much more.
If you’re looking for more food options, head to the Queens Night Market nearby where you’ll find food from more than 80 countries. There’s also live music and plenty of art to check out. When you’re done, head to the Queens Museum for visual arts exhibits or Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a stroll.
The Met Cloisters
Located in Washington Heights’ Fort Tryon Park along the Hudson River, this is a must-visit museum for medieval history lovers. The museum features art and architecture from medieval Europe, in additional to beautiful gardens. The Met Cloisters also features rotating art exhibits and numerous events, including concerts.
Once you arrive here, you’ll forget you’re in New York City. This zoo is one of the largest zoos in the the US at 265 acres. Millions of people from all over the world visit the zoo every year to see the zoo’s extremely diverse collection of wildlife. It’s so big in fact that you’ll have a difficult time seeing the whole place, so it’s best to pick a few areas that you want to focus on and stick to those. If you’re able to, try scheduling a trip to the Bronx Zoo on the same day as a ball game in Yankee Stadium since they’re in the same borough.
There are just a few of the sights you should check out with touring New York by motorcycle. If you really want to make the most of your trip, be sure to plan out your visit and routes ahead of time so you don’t miss anything!
