Well here it is, another of my best attempts to share with you "What's it Really Like" has been posted on YouTube, this time, for our Northern Thailand Experience route. If it weren't for Garrett's prowess at video production, I'm not sure how else we would get such sentiment out. Folks, no matter what ... neither words nor video will ever do a riding experience like this any justice. 

So there I was, getting off the plane in Chiang Mai, Thailand, admittedly skeptical about just how great the riding ahead would be. With so many other incredible routes ridden through over 30 countries on 4 continents this past decade, I actually had very low expectations for how much fun and variety could be realized on a 5th. What I would soon find out, however, was that Thailand isn't only full of OUTSTANDING riding opportunities, but that the year-round possibilities for riding weather (albeit wet sometimes) would fit perfectly into our model of giving Riders plenty of opportunities to twist throttles even in their coldest months back home.

So, "what's it really like," riding the big adventure bikes in Thailand and Laos? This new video series will be placed on each tour page in the coming weeks (although it's definitely a situation where putting the experience into words & photos ... just doesn't seem possible.)

DISCLOSURE: To begin with, I whole-heartedly admit that I was skeptical about whether the "big bikes" would be right for southeast Asia. Friends had told me that simply renting a scooter and scrambling about the cities and countryside was the most fun, (and least expensive) way to explore. That thought, along with images of just how traffic-dense and congested the region may end up being had me wondering the same thing. This, all based on images and movies and such over the years. (Further disclosure: I was actually skeptical about how  good the riding would really be, anyway, and given what else I've seen around this world.)

Trying to be as informative as we can in helping Riders choose the right motorcycle trip format, there are plenty of points to consider if you think "Self-Guided" is how you'd like to experience your next international adventure.

For some, the only way to ride is being out there solo, with no strings attached, schedules to follow, or fellow riders to wait for as they put on their riding gloves at a snail's pace. The spirit and mystery that goes into solo motorcycle travel can be felt in onlookers at the gas stations and obscure locations that we end up in, as people around you wonder "where is that rider from, and where they are going all geared-up like that?" The time to think, ponder, and pontificate within one's helmet can be found in it's purest form during these solo rides, while almost completely on the flip-side, it often makes for the best opportunities to meet new people, as we don't already have our regular entourage to confine us.

Many of our Self-Guided Customers have chosen this format for the sake of being able to form their own Private Group motorcycle trip affordably. Because Guided Group tours come with an array of fixed or common costs to consider, it's often financially unfeasible for private groups of 2-3 Riders to afford the full services we provide with a Lead Motorcycle Guide and Support Truck with Driver.

Riders, it's Baldy here with another reminder: Motorcycle adventures for peak season need to be booked as far in advance as possible!

Pardon the urgency, but we've gotten to this point each season for 8 years in a row now. Riders from around the world have been inquiring about trips all year long, and yes, many of you have confirmed reservations and are excited to start your trips. But so many Riders who have waited to commit are now being told that the dates they wanted for their Self-Guided motorcycle tours are sold out, and it's as frustrating to us as it may be to them! In this example, I'm referring to the peak riding months in Patagonia and the routes we've designed in southern Africa. It's right now that springtime arrives in October, and the riding temperatures and conditions remain their best through April or so.

Motorcycle riding has long been an obvious pastime for guys—time for the boys to get together, sometimes even with us women on the back of the bike. But, more and more often, women are getting into biking and today it's now said that we make up 1 out of every 8 riders. That's quite some progress, given the rarity it still may be to meet a free-spirited gal that rides motorcycles : )

A term that never popped into my head until just now, "adventure style" could be an easy way of explaining how RIDE Adventures has evolved over the years. 

As an international travel service provider, we've constantly tried to stay-tuned to exactly what our Customers are interested in doing with their vacation time, and how to make the best use of the resources, effort, and risk that you all put into each travel endeavor. In other words, we've always strived to understand what your adventure style is.

RIDE Adventures started by offering Guided Group Motorcycle Tours back in 2010. I was living in Chile and finishing my work with another motorcycle touring company that was shutting down when this small business was born. Back then, it seemed that the only service aspect that other moto-related travel companies were focused on was being your Guide, physically there on tour with you. My own passion for motorcycle travel and getting to know fun people made guiding a natural fit for me; and since 2010, I've gone on to lead some of the most fantastically fun groups of people through some of the most incredible motorcycle routes in Europe, Africa, and South America.

Riders often dream of taking one of the bucket list trips at RIDE Adventures, and one of the destinations we'd like to feature today is a glimpse at a South Africa motorcycle tour. While you might not need additional reasons to go on an amazing adventure like this, here are 10 more to-pardon the pun-get your engine humming, presented by Simon and our crew based in South Africa.