Adventure or Extreme Motorcycling?

**Tony P** · #1 14th November 2009

Without detracting from Ted Simon and all before, the modern term Adventure Motorcycling should reasonably belong to the brothers Vince, et all, from 15 years ago. But it is generally credited to Chris Scott in his books using this in the title. His introduction starts “What is Adventure Motorcycling? As far as I am concerned it involves a challenging unsupported journey into the wilderness or a significantly strange country”.

Since then interest has increased exponentially as a result of increasing restlessness, leisure time, image and the publicity of the odd celebrity trying a hand (or wheel) at it. This has led to Joe Public’s usual response being “Oh, like those two actors” when talking about any trip beyond tarmac.

Not only have numbers of participants increased but also firms supplying vehicles, equipment, clothing, stories via DVD, books or downloads, etc. - all using the expression Adventure Motorcycling. It is around us everywhere, yet not fully deserved any more if considering the original concept.

The expression Adventure Motorcycling is becoming too broad and diluted a term. It is now generally far removed from Chris’s description and used by travellers, posers and suppliers alike to present or describe almost any journey that involves going outside of the M25. I suspect the greatest percentage of equipment never goes far from where it is sold, probably the Home Counties of England, other that a run down the A7 to the sun - or for the really adventurous, the alternative N7.

Should we leave the expression Adventure Motorcycling to where it is now mostly used, the marketing and posers, and those truer to the original idea of “unsupported journeys into the wilderness” start to use another term?

How about kicking off with the suggestion of "Extreme Motorcycling"?

**Dodger** · #2 14th November 2009

"" Extreme Motorcycling "" brings to mind young guys on moto cross bikes performing stunts that involve aerial acrobatics .

Not quite what this site is about !

How about Overland Motorcycling ?
[Mind you it's a bit hard to do it over water .]

**Wildman** · #3 14th November 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony P

[font=Verdana]...Should we leave the expression Adventure Motorcycling to where it is now mostly used, the marketing and posers, and those truer to the original idea of “unsupported journeys into the wilderness” start to use another term?

How about kicking off with the suggestion of "Extreme Motorcycling"?

I think that most are comfortable with whatever you'd like to label it and wouldn't feel threatened by others enjoying their pastime whether a poseur or a 'real' adventurer.

That said, as one who might reasonably be labelled "poseur", I'd be interested to understand your definition of "the original idea of unsupported journeys into the wilderness”.

**Tony P** · #4 14th November 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildman

I'd be interested to understand your definition of "the original idea of unsupported journeys into the wilderness”.

That was Chris's definition, but I interpret -

-'unsupported journeys' to be just the rider(s) and what they have, without a series of 4x4s in tow containing mechanics, translators, spares, heavy equipment, medics, fixers, etc. Riders having to primarily rely on their own ability and ingenuity to get them through and deal with immediate problems.

-'wilderness' to be somewhere where the infrastructures of modern life and civilisation are not abundant. Out of ones normal environment, perhaps.

**Wildman** · #5 14th November 2009

Okay.

So are you just saying drop the "significantly strange country" from the definition? Just trying to understand the proposition.

**Drif10** · #6 14th November 2009

How about 'gone riding'.

**MarkShelley** · #7 14th November 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony P

That was Chris's definition, but I interpret -

-'unsupported journeys' to be just the rider(s) and what they have, without a series of 4x4s in tow containing mechanics, translators, spares, heavy equipment, medics, fixers, etc. Riders having to primarily rely on their own ability and ingenuity to get them through and deal with immediate problems.

-'wilderness' to be somewhere where the infrastructures of modern life and civilisation are not abundant. Out of ones normal environment, perhaps.

Does a weekend trip to North Wales count then?

**adventure950** · #8 15th November 2009

Tony you trying to rattle a few cages.
Its a funny thing cos I did a few biggish trips in the late 70s (for me at that time they were well out of my norm or comfort zone these days they are nothing more than tourist runs anyway - probably were back then but felt big at the time in my tender years ) I have also pushed out in different directions since the late 90s some places were true wilderness or very Alien but were great fun or experiences.

I may be old fashioned but back then as now I called it touring on a motorbike. Is this not all it is. Add all the bolt on bits the buzzy lingo whatever really its just touring - maybe off the beaten track a bit but touring all the same.

So I propose we could call it Motorcycle touring - quite gritty don't you think.

**Drif10** · #9 15th November 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by adventure950

Tony you trying to rattle a few cages.
Its a funny thing cos I did a few biggish trips in the late 70s (for me at that time they were well out of my norm or comfort zone these days they are nothing more than tourist runs anyway - probably were back then but felt big at the time in my tender years ) I have also pushed out in different directions since the late 90s some places were true wilderness or very Alien but were great fun or experiences.

I may be old fashioned but back then as now I called it touring on a motorbike. Is this not all it is. Add all the bolt on bits the buzzy lingo whatever really its just touring - maybe off the beaten track a bit but touring all the same.

So I propose we could call it Motorcycle touring - quite gritty don't you think.

Back in my younger days, I was heavily into downhill skiing. Would miss maybe 10 days in the season. Back then, where we were going and what we were doing, we just called it 'skiing'. It's just what we did.

Now I see it on tv, and they call it 'EXTREME SKIING!!!'. Guess it's important in this 'hey, look at me' society that is going on in the western world. Twitter is a prime example of this, I think...telling the world that you're going for groceries.

I don't get it myself, so I just say: 'I'm going riding'.

**Dodger** · #10 15th November 2009

EXTREME GROCERY SHOPPING !!!!! Yay -- Way To Go !!!!

**backofbeyond** · #11 15th November 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodger

EXTREME SHOPPING !!!!! Yay -- Way To Go !!!!

You must have met my wife

I'm with Adventure 950 on this. When I started in the early 70's it was just bike touring. Not that many people were doing it, there wasn't any suppliers infrastructure or really any suitable bikes. I went up the Todra Gorge in Morocco on a loaded up GoldWing because I didn't know any better.
The "adventure" bit seems to have come in when companies realised there was a market to be sold to. Make you feel that you're out "on the edge where few people go" and you're more likely to buy whatever it is they're trying to sell you. Specialised cutting edge activities need specialised equipment, right?

**gixxer.rob** · #12 15th November 2009

I think it is really important not to become elitist about bike travel.

There will always be people that like all the gear more than the adventure and there will always be someone willing to go for that little bit longer or to a stranger place than you.

The important bit is the fact that they are doing it and on two wheels.

My two cents worth..

**debseed** · #13 15th November 2009

I agree that you shouldn't get hung up on titles. I've got into this late after years of doing a bit of walking. I'd class what I did as backpacking - walking, climbing and camping for days/weeks in 'wilderness' areas, using my own resources (no GPS!!). Yet 'backpacking' is also the term used for people who travel the world staying in backpacker hostels - quite a different thing - so I'd always say I was 'going for a walk'. I just loved the challenges and and although I've only just started this game, there are many similarities, and I'm now looking forward to doing a bit of riding.

I never had 'all the gear' either (or certainly never last seasons)- always too broke!! "Adventure" and "Extreme" are just marketing tools that sell. The danger of that is that it is selling a dream; 'buy all the gear and you too can do it', but of course, as we all know, there's a little bit more to it than that.

**electric_monk** · #14 16th November 2009

Go to the top of the page and look at the banner on the left.....it sums it up perfectly.

HORIZONS UNLIMITED
The website MOTORCYCLE TRAVELLERS trust.

That's what we are, plain and simply, no matter what or where you ride.

**edteamslr** · #15 16th November 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drif10

...this 'hey, look at me' society that is going on in the western world.

We all like to compete a bit, be part of a teams, groups that like to be seen to be 'in' and those who define themselves as being on the 'outside' but I think the quote above is more about humans trying to look more confident but actually becoming more insecure. When you meet people we usually try 'to make a good impression' but this idea could actually be distorted into 'being what you think other's want you to be' and that doesn't sound good.

So the idea of labeling travelling around on motorcycles has less to do with taxonomy and more to do with a generally increasing level of insecurity (possibly heightened by effective marketing techniques).