There is a lot in that but for me the motorcycle element is significant. Over the years I've traveled on foot, by bicycle, motorcycle, car, 4x4 and quite a few others methods and the most pleasure has come from the bike trips.

Why is the difficult bit to explain. All of the stuff about being part of the surroundings on a bike and isolated from it in a car is true but there have been times on many bike trips when I'd have been very happy to be isolated from the surroundings. Nevertheless I usually look at whether it's possible or sensible to use a bike on the next trip.

I do smile slightly when I see the term Adventure Motorcycling. I've been "adventuring" on a bike since long before the term was ever coined but it was just touring to us. AM seems to have been slotted into the marketing spectrum to represent a kind of hardcore "out there on the edge" touring that requires a kind of quasi military approach and serious "rufty- tufty" equipment derived from the MX or enduro world - a kind of two wheeled version of an expedition Land Rover (or TLC !). It's a marketing mindset that wants you to believe that if you're doing a long trip you need serious equipment - and here it is, available to buy. "Touring" is now just a quick trip to the south of France on a Pan Euro or similar that doesn't require much prep.

Having said all that the adventure comes in many forms. A year or so ago I started writing up some of my early (70's) trips on a website (Pisquicktours - see below) A couple of weeks ago I got an email from my ex wife who'd come across the site. I haven't spoken to her since the early 80's. That's the sort of thing I need military grade equipment to deal with!

I agree. Adventure biking is a marketing term to sell BMW GS', etc. I travelled half way around the world and sure, I had some adventures. But you can have them in any mode of travel and the longer you travel the more likely you are to have them.

Some of my "adventures" were self-inflicted, like dropping my bike into a ford in Thailand that I didn't even need to cross.

__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

Hi Backo, your Pisquicktours is a gem and it's great you've done it. You've produced not only some nice reading/pics, but also added to the archives of the history of 60s travel. The B+W pics add flavour so no worries there. Well done. I've lost all my 70s pics of bikes etc so I enjoyed yours.

PS I was near your place in Alpe d'Huez recently, just chilling out with bike and tent on the twisty roads round you. I came over from Auvergne on one of my therapeutic trips with moto and tent.

PPS I know exactly what you mean about normal touring (as something that you always did), now being repackaged etc.....

The best/most interesting things that happen, weren't originally part of the plan.

__________________
Harley Davidsons,
The most effective way of turning petrol into noise without the side-effect of horsepower

To you folks who responded many thanks to you all!

I've had a great time exploring what I would suggest is the post modern adventure experience. Can I insist that you travel to the international journal of motorcycle studies? - IJMS - (google it) For many philosophical rambles that make all but Dan 'the man' Walsh come up wanting.

Steve McQueen and Karl Marx in a place that makes it all seem obvious. Foucalt and a fishbowl - OMG!

Dissertation ready for final proof reading! It's been a ball and I still love my bike. very cool.

Tubeless x

__________________
Put the key of despair into the lock of apathy. Turn the knob of mediocrity slowly and open the door of despondency - Welcome to a day in the average office....