South Africa 2023
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We completed our 2023 summer ride through Europe (read about that trip Europe for Four Months in 2023) by flying directly to South Africa for a 20-day tour. This was a "bucket list" destination for us. The motorcycle tour company that we had chosen for the trip some years before was offering a discount for trips booked early in 2023, so we took advantage.
At the end of the Europe trip In mid-September, we put our Kawasaki Versys back into storage in Heidelberg Germany then flew from Frankfurt to Johannesburg South Africa. This was such an odd flight for me as it is more than 10 hours with no time zone change. I've never flown so far without changing time zones. It makes the flight feel even longer once you get back on the ground and so much clock time has elapsed.
South African Motorcycle Adventure (SAMA) Tours
met us at the airport to transport us and our riding gear to the first day hotel in Pretoria. We stayed two nights getting a chance to both explore the area and rest a bit before starting the ride.
Our tour included a rental motorcycle, which we were assigned in Pretoria, a BMW F750GS. The same model as we rented in Colombia during 2021 (Colombia, that's in South America) so it felt very familiar. Somewhat under powered but adequate especially given that our tour included a chase van containing all our luggage. So all that went on the bike was the two of us and a few things for the day. In total there were 9 bikes (3 with two passengers) along with a lead and chase tour guide on bikes and one more in the van. 11 Bikes and 15 people in the group.
And now all loaded up, off we went to some interesting stops around the Pretoria area before arriving at the Zebra Lodge. This was the first of our three safari experiences. From the Lodge, our truck tour brought us up close to many game animals including zebra, springbok, giraffe, ostrich, and so many more. We were also treated to a drum concert ending the day.
Europe for Four Months in 2023
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The Summer of 2023 will forever be remembered as our first extensive European motorcycle trip. Maybe the most extensive motorcycle trip of any kind so far in our riding history.
In May we flew to Germany to meet up with our Kawasaki Versys 1000 motorcycle, which we shipped from California in Feb 2023. We used it to ride 10,000 miles through 12 countries on roads ranging from 1,960 feet below to 9,092 feet above sea level over the next four months. See our route on a map.
Such a fantastic experience. We visited historic sites, museums and major cities like London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, York, Oslo, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Munich. Such a trip includes so many places, people and experiences that I could not possibly write about it all so I'll keep this as short as possible with a summary of a few stops described in the order we visited each.
Germany Arrival
First we met up with our motorcycle in Heidelberg where it was stored after shipment. We spent a few days there adjusting to a new time zone, getting the motorcycle prepared and packed. During these initial days we did some short rides around the Heidelberg area to see motorcycle shops and castles. Now as ready as we could be, off we went to our first stop on the Rhine River in Germany.
Setting up "home" in La Paz 2022
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Once again off to Mexico on our Triumph Tiger 800 XC. This time we combined attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, a ride through northern mainland Mexico, a train through the Copper Canyon (or Barrancas del Cobre) with a lengthy two month stay in La Paz Baja California Sur. La Paz felt like home after such a long stay!
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
First up was Albuquerque and the Balloon Fiesta. We've been here before in late 1980's and again in 2014. But, this trip was different in that we went on a motorcycle and stayed in "Glamping Tents" within the park where all the action takes place. It was a great way to participate. Walking over to the launch field was rather easy so we could head over early in the morning for launch and back late at night for the balloon glow. We saved on high parking fees and avoided long waits getting the car into the area each day.
Travel Map List
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Listed below are GPS map pages for previous motorcycle rides and trips. Clicking the "Name" link will open the map on this page. Right click and choose either "New Window" or "New Tab" to get the map in a page without the remainder of this page. Enjoy these motorcycle routes as I certainly have while riding them!
Where have you ridden?
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After the topic of hobbies, travel or motorcycles is introduced into a conversation, and I explain my habit of riding to far off places, the next question I'm asked is, "Where have you ridden?"
The answer is a long list. Many roads, destinations and experiences. I believe a better answer is to show the places I've been.