It’s what we do

This entry is part 1 of 22 in the series Adventure Rider Issue #2

Taking adventure riding as a pursuit in its own right – as opposed to considering it a type of trail riding – isn’t a totally new idea. There have been adventure riders pretty much as long as there have been motorcycles, and the issue of “what is adventure riding” has been thrashed out on a few web forums and even in a magazine or two, although I’ve never seen a definition everyone agreed on.

There’s no doubt we can all look at a ride and say, “Yep. That’s an adventure ride. Absolutely.” And we can look at others and say, “Pfft! All that support? And staying in four-star accom? There’s no adventure in that.”

But it’s difficult to put into a clear and concise definition. Obviously marketing and after-market suppliers think they know, because we’re at last being offered apparel and equipment designed and manufactured specifically for the type of riding we do. For decades we’ve been making do with motocross gear. Call it enduro or trail if you like, but it’s been developed in motocross. Boots that offer the maximum protection with comfort a very distant consideration, jackets that don’t keep out the rain, tyres that are lucky to last a single day of mixed riding and a stack of other compromises. Now an adventure rider can walk into a dealer and expect to see suits made with Gore-tex, boots that are both waterproof and comfortable, heated gloves and vests, helmets designed to be worn for days at a time and all kinds of specific adventure-riding accessories.We even have our own magazine now.

We even have our own magazine now.

Life is good, and the marketing guys have seemingly figured it out.

So where will a definition come from?

There’s challenge and risk in an adventure ride for sure, but there’s challenge and risk in lots of riding. It’s nothing to do with the size of the bike, because some of the most amazing rides I’ve done have been on very small bikes. Honda CT110s, of course, but I’ve seen some awe-inspiring rides done on bikes I would’ve thought good choices as a commuter for a young girl with a learner’s permit.

Should distance be a determining factor?Nope. There’s plenty of adventure to be had in any given kilometre of just about anywhere.

I think the heart of the matter is that it’s the heart that matters.

If you get on your bike ready to look the world in the eye, and you’re backing yourself to deal with whatever fate throws at you, that’s adventure riding. It’s an attitude, not something you buy from a store.

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