Ol’ Mate

This entry is part 24 of 26 in the series Adventure Rider Issue #4

Here’s another dead-set champion adventure rider and reader of this high-quality journal – just like you! Everyone, meet…

Ed Surman

Q. Where does that bike get parked each night, Ed?
A. South-east Queensland will always be home for me. I was born in Brisbane, and for the last 20 years or so I’ve enjoyed the twisties and tracks of the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
I’m just about to depart on a dream trip to ride the Americas, Pole to Pole, and my bivvie bag and tarp, wherever I stop, will be home.

Q. What’s your age?
A. I’m 49 years young.

Q. Are you registered on the AdvRiderMag forum? If so, what’s your handle?
A. I signed up recently as ‘Eddywoodgo’.

Q. What bike do you ride?
A. Currently I have 96,000km on my ’09 GSA, and 20,000km on the trusty DR that’s coming Pole dancing to the Americas with me.

Q. What’s the best ride you’ve ever done?
A. My shakedown run to Cape York with my travelling buddy, Susie.
We made it to the tip of Australia despite a big off which broke my leg and foot. My boots were as good as a cast in keeping my foot stable, but I ended up having two lots of surgery in Cairns, two weeks and 1000km later.

Q. What’s your favourite place to ride?
A. My favourite is whatever is my next destination!
Trips away anywhere the blacktop gives way to gravel and dirt tracks. The Conondale National Park is just at my doorstep, and I’ve enjoyed many Sunday arvos in those hills.

Q. What do you like most about the mag?
A. Finally a magazine devoted to adventure riding.
I loved the write up of the APC rally – I forget which issue it was in – and the ads even send me farkle dreaming.

Q. What’s something that really peeves you on a ride?
A. I try not to let anything get under my skin, but I would have to say red lights and traffic on stinking-hot days.

Q. Have you ever raced or ridden competition?
A. No. Just human Space Invaders dodging traffic through 25 years of commuting.

Q. Knee braces or knee guards?
A. Knee guards.

Q. Are lowered footpegs any good?
A. I suppose it depends on how tall you are. Anything that helps with ergonomics to make you fit your steed, or your steed fit you, is good, right?

Q. Do you still go riding if it’s raining before you leave home?
A. I don’t have a car so I ride in all types of weather. I really like the mindset wet weather brings to your ride. It’s all about being smooth.

Q. What’s the worst case of Monkey Butt you’ve ever had?
A. I must have an iron butt, because I’ve avoided the dreaded Monkey Butt syndrome. Paw paw ointment applied early and bicycle nicks are part of my prevention strategy.

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