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Unskilled motorcyclists are prone to more mishaps. Typically, if you’ve ever purchased a used motorcycle, you’ve steered clear of bikes that have been “dropped.” The scratched fairings, bent levers or tweaked handlebars are all evidence of a bike owned by an unskilled rider.

The scratches on the fairing of my bike tell you that my bike has been dropped. In fact, it is arguable that my Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom may have narcolepsy. It has taken naps in the snow, in my lawn and on dirt back roads.

The fact that a motorcycle is an inanimate object could lead you in the direction that the operator is unskilled. That part of the equation doesn’t compute for me. I pride myself in being a skilled rider. I grew up riding all sorts of motorized contraptions through unforgiving terrain. I ride 100 miles per day commuting to work. Weekends are spent riding as often and as far as possible. I have taken numerous motorcycle safety courses and happen to also teach some of them on non-riding weekends. When the weather outside is frightful, I can often be found reading a book on motorcycle safety or touring. Like any person with a passion, I study hard and practice often.

Perhaps unskilled is the wrong word to describe the napping mishaps. A thread on a motorcycle forum that I frequent recently asked why riders of my particular style of motorcycle treat dumping the bike as a right of passage? To that I answer, because rights of passage typically occur as a person grows and reaches a certain footing from which the next rung in the ladder can be reached. The right of passage here is learning to expand our two-wheeled comfort zone onto more difficult terrain and conditions that many riders avoid.

Zen is often talked about when describing motorcycling. Zen can be found on many paved twisty roads where traction abounds. Some people become quite skilled on that type of surface and can rightfully call themselves motorcyclists. Others enjoy a similar level of skill on paved surfaces, but actively seek Zen on more diverse surfaces such as dirt, rocks and snow. These are the surfaces where I often find my groove. These are also the surfaces where the lack of finding the groove can lead to a scratched up surface that makes the bike appear to have narcolepsy.

Riding a large adventure-style bike opens new avenues of riding opportunities. Accomplishing these new opportunities requires practice and the building of riding skills. Don’t always discount a used motorcycle because of the scratches or dings on the bodywork. Those may be the scars of a bike with a lot of character. A bike that may lead you to find new types of riding opportunities and expand your own skill sets.

The need for adventure pulls some riders away from the comfort of home for weekends or sometimes more extended multi-day trips. An adventurous spirit has taken one man around the world on a trip that will touch the two wheels of his early nineties Honda Africa Twin on the soil of every continent except Antarctica. This may not be the first time such a trip has been undertaken. It does likely hold the record for length of time.

The man, Ian Coates of Hebden Bridge, England has an infectious smile. It is a sign of the stamina and character of a single man who has been on the road less traveled for more than eleven years.

That’s right, Ian has been on this worldwide journey since 1999. A much shorter trip from South Africa to England started this odyssey. The original trip was to take four months. Instead it took nearly a year. Mere days after arriving at home, he and his trusty Honda were bound for Australia. Years were spent on his quest down under through the driest continent on the planet. He then headed to New Zealand, South America, Central America, United States and Canada. He spent an entire decade riding, camping, helping out on cattle ranches and enjoying every moment of life.

It is in Canada where I had the pleasure of meeting Ian. The 67-year old man is a definite character. His spirit built upon true wanderlust escapes through his constant smile in a mix of non-stop tales from his travels.

The wear and tear of his circumnavigation isn’t noticeable on his body. It is only noticeable from his motorcycle gear. Most of which has seen more miles than many avid motorcyclists will encounter in a lifetime.

Boots Bring us Together

Ian’s worn out and tattered boots brought us together on a warm 70-degree day near Vancouver B.C. The wayfaring had taken a toll on the sole of the boots with ever mile added to the soul of this incredible motorcyclist.

Held together by duct tape and bound to his feet by rubber bands, the boots showed every dusty mile. Nevil Stow, of Canmore, Alberta, one of many friends that Ian has made along this ride, offered to get him a new pair of riding boots. They order a pair of Gaerne boots from MotoCrossGiant.com in California. Unfortunately, there’s a minor mix up and they send him a pair of size 10 boots. Ian wears a size 13. With just a few days until he flies out from Vancouver to Seoul, Korea en route to Vladivostok, Russia. There just wasn’t enough time to ship the boots internationally across the US and Canada border.

I happen to live an hour south of the border. Ian calls and asks if the boots could be shipped to my house and if I’d be willing to bring them up to Vancouver. This would not be a problem at all. In fact, I was rather pleased to get a chance to meet him and help at the same time. Two days pass and the boots arrive on my front porch. That weekend I bungee them to my V-Strom and ride up to meet Ian at Malcolm and Kathy’s house in Surrey, B.C.

It was a glorious day for a ride. The weather was equally nice while sitting in Malcolm and Kathy’s well manicured back yard visiting and talking about travels to far off lands. A couple cups of coffee, a few hours and tons of stories is the best way to start any friendship. It is perhaps the best gift from a well-traveled rider. The knowledge and insight that those many miles provides is incredible.

This was truly a unique experience that I’ll carry in my mind from here on out. I can’t say this enough, you meet the most incredible people on a motorcycle. The fact that he is also an inspirational and joyful person is just icing on the adventure cake.

Good luck to you, Ian. May your ride through Siberia, Mongolia, India and all the ‘Stans go as smooth as fun will allow.

Read more about Ian on his online travel journal. It is also very easy to find more information with a simple Google search.

YouTube video of a local TV station interviewing Ian and his wife Judith.