I can't quite remember how or when the idea came about, but
back in 2000 the combination of itchy feet and a recently
acquired motorcycle licence had put ideas in my head. Initial
investigations soon pointed me firmly in the direction of
Chris Scott's now legendary
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook
and thus, my plan to motorcycle from Alaska to the tip of South America was born.
 The old Beezer
Until the summer of 2002, when I bought the Yamaha Serow for my Americas
trip, my motorcycling experience had been limited to vintage
British road bikes. Fired up by a passion for all things old
and ropey, and against the advice of experienced and frankly,
sensible, motorcycling friends, I had cut my biking teeth on a
650cc 1963 BSA. This scheme initially involved more gnashing
than cutting of the teeth, but after a series of 'character
building' breakdowns, accidents, electrical failures, oil
leaks, snapped chains and the many miles of obligatory pushing
associated with British bike ownership, (wo)man finally
triumphed over machine and the BSA became a trusty friend,
providing me with many happy motorcycling miles.
 Astride the Yamaha XT225 Serow
Like everyone planning an expedition such as this, my big
question was 'what bike?' I knew I wanted some sort of trail
or dual sport bike as I expected to encounter a variety of
terrains and road surfaces, but like many short riders, I
found the seat heights of the popular overland machines
prohibitive. I was also keen to choose a bike that was light
enough to pick up on my own; and if I was ever to find myself
squashed beneath it, be able to wriggle free. Having once
been pinned to a spot of London tarmac under some meaty Brit
iron, watching the petrol tank empty its contents over me, I
was keen to avoid a similar plight. On that occasion I was
fortunate enough to be rescued by a couple of sturdy
pensioners, but, I wondered, would I be so lucky in the Atacama
Desert? After much deliberation I decided upon what is often
(ok, sometimes) referred to as the perfect trail bike: the
Yamaha XT225 Serow.
 The Serow excels offroad
The procurement of the Serow meant that I was now in a
position to enter the world of off-road riding, a long held
ambition of mine that turned out to be every bit as exciting
as I had imagined. My first adventure off the tarmac quickly
saw me in the local hospital's A&E department after an
unintentional airborne ascent in a disused quarry was swiftly
followed by a knee crushing crash. Some trail riding sage had
offered me the pearl of wisdom: if in doubt, give it some gas .
I was obviously in a lot of doubt. Once recovered however, I
was eager to return to the dirt and have ridden off road
regularly since then, finding that it improves my road riding
skills as well as being the most fun you can have on two
wheels.
And that, after all, is what this is all about.
Click here to see other bikes that have
suffered at my hands over the years.
Click here to view a short (one minute) promo film for my first book, Lois on the Loose.
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