In the build-up to our trip to Canada, I went through a range of emotions, from excitement to trepidation, and elation to doubt. This was a big one. What gave me the conviction to push on with the plans was that this was not our first rodeo. I have been riding with Richard and Roy for years, including long tours in Europe, southern Africa, and America. But still, this was our biggest challenge so far. We'd spent the past few months meticulously planning a ride from Vancouver in the southwest of Canada all the way north to Inuvik. It was a long one, covering over 3000 miles in two weeks, but it was only the last 457 miles that worried me: the Dempster Highway. It has a fearsome reputation due to its utter remoteness, harsh conditions, and scarcity of any support services you might need if you get into trouble. And it's all gravel. I hate gravel!
However, what I do like is a challenge, and as much as the gravel section played on my mind, I wanted to do it. And I knew that the three of us were a tight unit - we had got this!
Also, I had an ulterior motive for exposing myself to the gruelling ride: my company, Diamond Coatings, recently had launched a new product called VISIN. It's a battery-operated heated visor insert, basically a Pinlock on steroids, and a ride like this, with drastic changes in the conditions, temperature and weather, was going to be a perfect real-world test for it.
Once we'd finalised our route, booked hotels, hired bikes and a support vehicle, and hatched a plan of how to avoid being eaten by bears or getting into too much trouble if things went wrong, it was all set. It was too late to back away now.
Reality check
Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
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Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
