Adventure in your own hands!

Type "definition of adventure" into Google and it'll give you all of 39500500 hits in under 2 seconds. Now just like this amount of hits with lots of different descriptions we all have our own idea of what it is or should be. It might involve physical activity or an object like a motorcycle or simply playing on the stock market, anything to give you a rush.

Adventure is also successfully used as a form of therapy. Partaking in activities that puts you out of your comfort zone. Trust activities to overcome certain fears. and in most cases the outcome will almost always have that feel good element, that sense of achievement, that I have just conquered the world feeling. As per some of the definitions it doesn't always have to be "a risky undertaking of an unknown outcome" like jumping out of an aircraft without a parachute.  If it doesn't help with the problem it will as sure as hell distract and take your mind of the 'niggle' for that moment.

Adventures wether in a group or on your own will always have a very personal effect and outcome and even in a group the differences in opinion will be profound. Not everybody might have noticed that snake in the road or lost the same amount of money on the markets that day but there will be a story to tell however big or small.

Personally the fact that most of my adventures requires me to wear a helmet makes it a risky undertaking. A risk that change every time you do it. You become more comfortable and experienced at what you doing. The danger off course is when you become to comfortable. You know what, it doesn't take away from the adventure, the experience, the exposure to the unknown. The moment where you isolate yourself, that point where you might have to dig a bit deeper to achieve what it is you set out to do. Conquering the world, conquering your fear, feeling amazing!

Now you might argue that life as it is with it's challenges is enough of an adventure. An adventure with the same outcome everyday. Because of it's repetitive nature it becomes quite boring doesn't it? This is where you need to change things. Choose an activity to take you away, pack your bags and go travel or simply go camp with your family.

Life is what you make of it. If you do the same the outcome will most certainly be just that, the same. I challenge you to change things. Just get out and do something different. Maybe it's time to upgrade you bicycle and enter a MTB race. Be bold, be different! Live your life like every moment is an adventure. Grip the bars a bit tighter, look up and expect the unexpected.

Here's to many more Adventures!!

Peter Belcher

a Dear friend Peter Belcher left on Sunday the 29th of June 2014 on a RTW on his motorcycle. I accompanied him for the first 2 days of this epic undertaking. An undertaking that's certainly not as simple as acquiring a motorcycle, a map and luggage. 

Loads of research and time was spend on firstly getting the right bike for the job. The idea was set in motion with possibly doing it on a Uriel with a sidecar cause Peter had concerns about having enough space for all he wanted to take with. He finally settled on a 2013 BMW F800 GS and then the long search for right luggage, tools and spares took up the rest of his time and money in preparation.


I asked his daughter Che to share with us her perception of the journey and the man behind it..

"Just over a month ago, my dad embarked on a wonderful journey. A motorbike, tent, sleeping bag, a few items of clothing...a life reduced! With all the household belongings and cars sold, freedom awaited. 

This idea of traveling the world on a motorbike is not a novel one. Trawl the internet and there are countless blogs of people who have done or are doing just that. Despite this, it is still an awe inspiring undertaking especially when you know the traveller personally. 

The idea for this adventure had been a long time in the making - almost 2 years if I remember correctly. What started as a seedling of a concept slowly and methodically grew into a tangible and highly likely reality. 

One often gets the impression that when someone decides to do this kind of trip, it's on a whim, a somewhat last minute impulsive decision to escape the proverbial rat race and it's trappings: just buy any old bike, venture out and make do with whatever life throws at you. While the tail end of this sentiment is true, the decision to leave 'normal' life as he knew it, was a very deliberate and conscious decision. Bored of city life; frustrated by the inconsistency of his freelance work; wanting to leave before age got the better of him; disgusted by the running of the country and the prospect of a potentially bleak future as a middle aged white male in South Africa, all were reason enough to make the change. 

When my dad wasn't working, he spent copious amounts of time researching places, people and things on the internet. He bought books and DVDs, all as a means of making sure that what he thought and assumed about bike travel were accurate. 

Over the two years that it took him to piece everything together, there was plenty of trial and error. Realising that what he wanted for his bike and general gypsy life were not readily available or even in existence in the country, he ordered online from overseas (sometimes only to be sent the wrong thing) or designed and fashioned his own handy inventions. 

Mornings could easily be spent riding to a handful of bike shops, chatting to other bikers and shop owners, all of whom came to know my dad quite well. Knowing of his trip and the amount of physical work and thought he was investing in it, as well as his frustration at not being able to get what he required, they often gave gadgets that they were considering importing, to him to use and give feedback on. It appears to me that soon he became a go-to guy for people questioning what could and possibly couldn't work on a round the world bike journey. 

During his down time, and when he had bought a new little something or needed to see if whatever he had designed was indeed genius, he would go for weekend rides out into the Karoo and spend a couple of nights camping. These were very important building blocks in giving him a solid idea of what to expect and how certain elements could be improved upon to make the journey as comfortable and practical as possible. 

As his daughter and someone who observed the entire process that took him to the point of departure, I believe he was as ready as one could ever be. There is a time where one needs to realise that enough has been done and the rest needs to be left to life. One cannot prepare for every single variable that may present itself, otherwise one might never end up leaving through the front door. 

My dad has never been one to be emotive and could easily leave you guessing as to what he was feeling - I do believe that's the true English in him - but as his departure date drew nearer, he admitted to the nerves and worry that had crept up on him. No matter who you are, the wariness at leaving a known life is a natural human tendency. But seeing as he left bang on schedule, it is safe to say the excitement was the victor in that round. 

Currently, he is taking a brief rest in Kenya, enjoying the slow, simple life of living, eating wholesome food, meeting fellow travelers of different kinds and gathering valuable insights from other bikers passing through. The road ahead to Ethopia and beyond sounds like it could be his first significant challenge, a true test of biking and mental prowess. 

It will take some time for him to fully settle into this 'novel' lifestyle, to fully let go of the worries that plague someone who is still at the start of their journey, but already the sound of his voice reveals new wonder at the world beyond our borders; a joy at interacting with people; a level of relaxation - all things that were not evident prior to him leaving. 

I can only have admiration for his choice to leave the comforts of urban life; our beautiful flat and fair climate. So many people talk about travelers as though they are cut of a completely different cloth, and marvel at how they can 'live the dream' - but the truth is, everyone can be a traveler in their own way. Not all of us are wired to rough it in the bush, just as not all of us find intrigue in being a five star tourist. If embarking on an adventure such as this one appeals to you, then the idea should not be shelved for the distant future for when 'the time is right'. The question you need to ask is: will the time ever be right unless you make it so?"

Admittedly this journey has gone far beyond from the time that i started this blog. I've been a bit negligent and also had a journey of my own to Malaysia and Cambodia. Keep your eyes pealed for a follow on and also other interesting stories and adventures.

Breakfast like this is certainly not something you'll have everyday on a trip of this magnitude

When we left Peter requested we stop at Lagoon beach for a last look and a picture with the Table Mountain in the backround

Many months of prep went into the trip. Two motorcycles later and trying out different kinds of kit and ways packing he was finally ready to go