Conquering Strata Florida: A Thrilling Adventure on the Honda Africa Twin in Wales

With over 9 river crossings, the Strata Florida is a very fun legal byway in Wales. It’s wide enough for big 4x4s but also great fun on two wheels. But be warned…it is a wet ride! Both with a lot of puddles and standing water that tend to be murky with hidden rocks, and also from the many rivers, it can be a sporty ride – making it my best green lane. This was a day riding with two friends, I was on the Honda Africa Twin along with Alex, and then Nick was on a Tenere 700 – all three ADV bikes are largely standard with the addition of some extra protection bars/plates. We’d had a few dry days so the water was manageable on the big ADV bikes but indeed some deep hairy parts, with 9 river crossings the Strata Florida is not one for after heavy rain.

This is possibly… one of my favorite byway green lanes in the UK.

I hope you enjoy watching it.

You can watch my full Africa Twin reviews on my YouTube channel too:

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

9 women hit Belize on motorcycles

A crew of babes assembled for a mega Belize adventure on motorcycles – this is day one!

Bikes and Belize! Literally what more could we wish for? We’ve got 11 days of adventure planned, all revolving around two wheels but tied into discovering the wilderness of Belize. From river tubing in the jungle to hunting out wrecked planes, diving, and cooling off in waterfalls, and pontoon parties. It’s a fully organized adventure with @MOTOURISMO and Big Little Rides so I don’t have to think about anything other than enjoying it

We found the jungle – Belize by motorcycle Part 2 – Motourismo

Part two see’s us riding off into the jungle in Belize, Central America. With a crew of females assembled from around the world for an adventure on motorcycles – this is part two!

Belize is an epic place for exploring for two weeks and this trip included a range of riding abilities. This shows the first-ever river crossings but with a team of lovely ladies, everyone was supported and guided. The empowerment was incredible!

Bikes and Belize! Literally what more could we wish for? We’ve got 11 days of adventure planned, all revolving around two wheels but tied into discovering the wilderness of Belize. From river tubing in the jungle to hunting out wrecked planes, diving, and cooling off in waterfalls and pontoon parties. It’s a fully organized adventure with @MOTOURISMO and Big Little Rides so I don’t have to think about anything other than enjoying it.

Tropical paradise by dirt bike – 10 girls, 12 days

Get ready to embark on the ultimate off-road adventure through Belize’s tropical paradise! Join our group of 10 daring girls as we explore the breathtaking landscapes of Belize on dirt bikes, riding through jungle trails, crossing rivers, and scaling mountains. We’ve got 12 days of action-packed fun planned, including visits to hidden waterfalls, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, and exploring ancient ruins. From adrenaline-pumping rides to laid-back beach vibes, we’ve got it all covered. So buckle up and join us for this unforgettable journey through Belize’s untamed wilderness!

Jungle Adventures on Dirt Bikes

Join us for another exhilarating day in Belize as we venture deeper into the lush jungle and conquer new challenges on our dirt bikes. We’ll cross treacherous terrain like the infamous Slipe Grund and make sure our bikes are in top shape for the journey ahead.

Our adventure takes us across rivers and to scenic lunch spots, where we can take a break and cool off with some delicious ice cream. After braving a water crossing, we’ll head back to our hotel to unwind and prepare for an exciting sea diving experience on Day 8.

Our dive boat sets sail, and we prepare to take the plunge and explore the fascinating underwater world of Belize. Join us for another incredible day of adventure, off-road riding, and unforgettable experiences in this tropical paradise!

It didn’t all go to plan … motorbikes in the jungle

I’m excited to share with you the latest installment of our Belize adventure! on a Dirt bike. In part 5, you’ll see us take on the jungle once again as we navigate through the lush foliage on our dirt bikes. From crossing rivers and streams to tackling muddy terrain, this was definitely one of our most thrilling days yet.

But that’s not all – as we ventured deeper into the jungle, we stumbled upon a hidden waterfall and couldn’t resist taking a refreshing dip. The water was cool and crystal clear, and it was the perfect way to cool off after a long day of riding.

So come along with us on this wild ride as we get wet and wild in the heart of Belize’s jungle. It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss!

Don’t ride like a girl! I’ll teach you to be a better rider

I’ll be sharing some essential riding skills that are necessary for both novice and experienced riders. These skills will help you navigate through challenging terrains with ease and maintain better control over your bike. These workshops where delivered during a Big Little Rides womens only motorcycle trip to Belize.

First, I’ll demonstrate the front squat pick-up method that comes in handy when you’re riding on tricky terrains. This technique involves lifting your bike off the ground and lifting with your large leg muscles while facing it. Then, I’ll show you the bar lift method that is ideal for riders with limited mobility.

After that, I’ll move on to proper bike positioning for riding downhill and uphill. I’ll share some tips on how to position your body weight to maintain stability and balance while riding through steep slopes, but also finding your comfortable balanced position where your hands are not overloaded. Additionally, I’ll teach you how to ride while standing up, which is a useful skill for off-road riding.

This lesson is not just about learning new skills, but also about empowering women riders to take control of their bikes and ride like a girl. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, join me in this journey to elevate your riding skills and confidence to the next level!

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro – real life road test

Tiger 900 Rally Pro properly tested!

Embarking on a mega road trip from Wales to Africa on the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro means the ultimate test of its capabilities. Can a Tiger 900 Rally Pro Tour? Let’s find out! This is part one of a multi part series where I push the Rally Pro to the extremes both on the road, off road and even, into the extremes of the Moroccan desert in a 7 day desert rally 1000 Dunas. Stay tuned for the full series – tick the bell for notifications so you don’t miss it!

By the end of the series you should know everything there is to know about the Tiger and also, hopefully, had some entertainment on the way! Please do remember to subscribe to my channels and let me know what you think, plus any questions in the video comments.

Videos in this Tiger 900 7 part series:

• Touring capability and tech specs – Can a Tiger Tour Part 1 and 2
• Taking the Tiger off road – Triumph Adventure Center
• How To Road book Navigate
• How to Turn Tiger into an off road rally bike fit for a desert rally in Morocco
• Pushing the Tiger to the limits with the 1000 Dunas desert rally – part 1 and Part 2

Tiger 900 Rally Pro properly tested – part 1 – Wales to Africa

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.

You can find me Vanessa Ruck, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

Welcome to the Jungle: Women on Bikes vs Belize

Female riders Experience Central America’s best-kept motorcycling secret

Cruising along a narrow dirt trail as the sun beats down on the red earth and the rainforest around me teems with greenery, I hear Suzanne, the rider behind me, hit her brakes hard.

As I slow down to see what’s up – perhaps she’s got a flat tire or forgot something at our last stop? – I watch her jump off her motorcycle. She bends down and looks at something on the ground; spinning my bike around, I go over to investigate.

Suzanne hasn’t got a flat tire.

She’s got a python – a live, adult python – in her hands.

Sounds nuts? That may be, but we’re riding Belize, a small Caribbean country covered in lush green jungle where curious creatures abound. By the time the other riders catch up with us, I’ve worked up the courage to pick up the python sleepily resting on Suzanne’s arms, too. All of a sudden, this feels perfectly normal: nine women on dual-sport motorcycles parked up on a side of a trail, petting a python, chatting casually, and taking photos: just a regular two-wheeled outing somewhere on the other side of the world.

Except, of course, it isn’t. Belize is well-known for its Caribbean resorts and spectacular coral reefs, but when it comes to bikes, few people know Belize as a motorcycling destination. Fewer people still ever ride it, and as for the expedition I’m on, it’s the first of its kind: a guided women-only trip taking gals on bikes across the entire country. On road, off-road, and just about everything in between, we’re on a quest to discover Belize together, traveling its remote regions and bonding over bikes and adventures.

Suzanne finally puts the friendly snake back in the tall rainforest grass, and we jump back on the bikes to make our way through the jungle following our guides back to base. Just before returning to our hotel, we’re led along a narrow gravel track and end up at the beach, the turquoise-blue waves lapping at the white sand, the wind whipping up our hair.

Standing by my bike and looking out to sea, I can’t quite believe I’ve just ridden across a rainforest and a Caribbean beach – yet here we are, an all-female crew of riders having completed Day One of our Belizean adventure.

Meet the Team

Back at our basecamp in the small beach town of Hopkins, we gather round for a briefing on the rooftop terrace. I’m curious to get to know my fellow adventurers better: there’s Alana, a Canadian women in her fifties who recently passed her test and hasn’t ridden off-road before but decided she was in for a challenge. Following her divorce, Belize is an opportunity to do something for herself for the first time in years.

There’s Mariska, a smiley South African gal on a break from work and on the lookout for adventure; there’s Golnoosh, a Canadian-Iranian rider going on a two-wheeled trip abroad for the first time, and Suzanne the Snake Whisperer from the US, a brilliant rider and a source of hilarious commentary. Then, there are Egle and Jurga, our guides and masterminds behind the all-female Belize bike trip, and finally, Emma, our host and bike rental owner in Hopkins.

I’ll admit, I mostly ride with men – at home, at the races, or while traveling – simply because motorcycling is a male-dominated world, and I love riding with the guys. Women on motorcycles are still a minority, especially when it comes to riding dirt, so I was intrigued to ride in an all-female crew: let’s face it, nine women on bikes traveling together is an unusual sight! Still, I have my reservations: having experienced bullying by mean girls at school for my tomboyish ways, I’ve no idea what to expect from these women. Are we going to click, and will we connect riding Belize together for twelve days, or are we going to remain strangers on bikes brought together by circumstance?

There’s only one way to find out.

Into the Wild

Waking up early in the morning, still a little jetlagged, we make our way to our breakfast spot. It’s a small local eatery run by Raquel, a cheerful Garifuna lady always ready with a smile and a generous plate of eggs and bacon. Hopkins feels a lot like Jamaica rather than Central America because of its vibrant Garifuna population: originally from West Africa, the Garifuna in Belize are famous for their hospitality, delicious cuisine, and drumming parties.

Bellies full of breakfast burritos, we jump on our 250cc bikes and head out. It’s raining a little, but the scenery around us more than makes up for it. As we travel across the emerald green rainforest, scarlet macaws taking flight, creeks and small rivers crisscrossing the jungle, it’s like riding in some distant green planet barely touched by human activity.

As we approach our first creek crossing, I’m a little worried whether Alana and Mariska are going to make it across. It’s rocky and slippery, and both of them don’t have much experience riding off road. Egle and Jurga wade into the creek, ready to help Alana and Mariska across. I’m waiting on the other side in case they need a hand or stall – it’s a slight uphill after the water crossing, and I know just how intimidating wet rocks can be if you’re a beginner rider.

Instead of crashing, slipping, or stalling, however, both Alana and Mariska make it across like pros. We all cheer – clearly, these two gals are ready for a challenge, and we carry on riding deeper into the jungle, wide grins under our helmets.

Belize is hot and humid, so we make a habit of stopping at waterfalls and swimming holes to cool down. Soon, I realize the best policy is to simply wear a bikini under the riding gear: we braap, then we swim – that, in a nutshell, is a Belize survival guide. As we travel along, we cover sections of the Hummingbird Highway where the dense jungle flatlands are replaced by green rolling hills. Leaving tarmac again, we end up at a quiet jungle lodge complete with a swimming pool and a barbecue dinner.

Next up, it’s another stretch on dirt exploring stalactite-dotted caves and having lunch by the river before arriving at our next destination for a rest day. And if you’re thinking plush resorts or SPAs, think again: our rainforest hideaway is an eco-farm complete with horse riding and river cruises in a pontoon boat spotting crocodiles and howler monkeys along the way.

Mud, Bikes, and Coral Reefs

As we press on riding ever-deeper into the Belizean countryside, I’m starting to realize this trip is jam-packed with off-bike activities I’d never have had the time to organize myself. On ride days, we stop to make traditional tortillas with local Mayan women, visit waterfalls and caves, explore incredible Mayan ruins and eat lunch with the locals. During the rest days, the gals opt for a snorkelling trip to a Caribbean island, while Suzanne and I go for a diving expedition at Hamanasi resort to explore the coral reefs and swim with sharks. There’s also a bioluminescence tour and a Garifuna drumming party on the menu, and it’s starting to feel like this tour is both about the riding, the adventure, and the culture.

As the trip draws to an end, I realize we’ve ridden across Belize’s most remote rainforest trails, savannah, and beaches. We’ve done long days in the saddle and covered some dusty miles, helping each other along the way and supporting each other. We’ve battled mud, bent gear shifters, and the limits of our own comfort zones. From jaguar sanctuaries and remote Mayan villages to Caribbean towns and spectacular landscapes, we’ve experienced Belize in the best way imaginable: on two wheels, and in the company of like-minded adventuresses.

Best of all, we’ve all learned a thing or two about pushing our own edge. For me, riding dirt and traveling on bikes is all about challenging myself and exploring places off the beaten path. Having survived a car accident that’s left me with a reconstructed body, I purposely seek out adventures and physical and mental challenges – if I’m to grow as a rider and as a person, that’s the way to do it.

But seeing other women riders tackle terrain they’ve never ridden before, crashing, then getting right back into the saddle again, conquering their own fears, and finding that they’re capable, confident, and hilarious (looking at you, Suzanne!), was an entirely new experience.

So what’s my final verdict on riding Belize in an all-female crew? I’d definitely be up for another Caribbean adventure: most of us have ridden mountains and deserts, but exploring a jungle-covered wilderness on a bike is something completely different. And when it comes to women-only rides, I’ve learned they can be empowering in more ways than one.

It’s not just about the riding: it’s also about letting your hair down in the company of like-minded gals and creating new friendships along the way. If we want to see more women on bikes, all-female adventures might just be a good place to start!

Who are the Big Little Ride girls?

Egle and Jurga are founders of Big Little Rides, a motorcycle event planning company designing all-female adventure, dirt, and training tours around the world.

Travelers, adventure riders, and guides, Jurga and Egle have ridden bikes in Asia, the Americas, North Africa, and Europe. Obsessed with dual-sport riding and obscure destinations and driven by the desire to share the adventures, Jurga and Egle started Big Little Rides back in 2020. They began organizing a few women’s enduro weekends here and there just for fun, but soon found there was so much interest they felt like there was no turning back.

“Our trips and training events are aimed at women riders who are looking for adventure and a travel experience, but what usually ends up happening is that they also get a major confidence boost – and a good dose of inspiration to keep riding on their own. Our events aren’t about shutting male riders out: instead, they’re about creating space for women to be who they are, ride at their own pace and level, learn together, and support one another. Big Little Rides is about pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone, going on motorcycle adventures with other women, and finding that you’re more capable and confident than you thought”, Egle and Jurga explain.

Big Little Rides offer two-wheeled adventures for women ranging from long expeditions in places like South America to shorter European trips and dirt bike training weekends, available for all skill levels and experience (or no experience at all!).

The tour with Motourismo, Big Little Rides

Women’s Adventure Motorcycle Tour in Belize is a 10-day tour including off-road and road riding, plenty of adventure, and unique experiences. A fully-supported tour costs 2,970 GBP and includes motorcycle rental, hotels, fuel, and female guides. You’ll be exploring the Caribbean on small dual-sport bikes in the company of other women, discovering jungle trails, remote indigenous villages, and Mayan ruins, and enjoy some well-deserved rest on the beach or snorkelling over the second largest coral reef in the world.

Other Big Little Rides adventures take place in: Colombia, Portugal, Spain, Romania.

More on: Motourismo offers over 80 providers of motorcycle tours, training courses and shipping options to open the world of adventure in one place. https://www.motourismo.com/en/listings/4120-motorcycle-adventure-in-belize AND https://www.motourismo.com/en/listings/3868-womens-adventure-motorcycle-tour-in-

You can see the full adventure in my multiple part YouTube series below:

More on this tour:

Mixed ride

Mixed Ride

Women’s only

Women’s only

Big Little Rides

Big Little Rides

Part 1 Belize – A crew of babes assembled for a mega Belize adventure on motorcycles – this is day one

Part 2 We found the jungle

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

MOTOURISMO motorcycle holidays review

Having joined a MOTOURISMO trip to Belize with their tour operator Big Little Rides and I could not recommend it more highly. Using the Motourismo website I was able to search, navigate and read about all kinds of different motorcycle adventures, tours and trips around the world. The detailed information enabled me to whittle down my topic pics, until I eventually decided on Belize.

Knowing that MOTOURISMO carefully vet the tour operators they work with to ensure a certain standard is met gave me some confidence for sure. There are so many locations out there, and culturally standards can vary quite dramatically. MOTOURISMO apparently vet vendors for things like bike quality, service, accommodation and general touring experience. Now while I can’t speak for all trips provided by MOTOURISMO, in this review I’ll focus on the experience I had in Belize.

Who are MOTOURISMO

MOTOURISMO offers over 80 providers of motorcycle tours, training courses and shipping options to open the world of adventure in one place.

See all trips available on MOTOURISMO here

Belize with Big Little Rides

Bikes and Belize! Literally what more could we wish for? I booked 11 days of adventure all planned by the tour operator and all revolving around two wheels but tied into discovering the wilderness of Belize. The 11 days saw us doing over 25 different activities, from river tubing in the jungle to hunting out wrecked planes, diving, cooling off in waterfalls and pontoon parties. It was a fully organised adventure with Big Little Rides. The beauty for me is that I did not have to think about anything other than enjoying it.

All the routes, accommodation, food stops, fuel locations, top photo locations and bike rental was organised for me. Once I was on the ground in Belize I was looked after. I found the trip using the search functionality on MOTOURISMO and I’m so happy with the holiday I then had.

You can see the full adventure in my multiple part YouTube series below:

More on this tour:

Mixed ride

Mixed Ride

Women’s only

Women’s only

Big Little Rides

Big Little Rides

Part 1 Belize – A crew of babes assembled for a mega Belize adventure on motorcycles – this is day one

Part 2 We found the jungle

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

Lapping the Island: Exploring Sardinia on a Tenere 700 Motorcycle

In Sardinia adventure and learning go hand-in-hand

It’s ironic how you feel most alive when your heart skips a few beats. We’d been warned in the morning’s training of some rocky terrain with a mix of deep sand, hard cracked slabs and loose stone but as my eyes skip ahead reading the terrain, I knew I needed to focus. A deep breath as I calmed my mind, relaxing into the bike’s rhythm and powering on. The deep sand grapples at the Tenere’s wheels, pulling, pushing. It’s a like a million little sand hands all desperate to throw me off. I roll on the throttle throwing my 62kg weight as far back as possible to let the 205kg Tenere 700 front end float.

Our rhythms settle and it feels like we’re gliding as we part the sand. My peripheral vision captures flashes of the sea crashing down below the jagged cliff tops just metres from the track. My senses are in override and I’m feeling smooth. And then bang. We hit the hidden slabs of bed rock. The wheel jumps, my body shudders. Clutching the bike with my knees we absorb, and ride on. Phew..

My Sardinia adventure Journey:

Pulling to a stop a mile later, my heart is racing, breath fast and deep, and my smile blinking huge. We were upright and my goodness what did we just ride? High fiving the guys in front our energies are ignited. Twisting back to see the others following… it’s a different scene. I spot two bikes down in the deepest patch of sand. Bars dug in, bike are like a dead weight. Watching as they draw their inner superman strength to lift in the sand, feet sliding and struggling for traction, I was very grateful to be watching and not digging holes on the Tenere 700 myself.

Learning with the Tenere 700

On a trip designed to conquer two big purposes I could see in this moment exactly why combining adventure and training was a winning concept. Earlier that day in our off-road training camp we had been guided through the art of picking up an adventure bike. There are many ways to skin a cat and it’s the same with recovering a bike, depending on the scenario and how upside-down, backwards and embedded into the terrain you find yourself. It might sound simple but so many put their backs out and don’t correctly utilise the individual bike ergonomics. Or worse never actually try lifting it until amidst remote chaos.

Stood in a circle with the Tenere 700 lying ready for the next lifting victim I quietly watched, gracefully awaiting my turn – which was in fact me trying not to go next. But to my amazement, even with my reconstructed hip, using the bar squat method it was ‘easy’. It’s one of those tasks we seem to omit training for… instead finding ourselves out in the wildness with a blinking big bike that fancies a nap and a lie down. Swear words and tears. Today’s lesson has already helped my confidence, now to stay focused so I’m not putting the lift into practice for real.

Energies high we ride on and moments later we’re shifting weight on the twisty tarmac as we continue our circumnavigation of Sardinia. As the second largest Mediterranean island it’s described as a micro-continent with its diverse landscape – making it an adventure motorcycling mecca. A wilderness of untouched landscapes, mountains, woods, plains, stretches of largely uninhabited territory, streams, rocky coasts, and long sandy beaches.

Sardinia has an incredible road infrastructure and arguably some of the best road surfaces in Europe – I didn’t see a single pothole! Add the potential to enjoy a full lap of the island in just a week, which is incredibly satisfying…it’s ADV paradise.

We enjoyed thrilling tarmacked roads to satisfy the road warrior needs, along with miles and miles of off-road pistes just begging to be explored on two wheels. It’s all about where you choose to ride. Our loop gave us a delicious blend of smooth and tight corners, cliff-side viewpoints, and straights to open the throttle – perfect for focused road riding refinement while enjoying endless breath-taking views. Intertwined with seamlessly planned tracks, rocky paths meandering into the mountains, sweeping across valley bottoms and river crossings. It’s simply breath-taking with as we hug the Mediterranean Sea.

The minds ability to adapt to the terrain was really tested with such a mix of riding in Sardinia. One minute it’s sweeping tarmac, then it’s dusty tracks, more concrete, and then sand, slippery mud and rock climbs. And then more road with pegs scrapping and throttles rolled on. With on and off-road riding having some huge similarities, there are also some big differences.

I started out as the pre corner panick-er. Ignorant of road science or any training. I’d simply grab the brakes, always either too soon wasting time or too late causing rather uncomfortable moments of total alarm. The road training camps saw a light bulb moment where I actually understood how to translate my inputs into bike / road reactions. Simply reading the corner isn’t enough. You have to be able to react and adjust at any moment. The front and back breaks, just like off road, have their own roles, their own time and place in the corner. My body, formerly a sack of potatoes on the road needed a kick in the arse to move with the road. The corners formerly seeing widened pupils become a delightful dance. Rolling from tyre wall to tyre wall on the sweeping Sardinian roads. I even felt my side abs engage from leaning the beast over in so many corners. A corner tightening up unexpectedly became a non-event. From day one to six it was nothing short of a transformation in my road riding. The repetition across the week nailed it for me.

With some of the top track racers turning to off-road to improve their skills an expedition with 50/50 on to off-road I knew it would be ideal to progress my riding in both areas. Each evening covered riding theory for the day ahead while enjoying local Italian wine. The morning brief recapped application for the day’s route and then the on and off-road training camps gave practical implementation with a watchful eye to tweak and perfect, kicking out those bad habits. The rest of the time was practice wrapped in adventure.

The hill climb

Luca our tour leader, stops the group to brief a technical hill climb. It’s rocky, jagged, rutted and water swept, and something we’re not all going to manage. We’d done the theory and build up to it, but this was a big one. As he scans around the group carefully selecting those few who have the riding skill to attempt, it was like being back at school – the popular kid selecting their favourites for their team… would I get picked? To my delight, Luca’s gaze locks on me. Vanessa, you’re up! Holy moly. Yes, oh gosh. Yes!

As I sit at the bottom watching the guys tackle the climb one-by-one, the tension inside is building. I can feel the heart pulsing in anticipation but there is a magical thing about having someone believing in you. The tour leader believed, having worked with me over the last few days, helping me gain control and confidence, he believed in me. If he believes in me, I believe in me! That’s one of my favourite things about riding with better riders, when they feel you’re capable, it’s a heck load of extra confidence to braap into something. Did I make it? I’m tickled to say, I bossed it!! Controlled, smooth and smiling! Moments like that, achieving something unexpected, that’s what tuition and adventures can enable.

A week’s expedition of amazing scenes, great company but all topped off by progressing my riding. Becoming a better version of myself on the bike while on holiday, now that’s a trip I recommend.

5 reasons a training adventure makes an ultimate holiday

1. Who doesn’t want to be a better rider?

2. Reduce your risk of injury AND bike damage by having more skill and confidence

3. Enjoy a holiday whilst getting a sense of achievement

4. It’s practice, practice, practice, accelerating the skill adoption with concentrated learning

5. You’ll meet other riders, expanding your friendships and skills hand-in-hand

Join Expedition Masters with Dainese

These are one off trips, organised by Dainese to combine improved skills, safety and one epic adventure. Previous trips include Sardinia and Iceland. As one of the largest motorcycle brands going Dainese team up with the best in riding tuition, pick the most suited motorcycle for the trip and organise everything. Included in the cost is a full Dainese adv riding outfit including AGV helmet, extensive training across the week, and a fully-inclusive trip with a support vehicle, fuel, food, accommodation, trail snacks, beer and all the local gen from meticulous planning. We had six days riding, covered roughly 1300km doing 9 hour riding days and got to see the best on and off road Sardinia has to offer. Expect to pay around €4999 per person.

Who is Vanessa?

Known as ‘The Girl On A Bike’, Vanessa took to motorcycling following a life-changing cycling accident. She’s always out and about adventuring on bikes and is on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you really want it.

Tenere 700

After seven days and 1,300 km travelling along the roads, mule tracks and most spectacular routes that Sardinia has to offer I feel comfortable saying the Yamaha Tenere 700 does exactly what is says on the tin. The Defender of ADV. Bare bones adventurer.

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

Ural Experience Centre Portugal

It looks like a bike. Feels like a bike. Smells like a bike BUT it most definitely doesn’t handle like a bike! Welcome to the land of adventure sidecar motorcycles…I visited the Ural Experience Centre in Portugal to get some training on how to ride an adventure sidecar motorcycle… but what many of us don’t consider is that…

Sidecars have hugely different reactions, unique controls, a whole extra wheel to think about and nearly half a tonne in weight. It completely transforms the riding experience. Often described as “death traps” for these exact reasons but with the right tuition they can be an epic adv experience so I’ve decided to learn from the best with the Ural Experience Centre Portugal. But will I have the aptitude? 🤯🤞🏼

Why get training on a sidecar?

One of the key reasons to learn sidecars with an experienced team is due to safety. They really are like wrestling a bear at times. Rob made a fantastic demonstration of what can go wrong if you give the wrong inputs…

So what happens when you pull the front brake on an adventure sidecar motorcycle…. Certain death! This was an awesome but slightly terrifying demonstration by Rob on why the front brake needs serious respect when on three wheels. The front brake slows the bike but the momentum of the sidecar simply keeps going, forcing its weight to overtake the bike. Which basically means a very sudden change in direction – and if that happened on the road with on-coming cars…. Yikes.

Sidecars are not dangerous but when not controlled correctly they sure can be! This experience is amazing and will ensure you’re fully understanding of how to have fun safely!

So let’s talk about the Ural Portugal Experience

Here’s the full video experience, or keep reading for more details:

Giggles guaranteed – Ural adventure motorcycle sidecar expedition – part two

The Team

The Portugal centre is run by a wonderful couple, Rob and Zayne. As a pair they bring some serious years of sidecar experience to the table, so if they don’t know it, it’s probably not worth knowing. They are full of energy, buzzing to share the sidecar love and very knowledgeable in both the local area for top riding, but also in life with sidecars. We had an absolute giggle out riding, learning, and also over lovely wine with dinner.

Rob is fantastic at the tuition side, easily translating what I needed to do into processable riding inputs. He did sometimes take a somewhat serious approach, however that’s his safety conscious side working hard to ensure it’s a controlled experience. Thankfully with Emma and my sidecar capabilities progressing his training stepped up to align. They’re basically super flexible and will take the training at the pace you’re able to go. So pink flamingos in the sidecar…no problem.

Rob and Zayne are in for some fun! You can read more on them here – About us – Gusto Motorbikes.

The ultimate motorcycle holiday with a friend

It’s double trouble fun! Sidecars totally blew my expectations. I honestly didn’t think it would be quite such a hoot. The bit that really makes it for me is the experience with Emma Wolstenholme. Riding up next to each other, able to chat and giggle, absorbing and sharing the adventure but also co depending on each other. I have to ensure the bike and sidecar are powered and controlled but Emma has to manoeuvre her weight to support. I need her like she needs me. It’s a wonderful experience for two, especially when one is not a rider or less into bikes. We’ve had so many giggles today!

Ural Gear Up adventure sidecar motorcycles

This is not a modern high tech refined machine… but it’s not trying to be one and it somehow doesn’t need to be one. The fun comes for the experience, the ability to ride at a slightly slower pace but with more thrill from the journey. Powered by an air-cooled 745cc pushrod boxer with 42 hp and a minimal sprinkling of modern niceties the Gear Up feels vintage in all the right ways. The engine is working, you can almost hear the pushrods and rocker arms. It’s clunk but with character, so gear shifts have to be done deliberately and sternly. You have to ride it, bond with it and take control. And that’s something I really enjoyed. You almost have to ride it like you sole it and I mean that in a good way. You’re not hurting it, but with a lower performance, older style machine, you have to push it. Work it. Use the gears. And there is a lot of fun in that. Especially as you’re sliding sideways around a dust dirt track with your sidecar pillion hanging off to the side.

Ural Gear up

It’s exciting and involving. You’re not going to get anywhere in a huge hurry and that brings a lovely simplicity to you. You have to take your time and enjoy the journey. It’s not fast, but it’s quick enough.

As a 1WD with 2WD capability machine there is some fun to have in where you can take it too. Engage the two-wheel-drive lever to lock the rear wheel to the sidecar wheel via a shaft and you have plenty of drive It’s amazing how much it pulls! Yes 2WD kills your cornering ability but as a tool to deploy when you NEED it, it’s an ace capability for the adventurer. You also have a reverse gear too if you get into trouble you can always go back the way you came. It’s also helpful in parking and manoeuvring as the unit is not exactly light – you’re looking at around half a tonne with riders and gear.

Not only is the fun for some adventures, it’s amazingly useful in everyday life. You can even get a trailer. Legally approved to take three riders… driver, sidecar monkey AND pillion… you have a three person vehicle when needed. You can also put an amazing amount in the sidecar trunk or use the sidecar space as luggage instead of passenger. Lot’s of space for grocery shops.

The specs might be old skool but the fun factor is high, and for me that’s where it matters.

You’re guaranteed a giggle with friends

I have absolutely no idea what’s going on other than insane giggles with my crazy best friend Emma, Fred the flamingo and a Ural sidecar….

Facilities

You’ll be sating with Rob and Zayne in their lovely home. They have two double rooms with bathroom facilities just for you. The house is clean, homely and comforting. The best bit is the yummy home cooked food prepared by Zayne, oh and the yummy local wines.

Ural Experience Centre Portugal facilities:

• Home visit accommodation
• Two double rooms and a twin room
• Private bathrooms
• Homecooking
• Pool in summer months
• Breakfast and dinner onsite

Riding terrain

With the experience aimed at new riders or experienced sidecar enthusiasts there is a huge mix of terrain on the doorstep. Our training was initially on local dirt tracks and quiet roads. Once my confidence and capability grew we went more adventurous on some pretty trick tracks and adventure runs doing some mileage

How to get there

You can fly to Lisbon airport, Portugal. You then need to get a 10 minute taxi to the train station and a 1.5 hour train ride. Rob and Zayne can collect you from there.

Rua Marques de Pombal 25

3105-433 Vermoil

Portugal

Ural Experience Centre Portugal Contact

www.uralexperiencecentre.com

How it works

A Ural Experience Day is structured as a full day of one-on-one learning and riding, both for basic and more advanced sidecar riding.

Each day is divided into two, with a break for lunch.

For beginners, the morning consists of an introduction to Ural Motorcycles and learning the basic skills that you will need to handle the machine confidently. In the afternoon, you will head out on a carefully selected route including local roads and tracks to demonstrate relevant riding skills and techniques. You will start with the basics, and progress from there in-line with the experience you would like to develop.

For more advanced riders, you will head out in the morning to refresh the basics before focussing on the specific techniques and experience you would like to develop. In the afternoon you will go further riding on more varied roads, tracks and terrain, all specifically chosen to build your experience and confidence for your adventures.

The Ural Gear Up (2WD) is the model used for Experience Days. It is also possible to undertake an Experience Day on your own Ural Motorcycle if you wish to gain more specific experience, learn more about its capabilities and explore new routes.

Each of our Ural Experience Centres operators will adapt the Experience Days offer according to the rider, location and weather.

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.