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The toughest ADV ride in Europe

The toughest ADV ride in Europe

The Hard Alpi Tour is one of the longest and most scenic off-road rallies for larger adventure style motorcycles in Europe. This 800km long event spanning over northern Italy has four classes to allow all levels of motorcycle riders to get involved; The Extreme 1000, The Extreme, Discovery and The Classic.

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The Hard Alpi Tour is 80% off road terrain with different lengths and different time allowances for the varying motorcycle classes. You must ride in teams of three as there is no mechanical support available to you, only medical support, so it is vital you carry an array of basic tools that you may need.

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The extreme class begins at 11pm and the time allowance is 36 hours, this is what hubby Alex, bestie Anika and I decided to take on. In the video’s below I will show you the full behind the scenes of this adventure, showing you what to expect and what is involved, including riding footage direct from the Harley Davidson Pan America motorcycle; an adventure bike never before seen at this event.

Watch here

Part 1:

Part 2:

How heavily did I have to modify the Harley-Davidson Pan America motorcycle to make it handle a 36 hour Hard Alpi Tour Extreme 780km event? Here you go:

  • Changed the rubber to my favourite adv Michelin Motorcycle Anakee Wilds for the best traction
  • Added OEM Harley LED lights on front bars
  • Strapped on Mosko Moto Reckless 40 panniers for my sleeping and bivi bag, and road snacks
  • Screwed on a Peak Design phone mount
  • Downloaded the Harley navigation app to load the events GPX file straight to the bikes screen
  • Paired up our Cardo Systems intercoms for the ultimate banter
  • Carried charging cables and power banks to recharge lights / phones on the road
  • Turned off HD traction control and selected off road mode
    Then…it was all down to me!

For more information on the Hard Alpi Tour:
https://over2000riders.com/en/

Please also see my other Pan America videos:

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 InstagramFacebookTikTokLinkedInYouTube, Whatsapp and www.thegirlonabike.com.

Adventures Events

Qatar International Baja

Taking on the Qatar International Baja for the second time

1.5 years ago I a did my first ever rally, first time in sand, first time in dunes and first time doing road book navigation…and it happened to be this exact race – the Qatar International Baja. What better way to measure my progression that to come back to see how my training has stacked up – link below to see the nervous mess I was last time I was in Qatar for my first! This is the first part video of me taking on Qatar but to add some more fun I’ve come with my bestie Andrew Seats and this time the it’s his first time in the desert! Will two Brits survive the extremes of the middle easy on enduro rally bikes? I hope you enjoy the race with us!

the girl on a bike Qatar baja teng tools
Bike preparations pre the Qatar International Baja


What’s it like taking on your first road book rally and first desert race with me? Poor Seats….here’s our experience doing the Qatar International Desert Baja with QMMF.

Watch Qatar International Baja Part 1 [of 2]

Watch Qatar International Baja Part 2 [of 2]

I had a total melt down on the start line… my first ever rally in Qatar

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 InstagramFacebookLinkedIn and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

Latest content Motorsports

My first public 4×4 rally with Bowler Defender

Rally Nuts Bowler rally in Wales

Taking on my next UK rally round in the Bowler Defender took me to mid-Wales for the Rally Nuts event. This was my first public rally and my nerves were high. However, upon arriving it was a great experience.

As a girl I’m often judged on arriving to a race, stereotyped in my blonde hair and long eyelashes. It was amazing that at my Bowler rally experience the Rally Nuts event in mid-Wales I was welcome with no sexism or judgment. You can watch the full race behind the scenes of me doing my second big 4×4 rally [first public event] in the Land Rover Bowler Defender. I hope you enjoy it.

Big learning for me…

The girl on a bike Swapping my bike for Bowler Defender Rally Series
The girl on a bike Swapping my bike for Bowler Defender Rally Series


It turns out trust is up there one of the most vital elements of four-wheel racing. As a driver the braking, correct lines, and acceleration are key but the biggest speed game is trusting your navigator. You’re in a 2.3 tonne Bowler Defender weapon powering into a corner and your natural instincts say come off the throttle but I can hear Chris Cuming shouting a fast right at me… foot stays flat trusting the input aligns to the corner and sure enough, the speed stays on, the corner opens and the pace is kept. My goodness, it gets the heart racing. I’ll be honest in that I definitely braked a few times when I shouldn’t have but that team trust is a huge new thing for me.

The girl on a bike
The girl on a bike Swapping my bike for Bowler Defender Rally Series

Chuffed to have climbed to a 2nd place finish in the category too for the Rally Nuts event… and only 1m8 seconds behind 1st!! Bring on the next race in Scotland.

Watch the full Bowler Defender rally car behind the scenes:

See my first Bowler Defender rally car race here:

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 InstagramFacebookLinkedIn and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

The Girl on a Bike in the Media

Feedpost: 90 Motorcycle YouTube Channels

I’m excited to have been included in this list of motorcycle YouTubers for Motorcycle enthusiasts! Yey:

https://blog.feedspot.com/motorcycle_youtube_channels/

Extract from Blog.feedspot.com:

The Girl On A Bike

The Girl On A Bike UK
I’m a go-getter, a chase-your-dreams kind of girl. With a 7 year recovery seeing 7 surgeries and two reconstructed body parts, it’s been a roller coaster for me, but through this I’ve discovered motorcycles. Starting with cruising but rapidly ramping up to trials, adv and now even full hard enduro as her my heals. Bikes have swiftly become my favorite form of adventure; the open road, the power, the ability to simply disappear into the unknown and travel the world. She’s a motorcycle YouTuber.

90 Motorcycle Youtubers – Channels for Motorcycle Enthusiasts

The Girl on a Bike – @thegirlonabike (94K)

Her life changed in 2014 when she was hit by a car. Since then, after 7 surgeries (including shoulder and hip reconstruction), she has set herself the goal of getting the most out of her life. Addicted to motorcycles with a passion for seeking adventure and perfecting her skills

Others in the list of Motorcycle Youtube Channels for Motorcycle Enthusiasts include:

Motorcycle.com | Motorcycle Review Channel

Motorcyclist Magazine | Motorcycle Magazine

Moto Madness | Motorcycle Crashes &Fails

DirtBike Lunatic | Motorcycle Videos

MCN – Motorcyclenews.com

Royal Jordanian | Motorcycle Touring Youtube Channel

…….

For the rest or the Top 90 Motorcycle Youtube Channels for Motorcycle Enthusiasts please head to Feedspot here.

Here’s some recent highlights from my Instagram too – https://www.instagram.com/thegirlonabike/

Tenere 700 review
Top ten motorcycle Instagram accounts – The Girl On A Bike

Check out my other media placements here.

The Girl on a Bike in the Media

Ride Vision: Top 10 Motorcycle Instagram Accounts to Follow

I’m blown away to have been included in this list! WOW:

Extract from Ride Vision:

One of the best things about being a motorcyclist is the riding culture. No matter what kind of rider you are, there’s a place for you — and probably an Instagram account too! 

Check out some of our favorite motorcycling Instagram accounts below, and learn about Ride Vision’s Ride Advisors Network to find out how YOU can become an influential voice in the motorcycling world too.

Top 10 Motorcycle Instagram Accounts to Follow

The Girl on a Bike – @thegirlonabike (86K)

Her life changed in 2014 when she was hit by a car. Since then, after 7 surgeries (including shoulder and hip reconstruction), she has set herself the goal of getting the most out of her life. Addicted to motorcycles with a passion for seeking adventure and perfecting her skills

https://www.instagram.com/p/COniVt2hFDR/?utm_source=ig_embed

Others in the list of Top Motorcycle Instagram Accounts include:

Bikers of Instagram – @bikersofinstagram (917K Followers)

Bike EXIF – @bikeexif (377K)

Snowcat – @ytsnowcatxx87 (102K)

Iron and Resin – @ironandresin (191K)

ADV Life Official – @advlifeofficial (62K)

…….

For the rest or the Top 10 Motorcycle Instagram Accounts please head to Ride Vision here.

Here’s some recent highlights from my Instagram too – https://www.instagram.com/thegirlonabike/

Tenere 700 review
Top ten motorcycle Instagram accounts – The Girl On A Bike

Check out my other media placements here.

The Girl on a Bike in the Media

Ride Vision: Top Motorcycle Channels for New Riders

I’m blown away to have been included in this list! WOW:

Extract from Ride Vision:

Anyone whose ever been on two wheels knows it’s addicting… one minute you’re buying your first bike, and the next you’ve spent 9 hours cruising gear reviews and making a mental shopping list of all the cool new things you need (not want!). 

If you’ve already read our last blog on the Top Motorcycle Safety Statistics – And How to Avoid Becoming One, this blog will help you stay safer on the road so you don’t join the statistic.

Fortunately, we’re here to help grow your knowledge and enable your addiction by providing the TOP motorcycling gear, training, and all-around FUN channels that YOU should subscribe to. Check them out below! 

11. The Girl On A Bike 

Her life changed in 2014 when she was hit by a car. Since then, after 7 surgeries (including shoulder and hip reconstruction), she has set herself the goal of getting the most out of her life. Addicted to motorcycles with a passion for seeking adventure and perfecting her skills. On YT you will find it in the garage or in the saddle. Vanessa from the UK is a strong player who always tries new things with a smile, travels, reviews and has the garage you’ve always dreamed of.

Others in the list of Top Motorcycle Channels for New Riders include:

Fort Nine Motorcycle Riding — Training, Reviews, Travel + More 

Motorcyclist Magazine — General Motorcycle Information

It’s a Fine Line — Safety and Training 

Revzilla— Gear and Motorcycle Reviews, Safety, How-To’s

…….

For the rest or the Top Motorcycle Channels for New Riders please head to Ride Vision here:

Here’s my most viewed YouTube video of 2021 too:

the girl on a bike vanessa ruck news media top motorcycle youtubers
the girl on a bike vanessa ruck news media top motorcycle youtubers

Check out my other media placements here.