ADVENTURE
Nora Nijkamp, 30, from The Netherlands rode solo from her home in The Hague to Bali. She understands the pros and cons of lone adventuring and makes films about it as she goes…
From The Hague to Bali. Riding alone rules, except when you meet someone.
Where are you right now? I have just returned home to the Netherlands. I gave up everything to do my trip so I needed to find a new place to live, and now I am living next to the beach in the cutest little house.
You’ve just returned from a pretty epic solo ride… Yes, I rode from Amsterdam to Bali taking a big detour by looping Central Asia, going back to Iran and then heading east through Pakistan to India. Me and Zuki, a 2005 Suzuki V-strom DL650, rode over 26,000 miles in 14 months. I figured if a Vespa can make it to the other side of the world, my Zuki would surely make it too. And the beauty of it was that it never broke down – I had just one flat tyre and a broken side stand sensor cable.
What was your motorcycling experience before you left and what inspired this journey? I have travelled a lot in many different ways, but before I started this trip I didn’t have my motorcycle licence. I used to ride pillion with my dad on small day trips, but never made it out of the country. Even when I left for Bali I still hadn’t left the Netherlands on my motorcycle before. Nor had I done any off-road riding.
What are your opinions about travelling alone? It means I can travel when and where I want to, I do not let it hold me back in any way. I have done trips with other people but find that after a week or so I prefer to go it alone. But if you are with the right person it can be just as magical as travelling solo. Travelling solo makes you very approachable, especially as a woman. First of all this can get you out of trouble – I have never had to pay any bribes. I just smile and everything goes away – if you hold that card why not play it? Second, people are more open and inclined to invite you into their homes. However, there are also times when it is much harder when travelling solo, especially when you are tired and hungry and having to make decisions. That’s not very easy. What was the high point of your journey? Khunjerab Pass at 4693m, the border between China and Pakistan. I didn’t cross but I rode up the Karakoram Highway because of its beauty, it didn’t disappoint. Pakistan is an amazing experience. People avoid it because of its reputation, but if you do decent research you’ll discover travellers have a fabulous time there.
And the low point? Probably the Netherlands, my parents live below sea level.
You built up a big online following during your trip because of the films you made. Did you have a background in film making and did it interfere with the journey? When I was at university I did dabble a little in film making but I learned most of it on the road. If you start watching my vlogs from the beginning you can see progression in my skills and style. It was a conscious decision to start a Youtube channel. I knew it was going to be work, but I chose to do it which meant it didn’t detract from the adventure.
Do you have any film making tips? Don’t let your Gopro run for half an hour just in case something happens. 99.9% of the time nothing does. Keep your shots between ten seconds and one minute, it’ll make editing much easier. Also take a few shots of your face while riding, just so we can see how it makes you feel.
What next? Africa. I met the most amazing man on the road and now we are planning our next trip together from Europe to Cape Town. I am so excited, it’s going to be a completely new experience.