Ten things Steve learned
Always fuel up at the end of the day…
No matter how cold, hot or tired I am, I always fuel up at the end of the day. It makes the start of the next day all about the ride, plus if you’re an early starter you don’t have to wait for a petrol station to open. It ensures you can get the miles under your belt when the traffic is lighter and, in hot climates, when it’s cooler.
Carry three wallets
It might sound crazy, but it works. I have one with a fake copy of my driver’s licence, an out-of-date credit card and about one hundred pounds. This is my police wallet, so if I get a dodgy copper, this is the one I use. The second one is my normal wallet with a credit card and around three hundred pounds. It is wellhidden and next to one of my passports – that way, if I get held up an average thief will feel like they hit the mother load when they find it. The third wallet has a second credit card, a second legal driver’s licence and my second passport. This is buried where only a fully experienced searcher would uncover it.
Phone a friend…
I try to have a phone contact in every country I travel in. They are often a friend of a friend. This gives me the piece of mind that if things turn pear-shaped, I have someone I can call who understands the local culture and how to get help. I very rarely use it, but it gives me the confidence and the sense of security to travel solo in remote countries.
Check the bike twice a day…
This may seem excessive, but when the bike is your lifeline you’d better look after it. I check the tyre pressures, chain, coolant, and oil at the start and finish of every day. This helps me to relax because I know everything is running as it should. This is especially important if you plan a long desert crossing. Be kind to your ride.
Travel light…
I think most of us are guilty of taking
too much gear. Over the years, I have reduced the amount of gear I carry with me. The best tactic is to ask yourself if the item you are loading up has at least two uses. If not, ask if you really need it. For example, I always use tyre levers that have spanners for the axles on the other end– every ounce counts.
Don’t rely on electronic maps…
I travel with a Garmin, plus a variety of downloadable maps on my phone, but when I hit extreme, remote areas I also take a paper map. They are light and never let you down. I had a day on this year’s adventure in South Korea when the only map that was working was an old, fold-up paper map.
Border crossings can be crazy…
This is especially true in Africa, so be prepared and have all your documents in one place. Take your time and do one thing at a time. Don’t talk to moneychangers or sellers until you have cleared the border. Focus on the task at hand.
Preparation…
The better your preparation, the less likely you are to encounter a problem on the road. It’s amazing what a bit of Loctite can do to stop a problem out in the wilderness. Likewise, make sure everything is sealed and lubed. I went over every electrical connection and sealed them with electrical grease – it’s worth its weight in gold.
Clean the bike when you get a chance…
Not only does it always feel better to ride a clean bike, but it’s amazing what you will notice. Loose bolts, oil seepage or broken brackets that you may never spot under layers of mud are easy to spot when the bike’s clean.
Enjoy the journey…
Don’t get so focused on the end destination that you forget to stop along the way and soak up a different culture and part of the world. I sat on top of a sand dune in the Kalahari Desert and realized I’d achieved a life long goal. Taking a moment to reflect is worth it. If you’re thinking about an adventure get out and do it, I guarantee it will change your life.