Henry gets stuck in to Australia, mate
RIDE’S around-the-word traveller hits Australia
ARRIVING IN PERTH, it was cold and wet. Honestly, I was so excited to wear a jumper again after spending so much time in hot places. It’s funny how you start to miss little things like that.
It’s hard to put Australia into words, as it has blown my mind; the variety here is astounding and every inch of the landscape is beautiful.
I’ve learnt a lot in Australia and I’ve fallen off a lot too; more than in the last four years of riding a motorcycle, in fact. I rode across Australia with a guy called Mike; this meant I could really push myself to ride more off-road (and ride hard) knowing I wasn’t going to be stuck under my bike alone in the wilderness if — okay, when — things went wrong.
It turns out I’m really not great at riding on sand… I think I came off three or four times on sand and got stuck in it once or twice too but who can say ‘no’ to bombing down a pristine beach? I also had a big wipe-out riding down logging tracks in a pine forest, when a hidden log popped my front wheel about a foot to the left — not ideal at 50 or 60km/h.
I have been truly inspired by the people and the communities that I have been introduced to. I was fortunate enough to meet the amazing crew at Kustom Kommune in Melbourne, a DIY community garage. I also met Travis Garone, one of the cofounders of the Movember charity and spent time with Mark Hawwa, founder of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) in Sydney.
Arriving in Melbourne and meeting Jimmy, Nina, Chris and Leah at Kustom Kommune was a real eye-opener for me; everyone is working together to make owning a motorcycle, working on a motorcycle and being part of the motorcycle community an easier and more fulfilling experience. I instantly felt at home and took full advantage of meeting as many of their 800+ members as I could. It was great to chat bikes, travel and adventures with like-minded individuals and hear their stories.
Mark Hawwa, and everyone involved in DGR, is also an inspiration for me. To meet a guy ten years older than me that has founded the largest motorcycle event in the world and raised millions of pounds for charity in the process was a real privilege. To also meet the team that helps him keep that mammoth event growing every year was great.
I have endless respect and appreciation for the whole team that is giving the global motorcycle community something it desperately needed and changing the face of men’s health in the process, with their support of the Movember Foundation
It’s definitely a struggle to pull myself from the comfort and familiarity of Australia and plunge back into the world of uncertainty that lies ahead — there is no easing into it this time. I fly out to Chile tomorrow and feel like I’m leaving home for the second time.