News

Type of Bike: Kawasaki 2011 GTR 1400 � Yamaha 250 Virago

Occupation: Paramedic Educator, I should know better

Recent Rides: In the last twelve months I have made several trans-Australia crossings. Each leg is approximately 2,500 miles (4,000 Km) and I have completed each leg within 48hrs. I had an altercation with a Kangaroo four months ago (May 2013) at highway speed approximately 50 miles (75km) from home causing over $9,500 damage to the GTR. The bike was rebuilt in about six weeks and fully operational. I have just completed (early August 2013) a 10,000 mile (16,100Km) ride in 10 days, encompassed within the ride I rode East coast Australia (Newcastle) to West coast Australia (Perth) and repeated the trip twice more completing three trans Australia, 7,460 mile (12,000Km) crossings in 6 days. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control I was unable to complete my complete ride, maybe next time. On my last ride I had an altercation with a fox; I skidded for 75 meters on the roadway and it appears the bike may be written off. Since purchasing the bike 18 months ago I have put over 44,000 miles (70,000 km) on her. Wild life is a real issue particularly, Camels, Kangaroos and wombats whilst riding in our more remote areas and often we don�t have mobile phone coverage to assist if required.

Future Rides: I am currently working on completing a round Australia and then an East West and North South coast to coast run and hoping to average 1,250 miles (2,000Km) a day. That�s the plan but our challenges in Australia are not only wildlife but difficulties in obtaining fuel 24hrs a day. Most remote service stations close from about 2100hrs and some due not sell premium fuel.

Interesting Facts: I have just returned to long distance riding about two years ago after about 30 years abstinence and I love it. My partner often pillions for day rides and we tend to keep these under 600 miles (1,000 km).

Type of Bike: 2010 Harley Ultra Classic Limited

Occupation: U.S. Merchant Marine Master

Favorite Ride: 2010 Sturgis with great friends

Future Rides: Born to be Wild – Coast to Coast Northwest Florida to Vermont and tour of Nova Scotia

Interesting Facts: My Full Throttle Ride was from Florida to Virginia to catch up with classmates from our 40th High School Reunion. it was a great trip in more ways than one. l began riding in the early 70’s on my Honda 500. At 20 my bike took me from Virginia to Florida a couple of times and on to Texas. Riding was a little more rugged in those days.

My favorite riding partner (my wife of 35 years) and I have made three memorable rides from Florida to Sturgis, SD including Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Mississippi River Road and Tail of the Dragon. Our June 2011 trip across the Blue Ridge Parkway from North to South was beautiful and one we will never forget. The weather in Florida lends itself to ideal riding conditions nearly year-round, for which we take full advantage.

My Ride: 2011 HD Softail Deluxe

My name is William Savage. I am Firefighter/Paramedic in Texas and have been a professional Firefighter for over 13 years. I live in North Texas with my wonderful wife Tanja, several head of cattle and one cat, Montana. I recently rode over 500 miles in 12 hours to Guymon, OK for the annual 5 State Run which covers 300 miles and 5 states in one day. What a trip!! I rode with my best friend, and fellow Firefighter, Derrick Miller( also an Easy Rider) and had a great time. We covered over 1300 miles in one weekend. The day of the ride we started in OK, then through TX, NM and CO, KS and finished in Guymon where we started. This picture is the two of us taking a break just before we headed into Colorado at Black Mesa. We plan on obtaining our Full Throttle patch very soon. I am blessed to live in Texas with so many roads that cover such vast territory. I look forward to completing all or at least most of the LDR rides in the future. Thank You, and remember- Distracted drivers kill bikers!!

My name is Chad Eller. I am a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army. I am currently stationed in Katterbach, Germany. I am married to the most wonderful woman in the word and have been blessed with a terrific daughter. I have served two tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. When I returned from my most recent trip to Afghanistan this spring, I replaced my 2001 Suzuki VZ800 Marauder with a brand new 2013 BMW K1300S. Learning to manage 100 extra horsepower has been a lot of fun! Being stationed in Germany I have a great opportunity for phenomenal riding. I get to the Alps several times a year, it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen and the riding is indescribable. Riding the mountain passes around Andermatt, Switzerland is my absolute favorite ride due to the awesome views, phenomenal road surfaces, and an endless variation of all types of curves from sweepers to hairpins. Switzerland is incredibly expensive, but it is worth it! I am hoping to take a trip to the famous Trasfagarasan road in Romania next summer, and qualify for my Full Throttle 1610 km in 24 hours along the way.

Type of Bike: Honda Gold Wing GL 1800 and Yamaha FJR 1300

Occupation: Chief Officer of a regulatory authority – Retired

Favorite Ride: All kind of long distance rides together with my wife as pillion

Future Rides: After more than 20 verified long distance rides, my wife and I plan to slow down a little bit and put the focus on tourist rides. There are still 3 extreme rides that I will attempt. Extreme rides means more than 1500 miles in under 24 hours.

Interesting Facts: My wife and I both are passed the age of 60. We are together on motorcycles – and married for 40 years. Further hobbies include shooting and athletic sports.

I have been riding motorcycles since 1968. In 2011 while riding a Honda Gold Wing and Yamaha FJR1300, I completed 3-SS2000Ks, 3-BB1500s, 3-BB2500Ks, 1-SS1000, 1-SS1600K, and 1-SS2000. My wife Doris and I also have been awarded “Germany’s Toughest Riders in 2012”, and the Mile Eater SILVER Award in November 2012.

Our Story: My wife is from Thailand and I am a 60 year old New Zealander, my wife gave her permission to buy my first Harley and some of the subsequent ones!! We ride together 99% of the time and in the United Arab Emirates my wife had her own bike and also completed an Easy Rider and Full Throttle on her own bike. We love riding especially to new places and meeting new people. I wish everyone in the world owned a bike and had the same mentality as the bikers we have met across the globe.

Type of Bike: My first Long Distance Riders rides were done on a 2007 CVO Road King in the United Arab Emirates. Moved to Singapore and have a 2012 CVO Street Glide. Also own a 1995 Heritage Softail, a 1924 JE and two un-restored 1930 Model C Harley Davidson’s.

Occupation: Project Management on new Build Offshore Drilling Rigs

Favorite Ride: We have many of these riding with different friends on different continents and meeting many new friends. Our first was 6,950 miles in 26 days from Seattle to Milwaukee and back to Seattle for the 105th Anniversary, the following year we did Seattle to Sturgis and back to Seattle using different roads, only achieving 5,950 miles. In 2011 we did two long trips in Europe, one for the HOG Rally in Croatia, covered 5,000 Kilometres and eleven countries! And then European Bile Week in Fakker See, Austria, covered five countries in a week.

Future Rides: Many of these are currently dreams waiting to be fulfilled, the island of Borneo is a possibility next year. One is being fulfilled soon as we are riding to Milwaukee for the 110th Anniversary from Houston back to Houston. Africa is another continent undiscovered and is currently at the dream stage.

Interesting Facts: My first ever endurance ride, I rode by myself, during a business trip to the USA. Achieved 1089 miles and 7 states in 22.5 hours. I was lucky as it was a Saturday and open house day for the 2010 HD Model Launch. Hot coffee and good food at all the Dealerships I stopped at in Arkansas and Missouri.

Type of Bike: I have been using Kawasaki and Royal Enfield for a long time. My current bike is Ninja 650, 2012.

Occupation: I am the CEO of Viktorianz – A travel and adventure company conducting Indian tours and adventure activities. Previously i have been an Army Colonel and have been head of human resources in McDonald’s India.

Favorite Ride: My favourite ride has been a 3 day solo ride across India from Pune to Kuurukshtra. More recently a seven days expedition in North Thailand hills this month was a stupendous journey. It is my aim to travel the world on motorcycle.

Future Rides: I plan to conduct group travel in most rugged Indian Himalayas to Ladakh and Lahaul Spiti next month. There are more riding plans for leading mobike groups to ride in North Thailand – My favourite riding destination.

Interesting Facts: I have been an outdoors man. Have done world’s highest bungee at Bloukarns Bridge South Africa, have sky dived, run marathons, cycle and have been trekking & mountaineering. I also conduct leadership training for corporations.

Occupation: Lawyer

Favorite Ride: LDR Full Throttle

Future Ride: LDR King of the Road

Interesting Facts:

My wife and I enjoy riding to the North Georgia mountains and occasionally going to motorcycle rallies. In fact, one of the rallies that we frequently attend is located in Milledgeville, Georgia. As an attorney, I have represented many clients involved in motorcycle accidents. Many such accidents occurred when the motorcyclist encountered a negligent automobile driver, which is unfortunate.

Our Full Throttle Ride started at 3:00 am. We went from Tallahassee Florida to Jacksonville on I-10, to Miami Florida across to Alligator Alley, and back through Tampa Florida. Our last fuel stop for the ride was in Lake City Florida. By 10:30 that night and over 1000 miles later the four of us were back in Tallahassee.

I feel truly honored to be a member of the Long Distance Riders. I am the 22nd member of LDR and to memorialize that honor, my motorcycle license plate is numbered LDR 22!

The photo enclosed features from left to right, Jerry Leming, Don Hyman, Mike Scott and Jack Powis.

About:

I have been formally interested in Long Distance Riding since October 2010. Most of my early rides were on my ’09 Harley-Davidson Road King’ bought new and which has done over 65,000kms. In August last year I bought a Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere for the Long Distance Rides and give the Harley a break and have ridden it 33,000 kms in six months. I have two other bikes, a Kawasaki KLR-650 and a Yamaha TTR-250.

I work in Information Technology, mostly web related stuff, and have a very understanding wife and three children.

I have enjoyed every ride I’ve done, I’m happy on any bike rain hail or shine. The Coast to Coast was a big challenge. No freeways on that route and night riding exposes you to a plethora of kangaroos, cattle, sheep, wombats and camels as the roads are largely unfenced. However I think my favourite ride was a 1670km ride in 21hours on my TTR-250 with my friend riding my KLR. That was a long day full of huge laughs and lots of fuel stops with the TTR only having a 120-140km range at highway speeds.

My two year goal is to do a lap of Australia including riding 16100kms (10,000 miles) in ten days. My longest single ride to date is 8170kms in five days (5070 miles). But before that, back to back Coast to Coast.