Q.
How did you ever get into adventure riding and traveling the
world?
Michelle
A. I think most people enjoy
traveling and I have always enjoyed motorcycles even though
I started riding when I was in my late 20's. When I had the
opportunity to mix the two, I did. Now I am traveling
in a way that allows me to see more of the world than I
would if I flew directly to a destination.
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Q.
How many hours a day do you usually ride?
Michelle
A. Depends on my mood. Usually
6-8 hours a day (10:00 to 8:00) with breaks for lunch,
dinner, site seeing, etc.
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Q.
How is it riding when the temperature is in the 90's? Is
it comfortable with the wind or do you where leathers all
the time?
Michelle
A. I don't wear leathers. I
wear a textile suit (the BMW Rally 2 suit) which is designed
for riding in hot temperatures. It has venting
throughout the suit with an integrated camelback so the
heat, wind, rain, and cold really have not been a problem.
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How do you charge all your electronics each night? Do
you get a campsite with power and have a power strip
to plug everything in?
Michelle
A. I have a 12v auxiliary plug on
the side of the BMW. I can charge most electronics
using this plug. There are times when I
find campsite that has power hookups then I make sure to
plug in all my electronics.
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Are you camping every night? Or do you stay in
motels/hotels/Inns?
Michelle
A. Most of the time I camp, even the
nights I have stayed at the local Hostel if they offer
camping spots. During my first 2 months I stayed in a
motel only 3 times.
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Do you cook out or eat in restaurants? How would you
carry cooking equipment and food on the bike?
Michelle
A. I combine cooking
and eating out - mostly cooking because it is cheaper.
The cooking equipment I have is small backpacker style
equipment and does not take up much space. In the
morning you visit a supermarket and buy supplies for the day.
Nothing that needs refrigeration (no milk, ice, etc.) but
plenty of fruit and vegetables - they can last a day or
sometimes two.
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What happens on really bad weather days? What if it’s
raining? Do you just tough it out or hang out?
Michelle
A. You just tough it out, rain,
cold, wind - you just keep going the best you can. If
it is really bad you stop, but I have gone through 2
tornados and have kept going so nothing has stopped me yet.
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Do you have computer/email access each night?
Michelle
A. Computer, yes - I brought a
laptop with me. Email, no - but it seems email access
is easier to obtain than cell phone service since more and
more places are offering wireless internet access.
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Do you have your whole trip planned out (exact routes
and sites to see for the whole 2 years)?
Michelle
A. No, I know I want to see all of
the Americas (North, Central, & South) and
then ship my bike to Europe. Exact
routs... I look at a map every day and decide where I
want to go and how I am going to get there.
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