The Road That Changed Everything... How Adventure Motorcycle Riding Changed My Life
There was a season in my life marked by significant loss.
It was the kind of personal tragedy that quietly rearranges you from the inside out. I won’t go into the details — some experiences remain sacred — but I can say this: in the aftermath, I did what many high-functioning people do. I threw myself into work. Productivity became protection. Busyness became a way of not having to sit with what hurt.
And then the world stopped.
When the COVID pandemic reshaped life globally, the stillness was unavoidable. The calendar cleared. The noise faded. There was space to think — to process, to evaluate what truly mattered and what had simply become a well-maintained façade.
That season forced me to confront something uncomfortable: balance isn’t a luxury. It is essential.
So I made a quiet decision... I would choose things that challenged me. Things that made me feel alive.
Choosing Adventure
I enrolled for my paramotoring pilot’s licence. And I bought a BMW F700GS.
Not because I had grown up riding. Not because it was expected. But because something in me wanted to learn something new — and to learn it properly.
I completed formal on-road training first. Confidence on tar mattered. Skill mattered. Safety mattered. But even then, I knew my heart wasn’t calling me to highways.
It was calling me to gravel.
Discovering Off-Road Adventure Motorcycle Riding
Off-road adventure motorcycle rider training with Morag Campbell opened an entirely new world for me. Off-road motorcycle training is not simply about technique — it is about presence. It demands humility. It teaches you to trust your motorcycle, and in doing so, it teaches you to trust yourself. Where tar rewards predictability, gravel rewards awareness.
Off-road riding quickly became my riding of choice. The moment the tyres left tar and met dust, something inside me settled. There was less performance and more presence. Less control, more conversation with the terrain.
Adventure motorcycling in South Africa offers a rare kind of freedom — particularly for women who may not have grown up in riding culture. With the right training and mentorship, it becomes accessible, empowering, and transformative.
And I realised I didn’t just want to ride. I wanted to ride well.
As my training deepened, my riding progressed faster than I expected. Confidence replaced hesitation. What once felt intimidating became instinctive. Gravel was no longer something to survive — it became something to understand.
Growth brings decisions. I traded in my BMW F700GS for a BMW R1200GS Rallye. She was taller. Heavier and more demanding. I fondly named her Old Blue.
That motorcycle became my metal steed into adventure. Riding a 1200GS off-road is not about horsepower — it is about presence, balance, and respect. She required me to step up. To commit. To ride deliberately rather than reactively.
And in rising to meet her, something shifted internally too.
I was no longer just learning to ride. I was becoming a rider.
'Old Blue' carried me deeper into gravel passes, further from my comfort zone — and eventually, into the Karoo.
The First Karoo Is Calling Adventure Motorcycle Tour
A dear friend and flying partner, Elmarie, told me about a tour called The Karoo is Calling — a guided adventure motorcycle tour designed to explore the roads less travelled in the Karoo.
It was structured. Supported. Suitable for riders still growing in confidence. It felt like the natural next step.
I made the arrangements. Booked my place. Packed my gear. And headed to Colesberg to meet a group of riders who, at that stage, were complete strangers.
What unfolded over the next few days changed the trajectory of my life.
The Karoo: A Landscape That Stays With You
The Karoo does not reveal herself all at once. She unfolds slowly — in rolling hills that stretch endlessly toward the horizon, in vast landscapes that quiet your thoughts, in dusty roads that remind you how small and yet how capable you are.
The hospitality of small Karoo towns.The richness of history woven into the land.The stillness that feels almost ancient.
On that first guided Karoo adventure motorcycle tour, my love for adventure motorcycling was solidified. But something deeper happened too... I found peace.
A kind of peace I had not experienced anywhere else in the world. Every time I return to the Karoo, there is an almost maternal steadiness in the landscape — a wise, grounding presence that invites reflection without judgement.
It is not dramatic - It is restorative.
When Adventure Becomes Purpose
That first journey into the Karoo began a pattern of returning.
Again and again. Each ride revealing new perspective.Each road strengthening confidence. Each horizon widening possibility. The Karoo didn’t just give me adventure. It gave me clarity. It gave me courage. And unexpectedly — it gave me love.
In time, a shared love for the land and for adventure motorcycling led me to join forces with the man I love, so that together we could create something bigger than ourselves: a platform for others to discover what I had found.
Motorrad Adventures was not born purely from strategy.
It was born from experience. From dust. From gravel. From the quiet wisdom of the Karoo.
And from a belief that adventure motorcycle touring in South Africa can change lives — especially for women who may not yet realise how capable they are.
Quote to live by:
“Adventure motorcycle riding didn’t just teach me how to navigate gravel roads — it taught me how to navigate life again.”
Thinking About Adventure Motorcycle Touring?
Do you need previous off-road experience to join a Karoo motorcycle tour?
Not necessarily. With the right training and structured support, adventure motorcycle touring in South Africa is accessible to riders who are still building confidence.
What is the best bike to start with for adventure motorcycle riding?
Start with a bike you can manage confidently. Skill and training matter more than engine size.
Is off-road adventure motorcycle touring safe for women riding alone?
With professional training, guided tours, and the right preparation, it can be one of the most empowering experiences you’ll ever have.
How do I start my own adventure motorcycle journey?
Begin with accredited on-road training, then progress to structured off-road motorcycle training before attempting longer gravel tours. Spend time riding your bike. Ride as much as you can. Get to know your bike, where the balance point is, how to handle it both whelearn how it behaves in different terrain and build your confidence.
If you're looking for the ultimate adventure motorcycle tour, you’ve come to the right place! At Motorrad Adventures, we bring years of experience, expert guides, and world-class support to ensure you have an unforgettable off-road motorcycle experience.
Since 2009, we’ve been crafting and leading epic motorcycle expeditions across the globe. Our team has successfully organised tours in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Namibia, and South Africa, helping countless riders tick off their bucket-list motorcycle adventures.
We’ve also had the privilege of working alongside some of the biggest names in adventure motorcycling, including Charley Boorman, Billy Ward, Claudio von Planta, Dylan Wickrama, SA Adventure, Moto Aventures, and Compass Expeditions.
Your safety is our top priority. Every Motorrad Adventures motorcycle tour includes:
✅ Fully equipped support vehicle & trailer with satellite communication and tracking
✅ Professional lead and sweep riders for guidance and support
✅ On-tour medic for added peace of mind
✅ A dedicated backup crew so you can ride at your own pace
With our experienced team by your side, you can push your limits while knowing you have the best support in the industry.
We take care of everything—from planning scenic routes to securing top-quality accommodation and delicious meals. That means you get to focus on what matters most—riding and exploring. Whether you're navigating Namibia’s desert dunes, cruising through the rugged landscapes of South Africa, or crossing breathtaking salt flats, we ensure every moment is an adventure to remember.
So, if you’re ready to experience the motorcycle trip of a lifetime, click the button below and start your next great adventure! 👇
Comments