Inspired by action films

Ron 0:00

Some of my favorite movies have been the James Bond series , the 007 , you know , and also the Mission Impossible films , the ones with Tom Cruise On my wall in my office . Actually , right behind me right now is a movie poster of Daniel Craig from 007 on a Triumph Scrambler XE motorcycle from the movie no Time to Die . I love those movies . I think they're the coolest thing . I leave them with my heart pounding and , in a small way perhaps , I try to emulate that kind of excitement when I'm out on my motorcycle Now , especially when I'm out on my BMW 1250 GS Adventure .

Discovering overlanding in Colorado

Ron 0:48

Maybe you do too . As I'm sure you know by now if you've followed this podcast , I love the wide open spaces . Especially these past couple of years , since I got that GS adventure , I spent a lot of time out on dirt roads . Anyway , getting out like that and hanging out with others who also love the great outdoors and love to have an adventure well , that's my thing . It's people like that I really like to hang around with and those kind of people . And that kind of event has come to my hometown once again , here in Loveland , colorado . Have you heard of the term overlanding , or perhaps heard of the Overland Expo ? The Expo , as I said , has come back here to Loveland , colorado . I was out there this afternoon and , having attended in the past several years and again I attended today , which was opening day this afternoon , and I've participated in a couple of the seminars , and I just have always come away with a huge smile on my face Because it's an entirely different view of life , I think . I think this whole overlanding thing and the people's people's lives that have been transformed when they discovered that experience , well , that's just different , and I just like the people that are associated with that kind of thing . Well , while overlanding is typically associated with this huge , crazy , expensive rigs that you carry yourself , your family and all your friends and you can go on any terrain around the world for months at a time , but I'm convinced , too , that there are direct parallels between the overland adventure movement , with these big rigs , and adventure motorcyclings that so many of us love to experience . So is overlanding the same thing as adventure motorcycling ? Well , maybe , but one thing I can say for certain it's completely amazing , and I truly believe that getting

Adventure motorcycling meets mindfulness

Ron 3:00

out , getting out into the country , away from the busyness of this world , away from the 24-hour news cycle , going out to see the stars , listening to just the sounds of nature . My friends , it's more important today than ever . I truly believe that let's talk about it . Thank you for joining me today . Recorded in beautiful Loveland , colorado .

Ron 3:36

Welcome to Peace , love Moto , the podcast for motorcyclists seeking that peaceful , easy feeling as we cruise through this life together . Are you ready ? Let's go ? Okay .

Ron 4:05

So overlanding and I'm using air quotes here overlanding is vehicle-based , okay , that one's obvious . For us , overlanding typically involves a vehicle equipped for extended travel and camping , and for us , as motorcycle riders , that's going to mean larger gas tanks , beefier suspension , rugged luggage racks and all that good stuff , right . But I really want to talk about something that's becoming more and more a part , it seems , of the overlanding mindset , and I think it's great . It's the practice that pairs , I think , really well with both the overlanding experience with a large vehicle and an adventure riding by a motorcycle , and that's mindfulness . I heard about that today and saw evidence of that today . You see , like I've said , in this fast paced world , it's so easy to get caught up in the doing world . It's so easy to get caught up in the doing right , even when you're going to take a trip doing the trip , the miles , the schedule getting the perfect photo . But overlanding , I think , by its very nature , offers this unique opportunity to slow down and really be present , because you've got all the gear with you to be able to just stop where you are for a while , right ? So mindfulness in the context of overlanding is the act of , I think , intentionally focusing on the here and now . It's about being aware of what you're experiencing , both internally and externally , without judgment at all , and a motorcycle adventure , in my experience thus far , is a perfect classroom for this . So how can you incorporate mindfulness

Being present on the journey

Ron 6:22

into your overlanding adventure ? Well , you're writing right .

Ron 6:25

So , instead of thinking about the destination , notice the sensation of the wind . You know how you can just kind of feel it , occasionally coming from more on one side than the other , maybe . Maybe you feel a tailwind , in that you don't feel much wind coming against you at all . Feel the subtle vibrations of the engine . Now again , the bike I ride most of the time is the BMW GS , and it has a boxer engine , just two big cylinders that go out either side of the bike . It feels very , very different than other bikes that I've had and that I've ridden . Look at the shifting lights and the shadows on the road ahead , especially as the day goes by . Listen to the hum of your tires , especially if you're running on semi-knobby tires . They sound different , don't they , than street tires against the road , if you can pick up the sounds of nature too .

Ron 7:20

I know it gets a little noisy out there , but you know , just slow down occasionally If you're out on a dirt road somewhere where there's nobody behind you , nobody in front of you . Just slow down , step up on the pegs , get a good look all around you and when you're at camp , the moment you shut off your engine , there's a new quiet that may just settle in . Take a moment before you even unload your bike , take a few deep breaths , feel the cool air . That simple act can anchor you to the present and maybe release tensions that you had through the riding day . And when your plans go wrong which they do sometimes just chill right , unlike highway riding , where you know exactly where to exit and exactly , or very approximately , when you're going to arrive at your destination . Well , overlanding or adventure riding it's more about planning for the unexpected , planning that things may not go as planned and , most importantly , planning not to panic . I know that's easier said than done , but planning not to panic , rather just plan to go with the flow you know out on these adventure rides .

Ron 8:45

It's all about self-reliance in a lot of ways . Right , you're going out on places where not a lot of people are going , so something happens . You may be on your own for a little while , so it's a mental game too right . A flat tire , an unexpected road closure , a sudden downpour these are moments that can cause stress , but they don't have to . A mindful approach allows you to step back from that frustration . You can acknowledge that the situation isn't going to consume you right . Focus on the task at hand , whether it's patching a tire , finding an alternative route or trusting your own ability to handle it . Whatever's coming along , you can handle it , and when you do that , you're not just fixing a problem , you're building resilience , a confidence that may just stay with you for the rest of your life .

Embracing the unexpected with resilience

Ron 9:51

Maybe just one more tip , just something to think about , because actually I think it's becoming an epidemic these days . We're all guilty of it , right ? We get to an incredible viewpoint and the first thing that we want to do is pull out our phone to get a picture . Well , while capturing a memory is great , and we need to do that a mindful approach really encourages us to first take in the view with your own eyes , let the moment sink in , and then , if you want to take a picture but first let it settle in in your head , let it settle in maybe in your heart too Then grab that photo . Better yet , just be there . Just be there and sit with it for a while . Let that view , let that experience just soak into your heart so that you can take it home with you . I'll begin to close with this I think the freedom of overlanding on a motorcycle is not just about the places you go , but it's more about the space it creates for self-discovery in your mind and your heart , and maybe it builds a deeper connection to the world around you . I think we all

Finding personal growth through travel

Ron 11:20

need that .

Ron 11:21

By incorporating mindfulness too , you're not just taking a trip . You're embarking on a journey of personal growth . You're embarking on a journey of personal growth One mile , one breathtaking view , one quiet moment at a time . So if you're an adventure motorcyclist with a thirst for exploration , a love for the journey and a desire to connect with a vibrant community , the Overland Expo and events like that may be just something you need to check out , because , in my experience . Whether you're looking for the latest gear , seeking inspiration for your next adventure or wanting to learn new skills , you'll find it at those kinds of events , and I'll say this too If you're lucky , you may make a new friend , or two People who , like you , love getting into the outdoors , feeling free , and who , maybe , who happen to enjoy James Bond and Mission Impossible movies . A new friend . What could be better than that ? So , my friends , thank you so much for listening . Until we do visit again , I wish you peace and I wish you love , thank you .