When Christa asked me to do a motorcycle camping trip in Pennsylvania, I said “Sure!” with great enthusiasm. Just between you and me . . . I didn’t mean it. The last time I lashed a tent to the bike was in the dark days BFI (Before Fuel Injection). I’ve since graduated to walls and roofs (also known as “hotels”), and have come to appreciate the finer points of free Wi-Fi and “make your own waffles” breakfast buffets.

Life’s a beach, but not after a hurricane. Our Atlantic beach trip quickly turned into a Tennessee camping tour after Irene scrubbed our plans along with most of the East Coast. It’s just as well, I suppose, since my memories of Tennessee involve blue highway “Trading Posts” stocked with rock candy, slingshots, and rubber tomahawks adorned with brightly dyed feathers. The memory banks are clearly past due for an update!

I know there is something special pulling me to this adventure besides the quiet, seductive whisper of nature and the luring temptation of being solo on the open road. The goose bumps throughout the entire journey tell me there is more to this ride than exploring new and beautiful country in my own backyard, or feeling the independence of camping along the way. My adventure-loaded Suzuki DR-Z400S becomes the needle and I the thread as we weave a gorgeous tapestry that connects people, nature, and living life to the fullest.

The fuel tank of my Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited is topped off, my thermal liner is zipped in, I have on two pairs of socks, and the heated grips are cranked up all the way. I’m idling at the east entrance of the Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTTS) near St. Mary in Montana, and I can hear my mother’s voice in my head.

Every journey is unique and challenging. Sometimes the challenges are physical—a bad road, a water crossing—and other times they are cultural, where you’re forced to leave stereotypes at the door and keep your wits about you. Experiencing the differences that separate us is what makes travel so rewarding, so intoxicating. Iran offers such landscapes.

If you were to ask me to pinpoint when it all started, I would have to think back to one night a few years ago. I was flipping through channels looking for something to watch and that’s when I saw them, those two British actors riding their R 1200 GS bikes “the long way round” the world.

Star Motorcycles offers 14 different models that beat to the tune of seven different engine configurations, making it the broadest range to choose from in the cruiser segment. With so many choices, there’s an option for every type rider, from beginner to long-distance warrior.

With a design philosophy to create a machine that has 
the functionality of a scooter and the riding pleasure 
of a motorcycle, BMW introduced their two new 
“Maxi-Scooters” recently in Madrid, Spain.