Heather Lea
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Articles by Heather Lea
500 Miles Down the California Coast on a Yamaha Cross Core RC E-Bike
San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf is alive at 7 a.m. with 198 spandex-clad riders and what sounds like 10,000 cowbells. I throw a leg over my ride for the week — a Yamaha Cross Core RC e-bike — and follow a swarm of buzzing wheels toward the Golden Gate Bridge on the foggy horizon. (Photo/Heather Lea) We’re all here for one reason: to ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles in an event organized by the Arthritis Foundation called the California Coast Classic.
A Land of History and Heartache
Editor’s Note: This South Dakota article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2023 Issue. Small and isolated, South Dakota’s Black Hills seemed the ideal place for a self-imposed writing retreat. I’ve been working on a book for years and hadn’t so much as typed a single letter in the manuscript for over four months. I needed a concentrated amount of time that would make up for those lost words—somewhere quiet without distractions.
The 9 Best Electric Motorcycles Worth Throwing a Leg Over
Whether you're already a motorcycle owner, or about to be one, don’t overlook buying an electric motorcycle. These top two-wheeled picks pack in the thrills and all the amenities. Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More There are plenty of benefits to riding an electric motorcycle. Thanks to the use of modern motor technology, electric bikes enjoy instant power, thrilling acceleration, and hair-raising performance.
Hard Cases vs. Soft Bags: What’s the Ideal Luggage for Adventure Motorcycle Travel?
Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More There are many factors involved in finding something that will store all the gear needed for your adventure motorcycle travels, yet is functional, secure, and weather-resistant. Sure, you can strap a backpack to the rear seat, or even wear it, but I guarantee that on long trips spanning a few hundred miles or more, your shoulders and lower back will hate you.
2023 Can-Am Ryker Rally Review: A Rippin’ 3-Wheeler as Cool as Your Tattooed Grandma
I’ll admit it; I’ve always thought three-wheelers and trikes were like motorcycles with training wheels. I assumed they were earmarked for aging ex-motorcycle riders, or those with balance issues keeping them away from two wheels. Well, I’ve been schooled. On May 6 — also known as International Female Ride Day (IFRD) — I took Can-Am’s 2023 Ryker Rally for a spin through the orange groves and wineries in Temecula, Calif. I’ll never look at three-wheelers the same again.
2023 Yamaha YXZ1000R SS Review: Paddle Shift Gear Selection, Turbo Whistles Optional
Ideal for recreationalists and pure sport enthusiasts, the 2023 YXZ 1000R SS (Sport Shift) is a whole lot of UTV. I had the opportunity to drive one through the iconic testing grounds of Superstition in El Centro, Calif., where rocks and sand dunes are the perfect mix of fun and challenge. In a world of automatic everything, it was liberating to feel in control of my drive again when using the paddle shifters to gear up and down. And I didn’t need to take my foot off the gas to do so.
2023 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 1000 LE Review: Prolong Playtime With Full-Cab Enclosure
New for 2023, RMAX 1000 trims can come with a full-cab enclosure addition to shelter passengers from wind, rain, and sideways snow — all of which hit us during testing in California’s Rattlesnake Canyon. When you’re out on an all-day drive in your UTV, you’re in the weather, for better or worse. If it starts raining — or, as was the case this year in California, snowing sideways — you’ll be soaked and cold soon enough. That’s what makes Yamaha’s full-cab kit ideal.
Experience the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route
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Experience the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route
Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) is a nonprofit organization serving to promote education and safety for off-highway motorcyclists. It also creates backcountry and secondary-road routes for adventureand dual-sport riders. These routes take backcountry riders through some of America’s most incredible scenery and charming rural towns. BDR has created backcountry routes for riders every year since 2010.
Stand Up! Adventure Motorcycle Training to Keep Your Butt off the Seat
Sure, it’s winter, but you can still keep those riding skills honed by getting a little creative. In this adventure motorcycle training video, Bret Tkacs reminds us we don’t need access to dirt to practice standing on the pegs. Many motorcycle riders retire from riding for the season when the colder months hit. That’s usually wise when the snow is blowing sideways, and temps hit sub-zero. The problem is that also means months pass before we get back on our two-wheeled steeds.
2023 Manitou Explore Review: Sleek Luxury Pontoon Ready to Make Waves
Home » Motors » 2023 Manitou Explore Review: Sleek Luxury Pontoon Ready to Make Waves Pontoon boat design hasn’t changed much in the last 30 years, so I was curious what would stand out with the 2023 Manitou Explore Pontoon prototype. Leaving Eau Gallie Causeway in Melbourne, Florida, I settled in for a few relaxing hours test-driving the Manitou Explore prototype. Cruising at a top speed of just under 30 mph, it was not an adrenaline rush like my previous 2 days test-riding a new touring Sea-Doo.
2023 Manitou Explore Review: Sleek Luxury Pontoon Ready to Make Waves
Regular readers of Boss Hunting will know we’re big fans of the work that Aussie eFoil company Fliteboard is doing (take a look here and here), …
Black Friday 2022 Motorcycle Gear Deals Not to Be Missed
Home » Motors » Black Friday 2022 Motorcycle Gear Deals Not to Be Missed When GearJunkie’s Powersports Editor, Heather Lea, traveled around the world by motorcycle, she found out what moto gear worked and what didn’t. Here are some of her favorites that have lasted through 40 countries and counting. Bonus: they’re all on sale! Riding a motorcycle for 2 years, through 40 countries, and over 55,000 miles means I put a lot of motorcycle gear and gadgets to the test.
2023 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 Review: Adventure Watercraft Touring, Go Where Boats Can’t Go
A scrap metal find at a flea market in the US turned out to be the Third Imperial Fabergé egg worth $33 million The Third Imperial Fabergé Egg was created by Peter Carl Fabergé in 1887 for the Russian Tsar Alexander III and his family. There were a total of 54 eggs created for the Russian Royal Family.
2023 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 Review: Adventure Watercraft Touring, Go Where Boats Can’t Go
Home » Motors » 2023 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 Review: Adventure Watercraft Touring, Go Where Boats Can’t Go “Overwatering” might not be an official phrase yet, like overlanding, but the idea of getting away from civilization is familiar to most adventurists. Now, there’s a watercraft built for multiday excursions, straight from the factory, that goes where boats can’t go. The 2023 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 is the first long-distance personal watercraft designed specifically for adventure.
8 Adventure Motorcycling Hacks for Long-Distance Riders
This humorous video gives eight time-saving, inexpensive hacks for making long — or short — adventure motorcycling trips more pleasant. Even if you think you know it all already, there are probably one or two sweet nuggets in here you’ve never thought of. When it comes to adventure motorcycling trips, anything you can do to ensure a safe, comfortable ride is a bonus.
2023 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally Aims to Please Hard-to-Impress ADV Crowd
Home » Motors » 2023 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally Aims to Please Hard-to-Impress ADV Crowd Adventure riders the world over can be a tough audience to impress, sticking to tried-and-true brands. Will Ducati’s new V4 Rally make a few switch allegiances?
The ‘Affordable’ Electric SUV Has Arrived: 2023 Chevy Equinox EV
Home » Motors » The ‘Affordable’ Electric SUV Has Arrived: 2023 Chevy Equinox EV The 2023 Equinox EV gives us familiar Chevrolet SUV looks in an all-new all-electric vehicle. It’s also the first truly mass-market battery-electric SUV, with pricing starting at around $30,000 — before tax incentives. At an average of $65,000, today’s typical battery-electric vehicle is well out of reach of the typical American car buyer.
Electric Car Camping Just Got Way Better: Rivian Camp Mode
Home » Motors » Electric Car Camping Just Got Way Better: Rivian Camp Mode Over-the-air updates are adding cool features to new vehicles regularly, but this might be the most exciting one yet. Rivian introduces Camp Mode. In a Twitter post made on Aug.27, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said he can’t wait for you to try the truck’s recently introduced Camp Mode.
Monimoto GPS Tracker
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2022 Issue. Motorcycle theft is a problem the world over, which is why an anti-theft GPS tracking device that can be hidden on motorcycles and other vehicles sounds like a great idea. The Lithuanian company, Monimoto, has developed a simple yet effective solution.
The Moment Collectors, by Sam Manicom and Friends
I’ve never been much of a short-story reader; I like to invest in written tales for book-length escapes from reality. However, The Moment Collectors is a different kind of collection of short stories altogether—at least it was for me. As a round-the-world motorcycle traveler, there was something in each writer’s tale that I could directly relate to, like how deep friendships on the road happen so much faster than at home.
As a rider, I’ve traveled through a lot of bear country, particularly in British Columbia, Alaska, and Russia. As a hiker, I’ve encountered dozens of bears—even been chased by one, which is why I take food storage in the wilderness seriously. Not only do I want to avoid being woken in the night by claws scratching at my tent, but I also want to protect wildlife. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy for bears to develop an appetite for human food.
Bear-proof Food Storage for Moto Campers
Many of us traveling overnight or long distances on motorcycles are going into bear territory; that’s why we love our ADV and dual-sport bikes—to get off main roads and into the backcountry. But what about storing food out of reach from bears while we sleep at night? Growing up in the Canadian Rockies, I often heard that a fed bear is a dead bear. When any bear—black, brown, grizzly—has access to human food, they get lazy.
Motorcycle Momma Muriel Magee—80 Years Old, BMW GS Motorcyclist -
At 58, Muriel (Magee) Farrington was dating a man who said she’d be a natural at riding a motorcycle. A male friend at the time said the same, so Muriel decided to pick up the sport. Although she committed to two wheels later in life, Muriel once rode her uncle’s Cushman motor scooter in her family’s fields in South Windsor, which may have sparked her interest, at age 10. Now, seventy years later, she has two BMW motorcycles, one weighing 450 pounds.
Known as “little Switzerland,” Atlin, B.C., is one of the most scenic places in Canada—a must-see side trip for overlanders heading to Alaska or the Yukon. The postcard-perfect town is encircled by Atlin Lake—the largest natural lake in B.C.—and majestic forested peaks.
AltRider Universal Highway Pegs—Designed with the Adventure Rider in Mind - Expedition Portal
Many touring motorcycles come with highway pegs for resting legs and feet during long-distance rides. But few ADV or dual-sport bikes do. That’s an add-on for almost all bikes in this genre. The problem with highway pegs on bikes that go off-pavement is they can stick out too far, creating an obstacle when trying to fit through narrow trail features.
Rev'it Broadens Apparel for Spring/Summer 2022 Collection -
Rev’it has hit the ground running for the upcoming riding season by expanding on its motorcycle apparel collection. New products will appear in seven segments, including Adventure Sport and Touring. Rev’it even has some cool-looking footwear for a well-rounded approach to riding gear. I’ve had great success with their suits in the past.
AltRider Cylinder Head Guards for BMW R 1250 GS / ADV OEM Crash Bars
Most of us who ride ADV bikes have spent a small fortune in covering exposed, important areas of the motorcycle with after-market protection. Some bikes even come with OEM modifications, but in the case of the OEM crash bars on the BMW R 1250 GS/GSA, the valve covers are left exposed, hanging out past the bars. This can cause serious damage in the event of a lay-down. Even just dropping your 1250 from a parked position can allow the crash bars to flex and crack the valve cover.
Video of the Week: Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route and Film Release
The Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route (WYBDR) is number eleven from the BDR non-profit organization, and as of February 1, all route information is available on their website.
Book Review: Our Ridiculous World (Trip): Around the World on a Scooter with a Sidecar, by Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes
At first, it might seem odd that two friends with no motorcycle skills and subpar travel portfolios would decide to quit their jobs, leave their significant others behind, and travel around the world. On a scooter. With a sidecar. That kept malfunctioning and breaking down. Yes, odd indeed. But after reading Our Ridiculous World Trip, it’s no wonder really—Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes (the Sidecar Guys) have what many of us seek these days: an insatiable urge to do something meaningful in life.
RawHyde Adventure Days at Zakar—April 21-24 - Expedition Portal
Rawhyde Adventures, known for enduro and adventure motorcycle training, has some rescheduled 2022 dates for their ADV Days. You’ll be able to check out the Rally and Expo at their new facility at Zakar, which stands for Zombie Apocalypse Kompund At Rawhyde. The 2021 Adventure Days had to be canceled due to fires, but now they are back up and rolling! For information on how to register, here’s a press release below from Mr. Hyde himself.
A friendship between two aircraft pilots and one mechanic has turned into a century-old business within the motorcycle industry. Despite one of the friends being killed in an airplane accident, the two other friends carried on with the dream. In 1921, Moto Guzzi hit the road. The Moto Guzzi factory is located in Mandello del lario, Italy. Over the past 100 years, thousands of locals have worked in the factory, situated idyllically along the shores of Lake Como.
Destination: McCarthy, Alaska, and Kennecott Mine
In Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, there sits a village called McCarthy. If you search for this place on Google, you’ll find it says, population: 0. But people do live here. A 2020 census lists 107 residents, up from 28 in 2010. I rode my BMW G 650 GS to McCarthy in 2016. I sat in a café called The Potato and ate quiche. I walked around town and photographed old, dead pick-up trucks with flowers growing in the back. There are houses and people live in them.
Go Ruffly—an Off-Pavement Carrier for Your Dog - Expedition Portal
I stumbled on this while reading a post on Women ADV Riders Facebook page. The article from Jess Stone—about riding off-pavement with a dog on the back—drew my interest. But in reading her story, I was even more interested to learn Jess has started up a company called Go Ruffly, where she sells motorcycle dog carriers.
Lauren Trantham of Ride My Road Advocates to End Human Trafficking
If you’re like me, you may have ignorantly and erroneously assumed human trafficking was problematic more in developing worlds or for immigrants. I’ve learned this is not true; human trafficking happens to people everywhere right under your nose—in the US, Europe, Asia… everywhere. Lauren Trantham is a motorcyclist who’s combined her passion for riding with a second passion—advocating against human trafficking.
New Yezdi Adventure Bike
If you saw the main image for this article and thought I’d made a typo, you’re probably not the first. The new Yezdi Adventure bike looks very similar to a Royal Enfield. Is that the point? Maybe. I’m not about picking sides in the war against what ADV bikes are the best. Instead, I’ll outline the specs for the New Yezdi Adventure, and let you do the comparing.
The Cold Start, an Off-Road Riding Clinic and Culinary Experience February 4-8
If you’re an ADV or dirt bike rider, you probably know about Baja, Mexico, and its incredible winter escape possibilities. Well, Baja just got even more enticing with The Cold Start, an Off-Road Riding Clinic and Culinary Experience organized by Kyra Sacdalan. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of anything better than spending the first part of February riding bikes and eating gourmet food in Baja.
Video of the Week :: Dakar 2022 Coverage All in One Place
Saudi Arabia’s annual Dakar race has started and as always, the event is packed full of adventure and intrigue—including a not so favorable caught-on-video display of mean sportsmanship between Toyota driver Giniel De Villiers when he hit and almost ran over rider Cesar Zumaran while the latter was stopped with bike issues. That video can be seen on ADV Pulse’s Instagram page.
Cathy Birchall—the First Blind Person to Circumnavigate the Globe on a Motorcycle - Motorcycle Expedition Portal
When Cathy Birchall was growing up, her eyesight was problematic in a way that left her out of playground games with her friends. Objects and people were indistinct, but Cathy didn’t know this was anything other than normal. When she was a pre-teen, she saw a specialist and discovered she had Retinitis Pigmentosa—a genetic disorder that would eventually leave her completely blind in both eyes. In college, Cathy met a man named Peter and the two were married when Cathy was 22.
Destinations :: San Martín de los Andes, Argentina
In Patagonia’s northwest region, you’ll find forests, lakes, volcanoes, and best of all, the endearing town of San Martín de los Andes, Argentina. Sitting along the glacial shores of Lake Lácar and surrounded by rugged beauty, San Martín was the one place my husband and I seriously considered moving to while on our round-the-world trip. Filling up at a gas station one day, we were approached by a man in his 50s. After chatting for a few minutes, he invited us to stay at his house.
Moto Camp Nerd—an All-In-One Online Store for Motorcycle Camping -
One of the biggest challenges for overnight, multi-day, or long-distance motorcycle trips is what to pack. Although you can get most camping gear at any backpacking store, you may run into blank stares while asking a staff member what they recommend for lightweight camping on two wheels. Wouldn’t it be great if all this gear was in one place, along with knowledgeable staff who ride? Well, that’s exactly what Moto Camp Nerd offers.
Auto Hotels: What Does Luxury “Love” Accommodation Have to Do with Overland Travel?
After a long day on our motorcycles, my riding partner, Dave, and I, were in Guanajuato, Mexico, looking for a place to stay. We found a hotel on the side of the road, just out of town. The place looked nice—possibly too expensive for our budget, but we decided to see how much a night would cost. I rolled up to a window that seemed to be Reception and thought it odd that the upper half was blocked off. I had to duck down to see the person—or rather, just his chest.
Prescott's Nation’s Finest Receives Charitable Donation from Harley Owners Group
The holiday season is a time for gift-giving, but not all gifts have to be bought and presented with extravagance. The gift of giving back to your community is something that extends far and wide, and that’s just what the Harley Owners Group (HOG) from the Yavapai Arizona Chapter did to support a local charity in Prescott. Nation’s Finest provides supportive services, like affordable housing, health care, and employment, for veterans and their families.
The Fonz’s Triumph Motorcycle Makes Happy Days at Recent Bonhams Auction
I was a young little tyke when Happy Days was popular, but I remember watching the show on one of those TVs that was the size of a small car. It had antennas on top that we had to move from time to time to get better reception. I suppose I thought the Fonz was cool, like everyone else did, but I had more of a crush on Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard).
Video of the Week: Lea Rieck Rides Valley of the Gods, Moki Dugway
Some of us are sitting here in the dark days of winter dreaming of sunnier riding climates. Arizona and Utah rarely see a day without sun, and this video shot at Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway from Got2Go is just what I needed on this rainy Pacific Northwest afternoon. Not only does the clip contain plenty of sunshine, but the narrator is Germany’s Lea Rieck, journalist, author, and ADV traveler.
Triumph's One Millionth Hinckley Kicks Off 120-Year Anniversary -
I don’t know of too many motorcycle manufacturers or brands who can say they’ve produced one million bikes and have also been around longer than a century—that’s quite triumphant, Triumph! The company certainly has a reason to celebrate 120 years in business, and the momentous occasion just happens to coincide with producing their one-millionth bike as well, a one-of-a-kind Hinckley.
Mosko Moto’s Woodland Motorcycle Luggage Collection
I love Mosko Moto luggage, and I’m not just saying that. Riding around the world, I tried three different pannier set ups—hard and soft—and Mosko’s were my favorite. That said, Mosko has a lot of competition on their hands, as ADV and dual-sport riding catches on like internet cafes in the 2000s. Nevertheless, Mosko is keepin’ it real by keepin’ up with the onslaught of hungry riders looking for that next perfect piece of gear.
Video of the Week: Zero DSR Electric Motorcycles on the Colorado BDR
Have you ever wondered if an electric motorcycle can really go the distance off the highway? Well, they can. And Tucker Neary has proof. Riding two Zero DSR electric motorcycles, Tucker and his friend, Mark, traveled and documented over 1,000 miles in seven days along the rough and rugged Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route. They wanted to prove such a feat could be done by using public charging infrastructure and without the need for tows or generators.
Destinations :: Cumberland, British Columbia
On the east coast of central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, you’ll find Cumberland, a gateway to Comox Lake 60 miles northwest of Nanaimo. What makes Cumberland and its 3,000-plus residents unique is the welcoming community and world-class recreation possibilities. Unlike other touristy stops on Vancouver Island, like Tofino and Coombs, Cumberland has kept its quaint quietude. So much so that it may be hard to find accommodation, though I highly recommend camping on Comox Lake.
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