Jamie Robinson and Wes take bananas to a gunfight, entering 9hp Honda CRF100F and XR100 trail bikes in The Hooligan Derby’s “Run Whatcha’ Brung” flat track race at Ventura Raceway. It’s their first time on a dirt oval. :continue:
If you ride in all weathers, you’ll be familiar with the motorcycle glove conundrum. Race gloves provide huge levels of protection and intuitive feel, but your hands will get frostbite if the ambient temp drops below 60. Winter gloves are occasionally capable of keeping your hands a tiny bit warmer, but they tend to lack impact protection and bulky insulation removes all feel. Is there a third way? That’s what these Alpinestars 365 GoreTex gloves set out to achieve, employing new laminated membrane technology and ditching the insulation to enhance feel, while adopting the knuckle protectors off the flagship Astars GP-Pros. :continue:
Four wheels like a car, but handlebars and a saddle like a motorcycle. With quad bikes, it’s almost like someone took the most awesome part of driving — drifting — and combined it with the most exciting thing about riding dirt bikes — jumping — to create a vehicle with a single purpose: hooning. We take off into the Hungry Valley OHV park of the Los Padres National Forest onboard Suzuki Z400s and a King Quad to try and get as dirty as possible.
Why aren’t there any good motorcycle shows? You know, one that isn’t just about the size of some lunatic host’s fearless balls or the flatness of his hat’s bill. Or how about a show that’s watchable, entertaining, accessible and does a good job of selling what you and I think is so special back to the mainstream? Neither Wes or I have ever made a show before, but figured we’d give it a shot in conjunction with DRIVE. So here you go, the very first episode of our new show, RideApart.
Ever used a motorcycle to create a much needed break from the humdrum routine of family life? Brand new dad Jamie Robinson left little Giacomo (you know who after) in bed with mom and took off for the California desert aboard a Ducati Diavel. Hell, I don’t even have a kid and this kind of ride is often all I can do to keep sane. :continue:
About a month ago, I had a terrible motorcycle accident here in LA. Six broken bones, a week in the hospital and three surgeries. About as bad as it gets, right? Well, not quite. That’s thanks to the gear I was wearing — head-to-toe protection. But, I wasn’t in leathers or ungainly Cordura or anything like that, I was in jeans and a jacket; the kind of thing I wear to go to a meeting or a bar. Combining this level of protection with stealthy looks isn’t easy, but it sure was effective. Here’s a break down. :continue:
Camping for three days on the Iron Mountain in the rain and cold gave way to a much needed real bed on our last day in Austria, we spent a night at a 14th Century guest house and also caught up on doing some much needed laundry thanks to a very helpful owner. Soon Seth and I were heading towards Switzerland where riding east took us on a glorious ride up and down the Gerlos Alpine Road and right passed the beautiful Krimmi Waterfalls, Europe’s highest. Next it was the Stelvio Pass, Mugello GP, Venice, Bologna and Tuscany. :continue:
Week one had been riding south from London to La Bañeza in northern Spain for the MXGP, week two was then a ride East and across to a small town called Eisenerz in the center of Austria for the Erzberg Rodeo. To get to Austria I chose to go back the way I came and ride the magnificent Picos de Europa National Park as it had been such an incredible ride, then chose loads of squiggly countryside roads through the South of France before calling in to see my old GP 250cc buddy Max Biaggi in Monaco. :continue:
During the summer, Grant and I set out to make ourselves a couple of jackets actually capable of real protection, but that wouldn’t make us look like Power Rangers. Thanks to this Alpinestars Bionic Air Back Protector, I’ve finally finished mine. Now, I can fall off a bike in my Vanson AR2 without being paralyzed. Light, incredibly slim and very comfy, you can probably benefit from its protection too.
Photos: Grant Ray :continue:
We’re finally setting out from Portland and it’s just after 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The spirit has shifted on our Honda Goldwing tour now that we’re half done and heading towards home, instead of away from it. Both of us are expected to be in front of our computers and online at 9am Monday morning, leaving just 64 hours to fit in all the sights we want to see traveling back South on an inland route. We loosely intend to head through Shasta, hit highways 49 and 89 and ride through Yosemite on our way to Los Angeles. Clearly there’s still adventure to be had, but the end is in sight. And just like always, the trip back seems to be shorter than the trip there.
This is Part 3 of Ashlee and Sean’s Goldwing tour series. Read all of the articles here.
