WorldRider Journeys Around The World On A Motorcycle

#44 Tamela Rich | Musings, Connections & Highway kitsch From North Carolina to Oregon & Beyond 

Meet Best-Selling Author of “Living Life Full Throttle” and "Hit The Road: A Woman's Guide to Solo Motorcycle Touring"  Tamela Rich

I discovered this podcast with Tamela Rich from 2015 that I lost through the cracks in the floor of my computer. It’s such a treasure I had to bring it back to life. The conversation is just as relevant today as it was when I sat in Tamela’s office in Charlotte North Carolina.

We discuss her decision to embark on a cross country trip on a motorcycle. After a devastating business loss, she decided to clear her head and find new opportunities and roadside treasures.

Here we discuss her decision to ride bikes and then ride coast to coast as a solo woman rider. And that’s just the start.  Road trip expert Tamela is inspiring and a wealth of knowledge of roadside kitsch as well as off the beaten track treasures all over the country. Tune into this one, and you’ll be amazed at what she’s discovered and learned through traveling by motorcycle.

Watch this TEDx talk with Tamela and motorcycle journalist and philanthropist Neale Bayley.

Pangolins | Death On The Mountain | Jailed In China Just another day in the life of the bestselling author, adventurer, anthropologist Jeff Salz. He's an ex-pat living in Ecuador is watching and wading out the Coronavirus while sitting on the equator. Tune in to this lively entertaining discussion about adventure, travel, and life experiences on the third episode of JOURNEYS WEBCAST.

Meet Jeff Salz, a gifted storyteller and an exciting, entertaining, and enlightening guest on this third episode of the Journeys Livestream Webcast hosted by Allan Karl and WorldRider Productions. ​​​​​​​

• The Changing Realities for Travelers & Adventurers | Where and when do we go after lockdowns, sequesters, and quarantines?
• The Revenge of the Pangolin | No teeth and only a sticky tongue, why are the termites and ants of Africa so afraid.
• Forget Motorcycles, Jeff Traveled South America Overland On A Horse | Wisdom from those you'd never expect.
• The Fatal Climbing Accident That Changed Jeff's Life | What do you do after your best friend disappears on one of the most notorious mountains in Patagonia.

This podcast originated as the third episode of the Journeys Webcast and Livestreamed from Ecuador on May 4, 2020. We've edited this audio Podcast to remove audio from video segments, slide shows, and other areas where visuals are tied to the conversation. If you want to see the entire Webcast as it was live-streamed complete with all video content, scroll to the bottom of this page. Or you can watch the segment directly on YouTube.

About Our Guest

Dr. Jeff Salz has lived the life of adventure that most have only dreamed of! Honored as a Hall of Fame speaker by the National Speaker Association. 

Acclaimed ‘America’s leading adventurer/anthropologist’ by both the Discovery and History Channels. Earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology during half a century of studying the wisdom of individuals and cultures while mountaineering and exploring the wildest corners of the planet including Patagonia, the Amazon, Outer Mongolia, Eastern Siberia, Chinese Turkestan and the Himalayas of Tibet.

Joined the faculty of San Diego State University at the young age of 23, and later named "Outstanding Professor". A celebrated author bestselling author, Jeff’s book “The Way of Adventure” shares the secrets of man's resilience to adversity, and is widely recognized as THE definitive book on adventure. As a professional innovator and team builder, he designed and instructed team-building and creativity training for the Walt Disney team that produced “The Lion King” C-level executive teams at global organizations such as Google, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, eBay, and The Walt Disney Company turn to Jeff for inspiration and training. An internationally known television journalist, Jeff has been a frequent host for the Discovery Network and has appeared as the guest "adventure expert" on the CBS Early Morning Show. His expedition to Apocalypse Island was the History Channel’s most-watched event of the year.

JOURNEYS WEBCAST is a weekly live stream event where travelers, entrepreneurs, vintners, chefs, musicians, authors, speakers, and ordinary people living extraordinary lives come together for an hour of storytelling, inspiration, idea-sharing, and connection. Register for free register.journeyswebcast.com for these weekly Livestream events. Video replays of past Livestream webcasts can be viewed at www.journeyswebcasts.com

#35 From San Diego Under Lockdown | Breaking News, Journeys, Dreams, and Perspective | Allan Karl Tells All

It seems that this will be the first summer in four years that Allan Karl WorldRider will not be wandering around the world somewhere on his motorcycle.

In this “sit down and chat” episode of the WorldRider podcast, he discusses the whereabouts of his motorcycle and provides updates on new projects and old. He also points to the critical notion that in challenging times it’s vital to focus on what we find, rather than what we feel we are losing. Perspective, he says, makes all the difference.

Enjoy this intimate and personal chat with Allan as he takes the time to update listeners and provide them with ideas and perspective to help weather challenging times.

Mentioned in this Podcast:

Journeys Webcast — Livestreamed Every Monday

The Journeys Webcast Replays: http://journeyswebcast.com

Livestream Journeys Webcast Registration: http://register.journeyswebcast.com

The first seven episodes of JOURNEYS brought guests from South Africa, Ecuador, Uruguay, Turkey, Mexico, Croatia, and Romania. And if you missed either of them, here are links to the YouTube replays; they’re entertaining, and you’ll enjoy watching. Be sure to like and comment if you can.

#1 Ronnie Borrageiro in South Africa: https://youtu.be/wiRg8qYmEMM

#2 Jeremy Kroeker & Elle West in Uruguay: https://youtu.be/D5FbjF05f8w

#3 Jeff Salz in Ecuador: https://youtu.be/TKadJzIfAEk

#4 Ryan Pyle in Turkey: https://youtu.be/KVwl3PBoyJc

#5 Jerry D’Alessandro in Mexico: https://youtu.be/qfRvg3Vv8ME

#6 Ashley Colburn in Croatia: https://youtu.be/nAy2w3sADzo

#7 Oliver Bauer in Romania: https://youtu.be/71botZJGgtg

Allan Karl's Book "FORKS: A Quest for Culture, Cuisine, and Connection."

Autographed and Signed Books By Allan Karl are available here: 

http://forksthebook.com

FORKS: A QUEST FOR CULTURE, CUISINE, AND CONNECTION on Amazon

Hardcover:

Softcover:

Jeremy Kroeker & Elle West Prepared For Everything, Except This!

In the 37th episode of the WorldRider Podcast I travel (virtually) to South America to the tiny country of Uruguay where Author and Adventure Motorcyclist Jeremy Kroeker and Elle West, his girlfriend are stuck in a tiny two-room apartment.

In late August 2019, the couple left home in Canada headed for the bottom tip of South America, the village of Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego. On separate motorcycles jam-packed with camping gear and everything else they thought they needed (and plenty they didn’t) for a 13-month journey south, including camping gear.

This trip would be Jeremy’s fourth attempt to reach the iconic southernmost tip. On two occasions, Elle made a trip to Panama, but this would be her first attempt at Tierra del Fuego. The odd couple has a unique relationship. Jeremy insists that they are on separate, yet parallel journeys—traveling together but are riding different motorcycles. They’re not sharing gear, either. If they breakdown—emotionally or the bikes—they’re prepared to go their separate ways.

This podcast originated as the second episode of the Journeys Webcast and Livestreamed from Uruguay on April 27, 2020. The audio Podcast has been edited to remove audio from video segments, slide shows, and other areas where visuals are tied to the conversation.

If you want to see the entire Webcast as it was live-streamed complete with all video content, scroll to the bottom of this page. Or you can watch the segment directly on YouTube.

Listen to the 37th Journeys With WorldRider Podcast

Jeremy Kroeker, Author &  Adventurer Jeremy Kroeker is the author of Motorcycle Therapy and Through Dust and Darkness, as well as the editor of the original Motorcycle Messengers and Motorcycle Messengers 2. With his motorcycle, he has traveled to 30 countries while managing to do at least one outrageously stupid thing in every one. He has evaded police in Egypt, tasted teargas in Israel, scrambled through minefields in Bosnia and Lebanon, and wrangled a venomous snake in Austria. One time he got a sliver in El Salvador.

Elle West, Adventurer Elle has been riding motorcycles for over 25 years. She has ridden through Alaska, North, and Central America, and is now riding through South America with her partner, Jeremy Kroeker. When in Canada, Elle is an instructor with Motology School, in Calgary, Alberta, where she shares her passion for motorcycles with new riders. Elle is an advocate and supporter of women in the motorcycling industry and proudly carried the baton for the Women Riders World Relay as a Guardian in a Colombian leg of the relay.

In this 36th episode of the WorldRider Podcast, I’m honored to bring to you my friend and South African adventurer and world explorer Mr. Ronnie Borrageiro

I met Ronnie in Namibia while I traveled through Africa from south to north. Ronnie was in a fog of swirling doubt, anger, and fear.

This Podcast came from my Journeys Webcast Livestreamed with Ronnie from South Africa on April 20, 2020. I've repurposed the original video file as this WorldRider Podcast Episode #36.

This is an intimate, honest, and often funny look at how challenges are opportunities. And how perspective defines character and the ability to see such opportunities.

Ronnie traveled through over 100 countries on his motorcycle. Along the way, he met the love of his life, a cast of characters, including legendary actor Bruce Willis, and experienced coincidences that will make your head spin and wonder. We talk about those things that seem to tear us apart, yet. how they truly can bring us together.

Over 100 Countries. 1,000 Days. And 100,000 Miles.

Meet Ronnie Borrageiro — The Gypsy Biker.

•  
• Life In Lock Down—How Slowing Down Give You Much More Than Time To Smell The Roses.
•  
• Our Journeys—Coincidence? Serendipity? Or Mean To Be?
•  
• Stuck In Bali—The Eat, Pray, Love Story That Will Bring Smiles & Tears.
•  
• Sudan—The Fork & The Road—How Watermelon Candy Tamed A Young Warrior.

If you want to watch the original video from the Journeys Webcast Livestream event on April 20, 2020, the replay is online on the WorldRider.TV YouTube Channel.

Musings In Macedonia With Digital Nomad & Not Just A Tourist Mahsa Homayounfar Chatting With Motorcycle Travelers Mahsa & Gerald Lakeside in Ohrid

Sometimes the stars line up or there’s the perfect storm that brings people together. I’d been chatting with Mahsa via text and Skype for more than two months. Hoping we would connect somewhere on the Balkan Peninsula, we finally arrange to meet just a week before my return to the USA.

"Not Just A Tourist" Mahsa and her Yamaha XT660R

Gerald and his 1991 BMW.

Mahsa travels the world on her motorcycle while operating here business “Not Just 
A Tourist.” And as the community of world traveling motorcycles intersects and the crossroads and forks in the road, she also managed to connect with Gerald, another rider from Austria. Over breakfast, while looking out over the place Lake Ohrid and with the breeze of the mild autumn air, we chatted about motorcycles, travel, and connections. Tune into this short Podcast for a fun and revealing conversation—one that may inspire you!

When I set off on this 2018 Eastern European Tour, I had no real plan except to search for the best stories in food, wine, and culture. I wanted to discover the truth about the region. Like me, most North Americans do not understand what is happening over here—my aim was to find out.  Now two months into my journey, I'll admit, it has surprised me. I've been disappointed too. You'll hear more in this podcast. Recorded live in the wine cellars of Movia in the Gorica Brda region of Slovenia. I wanted to get more current with my readers and listeners than my blog currently shows. That is, I wanted to provide a quick audio update to my journey to date because it takes much longer to write, edit, and choose photographs to capture the essence of my journey. Don't get me wrong. The blog is coming. And it's better.  I'm not here to just "Instagram my trip. Instead, I want to bring you along so you can meet the people, taste the food, understand the culture and feel and experience as I do.  So stay tuned to my blog—it may not be timely, but it will always be real and curated to the best I can given the time and demands of travel on the road. 

In this podcast I interview Panos, the passionate owner of Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro in Athens, Greece.

Meet Panos the owner of Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro, a legendary destination in the heart of Athens. Allan & Panos taste Greek wine while discussing the misconceptions about travel, good, and of course, Greek wine. Recorded while Allan traveled through Southeastern and Eastern Europe during his 2018 tour in Athens Greece while his motorcycle was getting the final maintenance for his travels.

Panos is spirited and passionate and the conversation takes place in the busy wine bar that claims to offer the largest number of wines by the glass anywhere in the world. Learn about hidden destinations in Greece, unique wine varietals found nowhere else but Greece, and insight and thoughts on how to be more open when it comes to traveling, destinations, food and wine.

Check out the blog post I wrote about Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro and be sure to include it on your list of "must see" when you find yourself in Athens. You will love this interview. We talk about reasons to travel, the importance of being open to new experiences, and great food and wine.

Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro

Mitropoleos 66-68 | Plaka

Athens 105 63, Greece

+30 21 3029 6570

Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro Website

Vintage on Facebook

TripAdvisor Reviews of Vintage

NOTE: This is Part I of a two-part Podcast!

I'm excited about sharing my latest interview on the WorldRider Podcast with Ryan Pyle.

This guy is the real thing.

Ryan is an adventure traveler and motorcycle rider, television host and producer, author, professional keynote speaker, Guinness world record holder, mountain climber, award-winning photographer, and I'd like to add—humanitarian and philosopher. Okay, those last two titles I've given him—deservedly as you will learn while listening to these two podcasts.

Truly, this interview was so engaging and the topics incredibly intriguing that I couldn't edit it down to one hour-long episode. So I've decided to share nearly the entire conversation in two parts—a first on the WorldRider Podcast.

I've been following Ryan Pyle since my journey to China in the summer of 2015. In China, he earned a Guinness world record for the longest continuous motorcycle ride in a single county. The journey became the subject of two books and launched "Tough Rides" a successful television series that aired on the Travel Channel. He has been an inspiration to me and an invaluable sounding board for ideas on travel to China, India and elsewhere.

Ryan Pyle is principal of Ryan Pyle Productions. He was born in Toronto and after a collegiate basketball career and graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in International Politics, Ryan decided to try his hand at international diplomacy by relocating to China. It didn't take long until Ryan was a sought after photojournalist whose work appeared in Wall Street Journal, TIME, Newsweek, Fortune, Outside Magazine, and ultimately becoming a regular contributor to The New York Times.

In 2009, Ryan was named as one 30 emerging photographers in the world. He then produced documentary films, several television series, and started writing books about his experiences in China and his travels around the world. You can find his Tough Rides series on Vimeo and iTunes. And here is the trailer for Season One of Ryan's Extreme Treks.

Here is more information on his books and television series:

TELEVISION SERIES

2018 – Extreme Treks: Season #3 – In Production

2017 – Extreme Treks: Season #2 – Distributed by TCB Media

2016 – Tough Rides: Brazil – Travel Channel

2014 – Extreme Treks: Season #1 – Distributed by TCB Media

2014 – China’s Great Gateway: Shaanxi – Discovery Channel

2014 – Tough Rides: India – Travel Channel

2013 – Touch Rides: China – Travel Channel

PUBLICATIONS

2017 – Sacred Mountains – Photography Book

2016 – Tough Rides: Brazil – Written Book

2015 – Sacred Mountains of China – Written Book

2014 – Chinese Turkestan – Photography Book

2014 – The India Ride – Written Book

2013 – The Middle Kingdom Ride – Written Book

NOTE: This is Part I of a two-part Podcast!

I'm excited about sharing my latest interview on the WorldRider Podcast with Ryan Pyle.

This guy is the real thing.

Ryan is an adventure traveler and motorcycle rider, television host and producer, author, professional keynote speaker, Guinness world record holder, mountain climber, award-winning photographer, and I'd like to add—humanitarian and philosopher. Okay, those last two titles I've given him—deservedly as you will learn while listening to these two podcasts.

Truly, this interview was so engaging and the topics incredibly intriguing that I couldn't edit it down to one hour-long episode. So I've decided to share nearly the entire conversation in two parts—a first on the WorldRider Podcast.

I've been following Ryan Pyle since my journey to China in the summer of 2015. In China, he earned a Guinness world record for the longest continuous motorcycle ride in a single county. The journey became the subject of two books and launched "Tough Rides" a successful television series that aired on the Travel Channel. He has been an inspiration to me and an invaluable sounding board for ideas on travel to China, India and elsewhere.

Ryan Pyle is principal of Ryan Pyle Productions. He was born in Toronto and after a collegiate basketball career and graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in International Politics, Ryan decided to try his hand at international diplomacy by relocating to China. It didn't take long until Ryan was a sought after photojournalist whose work appeared in Wall Street Journal, TIME, Newsweek, Fortune, Outside Magazine, and ultimately becoming a regular contributor to The New York Times.

In 2009, Ryan was named as one 30 emerging photographers in the world. He then produced documentary films, several television series, and started writing books about his experiences in China and his travels around the world. You can find his Tough Rides series on Vimeo and iTunes. And here is the trailer for Season One of Ryan's Extreme Treks.

Here is more information on his books and television series:

TELEVISION SERIES

2018 – Extreme Treks: Season #3 – In Production

2017 – Extreme Treks: Season #2 – Distributed by TCB Media

2016 – Tough Rides: Brazil – Travel Channel

2014 – Extreme Treks: Season #1 – Distributed by TCB Media

2014 – China’s Great Gateway: Shaanxi – Discovery Channel

2014 – Tough Rides: India – Travel Channel

2013 – Touch Rides: China – Travel Channel

PUBLICATIONS

2017 – Sacred Mountains – Photography Book

2016 – Tough Rides: Brazil – Written Book

2015 – Sacred Mountains of China – Written Book

2014 – Chinese Turkestan – Photography Book

2014 – The India Ride – Written Book

2013 – The Middle Kingdom Ride – Written Book

Wow! Listen to this Podcast with Duncan—a 26-year-old winemaker who is traveling the world making wine, doing good, and following his dream. Seriously.

After riding through Scandinavia and Eastern Europe I found myself between Greek Islands and exploring Greek history and Athens I happened to wander into a wine bar and found a kindred spirit—Duncan Marks, a 26-year old wine maker from my hometown of San Diego—he's just finished harvesting wine from a Greek Estate.

I learned Greece was just one of almost a dozen countries he'd traveled while supporting his wanderlust working vineyards and cellars of wineries all over the world. Fast-forward to four months later and we connect in my home in north San Diego. Listen to an inspiring interview of not only why it's important o pursue your passion, but to find out what's important in life and those things we all have in common when it comes to connecting and enjoying the company of family, friends and strangers.

You will learn how I met Duncan in a wine bar in Greece. What you won't learn is how we ended up sharing a great meal and tasting wines in the late evening glow of a Grecian night in the shadows of the Acropolis. A classic case of culture, cuisine, connection — and let's throw some history along!

Duncan just finished a stint helping a small Greek winery harvest and before heading to Germany for Octoberfest and then to Austria for another harvest, he found himself in the Greek capitol and sitting next to me at Vintages Wine Bar. This is only the beginning of the story. So be sure to listen and see where this goes…

This Podcast is longer than usual, but well worth the listen!

Mentioned In This Podcast
Duncan's favorite travel movie is V for Vendetta

Duncan's favorite book, which relates to the country he'd live if he couldn't live in the United States is A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson; and he also recommends by the same author In a Sunburned Country. Allan mention's Bill's book I'm A Stranger Here Myself.

Here are links to the wineries he worked at:

Babcock Winery – Santa Barbara area

Flying Fish Cove – Australia

Latour Melas – Greece

Loibnerhof - Austria

Schwane - Germany

Veteran Moto-journlist, Television Host, and Philanthropist

Neale Bayly is one of the most accomplished and prolific active motorcycle and motorsport journalists on the scene. Yet, it's not so much about motorcycles with Neale. He gets it. It's about connection and the experience. I guess that's why he's invested so much energy (and resources) into his WellSpring nonprofit. We don't dig too much into it in the Podcast, but Neale is a role model for world traveling motorcyclists who give back. His efforts and passion were part of a hit series on the late "Speed Network" called Neale Bayly Rides: Peru. This is still yet to be released on iTunes and Netflix, but I'm told it's coming.

I met Neale in the summer of 2014 when I was on the road with the "FORKS" nationwide book tour. At the time I was familiar with his work, admired his television show, and was eager to meet him. He showed up at my event at Atherton Market in downtown Charlotte. Later in that tour, I returned to Charlotte and had the opportunity to stay with Neale and his son Patrick—even shopping and cooking together a recipe from my book "FORKS".

Beyond that classic experience of connecting and sharing, Neale and I got to take his stable of Triumph "Triples" for a Sunday ride—street and speed—a casual cruise through Charlotte.

Tune in to the Podcast, and please rate and leave comments on the iTunes Podcast channel—and please subscribe!

Be sure to follow Neale Bayly:

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Join host Allan Karl (me) and fellow adventurer, speaker and world traveler Dr. Jeff Salz in an engaging discussion of adventure and travel. Hall of Fame Speaker and anthropologist adventurer, Jeff shares incredible stories from the jungles of Peru to the endless pampas and glacier-studded landscapes of Patagonia. Listen as we dig into what it means to travel, preserve traditional cultures and experience aging as an adventure as we discuss his exciting new book project.

Along the way, we dig into some of the concepts and stories found in his previous book, "The Way of Adventure: Transforming Your Life With Spirit And Vision"

Jeff and his partner Lisa Jaffe are sought after speaking coaches and founders of Courageous Speaking, an interactive workshop for all ranges of speakers – from wannabes to beginners to the experienced presenter seeking looking to take their craft to the next level. Their two day intensive workshops, held in north San Diego include four hours of stage time, professional and peer feedback and story development.

The WorldRider Podcasts continues to evolve and attract new and interesting guests.

Just in from Cape Town, South Africa, meet fellow speaker, world traveler and good friend George Walther. Not only is George Walther a Hall of Fame Speaker (honored by the National Speaker Association), but George is a a Hall of Fame WorldRider Traveler — honored here on this blog! He's also a card-carrying member of the Travelers' Century Club — a unique nonprofit organization comprised of members who've traveled to 100 countries or more. Listen in to learn how many countries George has traveled. Even better, George is also a motorcyclists and has traveled through many countries on two wheels.

George co-authored, along with his wife Barbi, "Honey I'm Home", a humorous romance love story and a travel story—a true story!

A gifted storyteller and with incredible life experiences to share, this Podcast will entertain listeners. I suspect there will be future podcasts with George as he continues to explore the world.

Happy New Year!

Carla King Visits WorldRider Studios And Shares Miss Adventurer Tales, Traveling China, Sidecars & Self Publishing

True to form, my own cat, Ms. Dar es Salaam, needed the attention of Carla, so before the podcast recording began, a few moments of “Dar Time” were spent in the California sunshine.

I've known Carla for nearly ten years. The original moto-traveler blogger, Carla is legendary for not only her writing, riding, and spirit, but also for her acumen and support to many in the area of self-publish.

Carla’s latest entrepreneurial expression is Author Friendly, which includes her Self-Pub Boot Camp educational program as well as book coaching and practical services for independent authors.

You can find out about her adventure travels on CarlaKing.com. And be sure to join her on Facebook to stay tuned for all the latest in adventure motorcycling, self-publishing, books, articles, Baja tours, writing retreats and more.

On other business, stay tuned for more information on my winter Book Tour with the Travel & Adventure Show in San Diego, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Will also be updating soon on the amazing and so exciting television project. More to come!

Doc Returns: Once Hostage in Shanghai—My BMW F650GS Comes Home

Listen to the podcast and watch the video near the bottom of this page. Allan Karl and Panayioti Yannitsos discuss their experience filming a pilot episode of a new television/streaming travel series that follows Allan "WorldRider" Karl as he rides his motorcycle "border-to-border" in China to Vietnam. The show, yet to be named, is a highly cinematic and unique take that will surely disrupt the television travel series genre. In this episode, listen to Allan and Pan discuss the show, challenges of riding and filming in China and the amazing reunion with the bike sent to China to star in the show. After nearly six months of being held hostage by Chinese customs, Allan "WorldRider" Karl's legendary motorcycle, "DOC", returns to Southern California where he and producer and director Panayioti Yannitsos and the team at Bluesea Shipping Lines in Long Beach, California retrieve the bike and spark a reunion with Allan ultimately getting Doc on the road again.

Doc Returns From China from Allan Karl on Vimeo.

About Allan Karl, WorldRider and the WorldRider Podcast.

ALLAN KARL is a best-selling author, award-winning photographer world traveler adventurer, and inspirational keynote speaker. With an insatiable passion for travel, culture, people, and food, he has explored more than 60 countries, primarily solo and many on a motorcycle, photographing, writing, and blogging about them along the way.

Allan inspires people to pursue dreams, overcome challenges, tackle obstacles, embrace change, and smile—especially in the face of adversity. And he knows how. Allan spent nearly three years riding around the world alone on a motorcycle. Along the way he was marched into the Colombian jungle at gunpoint, crushed his leg in the middle of nowhere in Bolivia, and had to beg the governments of Syria and Sudan to let him across their borders. (Eventually they gave in.) Follow Allan and other world-traveling adventurers on the WorldRider Podcast.

In his bestselling book, FORKS: A Quest for Culture, Cuisine, and Connection, Allan brings to life his three-year motorcycle adventure — in stories, photos and food from each of the 35 countries he traveled. In the summer of 2015, Allan with an award-winning Vancouver-based film crew, traveled China, from the north to south to the Vietnam border filmed a pilot for a new travel television show scheduled to air and stream in late 2016

Beyond his motorcycle adventures Allan has:

• Sailed the Flores Sea in search of the elusive Komodo Dragon
• Climbed the most active volcano in Indonesia; and
• Competed in the most grueling motorsport race in the world — The Dakar.

#22 WorldRider Podcast Redux 11.11.09

Originally Produced and Published on November 11, 2009

Solo world traveler motorcycle adventurer Allan Karl returns with a new edition of the WorldRider Podcasts. Though back in the states for nearly a year, Karl discusses his upcoming speaking engagements and multimedia presentations and plans for publishing.

11.11.09

Ok. So you know I traveled around the world for three years alone—on a motorcycle. And I really didn't see everything. There are still plenty of places waiting for my visit. Or at least I'd like to think so. Truth is, there are a lot of places I'm waiting to visit. But that's besides the point.

I was in Ethiopia on my motorcycle sometimes in the Spring of 2008. On a desolate stretch of a dusty dirt road between Gondar, Ethiopia and the Sudan border, I ran into to bicyclists from Finland. Though our meeting was short, our time was rich. Sometimes connections are made in seconds, sometimes connections take years to be real. Jukka, then a 30 year old bicyclist with nearly 2 years traveling experience around the world, and I connected. Three years later he finally makes it to the United States and takes me up on my lifelong offer to put him up and share time here in Southern California. In August he and another world-riding Finnish bicyclist planeed to rendezvous in Southern California: here in Encinitas at my cottage by the ocean. Our time was rich again. And we shared stories, photos and great food and conversation. Before these two legends returned to their bicycling journey, I pulled them asisde in my studio for a one-of-a-kind podcast. In this hour-plus long interview I ask the hard questions. And I'm surprised, yet comforted by their answers.

Take the time to listen to Jukka and Lukas discuss traveling, motivation, being away from home and loneliness. I think the insight is inspirational.

iTunes Music Store Check out their websites for further inspiration, too! Jukka: jukkasalminen.com Lukas: safebiking.wordpress.com

01:23:10

#20 Buenos Aires  |  Dakar Motos – Traveler’s Telling Stories

Originally Produced and Published on March 15, 2007

The Ides of March (Caesar Beware)

Motorcycle travelers all over the world meet and swap stories at the legendary adventure traveler hangout Dakar Motos in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Through a series of amazing coincidences Allan connects for the third time during his journey with fellow Californian motorcyclists Adam Pate. Listen to Adam relate his tale to WorldRider, Allan Karl, of getting stuck on the Salar de Uyuni. Sitting at Dakar Motos Allan and Adam relish in the funny outcome that ultimately could’ve prevented days of heartache and painstaking work for Adam Pate and his 2002 KLR 650. 

03.15.07

#19 Breaking Out of Bolivia  |  Welcome to Chile

Originally Produced and Published on December 4, 2006

Finally after enduring a broken leg, badly sprained ankle and ligament strained and twisted knee, WorldRider, Allan Karl, finally takes the road out of Bolivia. From the largest and highest in altitude salt lake in the world, Allan takes a dirt road out of Bolivia. In search of better roads, Allan is quite suprised to learn that in this part of Chile the roads are more challenging yet the vistas and the isolate desolation taxes his riding skills and mental acuity.