From Henry . . .

 

 

My name is Henry Black, married 41 years, a retired C.P.A. living, about 20 minutes north of San Francisco, in Larkspur, California.

 

At the age of 67, am aptly called "Q-Tip"- you'll see when we all meet face-to-face. I missed being the oldest on the 2007 "Silk Road" trip by one year. Any challengers for the age throne these trips (Hanami and World tour)?

 

In addition to being retired, I suffer from MBS (multiple bike syndrome) as I have three of them. One is my Touratech bike (poorly disguised as a BMW R 1200 GS). I have been riding since 1964 and have managed to ride in 25 countries on organized tours and three more countries on disorganized (solo) tours.

 

In Japan, I will be mounted on a KTM 990 Adventure.

 

I am looking forward to this tour not only to travel with new people; but also to sightsee in storied parts of the world that I have as yet to visit.

 

I live with my wife and one of our two daughters, aged 35 and 36 (the daughters) - no grand kids.

 

I am going to get a small foretaste of our trip when I ride to Mexico (Copper Canyon Rim, Baja, etc.) in February.

 

While I don't normally anticipate upcoming events, this trip has me excited.

 

 

Henry

 

About Bard,

 

Bard retired late in 2005, so he and Kathy could go on Globeriders World Tour 2006. For 34 years he was employed at FedEx/Flying Tigers, holding various positions in International Sales and Management.

For 10 years he raced sports cars with the SCCA, TransAm, and IMSA. He followed that with flying airplanes. Bard is now pursuing his quest for Motorcycle Adventure Touring.

 

After spending a considerable amount of time in Asia on business, and gaining much respect for the Asian culture, he now looks forward to these Globeriders Asian Adventures to the roots and backwaters of a culture he previously only saw from the big cities and business environment.

 

For 15 consecutive years he has lead the motorcycle group, Top Cats of Illinois, www.topcats.org , to Sturgis SD. He is expanding his travels and continues his venture into the next chapter of Motorcycle Adventure Touring.

 

 

 

About Kathy,

 

Kathy has spend the majority of her life being a devoted mother and working wife.

She has been a stock broker for Merrill Lynch, Manager for the Limited Stores, and has held numerous customer service
positions.

She agreed to retire in 2006 to join Bard on Globeriders World Tour 2006. Even though her retired husband has become a full time job, she is working once again. She is employed at a Fitness Center in Desert Mountain, Scottsdale Arizona.

 

The three weeks in Japan will be a welcome relief to her daily schedule, and Bard and Kathy both look forward to this exciting adventure thru the Land of Perfection and Grace.

From Mark . . .

 

 

My name is Mark Boyadjian and I live in Northern California with my wife Julie and our two boys David and Michael.

 

I too grew up with a little mini bike and spent a considerable amount of energy avoiding citations. Although I haven't spent as much time riding as some of the other GlobeRiders, I appreciate the different challenges and excitement that both on and off-road riding offer.

 

However, if I had to pick just one, I would probably head off-road. During the summer, I participated in an off-road adventure camp, RawHyde Adventures, geared toward the GS/Adventure crowd and I had an absolute blast. I learned first hand that these bikes can do practically anything off-road that you ask of them, except maybe fly.

 

I am very much looking forward to this trip not only because of the historical significance of the passage but also because of the experience I will gain from the challenge of riding fully loaded on less than perfectly groomed roads.

 

Currently, I have a 2005 BMW GS and a Honda CRF 450 that I enjoy very much too.

 

Finally, I have to say that my wife Julie has been extremely supportive and that I consider myself very fortunate to be able to participate on this adventure.

 

 

Mark

From Debbie . . .

 

 

We are self-employed and our passion is travel. We work hard and love to play.

 

Our "Adventure" riding began when we walked into SSBMW and Brendan showed Harrison an 1150 GS Adventure outfitted for the Silk Road Tour.  Our passion for travel took on an entire new perspective and became a lot more fun.

 

Harrison is riding a 2004 1150GS Adventure.

 

Debbie is riding a 2006 F650GS (vertically challenged).

 

This will be our 3rd Globeriders Tour. We will continue on to Beijing for the World Tour (our 4th!).

 

On a more personal note, we have 4 children, 8 grandchildren and a wonderful management team that enables us to have this exciting and full life.

 

We look forward to meeting everyone and exploring new places on our planet.

 

 

Debbie & Christian

From Harrison . . .

 

 

"What she said . . . ."

From Roger . . .

 

 

Hi,

 

I was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey and still live near there part time. I now spend most of my time between Jupiter, Florida, Steamboat Springs, Colorado and traveling. I have been running my family's business since the early 70's and I am now trying to retire. To get an idea of the business you can look at the website: www.olehansen.com.

 

I started riding motorcycles in my early 20's, riding enduros for about 8 years. I then took about 20 years off from riding until one of my friends got me on his Harley. I ended up buying a few Harleys and taking a lot of tours around the USA. The best tour was traveling with my oldest daughter for a month across the US. She rode a Heritage Softail and I rode an Ultra Classic.

 

In the fall of 2006, I rode with a group called American Flyers and found that riding a BMW was a lot of fun and that I could use it to ride the forest roads in Colorado. I then started looking at what bike to get and came across the website for GlobeRiders.

 

I then signed up for the Silk Road Tour 2007. I had a blast riding across the Silk Road with Mike and Helge and decided that I wanted to see more of the world on a motorcycle, so I singed up for Japan.

 

I wish that I could go on to the World Tour but I have to get back to work and my daughter Jennifer is having another baby. I hope to join Helge and Mike to the Indochina Adventure next year or the World Tour. It is taking a serious toll on my golf and fishing and particularly my business.

 

I have been married to Edwina for 38 years and have two daughters, Erika 34 and Jennifer 36. We also have an 9 year old granddaughter, Mia and a 19 month old grandson, Jaden. I love to ski, hike, play golf, shoot birds, and ride motorcycles.

 

The best trip I have taken in the last few years was a trek in Bhutan with my daughters.

 

 

Roger Hansen

Jupiter, Florida

From Jerry. . .

 

 

[Awaiting bio from Jerry.]

From Bill . . .

 

 

My name is Bill Jenkins. I am 48 years old and I reside in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

 

My wife Therese and I have been married for the past 19 years and we have two great kids, a girl and a boy ages 15 and 12 respectively. My wife and I started our married life together in Anchorage, Alaska where I worked for BP Exploration as a Petroleum Engineer.

 

In 1992 we returned to Ft. Smith where I began work in my dad’s business. In 1998 I purchased my dad’s company and have enjoyed working for myself while carrying on the family business.

 

In May of 2007, my wife wanted me out of the house for at least 53 days and suggested that I go and ride on one of those GlobeRiders' tours. Since crossing Central Asia with Helge, Mike and Jeff, I have a new outlook on life. Those silly things that were important to me before are now just fading memories. Today is not a dress rehearsal for tomorrow and therefore, I would not want to ever get back on the hamster wheel of life.

 

I started riding when I was 12 on a Honda 50 Mini-Trail. I currently have three Beemer’s which include a 02’ RT1150, 05’ K1200S and a 06’ R1200GS/Adv. In the past, I’ve always enjoyed riding solo across the US, but last year was my first GlobeRider’s tour traveling the Silk Road. I had such a wonderful time on that trip and have made life long friends in the process. As such, I look forward to our Japan trip and in meeting a new group of world travelers.

 

When I’m not working or riding, I enjoy practicing Karate with my son 3 times a week.

 

 

Bill

From Sheree . . .

 

 

Hi, I’m Sheree Kamps and I live on South Padre Island, Texas.

I grew up a military brat, so I don’t have a hometown; 20 years on South Padre Island is the longest I have ever lived in any one place.

 

This is my first GlobeRiders tour as a participant, I have been a lucky invitee to a couple of farewell dinners (thanks, Helge & Mike) and have had the opportunity to meet many of you already.

 

I don’t have much history as a rider, I was just a passenger on my husband Bill’s bikes until 2004, when I got my own very Honda Rebel. I put 7,000 miles on that bike in a year and moved on to a 2005 Harley Sportser. I sold that last year after 15,000 miles and just don’t know what I want next. I’ll be enjoying Japan as a passenger

 

I am especially excited about this tour because I graduated from high school in Japan, more years ago than I care to ‘fess up to, and I have never been back.

 

What a perfect way to return, on a motorcycle, with my husband!

 

 

Sheree

 

 

 

From Bill . . .

 

I was 13 years old when somebody let me ride his Vespa in the backyard. I was hooked

 

I’m 60 now and I remember it like it was yesterday. No, like it was this morning. But living in New York City would mean that poor Billy would have to wait until he was 17 years old before he could get a learner’s permit. And on top of that a licensed guardian would have to be on the back

 

My mom was (and still is) a brave lady. Imagine riding on the back of a scooter in N.Y.C. with a beginner up front.

 

As soon as I was 18 I never looked back. Took my first trip south to Florida and Alabama (saw my first and last chain gang complete with striped suits) and most of the south. My only restriction was to call home every night. I made that trip on a 250 cc Yamaha. I sat on one just last year. At 6’1”, my knees felt like they were up to my chin. Kinda like in the movie Dumb and Dumber.

 

I enjoy touring in Mexico and this March I rode my new GSA to the bottom of Copper Canyon. I’ve ridden to Alaska twice and most of the states. I bought an Ultra Classic in 2000 and quickly put 140,000 miles on it. It’s gone now, to make room for the GSA

 

How I found out about the World Tour 2006 was on a trip to Tierra del Fuego. Dave “Wild Man” Wilde had on a T-shirt with all 66 cities of the World Tour listed on the back. Yikes, I thought. I gotta do that. So I did.

 

That experience showed me that GlobeRiders is so far above and beyond the other adventure tour companies that I signed up for the Africa Adventure, which was yet another “trip of a lifetime”, thanks to Mike & Helge.

 

Now I am looking forward to seeing Japan and to meeting and riding with all of you.

 

 

Bill Kamps, South Padre Island, Texas.

From Frank . . .

 

 

I am a 52 year-old mechanical contractor. I came to Seattle in 1979 with Mary right after we married, to do graduate work in geography at the University of Washington. After obtaining my degree, I started working at Key Mechanical in 1981 and have been there ever since. We specialize in commercial air conditioning and refrigeration and do work all along the west coast and Alaska.

 

After having a beautiful experience with GlobeRiders in October of 2007 on their Africa Tour, I cajoled my wonderful wife into letting me do a 17 day “jaunt” to Japan. I expect that the trip will be less adventurous as far as riding surface is concerned, but I feel it will be very rewarding in sights and experiences.

 

The fact that some of the riders on the Africa trip will be on this escapade will make this even more fun, I am looking forward to seeing them again and experiencing the magic they bring . . . .

 

 

Frank

From Tom . . .

 

 

I grew up in Minnesota, but have lived in suburban Chicago for most of the last 38 years.

 

Like Dan Townsley, I started my career at IBM in marketing and evolved into investment banking, where I spent the last 30+ years of my career. I am now semi-retired, which means I work in the office about one day a week, leaving plenty of time to pursue other adventures.

 

My wife Mary and I are blessed with seven wonderful kids…now all adults living in Barrington, Evanston, Chicago, Denver, Steamboat Springs and Portland. So keeping in touch with our kids and six grandchildren takes a lot of our time and energy.

 

I have been riding motorcycles for the past 15 years. I currently have a Harley-Davidson Road Glide, a BMW K1200LT and the bike I will be taking on this trip—a 1200GS Adventure.

 

I have very high expectations for this adventure. I love the logistics of getting me and my gear and bike ready---my wife is somewhat correct when she suggests I get a bigger kick out of planning a trip than actually going on the journey.

 

As for our Japan Tour, I am looking forward to some fun riding, to meeting some interesting fellow-riders and to learning a lot about Japan - its geography, culture and people.

 

I look forward to meeting you all down the road.

 

 

Tom

From Daron . . .

 

 

I am Daron McCaulley, 22 year old daughter of Mac McCaulley. I recently graduated (May 2007) from Drew University in Madison,NJ. Majored in Political Science and German, Minor in European Studies.

 

Currently I am working for a family friend as the Office Manager of a Construction Management firm with most contracts held in the NY/NJ Metropolitan Area. We have recently completed a new High School for Franklin Township and have some Federal GSA contracts, one of which in Cincinnati. Other projects are: an empty Navy Warehouse in Brooklyn; refurbishment may produce a marketplace and maybe a Target, the on site power plant may be converted into a Brooklyn Brewery Plant. Also a high-income housing project in E Harlem with the intention to move in accomplished Harlem natives. However, I myself do not do any of the consulting. My career is still to be decided.

 

My hobbies include doing things that most 22.5 years olds do... However, I do spend some of my money on Cello lessons as well, which I recently took up around Thanksgiving. My interests lie in Travel, but since I have been in the real world that seems pretty much unattainable, so now I spend most of my time thinking about peace, love, and happiness...

 

I have traveled before; Dad took me to Europe for the first time after High School (Switzerland, Rome and Venice, Greece). I have also been to Egypt and Iceland for about 3 weeks each. And more importantly, I studied abroad in Berlin, Germany in Fall 2005 - from there I traveled to Prague twice, London, Brussels, Munich, and Dresden on weekend trips.

 

I have honestly not ridden on a motorcycle more than three times in my life and no more than 25 miles. But Japan is the place I have wanted to go to ever since I heard Germany and Japan had close relations during Japan's introduction to the Western world at the turn of the 20th century. When dad asked where I wanted to go on vacation next I replied "Japan!" and he informed me it would either be never or on the back of a motorcycle. So here I am.

 

 

Daron

 

 

From Mac . . .

 

[text coming]

From Ed . . .

 

 

I learned to ride motorcycles when I was 16 years old courtesy of a neighbor, “Wildman” Walter. The following 36 years were filled with a mix of various Japanese and European motorcycles.

 

I began riding BMWs in 1978 with the purchase of an R100S that replaced a stolen Kawasaki Z1. That bike hooked me on BMWs and I have been riding them ever since.

 

I currently own a 1993 R100 GS/PD that I purchased new and immediately took to Sasebo, Japan for four years. It proved to be a great choice for my wife, Kathy, and I to explore the back roads and farms all around us.

 

My latest BMW is a 2007 R1200 GS Adventure that my good friend, Wayne “The Rev” Elston, of South Sound BMW sold me.

Wayne very casually mentioned I should check out a group called “GlobeRiders” if I wanted to see what the bike and (hopefully I) was capable of. The rest is history.....I signed up for both the Japan Hanami and World Tours 2008.

 

 

Ed

From David . . .

 

 

Hi GlobeRiders,

 

My name is David Ow. I am 62 years old, have 2 daughters and a son, along with 6 grandchildren. Judy and I have been married for 45 years.

 

I live and work in Santa Cruz, CA. I am semi-retired from our family business of commercial property owners and development.

 

I have been riding for 45 years and enjoy dirt, dual-sport and touring. This will be my fourth Globeriders tour. I have also toured in Mexico, Baja, Thailand, and Italy. I will be on a BMW R1150GS . After the tour I am extending my stay in Japan for 6 days and travelling by train.

 

Looking forward to meeting all of you in Japan.

 

 

David

From Aillene . . .

 

 

“Hajimemashite, Aillene desu”, (“Pleased to meet you, (I am) Aillene”), from Kenmore, Washington.

 

I am very fortunate to have a rewarding career as a Registered Nurse at Harborview Medical Center in the Neurosciences Department.

 

In my entire life, I never had any experience in riding a motorcycle until I met my husband. Since then, I have been a happy pillion passenger for over 10 years now. It was a scary experience in the beginning, but I have come to love it, as it is an extraordinary way to enjoy nature and scenery. You just don’t see the beauty, you can feel and smell it as well, up-close and personal. Riding with Mike is another fortune in my life, as I am able to also enjoy the “retirement activity” that my husband is most passionate of. I’ve seen so many places I never dreamed I’d ever visit.

 

I remember the very first day my husband took me for a “test” ride 10 years ago, I was worried about the ride, my first. Bear in mind, I am from the Philippines, where small motorcycles are used for daily transportation, not for pleasure. Riding with Mike, I was amazed at how many motorcycle friends he had, for as we road along, he was flashing the peace sign to many riders, and they all waved back!

 

My fear disappeared quickly as I was soon occupied trying to understand how was he able to tell if the person on the other motorcycle was his friend, or not??? I was thinking to myself, ”maybe he remembered the plate number???” . “Gosh, he must have a REALLY good memory!”

 

The first thing I asked him after I hopped off the bike was how was he able to know it was a friend he was waving to. When he explained that most motorcyclists naturally waved to one another as a sign of universal “community”, I was amazed, and immediately began to look at the whole “biker” in a different light.

 

That funny experience was very helpful for me, as my fear did not last. The next time we rode, I was giving the peace sign right and left, he-he-he. And over the years , we have made great friends from riding, as we cross paths with others throughout our travels..

 

I am looking forward to meeting all of you and to share this amazing experience.

 

 

Yoroshiku (Best Regards),

 

Aillene

 

 

From Mike . . .

 

 

Three years in the military, parts and accessories at a Honda dealership, bartender, six-hour motorcycle endurance racer, product assembler, field service repair, medical equipment and electronics design and engineering, general products design and engineering, a decade in design and management at Microsoft, retirement - that pretty much sums up my life as a gainfully employed member of society.

 

Woven through all of that, family, friends, a love of sailing, reading, cooking, music, movies, the outdoors, off-roading, enduro, motorbikes, sidecars, travel, cultures, and a passion for all things adventure touring.

 

I first met Helge, as a client, back in 2002. At that time, GlobeRiders was conducting one tour, and only every other year.  Recently, we just shipped three containers of client motorcycles in a six-day period, and will conduct three global tours this year alone.

 

I enjoy riding solo, with my wife, a small group of close friends, and as a guide for GlobeRiders.  I've seen and experienced so much, and have made so many incredible friends along the way.  I hope the journey never ends....

 

Japan will be amazing!

 

 

Warmest Regards,

MikeP

 

 

[To learn more about Mike, you can view his GlobeRiders bio by clicking here.]

From Ann & Jeff. . .

 

 

Greetings from Jeff and Ann in wet Oregon.

 

It is always good to be going on another GlobeRiders Adventure.

 

When we are not on the road, we plan for our next trip between caring for our four-legged patients. We have a small Mom and Pop veterinary clinic in Tualatin, OR, and own two strip malls.

 

We are fortunate to have the time, health and a little bit of money to be motorcycle bums three to four months a year.

 

Since we began touring the world in 1999, we have had the opportunity to see a fair amount of the world from the seat of a motorcycle.  We have a reputation of doing the first-run trips with touring companies and find that they are most interesting.

 

We feel very blessed to have been able to complete the first and fourth world tours with Helge.  Early on in our motorcycling career we wanted to meet the Pope's goal of 130 countries.

 

Don't think we will do that, but it gives us a goal to work toward.

 

Not sure exactly who all is going on this trip, but it will be fun to spend some more time with David Ow, Henry Black, Bill and Sheree Kamps, Bard and Kathy Boand, and Mike Paull.

 

We are looking forward to meeting the rest of you and hopefully riding with you on future trips.

 

Remember, Look Right, Turn Left.

 

 

Ann and Jeff

From Stuart . . .

 

 

Stuart D Robertson

 

New Zealander. Age 64.

 

I reckon I am in pretty good health considering a lifetime of near escapes. I have tried many things, but spent most of my business life as a CPA, advising small business and latterly more involved in the Insolvency side of commerce, both individuals and companies, and Trust management.

 

I have had a great life but it took me all of it to discover that the human race is not a kind considerate mix of caring people. In fact we have advanced little in the many centuries we have inhabited the earth, and man first coveted his neighbours ass.

That is why the travel I have been lucky enough to have experienced has been such a revelation to me. The places I have been and seen are truly the greatest wonders of this world.

 

It is man's inhumanity to man that never ceases to disappoint me. The human race is exploitative. I thought it was my commercial background that had coloured my perspective, but I find it throughout the world. The weak being exploited by the strong. Being there and seeing life first hand, close up, gives a fantastic appreciation of our history and our present.

 

So travel makes me wonder are the poorest peoples possibly the “richest”? Maybe not, but they may be the happiest. Not that I want to be one. I find happiness being able to see the richness and diversity of this amazing earth we inhabit. And nothing I have done manages it like being on a motorbike.

 

But having said that I am first a traveller and second a biker.

 

The past and the present will always be interesting, viewed from a motorcycle. While petrol becomes more expensive, travel more difficult, more people wanting what there is less of, and leaner times wherever home is, I say keep it up GlobeRiders!

 

So I stopped being accountable a couple of years ago and took to the road. South America, (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru), then North America, a circuit of the US and in and out of Canada, then Central America, (Texas to Panama), and a short visit to Cuba. Then it was Europe; Germany to Turkey via Austria, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, then the UK via Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland. Southern Africa followed in late 2007. All fantastic adventures which is why I continue to ride.

 

I plan to return down under on a F650 from the UK via Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, which are not yet on the GlobeRiders list of adventure rides.

 

Well that’s the plan anyway, but first I have to make it to Germany.

 

 

Stuart

From Dan . . .

 

 

As the newest GlobeRider Partner I don't bring a lot of past GlobeRider Tour knowledge to the group, but I have been riding motorcycles for over forty years and have covered much of the Americas and Europe.

 

I am 58 years old and I've spent the last twenty-seven years of my professional life working for the IBM Corporation as an Engineer and as a Technology Consultant and Technical Sales professional.

 

I retired last year with the intent of spending lots of time riding my bikes.

 

I think I'm going to get my wish <g>.

 

Over the past fifteen years I have been very interested in GPS devices and software. I have been asked by Helge and Mike to carry the "GPS Geek" mantle for our team, so if you have questions, I'm your man.

 

I like to work on my own bikes and just finished outfitting my BMW HP2 for Adventure and Off-road touring.   No, I'm not bringing it on this tour, I have a trusted 2004 R1150GS Adventure that I think is the best bike for this tour since I'm also supporting the World Tour 2008 with Mike.  I'll be leaving the GS in Germany as a staging point for the Silk Road Adventure 2009.

 

Aside from looking forward to the travel, I have a great interest in food and photography: not necessarily in that order - but sometimes.  Meeting other riders that enjoy the adventure of the long-haul ride and helping to make the accompanying experiences memorable is the icing on the cake for me.

 

As my wife says, "You're in biker heaven!" and she's right!

 

Dan

 

 

[To see what Dan actually looks like, and learn a bit more about his, you can view his GlobeRiders Bio by clicking here.]

About Fred . . .

 

 

My adventure on wheels began at the age of ten. Having moved on from mopeds and go-karts, I later began building and racing drag cars as a teen.

 

Since money was no problem at that point, I switched to the more economical sport of motor-cross racing. My interest in motor-cross, and the need to keep my own bike in good condition, evolved into building my own custom bikes and a love of on-road motorcycle riding.

 

My customized Harley, built back in the early 1970's was a labor of love. It now resides in my home on display. In addition to the BMW I will be riding for this trip, most of my riding time over the past 30 years has been on Harleys and my customized Wild West Chopper.

 

My business, which is now 30 years old, is excavating and designing job-specific soils. I am currently married and have two grown daughters.

 

After having such an unforgettable adventure in Africa I am looking forward to Japan.

 

 

Fred