Welcome to the Bike's & Bio's Page of the GlobeRiders Himalaya Adventure 2018 Live!Journal!

This is the "up close" and personal Chapter of the Himalaya Adventure 2018 Live!Journal.  I've asked each of our riders to share a little about themselves, and also provide a couple of favorite photos to go along with their Bio's. You may not be with them in the flesh, but at least you can learn a bit more about them virtually.

This is going to be a fascinating adventure. Not only do our participants get to experience the wonders of the Himalayan Countries on their own bike's, but they also get to meet local people off the beaten track, taste the cuisine and immerse themselves in the amazing history of this mystical part of the world.

It's my privilege to introduce the members of the GlobeRiders Himalaya Adventure 2018.

Best Regards,

Helge Pedersen

I grew up in Seattle and currently live in Tacoma, Washington, where I buy houses at foreclosure auctions and sell and rent them out. On this, my second GlobeRiders Adventure, I am riding a brand new BMW R1200GSA 2018.

I am an apartment manager living in Los Angeles.  I grew up in Germany, lived in Vancouver, B.C. for 10 years and then moved to California over 30 years ago.

I enjoy the outdoors, traveling, and being with family and friends.  I like being on the bike on a road I’ve never been on, seeing new landscapes, meeting new people, and learning about their lives, culture and history.  I’ve ridden from Alaska to the tip of Argentina, mostly solo; done a fair amount of dirt biking in Baja, the Mojave and around Mammoth Lakes with friends and my kids; and ridden in the Alps.  I just turned 61, and so as I enter my twilight years I very much appreciate a set-up where Helge does the work (route planning, hotels, visas, shipping etc.) and all I need to do is enjoy the ride.

My name is Joe Harosky and I am a Real Estate Agent in Oahu, Hawaii.  I started riding motorcycles at the age of six on the best tyke bike, a 1970's Honda 50cc.  Over the years, my interest in motorcycles developed into a life-long passion and I ride all types of motorcycles.  Although I am fond of all motorcycles, I have become extremely partial to the BMW R 1200 GSA due to the motorcycles' capabilities, ergonomics and size.

Due to the warm sunny weather in Hawaii, I am fortunate to be a daily motorcycle commuter and have incorporated my passion for riding into my real estate endeavors.  I even show real estate properties while riding my BMW R 1200 GS with the client’s car in tow.  

Due to the limited riding distances in Hawaii, I have to escape to the mainland for extended motorcycle journeys.  I set a goal to ride six of the seven continents in a staged approach prior to the age of 50.  GlobeRiders Himalayas journey will be the third continent of my best-laid plans.

I'm fortunate to have rode with GlobeRiders during the 2017 Africa Tour and I look forward to returning to ride with great friends on the Himalayas tour.  Time to Get It On!

I’m 76 years old and a retired container ship captain.  I went to sea for 44 years and loved every minute of it.  But that may explain why I am divorced.  I have 3 kids and 3 grandkids.  I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and have lived in Sausalito, Squaw Valley, Mendocino, and for the last 40 years in Santa Barbara/Goleta.

I’ve been ridding off and on for over 50 years, mostly off.  I started off with a Churchman scooter, then a couple of Honda Scramblers.   After graduating from the California Maritime Academy my riding days were over except for a trip down to Cabo San Lucas in 1969..  When my sons were old enough to ride I bought a couple of dirt bikes and we rode together for a few years until they discovered girls and our riding days were over.

I got into adventure riding around 14 years ago.  I’ve done a number of cross country rides (usually to visit my brother in Virginia) plus Prudhoe Bay, Guatemala, Ecuador, the Alps, and all over Mexico a few times.

I was also fortunate enough to ride with Helge and a great group of riders in Africa in 2013 and then the Silk Road in 2015.

This is going to be another incredible adventure.  I’m really looking forward to riding the length of Africa.  I’ll be riding a 2013 F800GSA which has been a very dependable bike on my previous trips.

I will be riding a 2013 BMW R1200GS, that used to be Helge’s bike, love this bike and look very much forward to the Adventure on the boxer.

Hi all. I’m a recently retired patent attorney, 74 yo, and an avid motorcycle enthusiast since the age of 15 with a home brew 1948 Whizzer made from junk yard parts!  I currently own a modest stable of BMW and Ducati motorcycles which actually get ridden now that the last of my nine children and stepchildren is out of the house.  I’m leaving behind my beautiful wife, Mary Carolyn for this adventure, who wisely never rides pillion on my motorcycles, to care for our German Shepherd and parrot, and as backup for all those kids.

Recent motorcycle trips have been in Peru, Cuba and Canada, and via conventional tour bus, Iran.  I have lusted after a GlobeRiders adventure ride for some time, having seen Helge’s videos. When I learned of the Himalayan Adventure, and with the kids out, I could not resist.

My main riders at home are a 2014 BMW R1200GS and 2018 R1200R. For this trip I will be using my 2011 f650GS, low suspension, to accommodate my short stature and my ability to pick it up back to vertical myself.

Really looking forward to this adventure, and to making some great new friends.

I was made in Norway, left to see the world on a BMW motorcycle and now live outside Seattle, USA. It has been an incredible journey and I have been very fortunate to have the lifestyle that I have had since the day I left Norway in 1982.

After 10 years of riding the world I settled in Seattle where GlobeRiders were created. We have done long distance tours all over the world since the year 2000. From the early start, I have decided not to make GlobeRiders a large company, but rather a small business that have the time and energy to get to know every one of our riders that travel with us.

I love the full process of building a team from start to the end. It is a long process, but worth it in the end when we all return home from our ride with memories for life.

Besides motorcycle touring, photography is a big part of my life and what a great combination it has been, riding the world and taking photographs. Yes, I have an addiction and that is that I carry way too much camera equipment with me on my bike.

Looking forward to ride with this group from the high mountains of the Himalayas to the lakes of Myanmar.

My biggest burden being the leader of this pack is to make sure that everyone is safe and have a wonderful ride, I will do my very best.

Ride Far – Ride Safe!

Helge Pedersen