A British couple on a round-the-world motorcycle journey has been detained in Iran and charged with espionage. Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who set off from London last October on a quest to explore different cultures and document global perspectives, were arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps while crossing central Iran in early January.  Zero […] The post Couple Riding The World Detained & Charged With Espionage In Iran appeared first on ADV Pulse. https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/couple-riding-the-world-detained-charged-with-espionage-in-iran/

Published in: NewsKLIM, the Idaho-based global leader in technical motorcycle protective equipment, is announcing the release of an all-new adventure helmet – the X1 Alpha. KLIM recognized the distinct need for a two-pronged approach to helmet safety: minimizing fatigue to proactively reduce crash likelihood, combined with cutting-edge impact safety technology to protect the rider in the event of an accident. The new X1 Alpha has been engineered from the ground up in KLIM’s Rigby, Idaho, headquarters over a five year period of development and investment into in-house prototyping and testing capabilities. Contributing factors to rider fatigue include noise-induced fatigue, eye fatigue compounded by optical irregularities, heat-induced fatigue due to inefficient temperature management, and physical fatigue caused by weight and poor aerodynamics. KLIM addressed all categories of fatigue sources in the development of the new X1 Alpha. As ride duration increases, fatigue begins increasing near-exponentially – highlighting the importance of design functionality and fatigue mitigation. Long days in the saddle are standard fare in the adventure world, something KLIM is keenly aware of. • Impact Protection: Koroyd + EPS Construction Helping prevent an accident and ultimately helping protect during an accident are the two top priorities of KLIM head protection technology. Reducing risk of head injury during an accident means absorbing impact energy as efficiently as possible. Underneath the X1 Alpha hand-laid carbon fiber shell lies a complex arrangement of Koroyd impact absorbing material and EPS. Koroyd is a dual-walled welded material made up of straw-like structures, or cores, welded together. The cores crush homogeneously when impacted, without the rebound condition found when using EPS alone. Using a combination of these materials, KLIM is able to optimize energy absorption for both large and small impact forces, while also creating a superior ventilation system for heat management. X1 Alpha will come with three carbon fiber shell sizes and five EPS thicknesses for perfectly optimized fit across the size range. Ear pocket cutouts are designed to fit all major helmet communication systems, making these helmets virtually universally compatible with any comm system. • Carbon Fiber Shell The X1 Alpha begins with a hand-laid 3K pre-preg carbon fiber shell. The particular molding process KLIM uses allows the helmet shells to follow intricate design lines without excess resin buildup, without bubbles, and without inconsistencies in shell and resin thickness. The result is a fully optimized strength-to-weight ratio, where neither weight nor protection capacities are compromised. The cherry on top: the raw carbon colorway showcases beautifully symmetrical carbon weaves across the entire shell. Not only does the X1 Alpha come in three shell sizes, but KLIM optimized their most popular size – large – to have its own specific shell size. This means the most common helmet size is perfectly scaled with the optimal comfort liner thickness, Koroyd + EPS thickness and shell dimensions. The helmet features an infinity edge section at the bottom of both sides, where the carbon fiber shell is elegantly displayed. Here the rider can install virtually any communication system they already own, meaning they aren’t limited to a particular brand of comm system with the X1 Alpha. An added bonus is the infinity edge negates the need for additional trim materials, saving bulk and weight. • Wind-Tunnel Optimized Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics Almost five years ago, KLIM designed and built an in-house wind tunnel to gather data on drag, lift and noise for motorcycle helmets. This was part of the extensive ground-up development process for the X1 Alpha. However, not all wind tunnel testing is the same, and there is no standard for a specified airspeed at which to test for sound and drag – this means any helmet manufacturer can test at the airspeed of their choosing. KLIM knows that motorcyclists don’t ride slowly, particularly in long distance travel situations. This is why they run their wind tunnel testing at 75mph (120.7km/h), a speed at which the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic conditions are far more extreme than in an average wind tunnel test, and better representative of in-field riding situations. On the X1 Alpha, everything including the peak visor is optimized for aerodynamic efficiency, even down to the peak visor cutout to push air into the forehead vents. The result of this extensive wind tunnel testing is lower wind noise, which improves alertness and reduces fatigue, as well as reduced drag, which reduces fatigue on the neck and head. • Ventilation and Heat Management Heat is a major contributor to rider fatigue, particularly heat around the head and brain – despite this fact, it is one of the least-talked-about elements of motorcycle helmet design and functionality. The new KLIM X1 Alpha combats heat buildup at every design level. Shell + Koroyd + EPS construction: KLIM engineered the Koroyd high-efficiency impact absorption material, which provides massive airflow through straw-like structures, in between an inner and outer layer of EPS. The outer layer of EPS acts as an insulator between the helmet shell (which gets hot in the sun) and the interior of the helmet. Infrared shielding: KLIM’s tinted and photochromic face shields for the X1 Alpha are all standard with Infrared shielding, to block heat from sunlight entering the front of the helmet in daytime conditions. Ventilation: four adjustable front-facing vents channel air into the helmet. The lower chin vent channels fresh air to the rider's face, while the upper chin vent pushes air onto the face shield, similar to an automotive windshield defogger. Forehead vents force air through direct vent channels into the Koroyd + EPS construction to move fresh air through the upper portions of the helmet. All vents feature activation nodes to help gloved hands intuitively find and operate the vents.  Koroyd + EPS channeling: KLIM engineered direct-vent channels through the inner EPS layer, which provide escape paths for heat to exit the helmet both at speed and while sitting still. Heat from the rider's head passes through large cutouts in the comfort liner and EPS, flows through the Koroyd welded tubes, and out through the large exhaust vents. Aerodynamic wake optimized exhaust vents take advantage of the low pressure area behind a helmet in motion to help pull air out of the helmet. Reducing heat buildup is a key way for KLIM to help riders stay more alert and aware during long and demanding rides. • Ride Mode Versatility: X1 Alpha With the intuitive tool-free peak visor and face shield removal, the X1 Alpha is the most functional and versatile adventure + dual-sport helmet on the market. Using zero tools, riders can wear the X1 Alpha in four ride modes: ADV, Dual-Sport, Off-Road and Street. ADV: Using the peak visor and face shield installed. Dual-Sport: Flip the face shield up, add some goggles, and be ready for anything. Off-Road: Remove the face shield entirely, add some goggles, enjoy sealing out the dust. Street: Remove the peak visor, keep the face shield, install the top and side covers, keep everything streamlined and perfectly aerodynamic. • Optics One of the major hidden fatigue contributors is eye fatigue, whether from excessive environmental brightness, lack of FOV, optical distortion or lack of clarity – or everything at once. KLIM took aim at every problem and solved them all in the new X1 Alpha helmet. KLIM’s Super HD face shield technology mitigates light refraction that can occur when looking through a curved lens. This makes the image appear blurry, forcing the eyes to over-correct. KLIM Super HD lens technology reduces light refraction as much as possible, to keep you riding sharper, longer. Optical distortion contributes to eye fatigue, forcing your eyes to continually “correct” to focus on the outside environment. Nearly imperceptible in the moment, over a day's ride it strains the eyes and amplifies the information the brain needs to process, causing excess fatigue. Multi-thickness face shields on the X1 Alpha are designed to reduce distortion across the shape of the face shield, so that from the point of view within the helmet, the environment is undisrupted. Optical Class 1 Clarity is another measure of eyewear clarity, and represents the best level of clarity possible. KLIM worked with Pinlock® to achieve not only a phenomenal FOV for excellent environmental awareness, but also to maintain the coveted Class 1 Clarity standard with the Pinlock® 120XLT anti-fog lens installed. On the fog prevention front, KLIM also engineered the face shield to sit in the “cracked position” where a small gap is maintained at the bottom of the face shield for additional airflow. A direct-vent defogging diffuser also pushes fresh air up into the face shield when riding to maintain fog-free vision. Combating the rays of the sun, KLIM took a three-pronged approach. First, UV400 protection blocks harmful wavelengths of sunlight. Second, a KLIM Photochromic lens is included to provide versatility in changing light conditions. Third, and most revolutionary, is KLIM Infrared (IR) Heat Shielding built into all tinted and photochromic face shields. This protective IR shielding almost entirely blocks heat from the sun, finally giving riders a break from the “greenhouse” effect of sitting in the sun with excessive heat building up behind their face shield. The new X1 Alpha optics packages contain state of the art face shield technologies to keep you riding sharper, longer and safer. • Tool-Free Functionality KLIM spent an extraordinary amount of time engineering and perfecting a tool-free X1 Alpha peak visor adjustment and removal system, and a truly tool-free face shield removal system that also self-calibrates the face shield closure position. The tool-free face shield is intuitive to remove, requiring zero additional parts or tools to get lost in the field or jammed by dust. The face shield hinges are self-calibrating, which allows for perfect alignment against the EPDM automotive-grade gasketing. This particular gasket material was chosen for its soft closure damping properties and ability to damp sound and vibration. The tool-free X1 Alpha peak visor can easily be adjusted on the fly, one-handed, by simply pushing a spring-loaded locking button and moving the face shield through three pre-set lockout positions. Removal of the peak visor is also tool-free, and does not require the face shield to be removed or affected in any way, meaning riders can remove the peak visor in literally seconds, if they need to stow it away for long road rides or for heavy crosswinds where sideways drag can be an issue. • Rider Comfort KLIM engineered the X1 Alpha to be as user-friendly and comfortable as possible. Fit is an intermediate oval, with the fit silhouette modeled after the wildly popular Krios Pro, but with even more shells and Koroyd + EPS configurations. Further, interchangeable cheek pads across all sizes allow riders to fine-tune the fit exactly as they need. The chin skirt, which reduces excess turbulent airflow and buffeting, is designed with a unique elastic gusset to make removing and putting on the helmets far more comfortable. Inside, the cheek pads and crown liner are made with a Brrrº Triple Chill Effect antibacterial cooling fabric. This wicks moisture, helps keep the rider cool, and reduces buildup of smell over time. X1 Alpha helmets are trimmed out with premium perforated goal leather suede, spacer mesh for breathability, and reflective material for added visibility in low light. A multitude of face shield options are available for purchase. The X1 Alpha will be available in early March in initial limited quantities. Visit www.KLIM.com or contact your local KLIM dealer to inquire about the X1 Alpha helmet.     About KLIM KLIM Technical Riding Gear is a global leader in designing, developing, sourcing and distributing the most advanced powersports apparel for snowmobile, motorcycle and off-road riding. Utilizing the world’s most premium technologies in waterproof, breathable, durable and comfortable materials, KLIM offers gear for the most demanding riders. Driven by the continual feedback and input from dedicated test pilots and passionate customers, KLIM strives to do one thing above all – enhance the riding experience. For more information, visit KLIM.com. Read more ... http://adventuremotorcycle.com/news/klim-x1-alpha-helment-release

Last fall, the @ridebdr crew was joined by Pan America team member @justinkleiter for an epic 1,300-mile journey on the all-new South East BDR. Beginning at the Gulf Coast, the route travels across the Florida Panhandle and into the Appalachian Mountains of Alabama, North Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, ultimately finishing in Damascus, Virginia. Designed to showcase some of the best backcountry riding in the South East, the SEBDR offers a mix of challenging terrain, stunning landscapes, and rich regional history. Riders can experience the route for themselves when the SEBDR officially launches on March 1st. Visit RideBDR.com/SEBDR to learn more and find a screening of the new expedition documentary at a Harley-Davidson dealer near you! 📷 @elywoody #HarleyDavidson #PanAmerica #RideBDR https://www.instagram.com/p/DGdwp9ZR_mJ

Don't Fall Into the Motorcycle Companies Trap!

Can you take two weeks off work? Do you have an adventure bike? Then you have everything you need to embark on an epic adventure in Iceland. That’s exactly what adventure biker Paul McPherson did, and what a trip he had, riding across vast lava fields, tackling remote river crossings, and exploring rugged mountain roads, as well as finding time to ride the iconic Ring Road. The journey took 10 days and Paul covered 2,200 miles on his KTM 890 Adventure R. Time was tight but he managed to squeeze the adventure of a lifetime into a fortnight’s annual leave. Find out how you can do the same inside the latest issue of ABR magazine today. Get your copy today with free UK postage by clicking the link in our bio. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGdrY3cigLl

The ORBDR to IDBDR/NVBDR connector is 346 miles E to W. It connects the ORBDR at Denio Jct, NV to the start and end of the Idaho and Nevada BDRs at Jarbidge, NV. It is one of the longest and most remote connectors so be prepared! Leave Denio Jct with a full tank of fuel, food, and water. Pavement becomes gravel then two track as you climb into the Disaster Peak Wilderness area where you catch some fantastic views of surrounding hills in all directions! The roads skirts edges of non-motorized wilderness so stay on the road at all times and leave gates as you find them. Entering McDermitt, NV you’ll find rudimentary food, fuel, and lodging here. The next leg of this connector is 183 miles (140 mile optional) through some of the deepest and most remote desert sections I’ve ever explored on a BDR! Leaving McDermitt, turn off hwy 95 as pavement turns to gravel and you head towards the Buckskin Mts and Windy Gap. The narrow, winding gravel road is probably the most scenic section of the entire connector! Try not to get distracted with fantastic views along this road! Paradise Valley has a historic Saloon and the best burger you’ll ever have! You can divert south for fuel in Paradise Hill if needed. Chimney Res. has camping or take a dip to cool off. After that, the track becomes much more remote and rugged with some sandy sections, some moderately rocky climbs, and a narrow river crossing that looks intimidating at first but it wasn’t too deep. Duck Valley store is your oasis in the desert after that last section. Leaving Duck Valley on hwy 225, head into the Independence Mts for more remote and scenic gravel roads that feel like a roller coaster ride as you go up, down, and seemingly endless turns! There is an opt harder track that takes you up 7600 ft for a great 360 deg view then back down a steep two track. Be ready for some mud at the bottom. Following a rugged canyon road along the Bruneau Riv as you get closer to the town of Jarbidge, you’ll enter a slot canyon that follows the Jarbidge Riv soaking up the wild west vibes as you imagine stagecoaches passing along this same road 150 years ago. Congratulations, you’ve made it to Jarbidge! #ridebdr https://www.instagram.com/p/DGbW21QSIYy

A hidden gem on the #NorCalBDR! On Section four of the California BDR - North, Take a journey back in time as you ride part of the original Pony Express Trail just outside of Kyburz. Ice House Road comes next, with paved banked turns as the route travels around the Desolation Wilderness west of Lake Tahoe. The original road to the Sacramento Valley leads past Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a homestead from the 1840’s that once welcomed pioneers, and is now a watering hole and campground. For more information visit RideBDR.com/NorCal 🎬: Reel Edit by @michaelbielecki #RideBDR #RideRight #RideRespectfully https://www.instagram.com/p/DGZ3hbxOyHd

Over on Facebook, we've been collecting #RideBDR camping photos from the community... Who else is pumped for warmer weather and nights in the backcountry! 🏔️🏍️🏕️🏞️ 📸: Instagram cropped many of the photos, so be sure to check out the originals (and many more) on Facebook! #RideBDR #RideRight #RideRespectfully https://www.instagram.com/p/DGW2Yh4PAOF

Fear is a natural part of adventure motorcycling, but how we handle it can make all the difference. In this episode of RAW, the panel digs into the fears many riders face—riding solo, tackling tough terrain, getting lost, dealing with mechanical issues and more—and how to manage them. We’ll talk abo https://adventureriderradio.com/arr-raw-posts/2025/2/21/109-overcoming-fear-and-self-doubt-in-motorcycle-travel

Honda’s flagship tourer, the ‘king of kings’, the Gold Wing is celebrating its 50th year in production in 2025. The Gold Wing is more than just an incredibly capable touring bike, it’s a feat of engineering and a design icon that has received numerous accolades over the years. And it’s no secret that we’re big fans of the Gold Wing. In recognition of the anniversary, Honda is releasing special editions of the Gold Wing with heritage liveries and some minor tweaks. With emissions restrictions stricter than ever, Honda has tweaked the bike’s ECU settings and added an additional O2 sensor for this year to help it pass Euro 5+ laws. And, to celebrate the 50th anniversary, Honda is releasing special editions of the Gold Wing, including one with a vintage Eternal Gold and Mahogany Brown livery that looks straight out of the ’80s. Plus, these special editions will come with unique ’50 Years’ badges on the key and the TFT display, and in a nod to the engine’s capacity, the first 1,833 Gold Wings sold across Europe will come with a mini replica model. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGV972ci31G

There is a reason why people have said the ABR Festival is “ like Glastonbury with motorbikes and posh toilets”. It's great being compared to one of the biggest and most famous festivals in the world, but when it comes to facilities, ABR is on a completely different level. In 2024, we spent over £110,000 on showers, toilets, cleaning staff and engineers. That's more per head than any other UK festival. All toilets and showers are serviced around the clock by a hard-working team committed to making the ABR Festival experience as fantastic as possible. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGV0-yJJs8T

In 2008, Doug Oosterhouse’s annual motorcycle camping trip took a brutal turn on the Haywire Grade Trail in Michigan when deep sand and a hidden hole caused his fully loaded KLR 650 to crash. With no cell service and a serious injury that left his foot pointing the wrong way, getting help was no eas https://adventureriderradio.com/adventure-rider-radio-episodes/2025/2/20/deep-trouble-stranded-and-broken-a-ride-gone-wrong-on-the-haywire-grade-trail

While owning several brands comes with the advantage of sharing technologies across models, it also means that when something goes wrong the issue can cross over between them. That is what Pierer is experiencing in the latest recall filed by KTM North America, which involves certain 2022-2024 Husqvarna FE 350s, FE 501s, and 2024-2025 GASGAS […] The post KTM Recalls Certain Husqvarna and GasGas Dual Sport Models appeared first on ADV Pulse. https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/ktm-recalls-certain-husqvarna-and-gasgas-dual-sport-models/

There's nothing better than tackling rugged mountain passes, especially under the sunny skies of Greece. Can't wait to get back out there this year. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGTX0WciuTK

Hey Denver Riders! Paul Guillien, CEO of Touratech-USA and CruzTOOLS, and co-founder of Backcountry Discovery Routes (@ridebdr) is part of the REV'IT Denver Speaker Series! Join him at the store on Thursday, February 27th at 6:00pm as he presents: BDR's, Bushwacking and Bad Ideas: Lessons from the Middle of Nowhere. Come and hear firsthand about the challenges, triumphs, and insights gained from exploring some of the most remote backcountry routes in the USA. Click @revit_denver to RSVP and don’t miss out on this chance to learn from an industry leader and BDR veteran! REV'IT! Denver is located at 2800 Walnut St. Suite 120. #touratech #touratechusa #madeforadventure #revitdenver #revit #ridebdr https://www.instagram.com/p/DGTQsLAPJZv

We’re happy to announce Candida Louis is returning to the ABR Festival. One day, Candida decided that the traditional 9-to-5 office life wasn't for her. So, she swung a leg over her Bajaj Dominar 400 and embarked on an exhilarating 8-month journey covering 20,000 miles from India to Australia. During her talk, she will be sharing stories from this adventure along with countless others. If you have any questions for Candida, put them in the comments below, and they might be answered during her talk. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGTI-Z2IwXf

The UK's most adventurous roads revealed. Do you want to kick off riding season with an epic adventure? Then look no further, because inside the Jan/Feb issue of Adventure Bike Rider magazine, you’ll find a selection of the most exhilarating, steepest, remotest, and darn-right spectacular roads from across Britain. The route includes mountain passes, ancient Roman roads and big bike-friendly gravel trail, stunning coastal roads, and even the UK’s twistiest stretch of tarmac. Along with a description of each adventurous road, we’ve included a longer, one-or-two-day route from the ABR archive that includes them. To ride them, all you need to do is order your copy of Adventure Bike Rider magazine today for just £6.99 with free UK postage by hitting the link in our bio. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGQ0jlkK438

I am so excited about the release of the new South East BDR route! We are going to kick it off with the SEBDR film premiere, followed by a route release party on March 1st in Roswell, Georgia! There are still a few tickets left, I hope to see you there! -JS March 1st - Join Team BDR for the SEBDR Route Release Party in Roswell, Georgia! 🎟️ Tickets at RideBDR.com/SEBDR Bring your friends and/or family, and make a day of it. The Aurora Cineplex offers outdoor mini-golf on-site, and BDR guests can enjoy discounted $10/person admission to the Computer Museum of America exhibits — perfect for a mix of fun and learning before the film screening. Plus, the Cineplex concessions stand has you covered with wine, beer, popcorn, and snacks. After the film, head next door to the Computer Museum of America for the SEBDR Route Release Party. Meet the BDR team and film crew, enjoy hosted hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, and mingle with your fellow adventure riders. Participate in the Q&A session to learn more about the route and its development, and browse special SEBDR photography prints and exclusive BDR merchandise — all supporting the mission of BDR. 🎟️ Tickets are selling fast. Link in @RideBDR’s bio for more info! The South East BDR is presented by: @hdpanamerica @edelweissbiketravel @triumphamerica 📸:@elywoody #RideBDR #RideRight #RideRespectfully https://www.instagram.com/p/DGQnovFx_xq

Tub Run Road! #MABDR A highlight of the MABDR, is a slim and slightly technical dirt and gravel road with countless twists and turns. Red Brush Road is drier and brighter than Tub Run, but marked by ruts that require undivided attention. And just like that, you’re smack dab in the middle of the George Washington National Forest, which, combined with Jefferson National Forest, means you’re about to savor the largest swath of public land in the Eastern U.S. 🎬: Reel edit by @michaelbielecki #RideBDR #RideRight #RideRespectfully https://www.instagram.com/p/DGPjS1kxKfF

Three months after dropping the news of a next-gen DR-Z4S for 2025 to replace the aging DR-Z400S, Suzuki USA has announced they have opened pre-orders for the much-anticipated machine. The new model was unveiled at EICMA, but aside from a launch date being kept under wraps, the Japanese brand also withheld its price. Suzuki has […] The post Suzuki Announces Pricing and Pre-Order Offer For New DR-Z4S appeared first on ADV Pulse. https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/suzuki-announces-pricing-and-pre-order-offer-for-new-dr-z4s/

Published in: RidesLucifer Amidst the Stones Where southern Italy begins and the forests make way for arid lowlands with clay hills and sharp dolomitic rocks, Basilicata is a world best explored by motorcycle across its thousand twisties…. The great merciless summer heat has come, and this time the meteorologists have nicknamed it “Lucifer.” It’s not the best time for a motorcycle trip across one of the hottest regions of Italy, but reaching the cool Calabrian coast is a good excuse to cross Basilicata, the midway region where green forests and orchards make way for wide stretches of grain that, in August, take on the yellow hue of the desert. • A Brigands’ Land  Just after the Campania border is “The Vulture,” an area that takes its name from the mount overlooking it, an inactive but not extinguished volcano. The twin Monticchio Lakes lay along its slopes, a place for refreshing walks and visiting Badia di San Michele, a 10th century Benedictine monastery built in front of a large grotto. It’s not only famous for saints, but folk heroes. Not far from the monastery is another cave that was the shelter for Carmine Crocco—The Vulture’s legendary brigand. Italy’s unification came through military occupation, which provoked the rebellion of organized partisan bands, known as “brigands,” who made it difficult for the military to subjugate and control some regions. The rebellion was eventually eradicated and ended in a massive emigration to America. But nostalgic feelings and pride for the region’s heroic figures remain alive in popular culture, and the memory of the brigands still lives on a wine label produced in Rionero by Cantine D’angelo, a winery we visited. The unique character of their wine is attributed to the fertile volcanic ground of The Vulture, combined with the region’s unusual climate. • The Arid Murgia  The Monticchio Lakes are surrounded by dense vegetation that reduces the heat in the rest of the region. We leave this cool paradise at 600 meters and ride down the windy SP90 road, as the greenery fades to the yellow arid plane of the Bradano River. We travel on the speedy and monotonous SS655, surrounded by clay hills covered by dried stubble waiting to be burned by farmers. As Lucifer blasts us with heat, we run close to the border with Puglia, glimpsing the Murge, the bare calcareous plateau hollowed by thousands of caves. Matera is our destination for the day; UNESCO declared Matera a World Heritage Site in 1993, but it later became globally famous when Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ revealed it as a frozen-in-time city, paving the way for economic and cultural rebirth. • The Limestone Oven  In 1945, following the publication of Carlo Levi’s Christ stopped at Eboli, public opinion became wildly outraged by the awful living conditions of southern Italy’s farmers. Sympathy ran high for Matera’s 20,000 inhabitants living in caves without windows, many sharing space with their animals, with no running water nor electricity and no shortage of malnutrition and malaria. This hopeless land saw the light after this book was released, effectively forcing the government to move the people to new settlements—one of the few mass movements in Italian history. But the caves are once again inhabited; now, many are homes and small hotels, some are museums of rural civilization. The modern concrete city, built around the ancient aristocrat palaces and a cathedral, sits atop of Sassi (Italian for “stones”) that inhabitants have been excavating since the Palaeolithic era. The essence of this land, once an afterthought to the rest of Italy, is all discernible in the Sasso Caveoso district. You can see it through emptiness of the caves, the humble house façades built stone by stone over centuries, and enormous rainwater catchment tanks in the womb of the mountain. The Santa Maria de Idris church, along with the city lights, illuminates the starry night skies that contrast with the deep darkness of the Gravina canyon surrounding the area. • Cooled on the Dolomites  At 45°C, the city becomes a gigantic oven cooking us slowly. It’s time to move onto a cooler environment, the parklands of the Dolomiti Lucane mountains. The small towns of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa sit among grey sharp peaks rising from a green carpet of oaks. These days, the villages are connected by the Angel’s Flight, a zipline that flies at 100 km/h over the impressive landscape. Visitors from everywhere animate the streets of these hamlets; the villagers love chatting, happy to share everyday life moments. At the time of the Saracene incursions, the Arab captain Bomar built the military blockade, Arabata, on the high side of Pietrapertosa. It’s been inhabited since the 8th century BC and still has unique artifacts such as the original set-in-stone stairways. To get away from the overseas invaders, the legendary shepherd Paolino founded the town of Castelmezzano, also called Castrum Medianum by Normans who built a castle there some years later. Today only a few traces remain. The winding road linking the two villages is closed for a landslide, so we instead lose ourselves in the sweet countryside among lonely farms and cow herds, enjoying the hundreds of turns of the broken road. • The World of Badlands  The Acettura Wood in the heart of the park, shelter us from Lucifer’s hot grip for a couple of hours; sunrays break through the dense foliage, giving a sense of magic to the windy road crossing the forest. Breaking into clear skies and dazzling light again as we ride the SP103 through Stigliano, we see two contrasting landscapes. On the right, green woods and orchards extend south in the direction of Pollino Mount. On the left, there is barren blasted countryside, a clay carpet fading to the pale sky at the horizon. We continue on into this landscape, among mud badlands modelled by winter rains. The ground is soft as butter, resulting in incessant landslides that constantly change the topography. We stop in Craco, abandoned since 1963 after one too many landslides, never to be inhabited again. Like Matera, these days it’s often a set for movies and commercials. We finally reach the city of Pisticci, also built upon clay elevations. Despite the dangerous location, its inhabitants insist upon living on that wonderful terrace above the Cavone Valley. And after seeing the moon rising from the Jonian Sea, it’s easy to understand why. Here they live at a calm southern Italian pace, where families stroll along the avenue while elders chat; in the backstreets, women sit outside their home doors discussing the daily gossip about fellow countrymen. I’m envious of their simple way of life. We could enter Calabria along the coastline, but instead go for the coolness of Mount Pollino, which separates Basilicata from Calabria. On both sides of this mountain, many towns still practice the ancient “Maggio,” a sort of tree wedding, a pagan ritual where the top of a fir is put on a beech transported by a pair of oxen. This long and complex fertility ritual, coinciding with the days of Christian festivities and season changes, is a symbol of identity for anyone from there. For us, it’s time to get our revenge on Lucifer, who hadn’t given us a break since we left. Once we cross the Pollino, we take the motorway quickly to the coast, where the crystal water of the Ionian Sea awaits us. • Eat and Sleep: In Basilicata you can find accommodations for every price and level. We suggest basing in the many B&B and farms where you can get to know the local culture better, but at more economic prices. Many are managed by young owners who made the decision to stay and work in their homeland. - Rionero in Vulture: Borgo Villa Maria—Località Monticchio Laghi, 85028 Rionero in Vulture | BorgoVillaMaria.com Very close to Monticchio Lakes, this wide-roomed hotel is surrounded by woods, with a safe parking for motorcycles. Maria, the young owner, is ready to give you plenty of information about what to visit and things to do there. Casa Vinicola D’Angelo—Via Padre Pio, 8, 85028 Rionero in Vulture PZ | DangeloWine.com An excellent winery where you can taste a good wine, exported all over the world. The young owners, who maintain their ancient family business, arrange wine tastings in the vineyard where motorcyclists’ groups are welcome. - Matera: Dimora Santa Barbara—Piazza Duomo, 75100 Matera | bbsantabarbara.it A refurbished aristocrat palace in the center of Matera, near by the Cathedral with a stunning view over the Sassi and the Gravina. Owner Angelo is a passionate biker; he served as our guide around the city to visit hidden treasures. Ristorante La Cola-Cola—Via Spartivento 21, 75100 Matera | LaColaCola.it Dishes from the Murgiana tradition, poor but tasty, prepared as grandmothers used to do. The terrace has a stunning view over the Sassi. - Dolomiti Lucane: Agriturismo Grotta dell’Eremita—C.da Calcescia, 1 - 85010 Castelmezzano (PZ) | GrottaDelLeremita.com This farm is out in a strategic location near the main route and the Dolomiti Lucane. It often hosts groups of bikers thanks to its 50 available rooms. Its restaurant serves traditional dishes prepared by its own products. - Pisticci: Il Calanco a Pisticci—Contrada S. Lucia, 75015 Pisticci (MT) | IlCalanco.it This agritourism spot is led by a historic family of breeders and includes a stud and a stable. Its restaurant serves dishes from local products and the owners are happy to talk about their culture. Antonio Femia is an Italian travel journalist and photographer. He jumped on the saddle at the age of thirty and never went down, using motorbike as a tool to discover the world. He quitted as an architect at the age of forty for dusty roads to ride on his bike, searching for beauty mostly where it’s not supposed to be. www.totolemoto.it Read more ... http://adventuremotorcycle.com/rides/southern-italy-basilicata-calabria-ride

@suzukicycles announces pricing and expected availability for the DR-Z4S. Coming in at $8999 with deliveries to dealers starting in April. More details at the Upshift Online homepage. #drz4s #drz400 #drz400s #drz400sm #suzuki #suzukicycles #dualsport #dualsportadv #enduro #motorcycle #dirtbike #offroad #backroads #ridemore #upshift_online #tmbrmoto https://www.instagram.com/p/DGOUtU6Su98

The Girl on a Bike, also known as Vanessa Ruck will be back at the ABR Festival this June 📣 A self-confessed ‘go-getter’, Vanessa has many talents to her name, including motorcycle racer, adventurer, rally driver and content creator. As well as her hosting duties, Vanessa will take to the stage to share tales from her adventures, including her gruelling Morocco Desert Challenge, Rally Raid triumphs and last year’s journey across the Himalayas. If it’s inspiration you’re after, then look no further than @thegirlonabike. Join us in welcoming Vanessa back for the 2025 ABR Festival. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGOFd9EIG8S

Day 2 in Portugal and today we are on the CF Moto 700 MT, the more road-based adventure bike in the lineup. With 19 / 17 inch wheels with road-biased tyres, a 693 cc parallel twin motor and relaxed geometry this should make for an ideal mid-range adventure tourer. Better go and find out whether it does what they say! https://www.instagram.com/p/DGNeDTVCHmJ