A 50-year-old guy in love with nature, beautiful landscapes and human encounters. Interested in and sensitive to the energy of human beings and places. Passionate about motorcycling since his childhood.
Passion for motorized two-wheeler
I discovered it when I was 12 years old on my Great Aunt Paula’s NSU. A whole series of different experiences followed: the restoration of a Flandria 50, the destruction of the Honda Camino of my mother’s partner, my first 50 cc – a Yamaha TY given by a friend, a Suzuki DT 50 bought with the earnings from my first summer job, competition on Bidalot and my first contacts with the asphalt, the restoration of a Honda Bol d’or 1100, the purchase of a Suzuki 800GS together with a friend – my first alternating custody in some way, several races on a Husaberg 600 and my first ambulance ride, the restoration of a Honda VFR – my dream motorcycle when I was 20, driving on track on a Honda CBR 600 and my first contact with the gravel bins, and different trips on a BMW 1200 GS. As I am getting older, the practice evolves but the passion remains intact.
Travelling
I discovered it when I was 12 years old on my Great Aunt Paula’s NSU. A whole series of different experiences followed: the restoration of a Flandria 50, the destruction of the Honda Camino of my mother’s partner, my first 50 cc – a Yamaha TY given by a friend, a Suzuki DT 50 bought with the earnings from my first summer job, competition on Bidalot and my first contacts with the asphalt, the restoration of a Honda Bol d’or 1100, the purchase of a Suzuki 800GS together with a friend – my first alternating custody in some way, several races on a Husaberg 600 and my first ambulance ride, the restoration of a Honda VFR – my dream motorcycle when I was 20, driving on track on a Honda CBR 600 and my first contact with the gravel bins, and different trips on a BMW 1200 GS. As I am getting older, the practice evolves but the passion remains intact.
Regaining freedom
As you might have guessed, the motorcycle trip fulfills my needs for freedom, discovery and sharing. The more the years go by, the more the need for these trips intensifies. Nourished by stories from other motorcycle travelers and saturated with our hyper-consumption society, its obsession with possession and its individualism, I have a visceral need to make new explorations in my daily life and to discover people who live, think, and eat differently. But also to take the time to live in the present moment, to free myself from Western constraints of performance, results and obligations. To leave with a free spirit, strictly driven by my curiosity like a child. To go to meet other people and to exchange, share, discover, understand and appreciate our differences. Some people will quickly, rightly or wrongly, stick the label “mid-life crisis” on me. I don’t care, I know and I feel that the time has come to live this long-dreamt journey.
Need to explore
With the exception of an amazing 12-day family trip in Morocco, Africa is for me “The unknown beauty”. Yet it is the cradle of humanity; we owe everything to it. It also has a taste for adventure, discovery, and authenticity. Getting to know this continent by being around it is the greatest mark of recognition that I can give to Africa.
What will Africa transmit to me? I imagine that it will move me, charm me, sometimes perhaps frighten me and certainly upset me in the depths of my being.
My bearings
I warmly hug my wonderful blended family, our four children and the woman of my life, who despite themselves are put to work on this trip. They do not always understand what drives me towards this journey, but they are aware that it is vital for me. I am grateful for their unwavering support.