Sometimes a chance meeting takes you back in time. That is what happened to Nino and Peppe, old school friends who had not seen each other for almost forty years, brought together again in an improvised workshop by a mutual friend.
From memories of school desks, mopeds and skipped English lessons, the conversation soon turns to motorcycle adventures. Nino tells the story of his first big trip, in 1990: an unexpected selection took him, along with other European riders, on an epic tour of dust, mechanical breakdowns and roads that did not exist.
There is the memory of a river crossing in Tunisia, when a flooded river nearly swallowed him and his motorcycle, and only the timely help of a French rider, “the French saint”, saved him.
Tips for getting started off-road
- Take proper courses to learn the basics.
- Choose the right riding gear.
- Do your first trips with someone experienced.
- Do not chase the most expensive bike: even a well-kept old Japanese motorcycle can be hugely rewarding.
In the end, a motorcycle is more than a vehicle: it is a reason to live stories, face challenges and collect unforgettable emotions.
