Interesting how we define issues. I've not seen anywhere near all of her videos, but I cannot forget when she had to slog through that muddy stretch and the local guy rode the bike ahead of her while she walked (and probably roasted the clutch for her). She dealt with this with aplomb, but I'd still call the whole episode an 'issue'.
Itchy Boots
- Thread starter kiltman
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Sadlsor
Site Supporter
Yeah, well.
Seems we may also differ on what an "adventure" is.
(Spoken from an adventure bike owner, and an adventure-er wannabe. But I'm gettin' there.)
How would you know? She wouldn't tell it anyway. Her job is constantly moving ahead.
It says that she's telling half the story. You can sense it in many of her clips.
On the flip side, there are travelers who constantly complaining... Neither is good.
If someone is documenting/filming their trip, it would be cool if they'd show the viewers both sides. Expressing emotions, commenting on things, and how it felt at the moment. Many small details complete the picture. This what makes it interesting.
Noraly making it for the most part looking like a walk in the park, which is never the case. Yeah, I know... her trip, her format. Our screen, our comments
.I'll buy that. I'd say your trip with your new GS from California home was an adventure (based on your description in other threads on this forum). Had you planned it carefully, taken your time and limited your riding to say, 400 to 500 easy miles a day, avoiding wild weather and traffic patterns, then it would not be an adventure (my definition). In other words, any trip that goes awry due to unforeseen circumstances goes from a trip to an adventure.
I remember reading about a long distance sailing couple (the Hiscocks(?)) who planned their voyages to the point that they would delay departure if inclement weather lay along the planned leg. Their extended voyages around the world were described by friends as largely uneventful (and almost boring) because of their caution and planning. They were, however, regarded by contemporaries as consummate sailors. I'd say that was not necessarily an adventure, whereas virtually every time David Lewis set sail, it was an adventure.
If the trip does not test your mettle, then I'd say it was probably not an adventure. A walk in the park is not...unless you confront and have to escape an attack by a mountain lion.
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
In marketing, this phenomena is known as "branding." This is an important element, whatever your style.
While I do not follow them, there are a handful of other female solo RTW riders, and I'm not drawn to them for several reasons. Notably, these others are not nearly as popular (YT metrics, subscribers, content, viewing duration, etc.), so IF Noraly were to follow that more "realistic" documentary style, she would have an entirely different audience, and I submit from a strictly marketing, a decidedly lesser number of subscribers.
She has intentionally chosen a different tack (brand), and from a livelihood (aka profitability) point of view, that would be unbelievably foolish to pivot now. Her subscriber numbers continue to grow, the viewer Comments are consistently in the hundreds (more engagement, more Google juice), all of which inarguably demonstrate a carefully crafted, strategic avatar and image.
For content creators, she is textbook successful, and still growing her laptop (and riding of course) lifestyle, which is the secret envy of numbers of certain people from all walks of life. (Note: another marketing tip.)
Besides my passion for riding off-road, it's obvious that I geek out on her branding / imaging / marketing strategies, all in addition to being a video and drone geek myself.
If you've read this far, it's understandable if you're sorry that you did.
Read this far, and not sorry
You may have a point there, but to me it seems more commercial (and maybe it's her goal) than a real story telling. Hope I'm making my point.
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
It's a real commercial story... but it's also HER story, largely choreographed by her.
Still, we see her unfolding it in ways she didn't plan for, so it is at the same "real."
She's a great story teller, said as a compliment. There's still adventure in every episode, the way I see it.
Still, we see her unfolding it in ways she didn't plan for, so it is at the same "real."
She's a great story teller, said as a compliment. There's still adventure in every episode, the way I see it.
OP
OP
Her book adds another dimension to the story. She reveals a little more history, and her routine.
She suffers from night blindness and is pretty strict on the hours she rides. She also wears contacts for another stigmatism, ( hence those blue eyes)
Noraly respects the laws of the countries she travels in, for example she isn’t allowed to fly her drone in Iraq or Iran. I have to check to see if she’s allowed her Garmin InReach as I haven’t seen it displayed in awhile.
Edit: the list of countries a satellite communicator is restricted,
support.garmin.com
She suffers from night blindness and is pretty strict on the hours she rides. She also wears contacts for another stigmatism, ( hence those blue eyes)
Noraly respects the laws of the countries she travels in, for example she isn’t allowed to fly her drone in Iraq or Iran. I have to check to see if she’s allowed her Garmin InReach as I haven’t seen it displayed in awhile.
Edit: the list of countries a satellite communicator is restricted,
Countries Where inReach Devices May Be Regulated, Prohibited or Embargoed | Garmin Customer Support
Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.
support.garmin.com
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A positive adventure with some real elements in it. - There. We came to a common denominator
OP
OP
In today’s episode it struck me how privileged I am to travel by motorcycle in my country.
We don’t have check points every 50 or 100kms where I have to surrender my passport or documents to have them checked out, or asked where I’m heading.
I can pull up to a gas pump and fill the tank myself.
A majority of the roads I travel on are well maintained
Most traffic laws are obeyed for the most part, our intersections are easily navigable, very little chaos.
Unfortunately females, are subject to harassment in my country, we haven’t resolved that. I’m extremely saddened by that. Noraly is phenomenal on how she navigates that. I have a lot of respect for her.
We don’t have check points every 50 or 100kms where I have to surrender my passport or documents to have them checked out, or asked where I’m heading.
I can pull up to a gas pump and fill the tank myself.
A majority of the roads I travel on are well maintained
Most traffic laws are obeyed for the most part, our intersections are easily navigable, very little chaos.
Unfortunately females, are subject to harassment in my country, we haven’t resolved that. I’m extremely saddened by that. Noraly is phenomenal on how she navigates that. I have a lot of respect for her.
In more than a few of those countries, breaking the law would have very nasty consequences. Remember that kid who tried to pull down a banner (or was it a flag?) in North Korea? It would have been a minor misdemeanor in the US, but over there he was imprisoned, beaten and he ultimately died from mistreatment in jail.
...And yet some drivers don't see you.
Maybe a little mayhem can give more room to maneuver in traffic. I feel riding in NYC is safer than in an overregulated NJ.
As a former New Yorker, I agree. In NY, you KNOW the guy on your right is going to cut in front of you to make a left turn, and plan accordingly.
She's in Arabia now. It is unusual to see a woman without a relative man walking alone, or a woman driving a car. Women have no rights in these countries.
But because she's a foreigner they'll look a bit differently at her.
I've noticed that everyone is asking where's she from. But the following question would be "how much is the bike" and this question goes from Morocco to India. She's cutting it out.
Heck, I get this question from the gas station attendants here, lol (yeah, we have attendants in NJ).
Wonder what's next for her. She got 4 choices: Bahrain, Qatar(?), UAE and Oman. I don't think she'll go to Yemen or Jordan. Jordan is far and flying home is better from UAE (Dubai).
But because she's a foreigner they'll look a bit differently at her.
I've noticed that everyone is asking where's she from. But the following question would be "how much is the bike" and this question goes from Morocco to India. She's cutting it out.
Heck, I get this question from the gas station attendants here, lol (yeah, we have attendants in NJ).
Wonder what's next for her. She got 4 choices: Bahrain, Qatar(?), UAE and Oman. I don't think she'll go to Yemen or Jordan. Jordan is far and flying home is better from UAE (Dubai).
OP
OP
She may be coming to a city near you! This was off my Facebook feed.
IMPORTANT QUESTION !!
I will be pausing my adventure to Japan briefly in June - for the release of my book “Free Ride”, coming out June 3rd.
That means, taking a break from my journey in the Middle East and… coming to the USA and UK for a booktour! Want to meet and get a signed copy of my book???
To figure out which places in the USA most of you are located, please help me out with a vote! These are the cities on the shortlist for the booktour, so if you are interested in coming to an event, please write your preferred city in the comments!
Denver, CO
Boulder, CO
Salt Lake City, UT
Phoenix, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Albuquerque, NM
Waco, TX
San Antonio, TX
Portland, OR
Seattle, WA
Chicago, IL
Franklin, IN
St Louis, MO
#itchyboots #booktour #freeride #meetup #usa #revitrider #adv #adventurerider #moskomoto #airohhelmet #airohfamily #offroad #dirtrider #advtraveller
IMPORTANT QUESTION !!
I will be pausing my adventure to Japan briefly in June - for the release of my book “Free Ride”, coming out June 3rd.
That means, taking a break from my journey in the Middle East and… coming to the USA and UK for a booktour! Want to meet and get a signed copy of my book???
To figure out which places in the USA most of you are located, please help me out with a vote! These are the cities on the shortlist for the booktour, so if you are interested in coming to an event, please write your preferred city in the comments!
Denver, CO
Boulder, CO
Salt Lake City, UT
Phoenix, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Albuquerque, NM
Waco, TX
San Antonio, TX
Portland, OR
Seattle, WA
Chicago, IL
Franklin, IN
St Louis, MO
#itchyboots #booktour #freeride #meetup #usa #revitrider #adv #adventurerider #moskomoto #airohhelmet #airohfamily #offroad #dirtrider #advtraveller
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
And nothing to the East, or Southeast.
Pfffttt.
Pfffttt.
OP
OP
Nor Canada.
She has more followers in the west than the large eastern population centers?
That list has to have been generated by her book publisher who might not know anything about the size of those cities. Franklin, IN? That city had a population of 25,999 (2023). It would make more sense to hit large cities.... Or is Franklin a hotbed of motorcycle activity?
In Series 1 she crated the famous Royal Enfield in Kuala Lumpur to be shipped to Oman, so the reverse is easily possible. ...Unless she picks India instead.