Stravaig, which is pronounced straw vague, is an Irish and Scottish word meaning to wander about aimlessly. One goes stravaiging about the roads. Stravaig is probably from an even older and obsolete word extravage, meaning to digress or ramble.

I am all about stravaig, both on my motorcycle and in conversations. If you have a problem with rambling, you might want to move on...

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My posts on these channels are mostly about travel and motorcycle riding, but in some places, I also talk about my professional stuff which, sadly, is not about travel and motorcycle riding.

               

I love exploring and traveling. And I really love exploring and traveling by motorcycle.

I already have a section of my web site about why traveling, in general, for women is so important. But I wanted a section of my web site to be about traveling by motorcycle specifically. And specifically focused on women. Because I'm a bit of an evangelist when it comes to this subject.

I'm an overweight woman in my 50s. I started riding a motorcycle when I was 43 and, as of December 31, 2022, I've ridden 53,769.5 miles (68,829.6 km) on my own motorcycles in total. My first motorcycle was 1979 Nighthawk, bought in 2009, and after almost two years, I bought a KLR (Kawasaki), which I've ridden ever since. That's more than 4400 miles (more than 6000 km) a year - and in 2013 and 2021, I did not do a long trip! 95% of those miles / kilometers have been for long distance travel and weekend fun (rather than commuting somewhere). And I hope to ride many, many more miles and see much more. 

But I wish I'd started riding a motorcycle in my 30s. I've missed out on so much by not starting earlier. 

I have lots of resources here but, be forewarned: if you are the kind of person that likes to belittle motorcycle riders for staying in a hotel instead of camping, for having grip heaters, for having a backpacking air mattress in your tent, deciding to put a motorcycle on a truck to navigate flood waters, etc., move on - my advice respects that different people have different limitations and that we all should ride our own ride. I ride in rain, wind and cold that other riders wouldn't, and I don't think any less of those riders that don't ride like me - your limits aren't mine, my limits are too much for someone else, and in the end, I'm not you, you aren't me, and you should ride your own ride. I don't believe in "more authentic than thou" competitions when it comes to motorcycle touring. Or life.

Here are my resources for women who travel by motorcycle (or want to) that I hope you will find helpful:

• Why I started this section of my web site for women who want to travel by motorcycle (long essay for people who enjoy reading)
   
• Getting Started as a Motorcycle Rider: My Journey (Tips for Women Who Want To Ride)
   
• Getting Started on a Dual Sport: My Journey (Changing from a cruiser to a dual sport)
   
• Packing for a women motorcycle traveler.
   
• Packing for food/meals, cooking, snacking and cleanup while on a motorcycle camping trip.
   
• Advice for women motorcycle travelers: footwear (shoes & socks).
   
• A list of things to consider regarding your accommodations choices.
   
• My Advice for a USA North-to-South or South-to-North West Coast Motorcycle Trip through Northern California, Oregon, Washington State & British Columbia to Alaska. If you are coming from Mexico and heading to Alaska, this is for you - or if you are intending to pass through Oregon on any North-to-South, or vice versa, trip
   
• My favorite photos from my motorcycle travels. Not glamorous, not Instagram Influencer-worthy, but a lot of fun!
   
• This list of my motorcycle travel dreams, big and small!
   
• My favorite motorcycle travel resources by other people.
   
• Traveling during a global pandemic or global crisis or being prepared for such. Not just for motorcycle travelers.
   
• Travel With Respect. Not just for motorcycle travelers.
  

My motorcycle adventures:

• Guatemala, January 2024. More than 1000 kilometers on rented bikes, seeing Antigua, Lake Atitlan (Panajachel, San Pedro de Lago, San Juan de Lago), Q'Umarkaj (Mayan ruins), Santa Cruz del Quiche, Zaculeu (Mayan ruins), Lanquin, Nebaj and Coban and Semuc Champey, Pachalum, Mixco Viejo San Martin Jilotepeque (Mayan ruins) and the Pacific Coast village of Monterrico.
   
• My favorite local scenic routes near the greater PDX metro : around Portland, Oregon, with some in Washington state. I created this to help others see just how much wonderful riding there is in this area for day trips and weekends. And I have gotten a few fan emails as a result!
   
• Vancouver Island & parts of British Columbia & Washington State 2500 miles / 4000 kilometers and our third motorcycle adventure focused on Canada. September 2023. 
   
• Belize by motorcycle (& a visit to Tikal in Guatemala sans bikes): February 2023. 14 days & about 1000 kilometers via rented Honda 150s, plus a trip sans motorcycles to Tikal and a little tour of Hopkins by bicycle.
   
• Visiting historic towns & eating biscuits & gravy: September 2022. 16 days & almost 3000 miles / 4828 kilometers in Washington state, Idaho, Montana & Oregon. An amazing, beautiful country that was far better than we ever dreamed so close to home!
   
• Our Motorcycle Adventure in Baja, Calfornia, Mexico: 19 days, 3,706 miles/5964 km. March 2020. Missing the madness of COVID19 (& then driving right back into it).
   
• Motorcycle Tour of Northern California & Southwestern Oregon: 11 days, 10 nights, 2095 miles, September 2019. Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, McArthur Burney Falls State Park, Salmon River Road between Somes Bar and Cecilville, California, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California state road 36, Empire Mine State Historic Park and Grass Valley, Downieville, Modoc National Forest, Bear Camp Coastal Route in Josephine County, Oregon & my first water crossing!
   
• Oregon Volcanic Rock Huggers Motorcycle Ride: 4 days, 3 nights, 580 miles, July 2019. Deschutes National Forest, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Big Obsidion Flow, McKay Butte Fire, Fort Rock
   
• Steens Mountain, Oregon, Great Basin National Park and Rachel, Nevada. We spent 13 days, going over 2657 miles / 4276 kilometers, mostly in Nevada in 2018. It was a terrific, but incredibly hot and smokey, trip. Also see all of our 2018 motorcycle adventures.
   
• Olympic National Park and Forest, the Northern Cascades, Mount Rainer - our epic, smokey Washington state trip. 2382 km / 1489 miles. And all of our 2017 motorcycle travel (lots of local trips around North Western Oregon).
   
• Two weeks in Idaho: Silver City, Hells Canyon, Silver City, Idaho, Bruneau Dunes State Park, City of Rocks National Reserve, Sawtooth Scenic Byway, Salmon River Scenic Byway, Custer, Idaho, Ft. Missoula, Montana, historic Wallace, Idaho, Lake Coeur d'Alene, White Pine Scenic Byway, Hell's Canyon Overlook, Oregon, Joseph, Painted Hills, and Little Crater Lake in Mt. Hood National Forest. 4280 km / 2675 miles. At least 120 miles of gravel. One of our FAVORITE trips. And all of our 2016 motorcycle adventures.
   
• Two trips in Canada, one in 2015 and one 2010. Most recently, in 2015: to Stewart, British Columbia, Hydar, Alaska, the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, the Yukon, the Alaska Highway - a grand tour of British Columbia. 5954 km / 3700 miles. And, earlier, one of my first motorcycle adventures, in southern British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, to tour Jasper, Banff and much more. See all of our 2015 motorcycle adventures and all my 2010 motorcycle adventures.
   
• Grand Utah tour: Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley, Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, and camping in a cow pasture in a desert of Nevada and at Farewell Bend Oregon State Park. 2989 miles / 4810.329 kilometres. Also see all of our 2014 Motorcycle Travel.
   
• Eastern Oregon long weekend: Antelope, Oregon amid the ghosts of the Rajneesh colony, seeing the Alvord Desert for the first time. Also: Sweet Home, Sisters, Antelope, Shaniko, Fossil, Condon, Heppner, Ukiah. 2012. 2012 was our busiest motorcycle travel year.
   
• Weekend camping and riding trip in Eastern Oregon, Gifford Pinchot National Forest / Southern Washington State, sites around Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens. 2012.
   
• Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen National Monument, Emmets Pass, Devil's Postpile (California), the Alvord Dessert (Oregon), and everything in between. 2446 miles / 3914 km miles. 2012.
   
• Yellowstone, Western Montana, Wyoming & more. Including US Highway 12 through Lolo Pass, Nevada City (Montana), Craters of the Moon, Bruneau Dunes State Park, and John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The trip ended at the legendary Burning Moto Man 2011, in Westfir, Oregon. 2680 miles. We also spent one week in Washington state, September 2011 to celebrate my husband's 40th birthday, visiting Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Ape Cave, ice cave and lava tubes, Gifford Pinchot National Forest and a bit of Mt. Hood
   
• Oh Canada (and more). It was nothing short of epic: British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, Jasper, Banff and Kootenay National Parks for the first time, Glacier National Park, Swan Lake National Park, Garnet ghost town in Montana, and so much more. 2,535 miles / 4,056 km. And it wasn't our only trip in 2010. We went back to Jasper and Banff in 2015.
   
• The Lost Highway tour (my first trip on my own motorcycle): Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Ferndale, California, the notorious Mattole Road from there to Petrolia, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Avenue of the Giants, Bigfoot Scenic Byway and my first (and thus far only) Horizons Unlimited rally. About 1000 miles. 2010.
   
• Eastern Europe three week trip (pillion): Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia. Amazing. 2008.
   
• Northern France (pillion): ancient sites, Roman sites, medieval sites, World War I sites, World War II sites, the Bayeaux Tapestry, Mont St-Michel, Carnac and so much more. Amazing food, amazing sites. Good camping. Two weeks. 2007.
   
• Scotland (pillion): Leaving from a port in Belgium, arriving in Hull, England. Highlights: Hadrian's Wall, Braemar, the main Orkney Island, Kilmartin, Ballmoral, Loch Ness, the small stone circle near Tarland... more than I can summarize here. Two weeks. 2006.
   
• Bruges, Belgium (pillion): Long weekend. 2005. This was more of a boring ride on a motorcycle to get some place, followed by an amazing time walking around Bruges (great beer!).
   
• Norway & Sweden (pillion): Kristiansand, fjords, sea life, mountains, glaciers, a rock slide, a crazy ferry ride and primitive rock art. Two weeks. My first motorcycle trip! 2004.

We also attended Tynda Burning Moto Man, for international motorcycle travelers, near Eugene, Oregon, June 2010 and June 2011, hosted by the legendary motorcycle travelers Eric Haws and his wife Gail. Eric held a Guinness Book of World Records certificate for being the first person to cross Russia on a motorcycle (two up with Gail) and he had a motorcycle on every continent. Eric and Gail were on the road so much that we were shocked when we met a RTW motorcycle traveler that had NOT met them.

Using the Internet to Share Your Adventure During Your Adventure
Advice on blogging, photo-sharing, tweeting, etc. It's a wonderful thing to share information about your adventure, but you don't want to spend so much time sharing info about your trip that you aren't actually enjoying your trip! This is my advice for balancing sharing things in real-time, documenting your adventure and enjoying the moments of travel without always thinking about social media.

Planning your first not-so-"Western" travel destinations.
Feeling ambitious? Want an adventure that is unique and will help you understand different people and cultures? If you are already an experienced traveler, you might want to think about some not-so-"Western" destinations. Some of the most astounding travel destinations are in developing countries, places where the infrastructure isn't at the same standard as what you might be used to in your day-to-day life.

This is a page of my favorite travel resources written by other people.
Some, but not all, are specifically focused on helping women travelers. Many of these resources are ones I use myself when planning a trip. And, yes, I try to always plan, at least a bit, so that once I arrive, I can immediately immerse myself in the experience - not scramble to figure out where I am and what there is to do and see.

Conditions and qualities for women to consider regarding accommodations choices when traveling, including advice on on safety.
If you have no idea where to start in choosing a hotel, a motel, a B & B, camping, or what is going to be right for you, specifically, this resource will help (I hope). This isn't advice based on just what I like - it's based on assessing your own needs regarding amenities, safety, access to scenic areas and transportation, etc. Some of us like luxury, some of us like adventure - I try to address all of those ideas and thing in between.

Health & safety considerations, especially for novice women travelers.
This is the advice that, for me, often gets glossed over or never referred to at all in most travel books and on most travel web sites. Health challenges WILL happen when you travel, and the challenges for women often aren't the same as those for men. This is advice I wish I'd known when I started traveling especially when I started traveling abroad.

Advice for Traveling for Really Low Cost - in the USA or abroad.
I qualify this advice by saying I do not think you should ever compromise your safety for a budget, and travel shouldn't be a constant quest to NOT spend money. Do people take a year or two or more off and travel around? Yes. But here's how they finance it and keep costs very low. Also, for all you many people who think there's a magical, easy way to travel around the USA or around the world for free, or to be paid to do it, this is your reality check.

Saving money for travel (or to pay off your debt, for that matter).
Whether you want to take an entire year off and go around the world or you just want to get away for a nice weekend, this resource can help you think about how to budget for such, so that travel doesn't put you into debt - or further into debt. Note: you do NOT have to be entirely debt free to travel. And remember that travel costs can be far less than mental health treatment!

transire benefaciendo: "to travel along while doing good."
This is extensive advice for those wanting to make their travel more than only sight-seeing and shopping, whether in your own country or abroad, and how to make your sight-seeing an activity that benefits local people. I was the first person on the Internet to use this term in association with traveling and doing good (or, at least, not doing bad / being harmful). This page strongly discourages vanity volunteering / voluntourism, so be forewarned.

My favorite resources regarding tourism for community & economic development
Tourism is an amazing avenue to both economic development for local people and to create inter-cultural understanding. But tourism development needs to be balanced with cultural and environmental protections. I'm intensely interested in this subject, and have curated this list for anyone else who might be interested.

Advice for Hotels, Hostels & Campgrounds in Transitional & Developing Countries: The Qualities of Great, Cheap Accommodations
As I noted earlier, tourism is an amazing avenue to both economic development for local people and to create inter-cultural understanding.
I like staying in budget hotels, boutique hotels, hostels, B & Bs and campgrounds, and I know what makes one great. If you run such a site,
this is my advice so that you remain fully booked, with a fantastic online reputation.

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