Adventure motorcycle expedition: How a light-hearted question turned into 1,000km (620miles) of unforgettable roads
How does one plan or even decide that this is going to be the trip of a lifetime?
After all, there will surely be more trips; whether done by myself or others, there will always be journeys planned and adventures to ride.
This particular trip started from a light-hearted question to a mutual friend one day while we were out on a ride. “Would he like to accompany me on a bike trip to my homeland, Zimbabwe?” I didn’t think for a moment he would take my question seriously. His riding ability far supersedes my own, his knowledge of adventure riding through Africa is extensive, and while he would be the perfect chaperone, I could not imagine that he would want to babysit an under-skilled, middle-aged female rider through Zimbabwe. But he did. And so did my nearest and dearest.
I now had two of the most suitable, most experienced, and most capable men a person could ever wish for on board with my idea, and so it started.
Not being experienced enough to know what luggage gear to purchase, as this was my first ever long-haul trip (and by long trip I mean more than just a weekend away), I was nudged in the direction of the Turkana Mad Mule luggage system. Usually, my nearest and dearest carried my overflow of essentials, which never included tools. This time, I had to kit myself out properly.
A light-hearted question turned into 1,000Km (620miles) of unforgettable roads.
I spent a couple of hours browsing the internet, looking at reviews, asking questions, and eventually purchased the 15L setup. I couldn’t wait to get it onto my bike for a test ride. Once I had it woven through the system, I loaded the inners with my washing, and off we went to test the balance and how it would affect my handling.
A middle-aged rider, a homeland calling, and the gear that carried it all.
Let me explain. I have only been riding a bike for three years. My skills and experience are limited, and any change to my bike raises my awareness of potential catastrophe or crisis. This is natural and comes with age — so any advice I can give is this: don’t start riding bikes at 53; it sets you back.
The luggage, however, with a balanced weight of about 6kg on each side, did absolutely nothing to the handling of my bike. I was delighted, as this had been one of my biggest concerns about the trip.
We entered Zimbabwe, locked and loaded, on the 8th of September 2025. We travelled fabulous rural roads and clocked over 1,000km, albeit slower than my two bright lights would have wanted. But we were safe, we didn’t have any problems with the bikes, and we got to see the places we planned:
Honde Valley, with lunch at Aberfoyle Lodge, before taking the Tangenwa Road to Nyanga.
The Big Tree in Chirinda Forest, Mt Selinda.
Dear friends in Chipinge.
Lifelong friends in Chimanimani — visiting Bridal Veil Falls, Tessa’s Pool, Rathmore Forest.
My old homes on the forest estates: Charter, Tilbury, and Imbeza Valley, where I lived as a young woman starting my family.
All these amazing places, once taken for granted when you live a life of freedom and space which you believe will last forever. This journey was a pilgrimage for which I am so grateful and blessed to have been able to achieve.
Lessons, fears, and blessings from my first long-haul motorcycle trip.
I say to those who dream of riding adventure: just do it. You don’t have to ride like Adam Riemann or Chris Birch. Get the right people on board who share your dream and who have the skills and patience to support you on your trips. Plan your ride and load your Mad Mules for… a trip of a lifetime.
Credit: Jackie Anderson
Part of Jakie’s trip was to nail the Turkana Challenge Safari #3 points
