I will have been on the road for two years next month.

These are a few of the things I've learned on the road.I'VE LEARNED THAT:

The old cliches: "Know thyself" and "All you need is Love" are in fact true. We repeat them like phylosophical parrots without honestly looking into them. We have heard them and said them sooo many times that they've lost meaning. Well... stop talking and start riding.

Another thing I know is that I've found the origin of all human misery (western humans anyway) It is called MONDAY. Do away with Mondays and your life will change instantly for the better.

In this 24 months I've come to love three women that I've met while travelling. Non of them begged me to stay when I had to push that start button again and reset the GPS. That's why I love them still. But the old myth that girls just love men on bikes is false. I found out that women like men who tell the truth and enjoy long foreplays. Bikes have never been a plus in my experience... Hmmmm... maybe it's the kind of bike I ride.

Bikers are brothers. We have stronger bonds than religious sects. I've found out that love at first sight might be an illusion (given that hormones are to balme for 99% of it) but friendship at first sight exists... ride a fully loaded bike covered with mud and faded stickers and you have instant two wheeled friends all over the place. Moto taxis, big engined motoclub memmbers, pizza delivery kids... the list has no end. I have aquired debts of affection with fellow bikers that I have no means of repaying, no matter what I do. I've stayed at their homes, eaten their food, used their tools; I've received presents, spare parts, and all kinds of drinks... I've ridden local secret trails, been pulled out of mud pits, been lent enduro bikes (oh man! thank god for that!!!), been interviewed in radio and tv in seven countires. I've been introduced to mayors, police chiefs and beautifull girls... I've been treated like an old friend by people I just met half an hour ago... Bikes rule!

I also know now for sure that there are too many poor people in the world. That we use up resources like mad, that this is silly. I also have learned to live comfortably with what I can load on my bike. Stuff is the bars of the prisions we lock ourselves in.

There are two key rules for motorcycling: Don't ride at night and don't ride drunk. I've never met a traveller that observes them..... still, they're good rules.

But the main thing I've learned is this: I HAVE LEARNED TO HAVE FUN. I thought I knew how to do that, but I didn't. Now I do. Fun is learning about yourself and then agreeing fully with what you find. There is nothing more fun that being who you are without restrictions, without concessions, every where, every time.

I'm currently in Bolivia armed with a helmet cam.. haha! you'll soon read trip reports and other travel related tales.

Remember: YOU CAN BUY THE BIKE...
NOT THE BIKER SPIRIT

Balam