WORDS : Tara Papworth PHOTOS : Supplied John McKeagg

Why did you start organising rides ? “ It started with an overseas trip to Alaska in around 2008 . I bought five bikes from eBay and had them shipped to a friend ’ s place in San Francisco . He drove them on a trailer all the way to Anchorage where we met him to start the ride . We rode out to Prudhoe Bay , then back all the way down to Las Vegas , San Diego , finishing in Los Angeles . That was my first big trip . It was a great idea , but I learnt a lot . We took too many people , too much luggage and a couple of people didn ’ t really want to be followers . There ’ s an old saying - when you lose , don ’ t lose the lesson . I always remind myself of that .”

Why do you do it ? “ I love motorcycles , I love exploring and I love the people I meet on motorcycles . I ’ m basically the ideas guy and it ’ s fun . I enjoy the organisational side of it and get enjoyment from other people coming along , but I generally organise the rides because it ’ s what I want to do . I plan what I want to do , put out a text and everyone jumps in . I say , this is where I ’ m going , this is what I ’ m doing , this is what we ’ re going to see and if you want to come along , come along . If you start asking everyone what they want you