WILD WEST TOUR – 2016
It was an incredible trip that I can’t recommend highly enough. We were 5 bikers, plus our guide in a car, and rode over 5,000 kms through the states of California, Utah, Nevada and Arizona.
The wombats loved:
_ The jaw-dropping landscapes, the majestic national parks, and every mesmerizing sight we encountered on our route.
The wombats didn’t like:
_ Our guide turned out to be a major buzzkill. We went through some agency out of Paris, and this lady quickly became the unanimous target of our gripes. She was a hot mess at her job, didn’t have a clue how to lead a group of riders, and couldn’t even guide motorcyclists properly. One of us had to jump in her car and practically take the wheel for her for miles because she was utterly useless… and oh-so full of herself, blaming everyone but herself for the mess-ups. Later found out she was the boss’s daughter, which explained why they hadn’t canned her sorry behind.
The biggest bricks we sh** :
_ The massive freeways around L.A. at night when our « guide » was darting in and out of lanes, leaving us in the dust with no regard whatsoever.
_ The three-mile stretch known as Moki Dugway on Utah Highway 261. Our big bikes with their regular road tires felt like fish out of water on that insane terrain. (click here for proper off-road adventures !)
_ And let’s not forget the blistering heat of Death Valley in the dead of August. Suffocating doesn’t even begin to describe it.
But hey, despite the hurdles, the adventure was still one for the books. Check the video for yourself :
FLORIDA – 2016
My inaugural motorcycle journey in Florida ! Since that unforgettable ride, I’ve made it a tradition to return to the Sunshine State every single year (well, except for the hiccup of 2021, but let’s not dwell on that).
The wombats did not like :
_ Wrangling with the toll system. It’s a maze that can leave you scratching your head, especially at first. Pro tip : double-check with your rental agency to see if you can glide through the toll-by-plate lanes. Otherwise, prepare for an unwelcome surprise…
The biggest bricks we sh** :
_ Heavy tropical rains pounding down on the Miami freeways like a relentless drumbeat. It’s the kind of deluge that makes you grip those handlebars tighter and lean into the wind !
The wombats loved:
_ Cruising the legendary seven-mile bridge, feeling like soaring above the sea.
_ Exploring the paradise duo of Naples and Marco Island.
_ Finding myself smack dab in the middle of the whirlwind that is the Key West Fantasy Fest. And let me tell you, stumbling upon those wild parties and eccentric events was a ride I’ll never forget! (I swear, I had no clue what I was getting into ! )
Some insider knowledge : Florida plays by its own rules when it comes to car mishaps. It’s a no-fault state, which means when the rubber meets the road, you’re seeking compensation from your own insurance crew, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.Sure, it’s meant to streamline the process and get you back on your feet pronto, but some folks reckon it can lead to shenanigans and steeper premiums. Make sure you’re packing Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage in your insurance saddlebag before you hit the throttle !
And by the way, Florida ain’t the only one playing by these rules. Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Minnesota, Hawaii, and Massachusetts are all in the no-fault club too.
ROCKY MOUNTAINS – USA & CANADA – 2018
To this day, it stands as one of the most epic journeys I’ve ever embarked upon ! If I had the chance for just one more ride, you can bet your boots it’d be this one.
We swung by Seattle to pick up our trusty Harleys, then spent a couple of glorious days tearing through Washington state before crossing the border into the Great White North and cruising through the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta : Winthrop, Kamloops, Jasper, Banff, Waterton. Then, we thundered back into the good ol’ USA, cutting through Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, before reluctantly parting ways with our bikes in Denver. Fifteen solid days of nothing but open road.
The wombats loved:
_ We’d rented from EagleRider before, but this was our first time signing up for one of their full-on guided tours. Usually, we just grabbed the bikes and did our own thing, but this time we figured we’d give the whole shebang a shot. And let me tell you, it was one hell of a ride ! Cruising all day with no worries, while our gear trailed behind us in a trusty minivan ? Talk about living the dream ! Sure it cost a pretty penny, but man, was it worth it !
_ The jaw-dropping scenery, from the moment we kicked off to the final stretch.
_ EagleRider’s top-notch organization : our guides (shoutout to Don, KJ, and her soon-to-be hubby at the time ! ) were total pros, and the routes they laid out were pure gold.
The wombats didn’t like :
there wasn’t a single thing that rubbed us the wrong way. Nope, nada, zip !
The biggest bricks we sh** :
_ That wild hailstorm that blindsided us on our way back to Yellowstone. Now, that was one ride we won’t soon forget !
FLORIDA – 2019
Florida, oh Florida… the wombats just can’t get enough of it ! We kicked things off in Miami, renting a Harley from Eagle Rider, and then it was full throttle for 10 days until we rolled back into town. Here’s the rundown : Miami, the Keys, Key West, the Everglades, Florida City, Homestead, Naples, Fort Myers, Tampa, Daytona Beach, Vero Beach, Cape Canaveral, and back to Miami. We’ll save the northern part – the panhandle and St. Augustine – for the next trip !
The wombats loved:
_The Parrot Hotel in Key West was an absolute gem.
_ We made it our mission to taste-test as many key lime pies as humanly possible to crown the ultimate champion.
_ And celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Florida ? Now that’s a party we won’t soon forget !
The wombats didn’t like:
_ Our trusty GoPro’s stabilizer couldn’t handle the wind and decided to throw in the towel midway through the trip. So yeah, the footage got a little … wobbly.
The biggest bricks we sh** :
_ Taking Interstate 4, a stretch of road that is 132 miles of pure stress from Tampa to Daytona Beach.
According to a study from December 2023 quoted in the Daytona Beach News Journal, I4 is the deadliest highway in the USA, with an average of 34 fatal accidents per 100 miles. Yep, you read that right. In metric terms, cruising along I4 means encounteringa a fatality roughly every 4.7 kilometers, pretty sobering, huh ? And according to the same study, Florida take the second spot for road deaths in the US, clocking in at an average of 19.6 fatal accidents per 100 miles, hot on the heels of California with 20.3.
So, unless you’re feeling lucky, stay clear of I4 and opt for those scenic country roads instead !
DEEP SOUTH (FL, GA, AL, MS, TX) – 2022
Just the two of us, hitting the open road on a Harley, with nothing but a bag strapped to the top case, ready to dive deep into the heart of the Deep South !
We took our Harley from EagleRider in Orlando, then charted a course through parts of Florida we hadn’t explored before. We took a little detour through Georgia, soaking up the sights, before heading back down to Florida along the panhandle. Spent a few laid-back days soaking in the vibes of Alabama and Mississippi before really sinking into a solid week of adventure in Louisiana. From there, it was off to Texas to see what all the fuss was about, before circling back to Louisiana and bidding adieu to our trusty Harley in New Orleans.
The wombats loved:
_ Soaking up the historic charm of Saint Augustine, Florida. With its claim to fame as the oldest city in the USA, wandering its streets was an absolute delight.
_ Taking in the grandeur of the Louisiana plantations, especially the iconic Oak Alley. Those sprawling estates were like stepping back in time.
_ Getting caught up in the electric energy of New Orleans during the semi-finals and finals of the NCAA basketball championship. The vibe was off the charts !
The wombats didn’t like :
_ Certain spots in Louisiana and Mississippi where the insecurity was palpable.
_ Dealing with a seriously unprofessional employee at the EagleRider agency in New Orleans. We’ve rented from EagleRider all over the place and this is the first time an employee has treated us with such arrogance. To put it plainly, this guy didn’t have a clue about what it means to be a « biker » or provide customer-friendly service. It takes a lot more than wearing some fancy jewelry to be seen as a fellow biker who’s all about helping others out. He’s just running a shop, and it’s clear he couldn’t care less about repeat customers. Well, congratulations to him because we sure won’t be renting anything from EagleRider New Orleans ever again, and we’d advise you to steer clear too !
The biggest bricks we sh** :
_ Our heart-stopping moment came when a pickup truck decided to pass us on the left just as we were gearing up to make a left turn. Talk about a close call ! If I hadn’t taken a second to check our blind spot, we would’ve been in for a head-on collision. Ah, the joys of riding in Louisiana !
THE SOUTHWEST REGION (TX, NM, OK) – 2022
Just an Indian, and a trusty bag strapped to the top case, hitting the road for a solid ten days of adventure across three unforgettable states.
This time around, I ditched the usual Eagle Rider routine and went straight to the Indian dealership in Austin. They’ve got a sweet selection of rides for rent, and lucky me, they had a shiny new Pursuit ready to roll (break-in period ? Who’s got time for that ? Well… we’ll see how it goes…). The route was a classic loop starting from Austin : heading north through Waco and Wichita Falls to Clinton, then gunning it straight for Route 66 and cruising all the way to Albuquerque. Took a quick pit stop in Santa Fe for a taste of that southwestern charm before dropping down to the Mexican border, tracing the Rio Grande through the rugged beauty of Big Bend National Park, and finally circling back to Austin.
The wombats loved:
_ White Sands National Park in New Mexico.
_ The Sillos in Waco, because that is where Magnola Sillos was filmed.
_ Finding a bar run by fellow Luxembourguish citizens in Fredericksburg ! Der Daivel
_ Albuquerque, because I’m a huge fan of Breaking Bad !
The wombats didn’t like :
_ The riding position on the Pursuit. Standing at just 1.77 meters tall, I found myself positioned too far back on the seat, with minimal airflow, especially in sections under the blazing sun. This made certain stretches of the ride downright uncomfortable.
The biggest bricks we sh** :
_ A run-in with a car that refused to yield and then bolted off like it was no big deal !
So, here’s a little wisdom I’d like to share if you ever find yourself in a similar situation :
First, dial up 911 and get the police on the scene pronto. Having a Police Report is crucial for insurance purposes.
Then always take out as much cover as possible with your rental company. Because paying with your Visa simply does NOT cover the deductible ! I know, it’s written everywhere on your bank’s website that paying with your Visa allows you to be reimbursed for the excess in the event of a problem, but then when you send in your file to obtain compensation you learn that the reimbursment only applies to car rentals, not motorcycles … And even then, not all cars (no camper cars or caravans for instance)
