Today was to be our shortest km wise, but jam packed with lovely stops. Tour leader Scott indicated a possible border checkpoint with passport checks and a few very tight switchbacks were on the cards between the two checkpoints as we skimmed the border. I don't think any of us were prepared for what came next on our most challenging ride yet. The day started with a fairly flat start, getting out of town.   Before long we were amongst the...

Time to ride. Scooter chaos. Dogs, dogs, dogs and views to die for. I got out of bed and opened the curtains to a calm, mostly sunny morning. After starting our NZ south island ride in torrential rain, it was a relief. I hadn't ridden in Thailand, or a Tiger 900 before, so really needed good weather to be able to focus. Winning! We packed excitedly and met the crew for an early brekky. Already feeling like a bloated puffer...

It's all great until someone loses an eye. Hot chili woman goes rogue. Ready. Set. Ride! I woke up feeling like all the liquid in my body had been sucked out through my eyeballs. It was 5am, pitch black and all I could hear was the sound of the air conditioner. Waking up in the dark in a different country is a little surreal. At this time on the Gold Coast, the sun is burning your retinas even with your...

Well, wasn't day one like a box of chocolates!?!?! There are some clear themes going on! It makes getting on a motorcycle for an 8 day tour from Chiang Mai, Thailand, a walk in the park! We were happy to start our trip with a midnight flight from Brisbane to Singapore. With the kids busy and car parking not the cheapest, we decided to train it in. Quick trip! Note to self, sitting backwards isn't for me. Check-in was smooth...

Day 8 – Queenstown to Te Anau, via Milford Sound Don’t fool yourself. You CAN do it. If I did it, you can too. After spending day 7 (my non-ride day) in a helicopter, on a steam boat and having a massage, I was rested, re-energised and ready for the sound...MILFORD SOUND. But was I ready for the looooong ride ahead? See TribalMoto Travels for a compilation of small videos of this journey. The pressure was on from the get go...

I am woman, hear me roar (on my motorcycle haha). On our ride from Punakaiki to Franz Josef, we found the long white cloud, and the torrential rain it held, just for us….   Today was International Women’s Day – and what better way to celebrate than riding my own motorbike in the rain, through the amazing mountains of NZ! On this amazing tour, I was joined by another solo female rider and a female pillion who is a boss...

NZ over the ditch tour - Nelson to Punakaiki  Phone box aliens, perky nanas and police. Today we rode the awesome Buller gorge, Kahurangi National Park, Murchison, and Hawks Bluff to the beautiful beachside town, Punakaiki. The weather today was perfecto! It was super hot and sunny but that makes putting on all the warm gear horrendously uncomfortable when you're getting ready. But, knowing you’re heading into the mountains and will need cooler clothing later means, it's a must. The...

Ride day 2 – Hanmer Springs to Nelson We woke up to a cold and foggy morning. With an 8am start scheduled, I madly tried to dry my clothes and boots, which were still sopping wet. Tip of the day: hooked my boots to hang over the top of the open. Worked a treat and it wasn’t long before they were semi-dry and toasty warm. After such a wet and cold ride the first day, I was surprisingly warm as...