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DTR flick book

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THE RHYTHM OF THE ROAD<br />

It can sometimes be difficult to understand<br />

how these adventures pan out in reality. You<br />

are after all in a foreign country, very seldom<br />

do you know anyone or have a base to return<br />

to if things go wrong. You are in a sense alone<br />

and homeless and a long way from home.<br />

As a solo rider that can be hugely liberating,<br />

as you have no one to answer to and can do<br />

whatever you want to do; go wherever you<br />

want to go. And you don’t need to trek all the<br />

way to America to experience that sensation.<br />

You could ride up to Scotland, Ireland, Europe,<br />

even the Lake District, to get a small sense of<br />

that. Obviously the further from home you are<br />

the more intense the feeling of independence,<br />

and also at times loneliness.<br />

Doing a trip like this two up is different.<br />

You’re no longer alone and have company<br />

wherever you are. It helps if you’re a couple<br />

or a group of friends that don’t argue and,<br />

even as a group, can still maintain an outward<br />

view of the world. Travelling as two or more<br />

can be insular; you stop interacting with the<br />

environment and people unless necessary.<br />

For me, the beauty of doing this with<br />

someone - rather than solo - is the opportunity<br />

to share the experience. As romantic a notion<br />

as the lone rider can be, places such as Grand<br />

Canyon are much better when shared.<br />

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