Exploring

Some places I am exploring.

Some Places I rode motorcycles.

Bali (Dec 2011)

The first time renting and riding a motorcycle - though I am sure that I had rented scooters before that time. We didn't have the technology to film at that point in time, but I did have a camera and I did spend time uploading photos and editing them (something I used to do).

The images from my Google Photo album can be accessed by clicking the Accidental Renaissance Monkeys to the right.

Palawan (February 2013)

First real Motorcycle trip. Jason, Tom, Jacek, Gregg and I cruised from Puerto Princesa, up through Roxas and all the way to El Nido.

This was drinking and riding at its finest. There were late nights, strange accommodations and a lot of fun. Typical XR250 bikes, dirt roads that were challenging to ride for a newbie and a lot of great memories I can't recall.

Video courtesy of Jacek. Original removed from YouTube because of Cockfighting (not a euphemism).

Canada EastCoast (July 2014)

The trip that destroyed my CB750 and probably the most kilometres I've ever driven in a short period of time.

I did one day where I drove more than 1300km. Each section was from Tank full, to tank empty. And I would have gone even further if I hadn't developed a hole in the crank case that was leaking oil.

On an old bike, please grease the chain often. I did not. It was bad advice and it ruined my bike. A great trip, but Canada does not have great roads like other countries.

Taiwan (October 2014)

The First of two times riding Taiwan on what was the first trip I did where I rented a bike bigger and badder than what I owned.

First trip was in 2014 with Gregg Lee, where I rented the famed CB1100. This was also the first time I did a wheelie while absolutely destroying Gregg Lee off the line.

It was accidental.

I believe I have other footage, which I should put together at some point in time - but probably will not.

Vietnam North (October 2015 / 2016 / 2017)
and South (Apr 2018)

The most frequently and extensively ridden of the locations in south East Asia. Vietnam was my home for two years while working at the United Nations School in Hanoi. We'd ridden it the year before I moved there and I rode it three more times while I was there.

The North has some wonderful roads, inexpensive accommodations and of course, Banh Mi and Pho wherever you go.

While the first trips were my first real dirt road experiences, the subsequent trips became less dirty, as Vietnam continues to pave paradise.

On these trips I was also introduced to the magic of the Honda CRF250. We started with XRs, which look the same, but are not even close to the quality. The fuel-Injection of the CRF and the ease of driving make it absolutely beautiful

One trip is missing from the videos to the right, with filming taking place, but our editor not rising to the challenge of putting things together.

The final video is our trip from south (Hue) to north. Taking the train down from Hanoi with the bikes in tow, down to Hue, then cruising through the interior all the way back up to Hanoi was one of my favourite trips.

These trips included the likes of Nasci, Gregg, Jason, Jacek, Scott, Tom, Bart, and Brad.

I said at the time that if I got a chance to ride Vietnam every year for the rest of my life, it would be a great life.

I still mean that - though I'd probably stop to golf in a few spots along the way in addition to riding.

And I'd never not pull over for a Banh Mi.

Europe (July 2023)

A solo 21 day trip, consisting of 13 straight days of riding (and several more after the fact). Documented below in a daily Journal, and to the right in short 4 second videos stitched together, as well as in a series of Relive videos.

I tried to rent the Honda Africa Twin, but was rejected at the last minute, as the rental company couldn't offer unlimited kilometres. As such, they gave me a BMW GS1250.

Bad luck, I guess.

Less a bike than it is a recliner on wheels, this was an amazing bike, once I figured out the seat adjustments.

Taiwan (October 2023)

I didn't really take many photos, or videos. So, I just pieced together what was on my phone and uploaded a few photos and short video clips to Google Photos. If you click on the photo to the right it will take you to the album.

I should go back to taking a bit of time to document these rides because this was a really great one.

Tom and Brad. Tom on a Kawasaki Z900Rs, and Brad on a BMW R NineT. I had some KTM 350 that turned out great, because of the ride height. I really quite enjoyed it, despite it being underpowered I had no trouble leading the pack.

Japan (October 2024)

Amazing that it took so long to finally ride Japan. My understanding was that Japan being the litigious society that it is, that renting bikes high-displacement engines was not possible. Turns out - it's easy. Get your international license, reserve a bike online at Rental819 at one of their many locations and Bob's your uncle.

Couldn't get any easier.

The south was amazing. One bad day of rain, but the rest was smooth sailing. Good guy Gregg Lee joined and fortunately brought a second phone, as mine died in the rain. Full Playlist found here.

Some Places I like to Ride in Hong Kong.

The Island

TaiKoo Shing to Shek O Beach (or Big Wave Bay) - 13.5km
Shek o Beach to Stanley Market - 13.1Km
Stanley Market to The Peak (Via Repulse Bay Road) - 15.4Km
The Peak to CyberPort (Via Robinson and Victoria Roads) - 13.5Km
Cyberport to TaiKoo Shing (Via Deep Water Bay and Tai Hang Road) - 20.1Km

The New Territories

Taikoo Shing to Clear Water Bay First Beach (Via Cross Bay Link) - 22.5Km
Clear Water Bay First Beach to Sai Kung Country Park - 21.7Km
Sai Kung Country Park to Fo Tan - 20.6Km
Fo Tan to Tai Mei Tuk (Via Tai Po Road) - 19.3Km
Tai Mei Tuk to Fanling (Via Bride's Pool Road) - 20.6Km
Fanling to Tsuen Wan (Via Fan Cam Road and Route Twisk) - 25.9Km

Option 1

Tsuen Wan to Butterfly Beach (Via Castle Peak Road) - 19.9Km
Butterfly Beach to HK Wetland Park (Via Castle Peak Road) - 17.7Km
HK Wetland Park to Tsuen Wan (Via Route Twisk) - 28.2Km

Option 2

Tsuen Wan to Kowloon Peak Viewing Point (Via Castle Peak Road and Hwy 7) - 19.9Km
Kowloon Peak Viewing Point to Taikoo Shing (Via Hang Hau) - 24.2Km

Option 3

Butterfly Beach to Tung Chung (Via Airport Tunnel) - 13.7Km

Note: Option 3 and Lantau options may require additional documentation (and / or risk of fines)

LanTau

Taikoo Shing to Tsing Yi Village (Via Kowloon) - 28.7Km
Tsing Yi Village to Tung Chung (Via Cheung Tung Road) - 23.8Km
Tung Chung to Mui Wo - 15.5Km
Mui Wo to Tai O - 22.2Km
Tai O to Tung Chung - 23.6Km

Option 1

Tung Chung to Tsuen Wan (Via Hwy) - 23.5Km
Tsuen Wan to TaiKoo Shing (Via Western Tunnel) - 23.1Km

Option 2

Tung Chung to Butterfly Beach (Via Airport Tunnel) - 18.9Km
Butterfly Beach to Tsuen Wan (Via Castle Peak Road) - 19.9Km
Tsuen Wan to TaiKoo Shing (Via Western Tunnel) - 23.1Km

The Combo

TaiKoo Shing to Sai Kung (Via Clear Water Bay) - 25Km
Sai Kung to Fanling (Via Bride's Pool) - 50Km
Fanling to Tuen Mun (Via Route Twisk and Castle Peak) - 45Km
Tuen Mun to Tai O (Via Butterfly Beach Tunnel) - 40Km
Tai O to Kowloon Peak (Via Hwy 7) - 65Km
Kowloon Peak to Shek O (Via Eastern Tunnel) - 30Km
Shek O to CyberPort (Via the Peak) - 35Km
Cyberport to Taikoo Shing (Via Tai Hang) - 20Km

Note: The version to the right features many elements of the Combo (albeit in Reverse), but is not Exact.

Some Places I like to Hike in Hong Kong.

MacLehose Trail

Section 1: 10.6Km (M000-M021)
Section 2: 13.5Km (M021 - M049)
Section 3: 9.0Km (M049-M069)
Section 4: 12.7Km (M069-M094)
Section 5: 10.6Km (M094-M116)
Section 6: 4.6Km (M116-M124)
Section 7: 6.2Km (M124-M137)
Section 8: 9.7Km (M137-156)
Section 9: 6.3Km (M156–M169)
Section 10: 15.6KM (M169–M200)

Wilson Trail

Section 1: 4.9Km (W001–H008)
Section 2: 6.6Km (W009–W018)
Section 3: 9.3Km (W019–W031)
Section 4: 8Km (W032–W046)
Section 5: 7.4Km (W047–W060)
Section 6: 5.3Km (W061–W069)
Section 7: 10.2Km (W070–W088)
Section 8: 9Km (W089–W105)
Section 9: 10.6Km (W106–W125)
Section 10: 6.8KM (W126–W137)

Hong Kong Trail

January 22, 2023 - Sections 1-7: 39.8Km in 8:02:10

Section 1: 7km (H001-H014) / Section 2: 4.5KM (H015-H025) / Section 3: 6.5Km (H025-H037) / Section 4: 7.5Km (H038-H050) / Section 5: 4Km (H051-H059) / Section 6: 4km (H060-H068) / Section 7: 7.5km (H069-H084) / Section 8: 7.2Km (H085-H100)

Lantau Trail

February 14, 2026 - Sections 1-6: 30.0 Km in 10:00hrs
March 14, 2026 - Sections 7-12 (not done): 33.7 km in 6:45Hrs
Section 1: 2.5Km (000–005) / Section 2: 6.5Km (005–018) /
Section 3: 6.0Km (018–027) / Section 4: 2.5Km (027–035) /
Section 5: 7.5Km (035–050) / Section 6: 2.5Km (050–055) /
Section 7: 10.5Km (055–076) / Section 8: 5.5Km (076–87) /
Section 9: 6.5Km (87–100) / Section 10: 6.5KM (100–113) /
Section 11: 4.5KM (113–122) / Section 12: 9.0KM (122–140)