1. Get something to write in.

We like using pen and paper, but you may prefer to use an electronic tool; either is fine. We use composition books that can be found in almost any grocery or variety store; others prefer purpose-made journals like Moleskine.

Whatever you choose, you want something you find pleasant to use; this will help you encourage yourself to write in it every day. (For that reason, many people like using a really nice pen, too, to improve the quality of the experience.)

2. Write!

The goal is to get it outside of your head. Once you do, write about where the thought comes from, when you first noticed it, and why you think it keeps coming up for you.

A good place to start is with whatever is rattling around in your head. For example, is there a thought that’s crossed your mind more than once today? Write it down.

The more times a thought has crossed your mind, the more valuable it is to write it down.

3. Be kind to yourself.

If you miss a day, forgive yourself and start writing again! Don’t worry about the days you missed. Just pick up the journal and begin writing again.

Before your Journey, please write down your authentic answers to these 6 questions:

1. Why are you going on this journey?

2. What called you to this journey?

3. What do you hope to get from the journey?

4. What do you hope to leave behind on this journey?

5. What do you fear about the journey?

6. How did you overcome that fear in order to come on the journey?

Answer these questions candidly and authentically so that you’ll get the most benefit from them.

This isn’t about looking good in front of the other participants or having the “right” answer. Let’s peel back our layers of reflexive defenses and face who and where we are in this life!

We’ll compare notes during our Journey.

If the fear of sharing your journal is getting in the way of writing down your authentic feelings, rest easy – you’re not required to share what you write, unless you want to.

1. Set a modest goal.

You don’t have to spend a lot of time meditating; 2 to 5 minutes is plenty.

This might feel long and daunting at first but, before you know it, our mediations will seem quite brief.

2. Focus on your breath.

Getting your brain to be quiet for even a few moments can be a challenge – and that’s completely normal. Breathe naturally, paying attention to the way the air gently moves in and out of your lungs.

3. Cut yourself some slack.

If you notice that you’re thinking about something other than your breath:

Acknowledge it, forgive yourself, and let it go.

There’s no need to get angry or frustrated when your mind wanders – simply release the thought and return to focusing on your breath.

One of our favorite practices is to use a guided meditation video. You can find lots of these on YouTube.

Pick a short one, sit comfortably, turn it on, close your eyes, and follow the narrator’s instructions.

Start by finding a comfortable place to sit.

Be sure to set a timer; that way, you’re not distracted by wondering how much time has passed or if you’ve completed the intended duration.

Close your eyes, focus on your breath, and slow down.

If you notice that you’re busy thinking about something, acknowledge it, forgive yourself, and let it go. There’s no need to get angry or frustrated when your mind wanders – simply release the thought and return to focusing on your breath.

Advanced-rider courses are probably the best investment you can make as a motorcyclist.

Skills training will benefit you far more than shiny chrome or a loud exhaust. Or even a suspension upgrade.

Why? Improved skills travel with you from bike to bike, making you a better, faster, safer rider – no matter what you’re riding.

Not every person will find every book equally valuable. We have our favorites – and others that we’re less keen about.

Check out an online sample (or try your library) until you find one that speaks to you.

Here are some leading examples:

• Total Control ⧉

• A Twist of the Wrist ⧉

• Proficient Motorcycling ⧉

• Motorcycle Roadcraft ⧉

If you would prefer getting your training from videos rather than books, there are whole channels dedicated to the topic.

Here are two favorites:

• MCrider ⧉
  This one stands out. We rarely, if ever, disagree with Kevin – lots of solid advice and clear instruction.

• Roadcraft Nottingham ⧉
  This is an English channel that uses the Motorcycle Roadcraft book as its guide. His videos are good and his explanations are solid. (You just have to convert from left to right sometimes, due to riding on the opposite side of the road in the UK.)

The UK motorcycle newspaper, Motorcycle News (MCN) ⧉ publishes lots of content. The series, Secrets of a Road Tester, is particularly helpful:

• How to Ride Like a Road Tester ⧉

• State of Mind ⧉

• Keeping It Smooth ⧉

• The Subtle Art of Cornering ⧉

• Keeping Hydrated ⧉

• Using Speed on the Road ⧉

• Overtaking ⧉

• Wrapping It All Up ⧉

Get out and ride!

• On our shortest Day Journey, we’ll often cover at least 100 miles.

• On an overnight Weekend Journey, you might ride 200–400 miles per day, two days in a row.

• Our Basecamp and Pilgrimage Journeys will have high daily mileages, one day after another. Expect to cover 300+ miles per day, day after day.

Go ride that distance on your own so that it’s not a shock to your system when you ride with us.

If your first-ever 300-mile ride is on Day 1 of a weeklong Journey, we guarantee that the subsequent days will get harder and more painful. Don’t assume that you can simply ride yourself into shape on the trip; you’ll just be less likely to successfully complete the ride.

Have – and wear – the right gear.

We believe in the wisdom of ATGATT: All the Gear, All the Time.

At a minimum, this means your protective equipment needs to include the following:

• DOT-certified helmet

• Abrasion-resistant one-piece suit or jacket-and-pants combination, preferably armored

• Gloves that are specific to riding street motorcycles

• Sturdy footwear that covers the ankle

• Waterproof gear because we ride, rain or shine

Potential participants sometimes worry if their bike will be fast enough.

If your motorcycle is freeway legal in California, it’s likely fast enough for a Transformative Journeys ride.

We generally lead rides on one of two 650 twins – either a Royal Enfield 650 (~45 hp) or a Kawasaki 650 Versys (~65 hp).

When you’re trying to cover a lot of ground, range is important – and more is always better.

Your motorcycle must be able to comfortably travel at least 120 miles between fill-ups.

We expect you to verify that your motorcycle can meet or exceed our minimum range-per-tank requirement.

We can argue whether or not loud pipes save lives, but there’s little debate that they annoy the non-riding public – and attract the hostile attention of the police.

Motorcycles with stock exhausts are preferred. If you have an aftermarket exhaust, put the db-killers in before joining our ride.

If your bike wouldn’t pass the sound check at Laguna Seca, it’s too loud for a Transformative Journeys trip.

If your bike is not in top-notch condition, it poses a risk to you and your fellow riders.

Your motorcycle must be in good shape and well maintained.

We don’t have chase vehicles; if your bike breaks down, we all have to deal with it – and you’ll risk being unable to continue.

When in doubt, always get your bike serviced by a qualified professional motorcycle mechanic before the trip.

Motorcycle tires wear out. Fast. There are few parts on your bike that you depend upon more for your safety than your tires.

If your tires are more than half worn, replace them before your trip. You will have a much better time as a result!

You may find that your tires will wear faster on a Transformative Journeys ride than on your average commute. If you’re saying to yourself, “I think these tires will just make it,” chances are very good that they won’t.

If your tires wear out on a weekend, particularly on a Sunday, you may not be able to find replacements. Even if you can find an open shop, the time required to purchase and mount a new set of tires can easily consume a half day; either the entire group is held up for that long – or you are that far behind the rest of the group. Why chance it?

We will inspect both your motorcycle and your gear at the start of every single Journey.

If, at our discretion and in our sole judgment, either your motorcycle or your protective equipment is deemed unsafe, we reserve the right to exclude you from the ride.

We know that not getting to ride would be a downer! Please do yourself a favor and make sure that you and your bike are fully ready.

We strongly recommend that you buy travel insurance when booking one of our Journeys.

Travel insurance protects you if you have to cancel unexpectedly, or if the Journey is disrupted by external circumstances (e.g., extreme weather events, natural disasters, pandemic, political disruptions, etc.).

If you need a recommendation, InsureMyTrip ⧉ is a travel-insurance provider that comes highly regarded.