ven·er·a·ble
adjective: accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
Adventure travel has long lurked in the marrow of the bones of homo sapiens. There must be something irresistible about the allure of exploring the unknown when men and women like Sir Ernest Shackleton, Amelia Earhart, and those trusting or foolish enough to join them are willing to leave the comforts of home to risk life and limb. Modes of propulsion are many and, once lit, the flame of adventure leaps quickly from candle to bush to tree. For some, Scouting first whetted the appetite. For others, it was a walk in the woods with Dad or a fishing trip with Grandpa. Perhaps it was that pre-adolescent thrill as the clutch was jerkily engaged on the old Jeep. Maybe it was the magical centrifugal sensation during a first motorcycle ride that stuck in our gut like a captive butterfly. Whatever event or combination thereof, when the tinder of adventure is ready, a spark is enough to set our world ablaze.
Read MoreWhether riding on or off pavement, wearing proper safety gear is crucial while on two wheels. Two pieces of gear that have become mainstays of my adventure riding travels include the tried and true, American-made Darien jacket from Aerostich and the latest in helmet technology, the Krios Pro ECE, from Klim.
Read MoreNew Mexico continues to prove itself as a true gem for adventure with a myriad of opportunities to explore whether by auto, adventure motorcycle, or on foot. Additionally, the state is rich in cultural and culinary diversity, with Santa Fe and other towns enhancing its charm.
Read MoreThe sky was gloomy — a light drizzle fell upon the grass and nearby pavement, leaving a moist glaze I knew we’d have to drive through as we began our jaunt toward the mountains. I could easily imagine I was standing in a meadow along some backroad in the U.K. Even one of my English colleagues said it felt like home. The setting, however, was southern Utah and the dreary sky didn’t last long as we began a meandering two-day journey in the all-new Land Rover Discovery.
Land Rover launched the Discovery model over 28 years ago. This vehicle was hugely instrumental in establishing the luxury SUV market in the United States. Its iconic boxy shape saw four iterations over the subsequent 27 years with measurable upgrades to suspension, functionality and comfort along the way. When I was handed the keys and turned towards the vehicle, the first thing I noticed was the departure from the iconic boxiness of its predecessor. Admittedly, it took a while to get used to the Discovery’s complete redesign though it didn’t take long for me to succumb to its allure. Once inside, I was captivated by the deceptively roomy and incredibly comfortable interior.
Read MoreAs we approached a section on Black Bear Pass in Colorado known as The Steps, the views leading down toward Telluride were stunning and, at the same time, harrowing. I had concerns. Not only had a light drizzle lingered throughout much of the day, causing the mix of granite and loose rock to become slick, the A-TRAC system – Active Traction Control – in our 100 Series Land Cruiser wasn’t functioning properly. All of this culminated into a journey that depended on nothing but 4-low, a bit of skill and a relatively new set of 275/70/18 BFG KO2 tires. This was going to be interesting.
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