Motorcycle Explorer February 2015 Issue 4 | Page 204

MEM's Comic
Strip
Simon Roberts . Motorcycle adventurer, intrepid
explorer and bare-handed wrestler of snow leopards.
More or less.
1981. A keen touring cyclist for many years until the
day I was struggling up a climb in former Yugoslavia
heading inland from the coast. Two loaded motorcycles
passed me, gave me the thumbs up and leaned into the
next hairpin. Like Toad in ‘Wind in the Willows’, I
pulled over and said, ‘That is the way to do it!’.
I sold my bike and bought a Honda 750KZ
shortly after that trip and never looked back.
From that moment on I toured the sweeping roads of
Europe with my wife Julie. We lived in Munich, Germany
which gave us access to Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia,
Austria, Switzerland and France – probably the best
motorcycling roads in the world.
2001. Having returned to England, after a spell living in Vienna, we took a trip to Morocco – ‘The
nearest faraway land’. Its true, the moment you land in Tangier you know that you have left
Europe and landed on the Dark Continent. Spectacular scenery and breathtaking drains.
Tragically a year later my wife Julie died of cancer. I am so glad that we lived our life to the full.
Do It! Every day counts…..
2005. Overland to Kathmandu – an epic solo ride. Despite the technology, unless your name is
Ewan McGregor, you’re on your own once you leave those fly blown towns. Read the book – it
was character building!
2010. I’m now happily remarried, to the lovely Monica, and we’re planning to move to the south
of France for a more fair-weather biking climate. Perfect for the fair weather biker…..