And this loosely links to the other thing on my mind , the camper van , or overland expedition vehicle would be a more creatable name . As a European relocator I am using my van to ‘ commute ’ from the UK to Bulgaria with the most important possessions from a life time of advocating the benefits of a non materialistic lifestyle . But my bikes and my art dharrling , I need them . As I ' ve said in previous columns there is precious little new blood in the ‘ adventure bike scene ’ a mostly 40-60 year old age group , kids gone , mortgage manageable , disposable income increased . So a conversation I find I ' m having more and more is the benefit of the ‘ campervan ’ the self containment , the comfort , the shelter , the independence of cooking and sleeping and the bike on the back to use in those ‘ spectacular ’ places , avoid the long motorway tyre squaring drudgery and the shitty weather . I can see the appeal , I ’ ve seen some very appealing vehicles . I have also seen the sunshine envy from the drivers of such vehicles when I have been on my KLR .
There was , at the end of a very challenging road in Albania a small family I met in an even smaller , modest 4x4 Iveco van . They had a young child in a hammock sleeping above their bed . In the fridge they had cold chocolate bars , under their awning we drank chilled wine whilst they failed to hide their sadness at what they had become . They ridden to Alaska and in Africa , but now junior had come into their lives they had to resentfully resort to 4 wheels and they weren ’ t in the form of 2 bikes . I saw comfort and luxury where they say confinement , I looked at my beaten up bike and a dewy tent as weary endurance and they saw freedom and credibility . Greener grass ? Maybe .
Recently a beautifully kitted out van rolled up at my neighbours house to rest for a while before continuing to Turkey , they had a motorcycle rack on the back , however motorcycles had been replaced with bicycles as they had acquired a couple of dogs on the road , both the dogs had KTM leads , the last remnants of the owners biking days .
So I hereby predict in the coming years a sway towards the camper van with a ramp on the back for the part time toys . The trick is , as with anything , getting the balance right . I predict dual sport – dual purpose to be replaced with dual vehicle – dual pleasure , 4x4 with a 1x2 in the back . You heard it here first .
Is This The Future ?