Welcome to my website! Enjoy and have a great ride....
I did it. I did it. Those were the words echoing in my head, as I finally completed my Patagonia to Alaska motorcycle dream. Overlanding all of the Americas, from the southern tip, all the way to the northern tip of Alaska is a dream of many. And so, it was for me.
The final 30 kilometers before reaching the Arctic Ocean, I couldn't do anything other than cry. Unexpectedly, I'd just become overwhelmed with emotion. I saw the arctic tundra through a haze of tears, behind my closed helmet visor. All those years, all those kilometers on the road and I have never cried. But the last 30 kilometers of straight, tarred road to the Arctic Ocean and tears were streaming down my face. I felt a little out of character but at the same time, I allowed myself to feel everything that I was feeling. I'd figure out what was going on later.
Memories of my journey
That 'later' came when I started editing the video that I shot on this final ride of the journey. Hearing the emotion in my own voice and seeing myself ride that final stretch of road, brought back my train of thoughts I had in that moment. I remember riding that final day and having memories of the journey pop into my head. Random moments on the road. People that I met. The scariest moments. The adventures that stuck with me the most. It all came flashing back to me while I was riding those final miles towards my goal.
Overcoming problems
Mark Manson, a famous writer, wrote something in one of his books that very much resonated with me. He wrote - you will always have problems in your life, no matter what you do. The key to true happiness, is finding the problems that you enjoy having and enjoy solving. I think about this principle a lot during my motorcycle travels. Especially when I am stuck in some swamp with my motorcycle, and when I am sweating like a pig to try and get it free again. Or when there are so many bureaucratic hoops and hurdles to get through in order to cross a land border. Or when the terrain is so hard that I doubt myself whether or not I can get through it. Or when I'm picking up my motorcycle after falling down for the 100th time.
I've come to realize that I like having these problems. And I like solving them. The feeling it gives me when I've overcome them is always worth the struggle. Simply because the reward is more valuable when the struggle was real. I think that's why I burst into tears during the last 30 kilometers towards Prudhoe Bay. I thought back to all the struggles, the sweat and hard work it had taken me to get here. Because of those struggles, it truly meant something to finally arrive here.
Pushing my boundaries
Without the struggles, I wouldn't have been crying. If I would have just followed the Pan American highway from Patagonia all the way north, I wouldn't have felt accomplished. It was all the ventures off the beaten path, into the unknown, that resulted in the biggest fights and struggles. They resulted in meeting the best people. In finding strength in myself and my abilities. In experiencing the best places and feeling the most accomplished.
And yes, there were definitely days in this journey when I wasn't feeling up to the task. Days where I didn't want to make my life more complicated than necessary and when chose an easier route. Looking back, I am glad there weren't too many of those days. Because those days I barely remember. They weren't memorable even though that's what I needed at the time. It's the days where everything turned pear shaped, when I pushed my boundaries and went far beyond my comfort zone, that popped into my head on that final ride.
My purpose in life
More than ever, the end of this journey also made me feel strongly about something else. That I have found my purpose in life. That my purpose may be, to travel around the world and share this with people through my videos. Because throughout these years, I've come to realize, that this journey didn't just mean something to me, but it meant a lot to the people experiencing it online with me too. To you, this community, all who virtually travel with me.
And so, I thought about what other dreams I have. And already started setting things in motion to make those happen. I can't wait to begin and share them with you!
Your reply
Living your best life Noraly! If you come to Australia please contact me - I can provide accommodation and steer you towards some good roads!! Cheers Jack
Jack777
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In a way I know how you feel, I recently completed a long dreamed about ride to the northern tip of the Australian Continent (Cape York Peninsular). It took four days to ride there across some of the roughest roads I have been on. It was hot and humid and a tough ride. But getting to the tip of Australia, standing on the small rock ledge at a sign marking the spot, I couldn't remove the smile from my face. Not an epic like your rides but one I will never forget. I've even got the t-shirt to prove I was there:). It wasn't until my riding buddies and I sat at the Corrugation Bar at the Punsand Bay Camping ground that it really sank in.
Swaggie
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Norally,,
I'm alberto from the phillipines but currently working here in japan I've been watching your videos,,Youre so inspiring to watch.You're a beautiful women with a brave heart.I'm excited on youre next adventure.Good luck and GOD bless.
CALATAN JR
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This was certainly a very challenging adventure! You conquered the America’s and challenged many riders to do the same. However, no one will share their experience in the same light as you! I certainly hope you have another excellent adventure soon. Ride safe and enjoy every minute of it.
Willy C
Willy’s Performance Cycle Center
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This was a great series. My biggest motorcycle adventure so far is going to the grocery store, but hey, you have to start someplace. Looking forward to season 7, and 8, and...
Jeanine
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Hi Noraly,
What a moving episode!
I can tell you that the two fans in our house were emotional too at the end of your amazing journey. We were glued to the tv for each episode.
Plenty of freezing weather & snow here in Scotland so the bikes are hibernating.
So jealous of your warm adventures in the rally’s.
All the best with your plans.
Gordon & Margaret.
Gordon
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Hello, I bought the 250L Honda, like your Savannah, new around 2014. Still have it. Love it. Great bike. Do you still have your Savannah bike? I’ve only seen a couple of your videos and see you can’t keep your bikes sometimes. Bummer. I live in Montana. Born nearby and lived most of my life in the mountains. Amazing you made it through those dangerous cartel countries alive! Your recent video says you’re here, in my state. I’ve lived here over two decades. I’ll only live in the Pacific Northwest. Central to western Montana for sure for the rest of my life. Sure I’ll travel a bit, but I’ve gotten that out of my system a bit. Especially now with so much civil unrest worldwide. Pacific NW, is safe though and very few people here. Let me know if you need good information about public lands. Montana keeps that all online. Free. Looks like the midlands of Montana, rolling hills, is where you are. Keep your privacy by uploading later, and you know, never compromise safety. I don’t. Also looks like summer in Montana, your video. I have 20cm of snow now, way below freezing at night, not like your summertime video, uploaded yesterday of Montana. I’m more in the mountains. I like riding to mountain tops (well, not up rock walls), but you know, like still legal, off road mountain tops. If you want suggestions for good rides like that, or public land access information, more in central to western MT, North Idaho, etc. Let me know. I’d rather not post that in a blog though, email me. Interesting how the internet, and western democracy and security, has given so many women like yourself the ability to travel like this and make these incredible films. I’m a veteran, served honorably in the desert. No ‘heat’ has bothered me since. Anyway, there’s terrible places on earth for women, and I hope you’re always safe, smiling, and sharing that joy with the world for us. We’re riding along, giddy with excitement at you. You shine. You’re a diamond. Love you! I knew another gal who sailed a lot, great videos, she signed her book for my teenage daughter. Good inspiration. Glad you have enough money to cover expenses. Make hay while the sun shines. Then find some place with clean air and water and safety and you can call it home, when you get tired of these rides. But that’s so far off, just forget I said it, until you need to slow down. Thanks for the personal way you talk to us (your audience), its powerfully engaging. Found myself immediately crying after you were crying on your ride, I’ve been there, exhausted, with tremendous bone deep excitement. Hands shaking joy. Love seeing it in HD! Plus you’re gorgeous, and we all love watching you. I want to watch more, but sometimes it feels almost too close. You really engage with us in a way I’ve never seen before. Thank you! Love! Anyway, glad you’re out there. Be well.
Dee-Double-U
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Hallo Noraly, I am deeply impressed with your personality as a whole. What an exceptional young woman can here be watched. A whole generation of bored kids should watch and learn. Better add the parents for that matter.
One question though : when was the exact date of arrival in Prudhoe Bay? Surely not the same as releasing the video.
Thanks.
Sitka
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Hello Alaska,
You are a legend! I wish I could find your twin, but as it turns out you are one in a million. You took a beating, but never failed Noraly. I’m assuming there were times when you thought “No, no, no. Please don’t make me do this!” Outside of a few bumps and scratches from the wrong suspension setup and that rocky uphill in Nevada, you persevered and got the job done safely every time. Truth be known, the only times you laid down were because you needed to rest. Words cannot express how amazed and happy I am for both of you. You and Noraly deserve more kudos than the heights of all the mountains that you rode through - combined! I hope we see you again, but for now enjoy some good R&R and rejuvenation.
Hello Noraly,
Thank you for the gift of your vlogs and blogs, and the education that you provide to us along your way. They allow us to see the world for what it really is, a beautiful place. It has been a treat watching your filmmaking and riding skills develop too. Well done! You are amazing and inspiring!
Lori M
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Hoi Noraly,
we miss the "good morning internet" , hope to see you again soon after your "holiday", your cheerful smile and your interesting stories are extremely missed at the moment. We hope you are ok and know you are missed,
WernerS
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