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When the mental battle is even tougher than the physical one

Season 6: Project Alaska

15 May 2022

When you see me riding a motorcycle day in day out, for hours on end, and mostly over rough, rocky terrains, I think you can imagine that this kind of riding is physically demanding. And it certainly is, but to me, the mental part of solo adventuring on a motorcycle can even be more challenging. It can become a battle that you have to fight with yourself. When I look back on my motorcycle adventures so far, I can clearly remember the first time I was fighting a bigger mental battle than a physical one. 

My first major physical and mental battle

It was during Season 1 and I can still recall exactly how I felt during that experience. None of this experience I captured on camera, as I was simply not in the right mindset to muster up the courage to record myself. I was riding at a high altitude in Tajikistan and the physical conditions were certainly tough. At this point, I hadn't seen snow yet, but it was already extremely cold. I was not wearing the right motorcycle clothing for such low temperatures. In addition to that, the road was rough and terribly corrugated for kilometers on end. At that time, I didn't have the right motorcycle for riding those roads, nor did I have the right skills to ride these corrugations. All I could do was ride very slowly in order to stay upright. I ended up crawling over the corrugations at a pace of 5 kilometers per hour. At the same time, the ice-cold wind was hitting my face. I felt like I was not making any progress at all. 'What on earth am I doing here,' it echoed in my mind. 'Why did I ever think, it would be fun to travel around the world on a motorcycle?’

The longer I had to battle this road, the louder I began to shout to myself inside my helmet. Well shouting, it was more like screaming. Yelling out loud the exact thoughts that were in my head. 'WHAT AM I DOING HERE!!' I didn't even recognize myself, this was so out of character for me. It was the mental struggle that somehow had to be verbalized. Not that this kind of screaming helped at all. On the contrary, it made things worse. It worsened my state of mind and I struggled even more. I learned then and there that anger and frustration do not make your motorcycle go any faster, nor does it make your riding any easier.

This all happened a few days before I crossed the border into Kyrgyzstan. In that episode you could clearly see me struggling with the altitude, the cold, and the rough terrain.

My most recent major battle physically and mentally

Now, a few years later, I ended up in another situation where I had to face a tough physical and mental battle. It made me realize how much stronger I have become over the years. Not only when it comes to clocking kilometers on my bike, but also dealing with situations on a mental level. I know that I would not have been able to handle this recent situation as well as when it would have happened to me years ago. 

What happened? In Guatemala, in a jungle that is known to be full of jaguars, I got severely stuck in a terrible mud pit. Heck, I am convinced I even spotted a jaguar, shortly after I got stuck. I assumed they were not likely to attack me, but then again, I was a very easy target as I was practically a sitting duck with my motorcycle stuck in the mud. 

The possibility of jaguars aside, the struggle to get my motorcycle out of the mud was my main priority. And even though it took a huge physical effort to wrestle a 150-kilogram motorcycle from the mud pit, the mental struggle was even harder. I knew there was absolutely nobody as crazy as me to travel down here. The chance of an accidental person passing by that could help me, I estimated to be 0,01%. I calculated in my mind how far I was away from the main road, how long I'd have to walk to get there, and whether I would be able to find help to retrieve my bike before nightfall. Luckily, I was able to wrestle my bike from the mud pit and continued riding. On my way back out of the jungle, I got stuck again, in another mud pit. Again, I had to push, pull and lift my motorcycle to get it out of the mud pit. After each failed attempt, I had to talk out loud to myself saying: 'You got this,' 'You can do this,' 'You've faced harder challenges before,' and 'Keep trying, you WILL get out of this.' This time, it took four attempts before I got Alaska finally out of the mud pit. 

Be your own cheerleader

During the years, I have learned it is better to shout encouragements to yourself than to express the negative thoughts that are in your mind, as I had done in Tajikistan. When there is nobody around to talk some hope into you, you just have to become your own cheerleader. But convincing yourself that all is going to be fine, is not an easy task to do. And yet, it's the only way to get out of a terrible situation. Because once you give up mentally, it is going to be impossible to do the necessary work to get yourself out of that situation.

During moments like these, it is pointless to analyze how you could have prevented the situation you are in, or what you could have done differently. The situation has already happened! Better is to focus on getting out of there and learn from it. Grow your confidence and learn to trust your own capabilities and creativity to solve problems that may come to you unexpectedly. 

It's that type of confidence that will help you to stay calm, not panic, and just work your way through a tough situation. And that type of confidence only comes with experience, from battling through and overcoming physical and mental challenges. You have to go through it, in order to learn and grow. Avoiding it will never lead to mental growth. And I'm convinced that those skills will not only be an asset during motorcycle adventures, but will get you very far in life too!

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That was a brilliant episode shows what you can do if you are persistent.

daveyrb  | 

I remember you almost falling into the Kyrgyzstan border hut very well. I've watched that video a few times. It's good that Alaska is fairly lightweight you would have been in trouble with an heavier bike. Good choice of bike on your part. Loving the videos, they lighten my day. Dave.

Dave Marriott  | 

Mental over physical is always the harder challenge, your words have put that challenge exactly how it should be in situations like that, be your own cheer leader, think positive thoughts, I can do this, I can do this.. then later you can be proud of winning that battle an increase your own confidence. This is exactly why you have so many followers as it encourages each and every one of us that almost anything is possible with a possitive attitude.

Freewheelin Franklin  | 

As usual, you're spot on as I see it. Creativity and positivity makes a load of difference. Breaking up a huge problem into smaller pieces, that each on their own are easier to solve, and finding a good order to do it in.

The geochemist in you knows that diamonds form under immense pressure.

Jonas E  | 

Hi Noraly, You have given out some great advice on the type of bike to travel with.
I wonder how many people with large bikes would have managed to wrestle their machine
out of some of the situations and ferry crossings you have had to endure.
David.

Davidjeng  | 

I totally subscribe to that: There's no use to getting emotional when you need all your energy to solve problems you are in. Learn from the situation and adapt your plans and expectations in the future to what you've learnt.
And yes, that's a general skill for life.
May I just mention that I have learnt from part one of that escapade that I should ask you to include one or two Items more in your set of kit you have with you permanently? That is not that "you" as in the generalisation but you, Noraly! 😇
Travelling light is a good and proven concept, but when you lack means to help yourself out off bad situations, you travel under weight.
As your Acerbis hand guards have gotten your throttle stuck twice now, I think the tools to fix that problem are a must to carry with you. It's an allen key, if I'm not mistaken. Should be under 100 grams weight.
Around that horrible mud pit Alaska was trapped in were loads of small trees and bushes. Sources of material for improvised driveways. As you didn't have the tools to use them as such, you didn't waste your time on trying. The saws on Swiss army knifes or Leatherman-style multitools are a good start. Also there may be use for some kind of bolt cutter-style tool or gardening scissors. There may be a few more helpful items I can't think of right now. I guess a nice set of essential tools won't weigh over a Kilogram, it will give you tons of options for coping with such situations, though. Making pointy sticks for fencing of wild animals is only one of them, but a proven application of twig technology that was essential for mankind's rise. 🙃
I hope my suggestions make as much sense to you as they do to me!
Lots of love and hugs back at you and the lot reading this here! 🤗
…and with that I hear the unspoken call to take my smartarsery and go hug off with it, which I'll hapily do as the weather is good for once and I need to get out! 🤗

Zweispurmopped  | 

Don't forget the small velcro strap for the front brake lever....saves having to remove clothing !
Loved the analogy of a diamond being formed under pressure.
Mike Smith UK

Michael Smith  | 

That boarder crossing was the first thing I thought of and also the one where you and Alaska was between two fences and stuck in mud using dead branches to get going again (to underground site) and not having to back track.
I'd drive fairly fast over wash boarded road to deliver fuel to ranchers. Bike and truck smooths them out somewhat.
Glad I looked here and found this new article. Very well written and good advice for all.

Mike - P.  | 

Noraly, you have come so far since Season 1. You are no long the psuedo-novice mototraveler. Your experiences have served you well. Remember no amount of reverse-planning or belittling yourself will undo a sticky situation. Breaking the problem down into small steps and solving them one at a time will get you to the desired conclusion. Your grit, determination and perseverance are admirable!
LarryE - TxBagman

TxBagman  | 


You must be very happy that you chose a motorcycle that did not weigh that much. Imagine if you were driving a heavily loaded BMW, like the one Charly Sineman was driving. Other tires could also be an advantage but as you have written they were not available. Continue good luck on your journey
A. Ellingsgaard 🇩🇰

APEllingsgaard  | 
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