What long-distance riding actually looks like — country by country

Over the years, I’ve shared a lot about long-distance and adventure motorcycle travel, in videos, books, and conversations with riders from all over the world. One thing has become very clear to me: most problems on the road are not caused by riding skill or equipment. They come from wrong expectations.

The Reality Notes are not travel guides. They are short, honest notes based on my own riding experience in different countries and regions. They focus on what usually slows people down, creates stress, or drains energy long before anything “dramatic” happens. They are written for riders who want to understand what a place feels like to travel through, not just how it looks on a map or in photos.

Why are these notes “pay what you want”?

I decided to make the Reality Notes available as pay what you want because I don’t want price to be the deciding factor between realistic information and false expectations. Some riders are just starting to plan. Others are already on the road. Everyone’s situation is different. Instead of fixing a price, I’m leaving that decision to you.

You can pay nothing.
You can pay a small amount.
You can pay more if you feel the information helped you avoid mistakes or save time.

There is no pressure and no expectation. This approach has worked well for me in the past because it’s based on trust, not urgency or marketing tactics. I prefer to keep it that way.

What these notes are — and what they are not

They are:

Short and focused
Based on real riding experience
About borders, bureaucracy, fatigue, and mental load
Meant to be read quickly and used practically

They are not:

Classic travel guides
Step-by-step border manuals
Constantly updated news reports
Polished travel inspiration

If you’re looking for realism rather than hype, you’ll probably find them useful. If not, feel free to skip them.

Either way, thank you for following my work over the years!

View the Available Reality Notes