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We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.


ADV HOPPERS

Not chasing destinations. Chasing the feeling of getting there.

Two riders, countless kilometres, and a shared need to go further – beyond the map, beyond comfort, into the kind of adventure you can’t plan.

ADV Hoppers 2019

Two different roads. One shared direction.

Agata and Joris come from different worlds – but somewhere along the way, those worlds collided and started moving in the same direction.

Agata is a Clinical Trial Manager who merges predictability with adventure. Riding since 2009, she has covered over 350,000 kilometres across four continents – sometimes solo, sometimes with a group of like-minded women riders, often chasing that feeling you only find far from comfort zones.

Joris took a different route into the same lifestyle. After joining the Para Commando Unit in the Belgian army, he discovered Africa – and never really let it go. What started as military service turned into years of working and travelling across the continent and beyond.

They met in Europe. The connection was instant – not just between two people, but between two ways of seeing the world.

With over 30 years of riding experience, Joris didn’t need convincing when the idea of a “big trip” appeared. It simply made sense.

Together, they form a team that balances instinct and structure, curiosity and technical know-how. When things go wrong – and they always do, eventually – they figure it out. And keep going.

Because for both of them, motorcycling is more than just a way to travel.

It’s freedom.
It’s challenge.
It’s a way of living.

And ADV Hoppers is where all of that comes together

Support ADV Hoppers

JUMPING INTO ADVENTURE WITH:

GET INSPIRED

https://youtu.be/_CP5Ck59r1U

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What a day! We started the morning at sea level a What a day!

We started the morning at sea level and ended it high in the mountains.

After fueling the bikes and grabbing a coffee in Nafpaktos, we hit the road. Since we were already "behind schedule", we skipped Day 1 of ACT Greece and joined halfway through Day 2.

Smooth twisty tarmac soon turned into adventure asphalt, then adventure concrete. At one point Agata commented that she would almost prefer off-road to this road.

Be careful what you wish for.

The off-road arrived shortly afterwards and gave us a quick reality check. We definitely needed some time to find our rhythm again.

The track was fantastic. Spectacular views, beautiful mountain scenery, and villages that looked far more alive than expected. Instead of abandoned ruins, we found charming houses and recently restored buildings.

After completing Day 2, we continued onto Day 3. The forest sections were pure joy: cool shade, soft tracks, and flowing riding. Then ACT reminded us what it's famous for: stones, rocks, gravel... and more rocks.

There was also a memorable river crossing where both of us ended up with very wet boots. We've reached the conclusion that Gore-Tex is excellent at keeping water exactly where it belongs once it gets inside.

By evening we were ready to stop, but finding food and accommodation became an adventure of its own. Several cafés we chased down had apparently been closed for years despite still appearing on maps.

Eventually we reached a small mountain village where we were treated to yet another feast. We almost pitched our tent beside a tiny chapel overlooking the valley, but a local biker convinced us to ride another 25 km to a nearby hotel.

Good decision.

We got a room with a view. Or perhaps a view with a room attached to it.

One guest welcomed us with a litre of local moonshine "for the road" and two beers. The chef added a selection of local specialities.

Apparently we're quite likeable.

Tomorrow: the rest of Day 3 and Day 4.

🏍️⛰️🇬🇷

#ADVHoppers #ACTGreece #AdventureMotorcycling #MotorcycleTravel #RideGreece
Day 2 at the RIDE Moto Festival – more of everythi Day 2 at the RIDE Moto Festival – more of everything!

Saturday turned the volume up a notch.

More bikes. More riders. More conversations. And definitely more sunshine! The festival grounds were buzzing all day.

Whenever we had a chance, we wandered around again. More bikes to admire, more interesting talks to listen to... and, of course, a bit more time spent simply soaking up the atmosphere. That's one of the best things about festivals like this - there's no rush. You just let the day unfold.

The only thing that didn't quite live up to Friday was the evening concert. Let's just say... we've discovered there's someone out there who sings worse than we do. (That's just our personal opinion we're definitely not professional music critics!)

Back at the campsite, the day had one final surprise waiting for us. Apparently, while we were away, a family of moles had decided that the ground beneath our tent was prime real estate. They'd built several fresh molehills right underneath us, turning our sleeping area into something between an inflatable mattress and an off-road obstacle course.

There was still one festival day left, but we decided to head home early. A long ride awaits us, and with the weather forecast looking far from perfect, we'd rather take our time and split the trip over two days. We've seen what we came to see, done what we came to do, and now it's time for the most important part of any adventure: getting home safely.

#RIDEMotoFestival #AdventureCountryTracks #ADVHoppers #FestivalLife
What does a perfect day at a motorcycle festival l What does a perfect day at a motorcycle festival look like?

Talking adventure riding with fellow bikers. Wandering between incredible bikes. Watching kids discover off-road riding for the first time. Seeing Chris Birch and Kevin Gallas make big adventure bikes look like trials machines. Taking a well-earned schnitzel break. Finishing the day with live music, good friends and a fantastic atmosphere.

Here's a little recap... but it doesn't capture even a fraction of the vibe.

3 days. 2 wheels. 1 love.

#RIDEMotoFestival #AdventureCountryTracks #ADVHoppers #AdventureMotorcycling
Official Day 1 at the RIDE Moto Festival… and what Official Day 1 at the RIDE Moto Festival… and what a day it was!

It was one of those days where so much happens that you don't even know where to start.

Of course, we spent plenty of time at the Adventure Country Tracks booth, chatting with fellow riders and sharing stories from the trails. But we also took every opportunity to wander around the festival, visit other exhibitors, relax in the chill zone, and admire everyone else's motorcycles. More than once. 

One of the highlights was the Speedway Arena. We watched the ACT Ride & Train team in action, saw kids taking their very first steps into off-road riding, and then came the show...

Kevin Gallas and Chris Birch throwing a Yamaha Ténéré and a KTM 890 around as if they were lightweight trials bikes. Maybe nobody told them those aren't supposed to do that! Mindblowing!

Later, we caught Chris Birch's talk. What an incredibly down-to-earth guy. Kevin had already headed off to join the Enduromaniacs event, but Chris stayed to chat, share stories and inspire riders of all levels.

Somewhere between all the motorcycles and conversations, we did the most German thing possible... stopped for a proper schnitzel. 

We wrapped up the day exactly as it should be wrapped up: relaxing with friends, listening to live music, and soaking in the atmosphere. Great weather, great people, and a festival that simply gets what motorcycling is all about.

RIDE Moto Festival: 3 days. 2 wheels. 1 love.

#RIDEMotoFestival #AdventureCountryTracks #ADVHoppers #TwoWheelsOneLove
Every trip leaves its mark. Not just on us, but o Every trip leaves its mark.

Not just on us, but on our gear too.

This journey made us realise that a few faithful companions have finally earned their retirement after many years of adventures.

The foam covers on our Cardo headset speakers have survived 7 seasons before finally giving up.

Agata's trusty Sidi Adventure boots have carried her for 5 seasons and countless kilometres. They've finally developed a hole above the heel, so waterproofing is now... optional.

Joris' summer gloves have reached the point where there are more holes than leather. Ventilation? Excellent. Protection? Not so much. Time to start looking for a new pair.

The helmet liners have done 6–7 seasons of service and are definitely due for replacement. Looks like we'll be paying Klim @klim.polska a visit.

Agata's Klim Artemis suit is still going strong after 7 seasons. It only needs a new Velcro tab at the collar, although the waterproof membrane isn't quite what it used to be anymore. Maybe it's time to start thinking about its successor.

And then there are the mysterious disappearing bolts on Agata's KTM... those definitely need some attention before the next adventure (parts on the way).

It's funny how these little signs of wear tell the story of thousands of kilometres, countless mountain passes, dusty tracks, river crossings, heat, rain, mud and everything in between.

Good gear isn't something that looks new.
Good gear is something that has stories to tell.

What piece of motorcycle gear has served you the longest?

#ADVHoppers #AdventureMotorcycling #GearThatTellsStories #RideMore
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