WHERE DID THIS EUROPE MOTO EXPEDITION IDEA COME FROM?!
OCT 6, 2021
How the Europe Moto Expedition Dream Was Born
You might be wondering how this idea for a Europe moto expedition came to fruition. It seems spontaneous, but it’s actually a dream that’s been simmering for years. Here’s the backstory of how my long-time aspiration turned into a full-blown adventure.
The Seed: Dreaming of Backpacking Europe in My College Years
It started when I first had the idea to backpack Europe when I was in college. But of course, in life, we balance the triangle of truth, the 3 sides being: time, energy and money. In my early 20s, I had all the time and energy, but no money for such a trip. So I got my degree, faced reality, put my head down and told myself it was time to put in the work. As I climbed the corporate ladder and my backpacking dream was pushed aside as I focused on my career growth, my dream turned into a "Do It One Day" with no set timeline.
Balancing Priorities: Career and Wanderlust
For a decade, I focused on my career. Despite the demanding work schedule, I still made it a point to travel to one international country each year, and even managing 4 countries in 2019. But I thought, how am I to see the whole world one country at a time? It would take forever and humans don't live to be 200 years old. It was during this time that I started to pick up hobbies like motorcycling, camping, hiking, and backpacking.
A Turning Point: Embracing Solo Travel and Building Confidence
And as the old saying goes, "When one door closes, another door opens." In 2018, I was laid off from my corporate job. A thought circuited through my mind: Am I ready to pursue my dream? My gut answer was No. I had never even traveled outside of the country by myself, how could I embark on a world trip without practice? I took my first solo trip to Iceland where I rented a car and drove around the entire country. It was one of the most amazing experiences. I strengthened my ability to be self reliant, resourceful and independent. Change was happening within me: where I previously always traveled with friends, I could now travel by myself. I loved it so much, I planned another trip to Cuba by myself, further building my confidence.
Facing Setbacks and Finding Clarity
After Cuba, I asked myself again if I was ready to embark on a big world expedition. The answer was No, I wasn't. I had Asian guilt, was still stuck in the Bay Area Rat Race mentality and so I found another job. I was still stuck in the system. But soon, I got laid off a second time in 2020. I took this as a sign and it felt like the right time. I had finally found the perfect balance in the triangle of truth: I had time, energy and money saved for this very purpose! I was ready to start planning for my world trip!
And then Covid happened. The lockdowns led to me to experience depression and circumstantial anxiety. It was one of the lowest points in my life. However, something good that came out of Covid was that it introduced me to long-distance moto touring.
The Evolution of the Dream: From Backpacking to Moto Touring
I enjoyed moto touring so much, I had the bright idea: Riding a motorcycle is a lot faster than walking with a huge backpack everywhere. Let's evolve my life dream into a moto expedition! As the world slowly reopened, I monitored European travel restrictions and waited for the green light. Europe finally opened up August 2021 for American travelers. The hurricane of planning began. I tidied up my life in California and started working on the exit strategy of my life in the United States. My last obligation in the US was my cousin's wedding in August and one of closest friends' wedding in October where I was officiant.
The Final Steps: Leaving the U.S. and Embarking on the Journey
After the wedding, I left the United States a week later. On October 2021, I boarded a flight to Croatia to pick up my motorcycle. And just like that, my life on the road began and I started the next chapter of my life. This journey didn't happen overnight. It’s the result of years of dreaming, planning, testing and waiting for the right moment. If you have a dream simmering in the background, don’t give up on it. Sometimes, the timing just needs to be right. That is the evolution of how this expedition came to fruition. Sometimes dreams take time to simmer.
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