Itchy Boots

ITCHY BOOTS IS BACK!!!! After months of recovering from my accident, I am ready to hit the road again. And I will do it on a new motorcycle!! In this episode, I reveal the motorcycle that I will ride for my new adventures around the world

In the last episode I've introduced my new motorcycle, a 1987 Yamaha Tenere. This motorcycle is the same age as me! Although... this bike is far from the original version by now. In this video, Moritz will show you the ins and outs of this incredible and unique motorcycle.

For my 1987 Yamaha Tenere, I have an original Ohlin suspension that's already been around the world some 20 years ago. Better get that serviced! But on opening up - it was worse than we thought..

After testing my Yamaha Tenere 1VJ from 1987 with my luggage strapped on it, it turned out that the weight of my luggage pushed against the plastics, causing it to melt to the exhaust.. I need reinforcements! Luckily, Hannes (Moritz' son) and Robert are incredibly talented (their company is called Herbst Freitag) and they designed and manufactured something special for my bike..

It's the start, it's the start!! YES!! I am so happy to really begin this new journey, even though the onset reminds me a bit of my first day on the Patagonia to Alaska journey... Terrible weather slaps me in the face!

The second day on the road in Turkey and the weather has turned around for the better - as I ride through mountains, past lakes with flamingos and squeeze through little villages, I am clocking kilometer after kilometer on my 1987 XT600, and am getting to know my bike better by the kilometer!

In this episode, I am on my way to Konya, in Turkey. To get there, I have to cross a mountain range - while passing old roman structures like bridges and even an abandoned huge amphitheatre!

In this episode, I explore the city of Konya - home to the grave of the most read poet in the world: Rumi, or: Mevlana as he is known in Turkey. I visit Whirling Dervishes, devotees of Mevlana to watch how their ceremonies are being done and I ride around the city looking for... internet (that tends to happen when you upload a lot on YouTube!)

So much happened on this day exploring Turkey! From old civilizations from 7000 years B.C, till Roman jacuzzi's in volcanic craters, till getting lost in tunnels of a hidden city in the rocks - oh and some epic motorcycling in between! A day I will not forget very easily..

In this episode, I first check out Caravanserai Sultan Han, a fascination peek into history when traders stopped over here on their way between Asia en Europe on the Silk Road. Next, I'm headed into Cappadocia, a part of Turkey that I've visited before, but now I'm going to areas I didn't see last time. At the Ihlara valley gorge, I get chased by two big kangal dogs and try to escape via a single trail hugging the mountain and with sheer drops into the gorge..

In this episode, I explore a little more of the lesser known parts of Cappadocia. But when you ride offroad.. trouble will find you ( or is it just me??). Always.

In this episode, I am crossing a huge part of Turkey so I have a lot of distance to cover! After quickly covering some distance on paved roads, I take the last part of today's journey over small backroads through the mountains. But to my surprise, without any warning, they've dumped fresh tar on the road and I have no option than to ride through it..

In this episode, I ride my 1987 Yamaha Ténéré to the Black Sea coast of Turkey. I follow the course of the Euphrates river, but to do so, I have to enter one dark tunnel after the other, there is just no end to these tunnels...

In this episode I am leaving the Black Sea coast of Turkey and heading back into the mountains. And WOW - my mind is blown with these unpaved mountain passes. But are they dangerous?

In this episode, I am leaving Bayburt in Turkey and am full of plans. But the day turns out a little different than expected - I get to test my reserve on my bike and the weather plays some tricks on me...

It's time to get up and close with the most active volcano of Turkey, right on the northern shore of Lake Van - this place is not what I expected, that's for sure!

This is my last full ride in Turkey already, I can't believe how fast it has gone by. As I approach the border with Iraq, there are more and more checkpoints, something that will happen a lot more in the coming time.

In this episode, I am leaving Türkiye and cross the landborder into Iraqi-Kurdistan. This is my first time in Iraq and I can't wait to explore Kurdistan!

In this episode, I start from Duhok, close to the border with Türkiye and start exploring Kurdistan - in the north of Iraq.

In this video, I am riding in the North of Iraq, in Kurdistan and even though I made a promise to myself not to go offroad in Iraq - this canyon was too hard to resist..

In this episode, I make my way to Erbil, Iraq. This is the capital of Kurdistan and I make my way through the busy city (and many street markets!) to find the motorcycle district, because I need to sort out a little problem before I can continue on!

This day did not go according to plan. After breakfast, I walked down and saw that only my motorcycle cover remained and my motorcycle was gone. Stolen. This was not how I thought this day in Erbil, Iraq, would go..

My motorcycle got stolen in Erbil, Iraq, and when I found it back - all the wiring was cut. I thought I fixed it the day before, but even though I am very eager to leave the following morning, getting the motorcycle started is more complicated that I thought.. On top of that - I completely lost my voice :(

After getting sick and having my motorcycle stolen, I am not on top of my game and I start making mistakes.. crucial mistakes.

In this episode, I am leaving Kurdistan, and to continue further into Iraq, I need to make a small detour to Iran, so I can get a visa on arrival for Federal Iraq. This Iraq-Iran border is not what I expected though...

In this episode, I cover 250 kilometers in Iran and try to leave Iran and enter Iraq. But things turn out differently when the stamp in my Carnet de Passage is the wrong one and customs doesn't let me leave Iran..

In this episode, Mohammed and I finally manage to get me across the border into Iraq. I can stay with him and his mom, but first, we need to get to his house. In the dark, on a motorcycle without any lights. Good thing he knows a good mechanic!

In this episode, Mohammed, the guy who helped me across the border into Iraq, is showing me around Jassan. Next we ride into the mountains where Saddam Hussein was hiding from the Americans, but first, the police take me to the police station.

In this episode, I ride from Jassan, at the border of Iraq and Iran, to Iraq's capital city Baghdad. Here I meet up with Aya, who I already met in Kurdistan, and she shows me around Baghdad. If you are planning to visit Baghdad yourself (or other parts of Iraq), she can organize everything for you! Find here on instagram:

In this episode, I leave Baghdad, Iraq and ride south. Towards the ancient Babylon, and Saddam Hussein's old palace that overlooks it. But this day does not go smoothly, as a large nail punctures my rear tire.

In this episode, I leave Al Najaf and cross through the heart of ancient Mesopotamia. The cradle of civilization, where the first writing originated. The site of Uruk is historically very important, and I am amazed that I am the only visitor there. The ziggurat of Ur is just as impressive and I end a long day in Nasriyah.

In this episode, I explore the largest wetlands of Iraq, a place in between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers - a place many believe was the place of the biblical Garden of Eden. Many thanks to Abu Haider, for showing me this magical place.

In this episode, I am leaving Iraq! I'm crossing the border into Kuwait, to ride to Kuwait City. There I can finally go to a good motorcycle workshop and have a new wiring loom fitted on my bike!

In this episode, I am leaving Kuwait and crossing another border into Saudi Arabia. That means that I won't have to do any border crossings in a while because this country is HUGE! I can't wait to get into the desert and try out my new knobbly tires, but first.. let's try and get across this border.

This episode is my first full day of riding in Saudi Arabia. I can't wait to ride dirt so I head straight for the desert. Even though this isn't the most scenic part of desert in Saudi Arabia, I am loving the feeling of dirt under the tires! When I stop to check up on my water bag, I realize I stopped just in front of soft, deep sand: a mistake..

In this episode, I am trying to find my way around a large dune field in Saudi Arabia but things don't go according to plan. A silly bike drop leads to another silly thing - my water bag getting caught between my chain and wheel..

In this episode, I am riding to Hail, in Saudi Arabia. This country is one big playground for off-road desert riding, with tracks EVERYWHERE.

In this episode, I am leaving Hail and I have a big day planned with lots of desert riding. The day starts off well, riding through a beautiful gorge but soon turns into a nightmare in a wadi...

This is part 2 of what happened when I tried to pass through a wadi close to Hail, in Saudi Arabia. Things didn't go according to plan, but leave it up to the Saudi people to make sure you will be fine!

In this episode, I am attempting to leave Hail for the second time, but again - the desert surprises me and I have to change my plans..

In this episode, I ride to AlUla - one of the most scenic towns and areas I've ever seen in my life. But besides stunning scenery and some of the best sand riding I've done so far, I ride to Hegra. And Hegra, quite frankly, absolutely blew my mind...

Welcome to paradise... As I leave Al Ula in Saudi Arabia, I head north - right into paradise and the most beautiful wadi I have ever seen...

In this episode, I am leaving Al Disah and I am making my way across the mountains to the Red Sea town Al Wajh. After tonnes of adventures in Saudi Arabia already, I am hoping for an easy ride!

In this episode, I am riding to Medinah, but things take a turn for the worse already within a minute of leaving. Thinking I have had the worst behind me, I continue on, not knowing what is waiting for me...

In the second part of my episode in which I try to reach Madinah and I don't know what is going on with this day. My gear shifter is destroyed, which takes some work in the mountains and just when I think I'm back on track - I come across a real plague!! And then I haven't even gotten close to Madinah..

In this episode, I am leaving Madinah quickly. This just wasn't the place for me and I decide to move on: to Jeddah. And wow, what a difference!! (Also, Frankie gets some TLC!)

In this episode, I am trying to make my way to Al Bahah, high up in the mountains of Saudi Arabia. But things don't quite go as I'd hoped. A roadblock sends me back towards Mecca, for an enormous detour, that forces me to stay the night in Taif. When I continue again, the ride is spectacular, but I also realize that life on the road can be dangerous, always.

In this episode, I start riding from the high mountains in Al Bahah, at about 2400 meters elevation and after a visit to the amazing Thee Ain village, I descend down to the coast to meet my friends Sandra & Fiona from @advtravelbug again.

In this episode, I am trying to make it Jizan, in the south of Saudi Arabia, because my motorcycle needs a small service. With 180 kilometers to go still, my motorcycle decides that enough is enough...

After being so close to the border with Yemen, I decided to go. But I cannot go on my own motorcycle, they won't allow me to enter with it. The only option is to fly to Yemen, and start looking for a motorcycle there...

In this episode, I explore more of Yemen and my guide Kais, organized a motorcycle for me! That means, I am riding the magical Wadi Doan in Yemen on a motorcycle - I did not think this was going to happen!

In this episode, I am exploring the incredible Hadramaut region - on a motorcycle! Wadi Doan is one of the most magical places I've ever been to, and it's a totally different world from what most think Yemen is like.

In this episode, I am traveling to Mukalla, Yemen. This port city is about a 3 hour drive from Wadi Doan and I have to hop into a car for that stretch. In Mukalla, my local guide tries to arrange me another motorcycle, but when we can't find a motorcycle to borrow/rent, there is only one option left!

My flight with Yemenia Airways got cancelled - I get the impression that's quite normal for them. So it seems that I am not leaving Yemen just yet...

I am leaving mainland Yemen (this time for real!) and catching a flight to Socotra, an island that's part of Yemen. The only motorcycles available here are the same ones I rode on Mainland Yemen, so it's time to hop on one and start exploring the island!

In this episode, I explore more of Socotra, Yemen. This island has some fantastic off-roading, but unfortunately, the only motorbikes available, are 150cc Chinese road bikes... Let's see if I can get up this mountain on this thing!

In this episode, I am pushing myself and this little 150cc road bike to our limits. This bike is not built to ride through sand, and that's exactly what I'll be doing...

In this episode, I travel to another world. Another planet. Or at least, that's how it feels like. There is no other place like this anywhere in the world. These trees do not grow anywhere in the world. An unforgettable day, exploring a forest that is so ancient, we don't even know how old exactly...

In this episode, I meet the caveman of Socotra and he shows how easily he catches all sorts of marine life to eat and survive in the cave.

In this last episode in Yemen, I get an incredible surprise as I take a small boat to a deserted beach. I have seen these marine creatures before, but NEVER in such numbers.. what an absolute unforgettable goodbye to this island..

After my journey through Yemen, I've returned to Saudi Arabia, to continue my journey there on "Frankie", my 1987 Yamaha XT600z. When I left my motorcycle here, I thought everything was running well, but after a 140 kilometer ride - trouble finds me again..

In this episode, I am finally really leaving Jizan, and head towards the mountains at the border with Yemen. On the way, I get stopped by a few men from the Qahtani tribe who decide I should be wearing a knife around a belt too!

In this episode, I am riding the long, long stretch to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It's about 1000 kilometers, right on the edge of the Empty Quarter - a large part of the world where there is nothing but sand dunes. But besides endless kilometers of sand, dunes and more desert - there are interesting places to find too, if you look carefully..

In this episode, I explore the capital city of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh. I immediately am reminded why I don't like to ride a motorcycle in cities, and prefer the desert: TRAFFIC! Traffic in Riyadh is brutal and I spend a big chunk of this day stuck in traffic jams unfortunately. When I want to visit the Sky Bridge, I have two hours to kill before it opens, and going back into traffic is not very appealing. I decide to spend my time in a different way...

In this episode, I am suffering through the long final stretch to Dubai. That means I've reached a big milestone, the first leg of this journey to Japan is COMPLETED! Before I start the next part of my ride to Japan, I am leaving Frankie here for a little bit, while I go on a book tour through England, Wales and Scotland!!