In the long distance hiking world there is this idea of trail magic. Essentially trail magic is: Unexpected generosity, kindness, or support along the trail that lifts the trekkers spirit.
There are some really awesome stories of people going out of their way to help out travelers all around the world in incredible ways, and in incredible places. No matter if I was on 2 wheels or 4 I have experienced some simply awesome, what my dirt bike buddies called, “Epic Locals”. These are the folks who always seem to be there when things are looking their worst. This is not the best label as I know I have helped and been helped by many other travelers in my adventures. Maybe you have a better name for it.
When I was a 2 wheel guy I rode and raced dirt bikes around many parts of the US, and no matter where I was, either running an Enduro in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, riding trails in North Idaho, or bombing with my kids in many of the country's awesome dirt bike destinations. When things went wrong there always seemed to be “Epic Locals” there to lend a helping hand.
These are the old guys that let you use the welder in their barn to splint a cracked subframe, the kid in north west PA that just happened to have a couple of clutch plates for a WR400 (“nah I don’t need nothin’ for them, I was just holdin’ on to them), the guy who spend 2 hours on a Sunday getting a 6 year olds PW50 running again so the kid could ride another hour before leaving.
Many of these are documented each day on social media, but there are many, many more that are never known about because, well some folks like me, just don’t do that (or in a manner that is anyway impactful in a sea of soulless YouTube and Instagram “content”).
I wanted to capture some of these. I have had opportunities to do a lot of interesting stuff over the years, and along the way I have gotten a few bumps on the head, so forming new memories is difficult. I wanted to capture these events so I did not lose them to the stew that is my memory, so I started to write them down along the way. But I may as well share them, so why not capture them here. Even if the ones who made a difference never see it. It is a good way to continue to tell the story that many need to hear: The world is safe, friendly and waiting for you to come explore.
These stories are why I travel, and hopefully I will have more to add. If you like, maybe add some of your own. They don't have to be grand, they simply have to matter to you.
There are some really awesome stories of people going out of their way to help out travelers all around the world in incredible ways, and in incredible places. No matter if I was on 2 wheels or 4 I have experienced some simply awesome, what my dirt bike buddies called, “Epic Locals”. These are the folks who always seem to be there when things are looking their worst. This is not the best label as I know I have helped and been helped by many other travelers in my adventures. Maybe you have a better name for it.
When I was a 2 wheel guy I rode and raced dirt bikes around many parts of the US, and no matter where I was, either running an Enduro in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, riding trails in North Idaho, or bombing with my kids in many of the country's awesome dirt bike destinations. When things went wrong there always seemed to be “Epic Locals” there to lend a helping hand.
These are the old guys that let you use the welder in their barn to splint a cracked subframe, the kid in north west PA that just happened to have a couple of clutch plates for a WR400 (“nah I don’t need nothin’ for them, I was just holdin’ on to them), the guy who spend 2 hours on a Sunday getting a 6 year olds PW50 running again so the kid could ride another hour before leaving.
Many of these are documented each day on social media, but there are many, many more that are never known about because, well some folks like me, just don’t do that (or in a manner that is anyway impactful in a sea of soulless YouTube and Instagram “content”).
I wanted to capture some of these. I have had opportunities to do a lot of interesting stuff over the years, and along the way I have gotten a few bumps on the head, so forming new memories is difficult. I wanted to capture these events so I did not lose them to the stew that is my memory, so I started to write them down along the way. But I may as well share them, so why not capture them here. Even if the ones who made a difference never see it. It is a good way to continue to tell the story that many need to hear: The world is safe, friendly and waiting for you to come explore.
These stories are why I travel, and hopefully I will have more to add. If you like, maybe add some of your own. They don't have to be grand, they simply have to matter to you.