In this age of shock and awe films that bombard our senses with sights and sounds, how can these motorcycle camping themed Youtube videos be so successful?  They’re not fast cuts between mind-blowing scenes. There’s no AI involved here.  And this also isn’t what they term “Slow TV”, where we’re watching a lack of activity until we are put to sleep.  

No. This is Art.  This is real, and that’s why, with more than 177 thousand Youtube subscribers with watch counts currently over 13 million views, he’s still not out to fool us, or convince anyone of anything. 

Rob Hamilton, the motorcyclist, musician and photographer in Australia, just takes you and I along with him through real journeys at the “Speed of LIFE”.    As Rob describes his videos, he simply says it’s a “Complete audible camping experience.  No talking, just you, me and the sounds of nature. And that’s what certainly grabbed my attention when I first stumbled upon his amazing work and became a fan.

I’m so excited to share with you today my interview with Rob Hamilton.  Speaking from opposite sides of the globe, I knew instantly that this passion for motorcycling that so many of us share connects us all no matter where we are.  And Rob most certainly knows how to connect us as a global community of those who love our bikes and the outdoors.

Connect with Rob at:

https://www.motofeelz.com/

https://youtube.com/@Rob_Hamilton

https://www.instagram.com/moto_feelz

When we were kids, we played.  Remember?  Going outside to play?  My mother or dad would answer the phone, not a cell phone but the one built into our house, and a kid on the other end of the line would say “Can Ronnie come out to play?”  Today, you and I sometimes get a call or more likely a text saying “Want to go for a ride?”   In other words, sometimes my buddies Martin or Brian calls to ask, “Hey Ron, can you come out to play?”

That’s the beauty of this sport we love, isn’t it.  Yes, it’s transportation and a cool means for travel, but if you’re like me, it’s the same play that I experienced in my childhood.  When we go out for a ride, we go out to play, sometimes alone and sometimes with our friends, and that’s a beautiful thing.  What a gift to be able to do that!

In today’s episode, we’ll remanence for a while on a mindset that maybe we don’t think about as often as we should, especially as the responsibilities of life add up.  Going out to play with our motorcycles.  Sounds like fun, doesn’t it!  It is!  Let’s talk about it.  Thank you for joining me today!

In today’s episode, we’ll talk about balance, both on the bike and in life.  As any experienced motorcyclist will tell you, staying loose and relaxed on the bike makes you a better rider and it keeps you more safe than being all tensed up.  Yeah I get that.  But, what’s it mean to stay loose in life?  

It was a cold and rainy Saturday when I met him.  Not a good day for motorcycling for most people, but as I walked around Fort Collins MotorSports, just looking at bikes, I met this genuinely friendly guy, Dan Cardonne, who as I learned, is a kindred spirit.

We got to talking about our love for riding motorcycles and walked me to the back of the shop where he showed me the motorcycle that he rode to work, in the rain!  Yep, I knew that this was a guy I wanted to get to know.  

You are in for a treat.  The following is a record of my conversation with Dan about this sport that we love, riding motorcycles.  I know that you’ll enjoy it.  

Here we are for Part 3 and our final Episode about Planning a ride to Estes Park, Colorado and the Rocky Mountain National Park region. 

Now today’s Episode is what you may consider your Bonus Material, or Extra Features like what we used to get when we would purchase a DVD.  If you’re a rider who really enjoys putting in the miles in order to see as much of the Rocky Mountains as possible, well this is the Episode for you!  

In this episode, I will very quickly recap Parts 1 and 2, which are Episodes #21 and 22, then we will consider two full day options for returning back to Loveland Colorado from the Western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, where we left off, which is the Village of Grand Lake.  

Here we are for Part 2 of Planning a ride to Estes Park, Colorado and the Rocky Mountain National Park region. In this episode, we will explore the more traffic-free backroads and I will share my favorite stops along the way. If you haven't already listened to Part 1 in Episode 21, I highly recommend listening to it first. There is some very important information there about timing your trip for the best experience. 

Here in Part 2, we’ll take a lesser known route from Loveland Colorado to Estes Park, up a the very twisty backroad that take us up sharp switchbacks, which open up to an amazing vista of Long's Peak, the Continental Divide, and the village of Estes Park. In addition to the history, wildlife, and geology of the area we’ll talk about how to ascend Fall River road, then join the world famous Trail Ridge road onto the Continental Divide then down the other side to Grand Lake.  

Planning a ride to the Estes Park, Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park region? Ready to reach the Continental Divide?  Well, this is the episode for you!  

Here in Part 1, we’ll discuss When to go, Where to go, and How to reach those exceptionally amazing locations.  In Part 2 next time, you’ll get even more details on the history, wildlife, and geology of the area, as well as coffeeshop and restaurant recommendations.

I’ve motorcycled in and around this area for 25 years.  I’m also a Tour Guide in the National Park so I have some secrets to share with you that will make yours a trip of a lifetime!.  It’s a fantastic place to see, especially from the seat of a motorcycle.  After literally hundreds of journeys through both Estes and Rocky, as we locals call them, I think that I’ve learned the best times to ride there, where the best destinations are and best routes to reach them by motorcycle.

After these two podcasts, you should be well equipped to have a fantastic trip.  Also, I’m planning to offer a free live Zoom meeting where you can ask your questions about traveling by motorcycle out here, and we can have a nice chat.  More news coming on that!

As we've reached episode 20 of the Peace Love Moto podcast, well, I’m having a ball, I’m really enjoying this because folks who ride motorcycles and even those who don’t, tell me they like it.  Thank you for the positive feedback. I especially hope that you enjoy this 20th attempt to shed a positive and meaningful light on the sport that you and I love, riding motorcycles, spending time outside, and meeting strangers along the way.. 

Now with the podcast being streamed on several outlets including Apple podcasts, Google podcast, Audible, iHeart Radio and several others now, I want to first say thank you, then I thought it would be a good time to reflect back on those first 19 Episodes.

On May 21st, in 107 countries, 104,000 motorcycle riders raised over 7 million dollars through the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride with the sole purpose of supporting men's health, focused on Suicide Prevention programs and prostate cancer research.  It was a blast and that is very good news if you needed to hear some today.  That’s a glimpse of Global Peace.  That’s a peek into what Love looks like.  And in this case, all from the seat of a motorcycle.

It was the cover of the book that caught my attention. This beautiful old BMW motorcycle in front of a barn.  It’s title almost scared me away though.  “Shop class as Soulcraft. An inquiry into the value of work.”  Yikes!  That sounds deep. And indeed it was, but it reminded me of many truths. Could that be related to this Mindfulness thing, that everyone keeps talking about? 

Maybe now more than ever, we should consider the importance of working with our hands, maintaining our own motorcycles, then going out for a ride in the real world that’s all around us.   Hum…. Thank you for joining me today!