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Have you ever imagined traveling around the world with a 40 kg German Shepherd in the back seat of your motorcycle? Jess Stone not only imagined it, she also lives it every day. Aboard a BMW G650GS, she and her loyal four-legged companion traveled thousands of kilometers, crossed epic landscapes, and collected breathtaking stories along the way.
But this adventure is about so much more than the thrill of the ride. It’s a journey of courage, resilience, and a powerful mission: to raise $100,000 for Girl Up, a nonprofit that supports leadership and development for girls around the world.
Jess Stone, a Canadian, learned how to ride a motorcycle in Liberia, West Africa, with her husband, Greg. At the time, they were living there, and she admits it was a rough start.
– I was anxious. Anxious of people watching me, that I was going to drop the bike, that I was going to disappoint. So when it was time to select my riding gear, I chose the least motorcycle looking gear I could find to try my best to not look like a rider. Greg was sporting typical ADV gear like he was ready to ride through the Darrien Gap, and I looked like I was going to a funeral. No flashy colors or logos, as plain black and unassuming as I could find.
Despite all the nerves, she didn’t give up. She kept riding, built up confidence, and soon she and Greg were riding from Los Angeles to Vancouver – and then all the way down to Santiago, Chile. That’s when the travel bug really bit, and it never let go.
Years later, Jess and Greg moved to Guatemala to support a women’s microfinance nonprofit. And that’s when they decided to adopt Moxie. And everything changed!
– Most non dog owners probably don’t understand how having a dog can change your life. I knew that getting Moxie was going to alter my lifestyle, I just could never have imagined how much it was going to transform! She was the reason why I finally felt like I needed to improve my off-road skills. I was now responsible for my beast, and I wanted to be sure that I was doing everything I could to keep her safe, including honing my off-road skills to be prepared for any eventuality on the road. She so spurred me on to take her further, to show her a variety of climates, terrains and creatures.
Moxie was ready to ride, but they still had two big challenges to solve:
– Transporting Moxie safely: That’s how the K9 Moto Cockpit was born, the premiere motorcycle dog carrier for safely riding with any size dog on-road and off-road without a bulky sidecar, crate, or trailer. It protects like a helmet shell, keeps dogs cozy and secure, and still lets them enjoy the ride – smells, wind, and all. Of course, Moxie wore goggles too!
– Gear for Moxie: They couldn’t find anything that was “beautiful, durable, and ethically made”. So they created RUFFLY, a brand specializing in handcrafted dog collars and leads made from durable material and made by Guatemalan artisans who works in small home workshops.
– She is ALWAYS laying down, securely fastened and comfortably protected within the cushioned interior of the Cockpit.
After six years in Guatemala, they were ready for their next big adventure. On March 5, 2022, Jess, Greg, and Moxie left Lake Atitlán and headed for the Arctic Ocean – reaching it on July 31. Along the way, they even completed an Iron Tail Ride, “which means traveling at least 1,000 miles in less 24 hours with a dog on the motorcycle”.
– The big goal and the purpose are to raise $100,000 for the global non-profit Girl Up, an organization founded by the United Nations Foundation to provide leadership and development training to girls in over 120 countries.
When everything seemed to be going well, the unexpected happened. Greg was stuck by a chicken bus on the Pan-American highway. He broke a bone in his hand and wrist and totaled his motorcycle. A week later, Moxie went in for routine knee surgery to repair a knee injury from running. A few days later, she passed away suddenly due to complications.
As they grieved from the loss of Moxie, Jess and Greg decided to take a motorcycle pilgrimage – a healing journey to honor Moxie and celebrate the powerful connection people share with their dog.
– Heartbroken and reeling, we went on a motorcycle pilgrimage to help grieve the loss. We visited people who do extraordinary things with their dogs to celebrate the bonds they share. We received incredibly heartwarming encouragement from all you wonderful folks and some generous partners signed on to lend their support.
After the pilgrimage, they adopted Whimsy, a 9-week-old White Swiss Shepherd. She doesn’t replace Moxie, nothing ever could, but Whimsy is a new light in their lives.
– Another chance to discover our smile, a way to make eyes wet from sadness wet again from laughter. It gives a new opportunity and for me that opportunity is named Whimsy. She won’t ever take Moxie’s place in my heart. That is fossilized deep into the bedrock of who I am. Instead, a new place is forming.
With the cockpit redesigned for Whimsy and the same mission in their hearts, they hit the road once more. They’ve already conquered Argentina’s legendary Ruta 40, crossed the Andes, and are now exploring the wild beauty of Patagonia.
You can follow their incredible journey on YouTube. It’s like a road-trip diary, full of adventure, inspiration, and adorable dog moments.
– I’m riding around the world to inspire the girls we meet to dream big and persist in reaching their goals.
GoRUFFLY isn’t just about motorbikes or dogs. It’s about bravery. About turning heartbreak into purpose. About moving forward, even when your heart is breaking. And now… what about you? Who or what inspires you to get out of your comfort zone and explore the world?
GoRUFFLY Around the World
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goruffly/
Website: https://www.goruffly.com/
Born in Mora, Sweden, NEXX RIDER Hanna C. Johansson has crossed continents, pushed limits, and shown the world what true freedom feels like on two wheels. With an unstoppable passion for motorcycles and an insatiable curiosity to explore beyond the ordinary, Hanna isn’t just a rider – she is a woman who inspires us all to follow our dreams and not be afraid of the unknown.
Every new destination is more than just another stop on her journey, it’s above all memories – of encounters, experiences, new friendships and cultures, challenges, overcoming obstacles and an indomitable spirit. A lover of animals and people, she even gives names to her motorbikes, making each one a unique companion on her travels.
Hanna started traveling at a young age thanks to her parents, especially her mother, who taught her how to ride at 17 years old. By 25, she took license and bought her own bike at 27 – a Triumph Bonneville from 2009 named “Bonnie”. Four weeks later, she started her “first real motorcycle trip” through Eastern Europe. It was 2017 and, despite people saying it was “a stupid idea” she rode 9400 km during 2,5 months through 20 countries. The journey took her through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland.
– People told me I was crazy. The countries were too dangerous, I was too inexperienced, too young, too blonde, too female… and to do that trip on a Triumph Bonneville was completely insane – so of course I had to do it!
That Eastern Europe adventure was just the beginning! In 2018, Hanna, riding her Triumph Scrambler 900, named Clyde, traveled along the Swedish east coast to the North Cape and was delighted by what she discovered: “Green forests, kind people, strange food, and reindeer on the highway.” Since then, she has explored various destinations, including Japan, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Kenya, Tanzania… and embarked on a 21-day journey through South Africa with her mother.
As a content creator, she has the freedom to travel and work remotely at the same time. While she might not make a fortune, it gives her the chance to live on her terms and enjoy the little things in life.
– This is what a perfect day looks like for me: riding exciting roads with amazing views, meeting nice people, lots of photography and just… feeling free. And enjoying every moment.
Hanna prefers traveling solo rather than in a group. It allows her to move at her own pace, without the pressure of keeping up with anyone. For her, feeling the wind on her face, without any external pressure, is “the most extreme form of freedom.”
– I stop wherever I want, I go wherever I want, eat whatever I want, sleep wherever… You get it. To feel comfortable being alone is the biggest achievement in my life, I feel so free and completely independent. I don’t like to keep people waiting either, so I often feel stressed when packing or putting on gear when traveling in a group. I never feel alone either, because I always meet people on the road or keep in touch with friends and family online.
Although not every day is perfect and “brings sunshine and big smiles”, always “worth the ride”. For Hanna, the motorcycle is much more than a means of transport, it’s an extension of herself, and “the road is not just a way to get somewhere – it’s a way to become someone”. She rides not to show others, but to show herself what she can achieve. Discovering the world on two wheels is a constant source of personal growth and satisfaction.
– The surprises when I’m travelling is just unbelievable because you never ever know who you´re going to meet what you´re going to see what you´re going to do if you´re traveling with as open mind the world will come to you. I mean I don’t matter how far away you´re traveling or if you stay at home even if you are open the world comes to you!
After 8 years of exploring the world and countless hours of hard work, Hanna has proudly produced a video series with 12 episodes documenting her 17,000-kilometer solo journey through seven countries in South America, riding a Triumph Scrambler 900.
The episodes are now available on YouTube, resembling a diary where Hanna reflects on the challenges she faced while showcasing stunning landscapes, breathtaking waterfalls, and the incredible people and experiences she encountered along the way.
Ready to explore more adventures of this incredible NEXX RIDER?
Follow her:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna.c.johansson
Website www.hannacjohansson.com
Leaving family, friends, a successful business and a real job to embark on a solo adventure around the world sounded crazy back then – because it was. But for a Spanish kid named Carlos it was a special calling, a life’s work that drew him away from “stability” into the unknown- and has since inspired countless others to follow a similar path.
For Carlos Garcia Portal, “releasing the clutch” in 2009 has two meanings: starting to ride away in first gear also means letting go of our “clutch on a false reality” and for him, a grasp on the comforts of a “pretty good life”.
And venturing away on two wheels by himself is actually a paradox: He was solo, but never alone. By documenting these journeys to share with any curious souls he’d left behind, a movement emerged into a global brand, a virtual sub culture of millions of followers who tune in for new YouTube episodes every Sunday, for adventures filled with human experiences and breathtaking imagery of distant landscapes.
As a young child, his family considered motorcycling a taboo subject that stirred unresolved pain tied to his uncles’ serious accident in the 1980s. Ironically, the mystique of this topic fostered a secret love affair. At 19, a financially independent Carlos bought a used Yamaha SR 250 Special and his mother had no other choice but to accept that she now had a son who was a motorcyclist. Since then things began to unfold naturally from the SR to a Vulcan 500, then to a K100 LT, followed by a Vulcan 800, and ultimately, a Honda Varadero.
With his first travel companion in hand, it was time for what he calls “stage zero”. The desire to explore the world on two wheels was so strong that, in just over two months, he was already riding his journey from Spain to Australia.
– With the help of a great friend, I protected myself from all fears by equipping my motorcycle as if I were going to war! I gave a strong hug to those I loved most and left for Australia. (…) Traveling showed me that there were other points of view about the same things and exposed many of my normalities, which turned into oddities as I crossed borders. Traveling taught me that there was nothing more motivating than learning. And the only thing that really mattered to me was being free.
Six months later, Charly Sinewan returned to Madrid and to his routine. But he quickly realized that he needed to change his life again to make it ‘less unbearable.’ The answer, as almost always, was found on the road. So, he devised a plan to achieve his dream, at least partially. He traveled for two months, left his bike at someone’s house he had met along the way, flew back to Madrid, worked for four months, and then returned to the place where he had left the bike.
During this period, on a BMW F800, he traveled through 13 African countries covering thousands of kilometers on dirt tracks, sand, stone, and asphalt. He crossed countries considered dangerous and stayed in all types of places, from “good hotels, bad ones, and very bad ones.” Every obstacle presented an opportunity to overcome and he felt more alive than ever! The social media posts gained attention with more frequency and engagement and the audience grew every day. This period began shaping what we know as “El Mundo en Moto con Charly Sinewan”, a project where he shares every step of his journey in his genuinely passionate way that the audience finds so relatable and that has become his natural way of life.
During the first stages of his journey from Madrid to Cape Town, he was confronted with what already knew: he wanted to be a nomad. The fear of losing everything he had, which gave him a false sense of security, resurfaced, but he knew that if he never tried, would never forgive himself. So, he decided to dive headfirst into his project. In 2013, he started looking for sponsors who believed in him, providing not only equipment but also financial support. He also revamped his website, bought new equipment, improved his videos, and prepared a first dossier to present to companies in the industry. And so, he took yet another (huge) step!
– You get to follow someone’s adventure riding a motorcycle in Morocco. But you don’t see the small boat crossing to Europe with 40 migrants packed against each other. Those are the real adventurers.
The adventures have been many, but anyone who thinks it’s been a journey without support is mistaken. As he himself emphasizes, “in the most complicated moments of a motorcycle trip, you don’t fear the people, but their absence”. The truth is, during these last years travelling around the world, he discovered something precious: in every place, there are generous people ready to lend a hand to those in need!
– When we imagine for the first time a distant trip and are overwhelmed by fears, we tend to visualize people who will steal, kidnap, rape, kill, or dismember us. However, when you travel a lot, you discover that it’s the opposite: most of the time, people appear along the way to protect us.
Today, traveling around the world by motorcycle is very accessible, but making it a profession is not so simple. However, Charly Sinewan has been incredibly successful! He admits, “although I work more than before, I don’t realize it because I’m doing what I love, and that doesn’t feel like work”.
– I dedicate myself professionally to traveling the world by motorcycle and sharing it with thousands of people. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve managed to become self-sufficient through sponsorships, giving lectures or doing online advertising campaigns. I’ve crossed half the world on motorcycle and to this day I don’t have a single truly bad experience to share.
Charly Sinewan’s entire story can be found in a ten-chapter book, offering advice on how to plan a motorcycle trip, covering logistics, bureaucracy, and precautions. It also includes personal stories, as well as testimonies from three women who are also passionate about motorcycling: Gemma Parellada, Lois Pryce and Guada Araoz.
-The truth is, in all these years, I have never looked back. Since I made the decision to change my life, I believe it was the best thing I could have done. It was, without a doubt, the best moment of my life.
Although Charly Sinewan is fully convinced that he made the right decision, doubts about what will happen after he reaches Tierra del Fuego, his goal, linger in his mind. Will he continue being a nomad, or will he seek a different lifestyle?
The future remains uncertain, but one thing is undeniable: the experiences gained from interacting with others will fuel whatever path he chooses.
If you want to find out how this journey around the world will unfold, following stages of this extraordinary NEXX Rider: https://www.youtube.com/user/charlysinewan
-ROAD TO AUSTIN-
NEXX US RIDERS REPORT:
Colin Cornberg | @number8wiremoto | Philipsburg, Montana
Real American riders, true adventures from the road, and Helmets For Life.
NEXX North America scouted for adventurous and creative riders to document their journey to one of the biggest and fastest weekends in US motorcycling, and here are their stories:
• Tell us about the bike you rode to and around Austin.
The bike I rode was a custom Harley Davidson Street 750 which I built for the Handbuilt Show. It is an Evel Knievel tribute bike, which I supercharged and crafted lots of handmade parts, including the American flag gas tank and seat cowl.
• How were you travels down to Austin? Any challenges along the way?
Our road to Austin was fun, despite it being a nearly 30 hour haul. We broke it up by stopping in Moab to test run the Harley, and rode dirt bikes on Kane Creek trails and Slickrock trail.
• Was this the most fun aspect of getting down to ATX?
We also stopped outside of Roswell NM to ride offroad, but unfortunately didn’t run into any aliens…
• What was your most exciting experience of MotoGP?
We were lucky enough to have access to Kevin Schwantz’s VIP suite for the weekend! Meeting Kevin and watching the race was an experience I won’t forget.
• What was your favorite bike at the Handbuilt Show?
Jake Drummond’s Omen and Fullermoto’s 2029 were my favorite bikes of the show, but there were a lot of game changing builds there this year!
• Do you recall a favorite moment from the Austin weekend?
There were many great moments, tacos were one of them. As a builder, getting to chat with some of the industry leaders is inspiring and that’s what I value most about shows like the Handbuilt.
• Describe your experience with your NEXX helmet.
I was blown away by the NEXX X.G100 Grand Win helmet when I got it. I was expecting something similar to the other retro-styled helmets on the market right now, but the fit and finish of the X.G100 feels like it's on another level. It feels incredibly secure but still super-comfortable. The visor, closures, and vent systems are all well designed and work great. I have ridden in the helmet a few more times since being home and am looking forward to many more rides!
-ROAD TO AUSTIN-
NEXX US RIDERS ANNOUNCEMENT
NEXX North America recently scouted for adventurous and creative riders to document their journey to one of the biggest weekends in US motorcycling, and the results are in! Meet the next crop of US NEXX Riders and follow along on their adventures to the fastest motorcycle race and biggest custom bike show on the 2019 US calendar.
Micah Huntzinger | @jackelfox | Denver, Colorado
Colin Cornberg | @number8wiremoto | Philipsburg, Montana
Alex Baldridge | @twowheelsparttime | Nashville, Tennessee
Katie Lovelace Baldridge | @katielb213 | Nashville, Tennessee
-ROAD TO AUSTIN-
2019 MOTOGP TX | HANDBUILT SHOW RIDER SEARCH
