X-Periences: Traveling On a Mission with a Four-Pawed Friend

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
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