In this Rider Skills episode with chief instructor Clinton Smout from SMART Performance Centre, we break down the process of navigating obstacles into three simple, easy-to-remember principles—something that’s never been done before. By the end of the episode, you’ll be equipped to assess any obstacle, develop a solid plan, and make confident decisions—even when the terrain gets tough.

Clinton Smout - SMART Adventure Programs/SMART Performance Centre:
Clinton Smout is the highly regarded chief motorcycle instructor and founder of SMART Adventures in Ontario, Canada. With his extensive experience and expertise in motorcycling, Clinton has become a prominent figure in motorcycle education and safety. He is known for his passionate approach to teaching, emphasizing the importance of proper riding techniques, road awareness, and safety precautions. Through SMART Adventures, Clinton has helped numerous individuals enhance their motorcycling skills, whether they are beginners looking to learn the basics or experienced riders aiming to refine their techniques. His dedication to promoting safe and responsible motorcycling has made him a respected authority in the Canadian community.

🔗 Show Notes & Links:
Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio.

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In the mountains of northern India, surrounded by snow, altitude, and uncertain roads, James Thomas and two other riders pressed on—confident they could make it through. But what unfolded wasn’t just a story of rough terrain or questionable GPS directions. It was about something much more familiar to most of us than we might admit: a mental trap known as cognitive narrowing, where pressure and focus cloud judgment until we can’t see what’s right in front of us. What happens when that focus becomes so tight, so singular, that we stop processing the cues telling us to stop—or turn around?

🔗 Show Notes & Links:
Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio.

🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:
We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out!

💡 Got an Idea?
Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website.

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The mission was simple: ride motorcycles from Georgia to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to raise funds and awareness for mental health among veterans and first responders. Two military men set off as a team, just like they had served—watching each other’s backs and pushing through the miles together. But halfway through, everything changes. The team breaks. Shilo Crane is left to ride alone. And what happens after that… may be the most revealing part of the adventure.

🔗 Show Notes & Links:
Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio.

🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:
We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out!

💡 Got an Idea?
Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website.

⭐️ Leave a Review:
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Damian Monkhorst, an Australian rider, loves twisty roads and staying off the tourist track. When an online motorcycle forum connected him with riders in the United States, including Andy Morley, he knew he wanted to experience it for himself. From the other side of the world, he made a bold move—buying a bike and having it waiting for him when he arrived. But once he got there, the adventure wasn’t quite what he expected—neither the ride nor the people.

🔗 Show Notes & Links:
Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio.

🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:
We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out!

💡 Got an Idea?
Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website.

⭐️ Leave a Review:
Enjoying the show? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app goes a long way in helping others discover the show.

📱 Follow Us:
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Love what we do? Help keep the adventure alive by supporting us. Your contribution allows us to keep bringing you great content week after week.

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On this episode, we go beyond the usual explanations of freedom and thrill to explore how riding a motorcycle doesn’t just feel different—it engages our brains in a uniquely powerful way. Cognitive scientist Mark Changizi believes that riding may be the one activity that truly fits how our brains evolved, creating a seamless connection between humans and machines.

Mark Changizi is a cognitive scientist and theorist known for exploring why we think, feel, and see the way we do. His research has led to discoveries about colour vision, visual illusions, emotions, language, and even why fingers get pruney in water. He has published several books, co-founded VINO Optics to develop vein-enhancing glasses, and his work has been featured on TED, Brain Games, and Head Games.

🔗 Show Notes & Links:
Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio.

🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:
We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out!

💡 Got an Idea?
Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website.

⭐️ Leave a Review:
Enjoying the show? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app goes a long way in helping others discover the show.

📱 Follow Us:
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🙌 Support the Show:
Love what we do? Help keep the adventure alive by supporting us. Your contribution allows us to keep bringing you great content week after week.

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🙏 Thanks for Listening!
We truly appreciate you being part of our adventure community. Until next time—ride safe and keep exploring!

When Eliot Metherell set off on a solo motorcycle journey through Australia, he was chasing freedom, solitude, and scenic back roads. But just days into the ride, a friendly suggestion to try a campground in the hills turned into a nightmare. Being new to adventure riding and with no off-road experience and an overloaded bike, Eliot found himself injured and alone, pinned under his motorcycle on a remote forest trail with no cell service and nightfall approaching. In this episode, Eliot shares the full story of what went wrong, what he learned, and how a few key decisions can make the difference between adventure and disaster.

🔗 Show Notes & Links:
Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio.

🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:
We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out!

💡 Got an Idea?
Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website.

⭐️ Leave a Review:
Enjoying the show? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app goes a long way in helping others discover the show.

📱 Follow Us:
Join our growing community on Facebook and Instagram. Let’s stay connected!

🙌 Support the Show:
Love what we do? Help keep the adventure alive by supporting us. Your contribution allows us to keep bringing you great content week after week.

📤 Share the Show:
Know someone who would enjoy this episode? Share it with them! Word of mouth helps us grow and reach more riders around the world.

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🙏 Thanks for Listening!
We truly appreciate you being part of our adventure community. Until next time—ride safe and keep exploring!

Sudden loss of traction is one of the most dangerous situations motorcycle riders can encounter—whether it’s wet pavement, loose gravel, or mud on the trail. In this Rider Skills Plus episode, expert instructor Clinton Smout from Smart Adventures shares four essential riding techniques to help you stay upright and in control when the surface turns slippery.

We then speak with ex-racer and IMS Products owner Scott Wright about how your foot pegs—one of the most overlooked contact points—can dramatically affect control and confidence, especially in low-traction situations.

Whether you ride adventure bikes, dual-sport, or street motorcycles, these tips will help you handle unpredictable riding conditions with more skill and confidence.

🔗 Show Notes & Links:
Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio.

🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:
We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out!

💡 Got an Idea?
Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website.

⭐️ Leave a Review:
Enjoying the show? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app goes a long way in helping others discover the show.

📱 Follow Us:
Join our growing community on Facebook and Instagram. Let’s stay connected!

🙌 Support the Show:
Love what we do? Help keep the adventure alive by supporting us. Your contribution allows us to keep bringing you great content week after week.

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Noraly Schoenmaker was living a comfortable life in the Netherlands, building a career as a geologist, when her world was suddenly turned upside down. For some, heartbreak might mean retreating inward, but Noraly chose something radically different. She walked away from the life she knew, packed up what she could, and set off to explore the world on a motorcycle. It wasn’t a wild whim — her work had already taken her to far-flung places like Panama and Indonesia, exploring gold mines and studying sand. But this time, it was her journey. Over 20,000 miles later, through countries like Iraq, Iran, and India, she found freedom, connection, and perspective — one road, one meal, one encounter at a time.

Noraly Schoenmaker is the creator of the hugely popular Itchy Boots YouTube channel. What began as a solo motorcycle trip has evolved into a global journey, with Noraly riding through remote regions, wild landscapes, and across entire continents — from South America to North America, and from Europe to Africa. Her background in biology and geology adds a thoughtful layer to her travels, and when she’s not riding, she calls the Netherlands home. Noraly is also the author of FREE RIDE.

🔗 Show Notes & Links:
Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio.

🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:
We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out!

💡 Got an Idea?
Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website.

⭐️ Leave a Review:
Enjoying the show? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app goes a long way in helping others discover the show.

📱 Follow Us:
Join our growing community on Facebook and Instagram. Let’s stay connected!

🙌 Support the Show:
Love what we do? Help keep the adventure alive by supporting us. Your contribution allows us to keep bringing you great content week after week.

📤 Share the Show:
Know someone who would enjoy this episode? Share it with them! Word of mouth helps us grow and reach more riders around the world.

📬 Join Our Newsletter:
Be the first to hear about new episodes, bonus content, and more! Sign up for our newsletter at Adventure Rider Radio.

🙏 Thanks for Listening!
We truly appreciate you being part of our adventure community. Until next time—ride safe and keep exploring!