Itchy Boots

[SpankMe]

Really enjoying this girls YouTube Cahnnel about her touring Europe and Asia on her Royal Enfield Himalayan for the past 7 months.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0geCKCExFs

[babysteps]

Your Avatar is distracting. . .

[caseye]

Your Avatar is distracting. . .

Ya Think? Na, go on!
It's pretty normal around here.
Had a dekko at some of her travels Spanky, she cetainly gets around, noice bike too. OK, it works.:lol:

[husaberg]

I watch a few of the travel through Iran
Amazed how many spoke very good English at the hotels and how nice they all were, Not at all as they are portrayed to be, so cheap too.

[Viking01]

I enjoy reading some of the adventure threads on sites like
AdvRider. And recently just happened to see this thread
mentioned on KB.

What a great find. And thanks for posting a heads-up on KB.

Over the last few days, have spent some time watching her
videos. Up to video #90 at the moment. Very watchable.

For those interested, go to www.youtube.com , and then
just search " Itchy Boots " ( or " Itchy Boots episode xx" ,
where xx is the episode number. [No quotes needed.]

She also had a website: https://www.itchyboots.com/,
which shows her whole travel route.


Riding through some areas of interest to me (for a multitude of
reasons).

Iran
Have some Iranian friends from the early 1980's (studied chemical
engineering together), and have read quite a few travel books on
Iran. So it was great to see some video of different parts of Iran.

One of the wife's uncles (Dutch) was based in Iran in the 1960's,
busy flying helicopters and ferrying drilling equipment for various oil
companies.

His impression was not only of a very friendly and hospitable people,
but some great places to see as well. He had some great photos
from all around the country.

Our western press does Iran (like several other countries) a grave
disservice.

The Stans
Have also read a few books on the Stans. Each with a long history,
because of their location on or around the Old Silk Road.

A Danish cousin (and wife) from Copenhagen have just completed a
20 day tour of five Stans, though their itinerary was roughly in the
opposite direction to the rider.

It was interesting to get his comments as well, given that the Stans
were Soviet republics prior to collapse of the USSR, and have since
had to forge their own identity and each develop their own economy.

For me, the highlight have been some of the video through Tajikistan
(episode 75 thereabouts) along the Pamir and along the river separating
it from Afghanistan. Some quite amazing scenery.

Thanks once again.

[Jeff Sichoe]

You studied chemical engineering with the Iranians?

And in the 60's Iran was a nice place, before the revolution of 79 Iran was fairly progressive.

[pritch]

Having caught up to the current state of play in Itchy Boots I have to wait until she gets mobile again. She's hoping that'll be a couple of weeks. The planned ride is Patagonia to Alaska. She says that the seasons dictate she either takes six months or eighteen. She's currently planning on eighteen.

[Viking01]

You studied chemical engineering with the Iranians?

And in the 60's Iran was a nice place, before the revolution of 79 Iran was fairly progressive.

Morning. Just to clarify:

Studied chemical engineering here in NZ, and some Iranian students also attended
the same courses. Whom I happened to make friends with, and learn a little about
Iran.

From what I have read (and my friend's comments), Iran prior to 1979 was quite a
progressive country in western terms. But the SAVAK (Iranian secret police, that
were established with CIA assistance in 1953 post the Mossadegh coup) was to be
feared.

[Viking01]

Having caught up to the current state of play in Itchy Boots I have to wait until she gets mobile again. She's hoping that'll be a couple of weeks. The planned ride is Patagonia to Alaska. She says that the seasons dictate she either takes six months or eighteen. She's currently planning on eighteen.

Morning.

I am still making my way through her trip videos (#112 at the moment,
but the end of the trip is in sight).

You had updated information about her future travel plans - did you obtain
that by subscribing to her blog ?

I'd be interested to follow her Patagonia to Alaska ride.

Cheers,
Viking

[pritch]

There is a Brit biker does YouTube clips, road tests etc. The Missenden Flyer (sp?). He did a (very) recent interview with her.

When I get back to my laptop I'll post the link.

[Viking01]

There is a Brit biker does YouTube clips, road tests etc. The Missenden Flyer (sp?). He did a (very) recent interview with her.

When I get back to my laptop I'll post the link.

Thanks. Did a quick search and found (and watched) the interview
that you mentioned above.

Have also just subscribed to her blog, so that should provide some
advice of her South American travels once they start.

Cheers,
Viking

[pritch]

Thanks. Did a quick search and found (and watched) the interview
that you mentioned above.

Have also just subscribed to her blog, so that should providesome
advice of their South American travels once they start.

Cheers,
Viking

It's good while you are playing catchup, you can watch whenever you like. Once caught up you have to wait a day or two each time.

For the benefit of anyone else interested the interview starts fifteen minutes in.
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=MsHnxWggHl4&fbclid=IwAR23mL90ULyaCuHIkja7yKdamvktHKlwXRQ1eQ10C OKibJM545OrZzQS30o

[Viking01]

It's good while you are playing catchup, you can watch whenever you like. Once caught up you have to wait a day or two each time.

For the benefit of anyone else interested the interview starts fifteen minutes in.
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=MsHnxWggHl4&fbclid=IwAR23mL90ULyaCuHIkja7yKdamvktHKlwXRQ1eQ10C OKibJM545OrZzQS30o

Yes, I have to agree with your first comment. Now that the end
of her last trip is in sight, I'm rationing myself to watching just
2-3 posts per day.

The nice thing has been the amount of video footage that she
has posted. Well, that, and an attractive presenter... 8-) Which
may explain her large number of followers.

My wife (also a Dutch blonde) happened to see one or two short
snippets as well. Her comments were more along the lines "Yes,
I can see the attraction, but no, you can't have another one".
Damned if I know what she was talking about... 8-)

From the interview you pointed out, Noraly mentioned just how
much time she had invested in preparing her video clips while
travelling. Which was considerable.

The new GoPro certainly provided good stabilisation when riding
over rough ground.

However, I couldn't find any mention on her blog what software
she had been using to import and process her GoPro video footage.
Which would be interesting to know.

[george formby]

It's good while you are playing catchup, you can watch whenever you like. Once caught up you have to wait a day or two each time.



I spotted this post looking at "what's new?" - And immediately thought of Project Binky. Unrelated I know, but we all have our little peccadilloes. I've been watching for years, posts are months apart and the bloody mini is still nowhere near turning a wheel. :mad:

Back in the day it would be 12 episodes at 7:30pm, every Wednesday.

[husaberg]

I spotted this post looking at "what's new?" - And immediately thought of Project Binky. Unrelated I know, but we all have our little peccadilloes. I've been watching for years, posts are months apart and the bloody mini is still nowhere near turning a wheel. :mad:

Back in the day it would be 12 episodes at 7:30pm, every Wednesday.

Its taken years, but the quality of the brackets:lol:
I enjoy that and they have even got the transporter for the second one.
I enjoy them and the less talented Aussie duo of marty and Moog

[pritch]

The new adventure begins:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhiOcRJxVws

[Warr]

Thread Dredge warning !!
But the subject is still valid

https://www.youtube.com/@ItchyBoots
@ItchyBoots1.71M subscribers577 videos

Currently she is heading down Africa & negotiating the wet season ... many muddy challenges.

Description
I've ridden 140.000 kilometers solo around the world and still counting! My name is Noraly, I'm Dutch and passionate about motorcycles, traveling and adventuring. In 2018, I quit my job, sold my belongings and have been traveling the world fulltime by motorcycle since then. Over 40 countries later, I am in North Africa, making my way down South. My loyal companion is named Alaska, because I rode her all the way up to the northern tip of Alaska before coming to Africa. She is a Honda CRF300L Rally with tonnes of modifications!

I share my adventures here on YouTube every Wednesday and Sunday! Welcome to the channel and I hope you'll enjoy the ride!

LET'S GO!

[Laava]

My wife and I watch her episodes. One of the best things to cross our screen!

[pete376403]

One of my preferred YouTubes as well. I'm hopeful that as the journey extends further around to Nigeria she sticks to the coast to avoid the Boko Haram insurgents. With a following as large as Noraly has, she would be a prime target for kidnapping and ransom.

[pritch]

Yes. There are others but this is my regular watch. Her riding has come on immensely since she set out from India several bikes ago. A high point for me was her time in Iran; the people were amazingly helpful. I can't be bothered with all of the bullshit surrounding international travel now so I do it vicariously through Norally's travels.

Recommended.

[actungbaby]

Yes. There are others but this is my regular watch. Her riding has come on immensely since she set out from India several bikes ago. A high point for me was her time in Iran; the people were amazingly helpful. I can't be bothered with all of the bullshit surrounding international travel now so I do it vicariously through Norally's travels.

Recommended.Yes she is very good .brave girl
Too .

Sent from my CPH1941 using Tapatalk

[BMWST?]

One of my preferred YouTubes as well. I'm hopeful that as the journey extends further around to Nigeria she sticks to the coast to avoid the Boko Haram insurgents. With a following as large as Noraly has, she would be a prime target for kidnapping and ransom.

she seems to do her homework here and is often in touch with different travellers (we dont often see this part) and knows the lay of the land so to speak. I am sure she is aware of current events. There is quite a time lag between what we see and where she actually is.

[pritch]

she seems to do her homework here and is often in touch with different travellers (we dont often see this part) and knows the lay of the land so to speak. I am sure she is aware of current events. There is quite a time lag between what we see and where she actually is.

Was listening to the BBC yesterday. It seems Boko Haram are mainly confined to the North East of Nigeria. They used to control territory but now not so much. They mainly do hit and run attacks.

The government wasn't doing much about them, even after they kidnapped all those school girls. Michelle Obama got on the case and it went viral on international social media so the government finally got off their arses.

If Norally doesn't venture too far inland she should be OK. Fingers crossed.

[R650R]

Well I’ve managed to properly watch a couple episodes now she’s somewhete interesting.

The burnt out clutch through that Liberian boggy mud just epic. And what a great salute to the character of African men. That young chap lawerance that helped her and later his brother true men of selfless virtue helping her out.
She made the point several times that everyone there helps you no one leaves anyone behind what a great nation of people in Liberia.

[pritch]

She burned a clutch in Iran as well and the people there were just as amazing. On that occasion she was carrying a spare set of plates. I'd be surprised if in the light of that experience she wasn't carrying a spare set now. If she has mentioned that detail I missed it.

[pete376403]

Well the clutch has been repaired but I was surprised the local mechanics pulled the engine from the frame and removed the head, cylinder and piston even before removing the side cover and clutch. The clutch was defo toasted and it appears a lot of new parts went in, so I hope they put new rings in as well or that engine will turn into an oil burner before too much longer.

[Racing Dave]

Quite a lot of metal broken pieces were washed out with petrol. Certainly had a new clutch basket and clutch plates fitted. Hard to tell what else might have been replaced. Like Pete, I was puzzled by the engine out, head and barrel off, too. No obvious reason. Unless the crankshaft was replaced. The mysterious noise that has recently been mentioned by Noraly...

[BMWST?]

can only think they were lookig to see if any damage had been done by either the clutch or looking for source of the noise.She must hve done a few k s on the 300 by now!

[BMWST?]

new episode up

[pete376403]

in the comments it is good to see that she acknowledges various parts of Africa are no go zones.

[nerrrd]

Not finding Africa as interesting, doesn't seem to be as much variation in climate/conditions? Might be a bit more restricted as to where she can go compared to some of the other trips?

That mud was brutal though, she really should have turned around and gone another way (if there was one). I feel like she was slightly hijacked there by the helpful locals who were sure they could get the bike through. Which they did, but at a high price.