DAVID “RED”

When Adam FaceTimed me from his car, eating a 7-Eleven corndog, and said we needed to go on a motorcycle ride to Ushuaia, Argentina, there was never any doubt in my mind that we would go. I also knew right then that this adventure was going to be one for the books.

Today, with just two weeks until we leave, I’m even more excited about this trip than I was after that first phone call completely broke, but excited nonetheless.

At 45 years old, happily married to a brilliant, beautiful, and supportive woman who is way out of my league, and the father of two amazing young women, I am not the typical adventure rider who leaves everything behind for three months to ride motorcycles a third of the way around the world with two buddies.

Yes, I would identify as spontaneous, adventurous, and maybe even a little addicted to adrenaline. However, even I am shocked that we are embarking on a 16,000-mile motorcycle trip, traversing 14 countries, all the way to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago at the southernmost tip of South America. It’s nicknamed the “End of the World” because you truly can’t go any farther south except by boat or aircraft.

I have been riding motorcycles since I was five years old. My parents bought me a Yamaha PW50 for my fifth birthday, and after that first hit of the throttle, I was hooked. I grew up wanting to wrench on, ride, or drive anything with an engine.

I’ve been blessed with opportunities to drive countless powersports vehicles, high-performance machines, classic cars, and motorcycles. As a teenager, I was a crew member on a national championship winning Top Alcohol drag racing team one of the most amazing opportunities and experiences of my life.

That experience also prepared me for later years, when I joined a Class 10 off-road racing team as a co-driver and fixer. Racing in Baja with that team for several years sparked my desire to explore this incredible planet the Lord has made for us and showed me that, with teamwork and a little creative thinking, we can overcome seemingly impossible odds.

Sometime around 2022, I decided it was time to make a change time to explore more, enjoy what pays the bills, and try coming home with a smile on my face for a change. I began the process of changing careers and chasing my one true love: flight.

I’ve been a pilot for nearly 20 years, and after careers in construction, auto sales, and finance, it was time to fully commit to flying. Since then, I’ve earned my commercial pilot’s license along with additional ratings, and I’ve been fortunate enough to fly dozens of different airplanes and jets.

I’m also currently the Deputy Director of an incredible nonprofit that restores, maintains, and flies legendary warbirds, helping keep aviation history alive for everyone to experience and enjoy.

I have no way of knowing exactly what’s in store for Adam, Matt, and me as we begin this journey. I do know there will be joy, pain, tears, laughter, and maybe even a few four-letter words along the way. We’re going to see stunning landscapes, meet fascinating people, and eat LOTS of AMAZING food!

Cheers and see you in Ushuaia!

David “Red”