In 2010 is was at the BMW MOA rally in Bend, Oregon and was asked to be a judge for the BMW GS “Anti-Concourse” bike show. The purpose of this show was to highlight bikes that were used in odd and unusual ways. During the judging I came across two bikes that were obviously different than the others – both had kiteboards strapped onto the back of each bike.
After the event I had a chance to meet with the riders and discovered they were Mexican nationals who were traveling to Hood River, Oregon to spend a few weeks kiteboarding. They had decided a few months prior to jump on their bikes, load up their kiteboards – and Chano, a dog – and spend the summer riding from Baja north to Hood River, kiteboarding along the way, camping out when necessary, and just exploring life on a bike and on the water.
I had a couple of days to spare before my next appointment in Montana, so I hooked up with these guys and rode with them to Hood River. They were staying at a rental house with about 12 other Mexican nationals who were also kiteboarding Hood River that summer. People threw air mattresses and sleeping bags on the floor, sacked out at night and kiteboarded during the day. I pitched my tent in the back yard and spent a few days following them and documenting their fascinating story. I created a short video of them and the story was picked up by Adventure Rider Magazine.
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