Jennifer Gamache signed up for the Waterfalls and Wildlife tour because she wanted to see an elephant in the wild. Her experiences far exceeded her expectations, and it had little to do with elephants.
When she and her husband Michael decided to go on the trip, she envisioned going as a passenger like they had on multiple trips through Europe. Then she saw the seat she’d have to sit on and reconsidered.
“I’d resisted learning to ride for a while. I can tell that when I ride on the back, it’s not giving Michael the freedom of the ride and I don’t want to take away that joy. Nor did I want to sit behind someone with that much scenery around me. I wanted to be in the moment.”
Looking For Motivation? See How Jennifer Gamache Made It Possible
They delayed their trip for a year so she could learn to ride.
Jennifer Gamache took classes, bought an Indian Scout (she could put both feet on the ground), and began riding with a group of friends. She stayed diligent with yoga for flexibility and strength-building to prepare for long-distance riding.
Once in Namibia, it didn’t take long to transition to a BMW 700GS with low suspension. The reality of where she was hit almost immediately and she had to pace herself.
“I burned a lot of energy at the beginning as a new rider trying to take in as much of Africa as possible. I was on a new bike, meeting new people, and riding on the other side of the road. You burn your battery at high rates and I had to learn to manage my energy output.
“We weren’t ten kilometres out the first day and a kudu and baby passed in front of the group. I knew I was no longer in the States.
“Most of the route is paved but we came across a gravel section from a new washout. Rene had coached us what to do when we got there—keep your head up, look forward, and find your way through.
“When I got through, I couldn’t believe I’d done it!
“There were other firsts too—like riding more than sixty miles per hour, and passing on a two-lane highway, and on the opposite side to what I’m used to. I don’t like curves because your mind never has a chance to relax. Since Namibia’s roads are mostly straight, I could try other things without having to deal with curves.
Learn from her mistake: Ride smarter, not harder
Other lessons were harder. She dropped her bike coming into a gas station too fast and acquiesced to a respiratory infection. Rather than ride fatigued and unwell, she chose to ride into the Delta in the support vehicle, rest to conserve her energy, and recover.
“The whole trip was a major learning, confidence builder, and skills builder. I learned so much from Rene and the others in the group.
“I’m not outrageously wise. Ten years ago, I’d never have said I’d do this at age fifty-nine. Some people think you’re strange and tell the most horrific Africa or motorcycle stories. I didn’t let that get into my head. I worried about whether or not I’d have a good pillow so I could get a good night’s rest and not be exhausted for the next day’s riding.
“Not only do you have to ride your own ride, but you have to live your own life. You can’t let people tell you you’re crazy to try something like this. I’m choosing to do it because this is what I want to do. I love that Rene and other riders share this mantra.
“The animals are so abundant in Africa you can’t miss them. On top of that, you learn new things about riding compounded by meeting interesting people with similar perspectives. All that, along with a good night’s sleep, made it a wonderful trip.
“The bonding of a small group who are not in cars and come together at the end of the day was phenomenal. We shared the same experience, yet, it was different for everyone.
“I’m very glad I did it.”
Photo credits: Jennifer Gamache
