The Motorbike Tour

November 17, 2026

Is it quitting when we choose to stop doing something, or is it just setting boundaries?

Today I decided I wasn’t going to ride solo anymore. Yesterday shook me more than I wanted to admit—that near-miss with the white van rattled my confidence and made me question why I was on this adventure in the first place.

Was I here for the FB or IG post?

Was I here to prove something to myself?

And why did I feel like a failure?

Once we decided that I would ride piggyback, I climbed on the back of someone else’s bike. But I still wasn’t convinced I’d made the right choice. As we rode through the first stretch—some wet spots and very sandy—I caught myself thinking, maybe I could have handled this.

But at the stop right near the end of the salt lakes, the leader mentioned the next 20 km would be a very busy highway and to “take it slow,” and that’s when it finally clicked: I had made the right decision.

The truth is this: I came here to prove something to myself. And I did.

I rode a motorcycle in West Africa.

And now it’s okay to say, “This part isn’t for me.”

That isn’t quitting.

That’s knowing your boundaries — and respecting them.

November 19, 2025

The Gambia, Day 4

So far we’ve gone about 200 km. I had no idea how tiring being on the back of a motorcycle can be.

Yesterday we passed from Senegal to the Gambia. After getting through the border in a rather unconventional way, we took a ferry to cross the Gambian River. Stiffling hot and stale air for the hour long crossing. After arriving, we drove for about thirty minutes to our hotel and the beach front. Beautiful waves and pure serenity.

Later that night we headed out for dinner to Senegambia. The night was long. The drinks were flowing. And I nearly found my own version of 90 Day Fiancé .

Today it’s a late start and we head to a eco lodge.

November 21, 2025

The Gambia —> Senegal —> Guinea-Bissau

It’s been a whirlwind few days so I’m a little behind on my posts. When I last shared, we had arrived in the Gambia and we went to the Senegambia strip for dinner, drinks, and dancing. Loads of fun. And while I tried my hardest to find my African prince, I wasn’t successful.

The real magic happened the next two days.

Matt, one of the owners of the tour company I’m on, suggested I meet a young Gambia woman who is an entrepreneur. She came by in the morning and we had a great conversation. And then, she took me to the town center where I had the occasion to meet several other female entrepreneurs for my Geography of Connection project. It was an incredible experience. And I’ll write more about it on a separate post.

Then later we continued on to an eco-lodge where I got some of my best sleep yet.

The next day we drove through The Gambia, back into Senegal, and then into Guinea-Bissau. As a reward for our long day on the bikes, we were treated to a local dance troupe performance. You could tell by the large crowd of villagers, that it really was special. Later dinner, drinks, and loads of laughs.

Today as we near the end of our trip, we’re headed back to Senegal, where we’ll stay in the beautiful Casamance region for two nights. Then we’ll take a ferry back to Dakar.

November 22, 2025

Senegal (Cap Skirring)

Yesterday was our last long riding day. We rode from Guinea Bissau back to Senegal and found our way to a hotel on the beach.

But before getting to Cap Skirring, we stopped in a small village, Oussouye, one of the only remaining animistic villages in West Africa. We visited a cashew farm, happened upon a funeral, and visited with the King. Later we enjoyed a local dinner and heard some music.

Today, I’m giving myself permission to relax. Something I learned how to do when I went to Koh Samui on one of my early trips. A time when I finally realized that I didn’t have to “think about making memories because I was living them.”

I also learned on that trip that I might still have FOMO. Most of the group is visiting a fish market after watching the fisherman bring in their fresh catch. Something I know I would love.

But the views from where I’m going to enjoy my book are enough to quiet even the FOMO for a little while.