DEEP TROUBLE: Riding Loaded in Big Bend – What Went Wrong
4/30/20261 hr 9 min
Clif Holland shares a father-and-son motorcycle adventure that took an unexpected turn shortly after arriving at Big Bend National Park. After a 700-mile ride to reach the start of their backcountry route, the decision to explore before staging their gear set the tone for what followed. Riding a heavily loaded BMW R1200GS on remote backroads, Clif quickly found himself facing the challenges of sand, weight distribution, and the limited margin for error on big adventure bikes, which led to DEEP TROUBLE. We talk about backcountry riding and the importance of preparation, training, and testing your setup before tackling routes like the BDR.
🔗 Show Notes & Links:
Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio.
🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:
We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out!
💡 Got an Idea?
Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website.
⭐️ Leave a Review:
Enjoying the show? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app goes a long way in helping others discover the show.
📱 Follow Us:
Join our growing community on Facebook and Instagram. Let’s stay connected!
🙌 Support the Show:
Love what we do? Help keep the adventure alive by supporting us. Your contribution allows us to keep bringing you great content week after week.
📤 Share the Show:
Know someone who would enjoy this episode? Share it with them! Word of mouth helps us grow and reach more riders around the world.
📬 Join Our Newsletter:
Be the first to hear about new episodes, bonus content, and more! Sign up for our newsletter at Adventure Rider Radio.
🙏 Thanks for Listening!
We truly appreciate you being part of our adventure community. Until next time—ride safe and keep exploring!
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJim Martin· Host0:00
Today, we have another of our Deep Trouble series. Deep Trouble is an exclusive series found only here on Adventure Rider Radio. It's stories from riders that have experienced catastrophes, being lost, injuries, breakdowns, or other issues that have led them into deep trouble. And of course, no one wants to run into trouble, but if there was no threat to dodge, no line in the sand to skirt, no precipitous edge to approach, there would, of course, be no adventure. And because adventure lives in that gray zone between safety and danger, it's all about riding the gray zone, your gray zone, whatever that is. And our Deep Trouble series is about helping you ride the gray zone without having to cross into danger. We do that by hearing stories from those who've fallen into trouble, struggled, and returned with lessons for all of us on how to avoid it or maybe how to deal with it should you find yourself in deep trouble. On this episode, a well-planned, well-equipped father and son ride ends before it really gets going. I'm Jim Martin. This is Adventure Rider Radio. Stay with us. We got a good one for you.
Cliff Holland· Guest1:03
[upbeat music] I'm Ted Simon. Jocelyn Snow. Austin Vince. Helge Pedersen. Grant Johnson. Sam Manicom.
Charley Boorman· Soundbite1:11
Charlie Boorman.
Cliff Holland· Guest1:12
Simon Pavey. Robert Schwarz. Veralie Schoemaker. Jimmy Lewis. Lyndon Poskitt. Tiffany Coates.
Chris Birch· Soundbite1:16
Chris Birch.
Cliff Holland· Guest1:17
Simon Thomas. Lisa Roberts. Graeme Jarvis. Quentin Smout.
Jim Martin· Host1:20
And you're listening to Adventure Rider Radio. [upbeat music] Experience riders choose the Cycle Pump Tire Inflator