Hokkaido to the Himalayas: Tour Leader Phill Freeman Shares Stories of Adventure and Safety

Ever wonder what it's like to guide motorcycle tours across 20 countries while dealing with Americans who scatter like five-year-olds the second you stop? Phil Freeman, founder of MotoQuest Motorcycle Tours, learned to ride on a beat-up Honda in Japan and now runs a fleet of 90+ BMW GSs—but here's the kicker: he doesn't actually own a personal motorcycle. From getting blown sideways on Patagonian gravel to discovering hidden gems in the Japanese countryside, Phil shares stories from 27 years of leading riders through everything from Himalayan tent camps to Portuguese spas.

¡Arrive Alive regresa con su inconfundible mezcla de consejos prácticos y auténtica camaradería motera! Este episodio aborda tus preguntas más importantes: ¿Cómo lidiar con el clima impredecible de Pensilvania? ¿Cuál es la guía de supervivencia para el caos de las obras y los conductores despistados en Ohio? ¿La IA hace que las motocicletas sean más seguras o solo vuelve perezosos a los motociclistas? ¿Listo para volver a subirte a dos ruedas con confianza? ¡Este es tu momento This episode dives into your burning questions: How do you handle Pennsylvania's schizophrenic weather? What's the survival guide for Ohio's construction chaos and oblivious drivers? Is AI making motorcycles safer or just making riders lazy?  Ready to get back on two wheels with confidence? This one's your green light.

German Santana, a Colombian rider based in Brooklyn,  recently returned from an epic 7,280-mile journey from New York to California and back. Fresh off the road, German shares vivid stories about the challenges, thrills, and lessons learned from his 19-day adventure. Whether you're an Iron Butt or want to be one,  you are sure to love this episode! 

I'm taking you back to September 15, 2019—the day a white SUV ran a red light and changed my life. This crash happened just 175 feet from my apartment and it's what inspired me to create this podcast. In this episode, I share what I've learned since that day about staying vigilant even when you have the right of way, and dealing with unpredictable urban traffic, making the most of autumn's shorter riding days, and why our Two-Wheel Tuesday meetups mean so much to me.

With China consistently ranking among our top five listener countries and nearly five million Chinese speakers in the United States and Canada, we wanted to ensure this critical safety content reaches as many riders as possible in their preferred language. This episode is dubbed using AI voice technology from an earlier show featuring Len discussing AI applications in motorcycle safety and answering listener email questions. While the voice is AI-generated, the safety expertise and message remain completely authentic and potentially life-saving. Please share this with any friends or family who speak Chinese and love riding. 

In this show, you'll hear about my great tour from New York City to Niagara Falls, Canada, and what went right and what could be improved on my 1000-mile round-trip adventure. Highlights include discovering great local eateries and connecting with fellow motorcyclists along the way. What a unique experience of riding alongside one of North America's most famous natural wonders, and why Niagara Falls should be on YOUR short list of touring destinations! 

Ryan Snelson, the creative force behind Motoveli, a unique monthly motorcycle zine that's breathing new life into print culture. From his Brooklyn base, Ryan shares how his passion project evolved from a 100-page magazine in 2018 to today's surprise-filled monthly publication that gives smiles to people like us who put on the miles! Please share this show with a friend who rides. 

Arrive Alive returns and back  with that signature mix of practical wisdom and genuine rider camaraderie. This episode dives into your burning questions: How do you handle Pennsylvania's schizophrenic weather? What's the survival guide for Ohio's construction chaos and oblivious drivers? Is AI making motorcycles safer or just making riders lazy? Plus, an honest look at riding in your 50s - because let's face it, your reflexes aren't what they were in your 20s, and Dallas traffic doesn't care! Ready to get back on two wheels with confidence? This one's your green light.

Brooklyn designer Karen Oh joins us to chat about staying safe on two wheels and the interesting stats behind why women tend to be safer riders than men. Karen shares her personal riding philosophy, and we talk about the safety tips from past female show guests. Quick, insightful convo for riders of all levels!

 Rob Fish from 8 Ball Tires shares maintenance mishaps and what it takes to keep riders rolling safely. You'll hear wild stories from his San Diego tire shop and drop knowledge from his 30+ years of riding experience.  Enjoy this entertaining and educational conversation about motorcycle life and staying safe on two wheels.