Synchronizing Art, Travel and Exchange.

Synchronizing Art, Travel and Exchange.

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Juégame
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chelsea.southard@gmail.com

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The first ever long distance trip I took with my D

The first ever long distance trip I took with my DR650 started in Death Valley.

And like my last story, it began with an accident.

I was riding a gravel road down from the north looking for camping. Maybe I was going 35mph. I hit a ditch of deep, loose gravel, went over my handlebars and slammed into the ground headfirst.

I couldnt recall 20 mins after that. I slowly remembered seeing myself on my bike and wondering where I just came from. My head hurt but I didn’t really know why and it took me a while to piece it all together. I had a concussion. Not my first but always shocking regardless. Pain and bruising all over my body. That’s where that gash on my barkbusters came from that I never painted over.

It didn’t end the trip. I recovered, brushed it off and rode the AZBDR, NMBDR and UTBDR @ridebdr over the weeks following.

But I am starting to see a trend here regarding the valley of death...

What do you think happened the first time I came with my third bike?

#unusmundusproject
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@moskomoto
@procycle.us
@superplushsuspension
@advmotomag
@doubletakemirrors
#oneworld #synchronicity #dr650 #solofemaletraveler #mototravel #mototraveler #storiesfromtheroad #livetoride #deathvalley #california #bdr #overlandlife #dualsportlife #womenadvriders #dualsportwomen #storytelling #womenwhoride #womenwhowrite #moskomoto

The first time I crashed a motorcycle, I was in De

The first time I crashed a motorcycle, I was in Death Valley on my first bike ever, on my first moto trip ever, years ago. It happened near moments before I took that first photo.

I had only really learned to ride a few days prior but I was off across the country for god knew how long.
Learn on the way, I told myself. And learn I did.

Not sure how hot it was that day but the ball of fire in the sky reflected off that black pavement like the devil straight from hell. The sky was a sharp contrast to the heat, a milky blue heaven meeting the golden rolls of sandy cliffs and craters making up this arid basin.

Taken by the view I must find a stopping point.
There on the edge of a turn,
where that edge met a cliff,
where the cliff met death; an opening.

Giving no mind to the gravel or the aforementioned edge.
I approach with no mind of caution.
My bike slips out from under me pulling me with it.
The tire leans off the edge, then stops; gravel following.

Heartracing, I scurry to pull myself out.
Wideyeed, I peer over the ledge
Sweatdripping, what have I done.
Super strength, I right the bike in one motion.

And ride away.
Shaken.
A mile later I approached a five mile stretch of gravel.
I stop at the edge before the bed of rock and look at my contender.

WIthout my lesson just before, I would surely have hit that gravel with far more speed.
And neither heaven or hell would have given me pardon that time.

#unusmundusproject
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#oneworld #synchronicity #deathvalley #mototrip #mototravel #mystory #storytelling #getbackup #adventure #solotravel #solofemaletraveler #womenwhoride #yamahavirago #firstmoto #womenwhowrite #deathvalleynationalpark #california #lifelessons #liveandlearn #livetoride

This photo is filled with so much generosity. The

This photo is filled with so much generosity.

The helmet and camp kitchen from @moto.brad
The moto luggage and riding gear from @moskomoto
The boots and mirrors from Ned @doubletakemirrors
The powder coating from Elliot and my friends at Champion Powdercoating in SF.
The sleeping bag and pad from @alloy_and_ink
The kite from @herodotus415
The tools from @titanadv
The tire tubes from @flying.moto
The clothes from @oldhawkeye
The tent from my parents @markssouthard @southardjeanne
The sweet @kuiu_official thermals from @jinpack
The gps from @advmotomag
All of my supporters on @patreon
And so many motoparts from @procycle.us

I have a lot of people in my life that believe in me.
And I am thankful for each one of you. ❤️

#unusmundusproject
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#oneworld #synchronicity #mototraveler #solofemaletraveler #crf250l #moskomoto #womenwhoride #nomadlife #livefree #generosidad #motofamily #mototravel #advrider #womenadvriders #sunset #desertsunset #graditude #crf #motogear #overlandlife

Dear Death Valley hooligans, Thanks Ash @moskoash

Dear Death Valley hooligans,

Thanks Ash @moskoash for the LED campfire sculpture each night.
Thanks Pete @moskopete for leading the pack.
Thanks Andrew @moskoandrew for the amazing soup.
Thanks Ames @amesconant for getting lost in the desert with me.
Thanks Spencer @the_gear_dude for the late night laughs.
Thanks Paulina @paulindoh for pushing me in the sand.
Thanks JC @pathworkslife for getting real with me on our drive together.
Thanks Jack @megadinosaur5000 for your ghost stories.
Thanks Dan @candox11 for sharing my pain.
Thanks Jen @jennjean_ for the honest advice on the jackaloft.
Thanks Ryan @eat_sleep_moto_beer for riding all the way there.
Thanks Beth for the reminder that Indian food makes for bomb camp food.

Thanks @moskomoto for all that you do.

Love,
Chelsea

#unusmundusproject
#moskomoto
#motofamily

Wherever path you take, make sure it’s a fun one

Wherever path you take,
make sure it’s a fun one.

#unusmundusproject
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@moskomoto
@procycle.us
@superplushsuspension
@advmotomag
@doubletakemirrors
#oneworld #synchronicity #deathvalley #moskomoto #crf250l #offroad #overlandlife #dualsportlife #dualsportadv #womenwhoride #solofemaletraveler #elcamino #california #crf #advrider #womenadvriders #livetoride #getoutside

I thought I cleaned all that dust off!? Oh well.

I thought I cleaned all that dust off!?

Oh well.
Get dirty y’all!
Also Death Valley is a seriously beautiful place.

#unusmundusproject
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@moskomoto
@procycle.us
@superplushsuspension
@advmotomag
@doubletakemirrors
#oneworld #synchronicity #moskomoto #deathvalley #womenwhoride #mototrip #solofemaletraveler #crf250l #offroad #dualsportlife #advrider #motofamily #california #nevada #livetoride #getdusty #getdirty #ridehard #reckless80revolver

What other motorcycle company takes two entire wee

What other motorcycle company takes two entire weeks off a year to take their employees riding?
NONE.

@moskomoto is unique in so many ways when you look at the motorcycle industry.

What they make are ideas sprouted from real life adventure.
They are actually out there riding.
They test their products themselves on the trails and on road.
Innovating on ideas and building the future of adventure riding gear.

If this isn’t proof enough of their passion and their products.
I don’t know what is.

Greatful to be a part of the bunch for this trip!

#unusmundusproject
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@moskomoto
@procycle.us
@superplushsuspension
@advmotomag
@doubletakemirrors
#oneworld #synchronicity #nevada #lasvegas #crf250l #womenwhoride #moskomoto #livetoride #advrider #dualsportlife #offroad #brapp #advlife #adventuretravel #dualsportadv #deathvalley

Washing the dust off in the beautiful Columbia Riv

Washing the dust off in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge with @moskoash and @moskopete ❤️

It’s only been a week but it feels to me far longer. Just as I have processed and shared what I wanted about one past section, a whole new one ends and another begins!

I packed up camp on the Alvord with Pete and Ash and rode back to White Salmon, Washington where @moskomoto lives.

I spent the week taking dips in the chilly gorge, loving there sweet puppies, admiring the beautiful home they just bought, cleaning dust off bikes, campers and supplies, hanging out at the Mosko Moto shop and binge watching season 6 of Alone with Pete and Ash (I met Nathan @northwest.resilience from that season on the Alvord!)

Then they invited me to join them in their week long Mosko Moto company offroad ride around Death Valley.

Of course I said yes!

#unusmundusproject
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@moskomoto
@procycle.us
@superplushsuspension
@advmotomag
@doubletakemirrors
#oneworld #synchronicity #moskomoto #oregon #thegorge #washington #whitesalmon #solofemaletraveler #columbiarivergorge #columbiariver #sunset #mototraveler #alvorddesert #pnwlife

We had made it to the playa and just in time to ri

The last time my father @markssouthard and I went

Her name is Sally the Centaur. I can only take cre

This year has, for us all, been challenging. And w

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Who am I?
ART
Juégame
TRAVEL
EXCHANGE
Support the Project!
Connect

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