HISTORY
Blazing Trails has been running motorcycle tours continuously since 1999. Thus, we are well able to take care of all planning and logistics, leaving you to get on with enjoying the bike and the many wonders our destinations have to offer. We believe that in terms of everything from safety provision, through machinery, to accommodation, our local knowledge allows us to provide the best guiding and motorcycling experiences. Our tours are largely designed to cater for riders of all abilities looking to make something extra-special of their traditional two-week break. We know how important the time is to you, so we don’t skimp on organisational detail. Whatever tour you choose, we’ll take care of all transport and accommodation while you’re on tour, and then whisk you back to the airport for your trip home – simple as that.
EXPERIENCE
We’ve been running tours since 1999; in India longer than any other British company. Thus, we have the local knowledge, contacts and experience to deliver outstanding adventures.
SAFETY
All our tours are accompanied by experienced guides, plus mechanics and, on high altitude routes, a professional medic with safe and sophisticated equipment.
PEACE OF MIND
We comply with the Package Travel & Linked Travel Regulations 2018, through International Passenger Protection, so your money is protected. We are a UK company, under UK law.
ACCOMMODATION
Eating and sleeping at the best locations, in the most fitting accommodation available is important to the experience. We will take you closer to a country, without skimping.
NUMBERS
We limit the number of bikes on tour, according to each route, road conditions and will staff the tours appropriately. Refer to individual tours for maximum numbers.Â
BIKES
Asian tour bikes are Enfield Himalayans or Bullets, in great condition and well maintained. In Africa, Suzuki’s DL650 V-Stroms and a selection of bikes from the BMW GS range are available.
ROUTES & RIDING
Every route has been meticulously planned to show you the best riding and cultural experiences each destination has to offer, via outstanding motorcycling terrain.Â
ADVENTURE
Is what it’s all about and why we do this. Whether on dirt roads or tar, we believe every trip should have it’s surprises and with our local savvy, we are all set to deliver.
GUIDING
We put an emphasis on guiding – not just riding around with folks following us. Learning about a destination’s, wildlife, food and history etc should be part of the experience, we believe.
TOUR SUPPORT
On most of our tours there is a back-up vehicle to carry luggage and let you enjoy the bike unencumbered. On very High Altitude Himalayan Tours (Ladakh, Zanskar and Spiti Tours) we are accompanied by a professional Western-qualified medic, with kit to stabilise and evacuate a casualty, or simply to deal with squits, headaches or cuts and grazes. Other trips will have a staff first-aider along for the ride.
DAMON I’ANSON
DIRECTOR/GUIDE
Has been working with bikes since he was 17, as a despatcher, mechanic and bike journalist. Damon became deputy editor of RiDE, road test editor of Bike and editor of Performance Bikes. In 2002, he went freelance specialising in adventure touring. He has ridden in four continents and over 30 countries. In 2005 Damon did a 16,000km ‘lap’ of India on an indigenous 150cc bike and the following year returned on a Yamaha XT660R to claim a bike altitude record (18,743ft). In 2006, he entered and won the Raid-de-Himalaya and has been working on tours ever since.
LYNNE DE DOMINICIS
WOMEN’S TOUR MANAGER/GUIDE
Lynne is responsible for arranging, promoting and hosting our all-female tour dates, as well as accompanying many of our regular trips. An experienced and well-travelled motorcyclist and organiser, she has arranged trips through much of South America, Europe and India. She has also ridden independently in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Morocco and just about all of Europe. Lynne has also played a part in supporting all-female off-road training events at Sweet Lamb in Wales and is a certified DVSA motorcycle instructor and advanced rider. At Home in Yorkshire, our northern lass rides a BMW R1200GS, a Honda CB500X and CRF250 Rally.
JOHN ALLDERMAN
TOUR MANAGER/GUIDE (SOUTH AFRICA)
A South African native, John has been associated with Blazing Trails since 2016. With 40 years of exploring the country’s roads and trails on a motorcycle, and well over a decade in tourism, he is ideally placed to lead and develop tours in his vast African back yard. John speaks six of South Africa’s official languages fluently, including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English – he can therefore communicate with just about anyone, anywhere in SA, and has a deep understanding of the area’s cultures. Our portly pal’s credentials are further enhanced by an encyclopaedic knowledge of the region’s natural wonders.