Enduristan gear is tried and tested under the heaviest of circumstances, to make sure your luggage lives up to our promise. And with a great lineup of ambassadors, it would be rude not to introduce you to them. Meet Melanie, who definitely ticks the box of being a true Enduristan ambassador.
Falling in love
Melanie Stegemann is a perfect example of a rider who fell in love with riding from the get go. Ever since she first laid eyes on her bike back in 2011, she has traveled big chunks of the planet with that exact bike -which she still uses today-. And it might not be the first bike you think of when you plan to explore the globe in this day and age.Or is it?
The Bike
Melanie literally kicked her adventure career in gear since the start, as her noble steed is a classic Yamaha XT500 that reminiscences of the early days of the Paris Dakar Rally. Undoubtable reliable -Melanie’s XT has proven that over the past 13 years-, it’s a stranger in the midst of modern day adventure bikes with all the bells and whistles.Which makes her adventures all the more special.
The Gear
Melanie has proven that a bike from the past with futureproof gear is a great combination to prepare yourself for whatever is ahead. Although the base of her luggage setup is a more period-correct set of alu panniers, all the everyday necessities are handily stored in various Enduristan products that she enjoys putting to the test.
The Rider
Born and raised in the fashion capital of Germany, Düsseldorf, Melanie fell in love with motorcycles in 2011 when she first encountered her now beloved Yamaha XT500. Seemingly the last piece of the puzzle that is called “wanderlust”, she decided that this would be her gateway into global adventure. 13 years down the road, -or better, off road-, she crossed Europe and the west of Russia before deciding to take off to Australia on two wheels. Although she is prepared for wild camping in virtually any circumstance, her personality is filled with curiosity, trust and love which has seen her make friends all over the world who have been happy to invite her in to offer her a place to sleep while listening to her sharing her adventures. If you are lucky enough you might be the next person to meet her anywhere in the world. But if that seems unlikely, you’ll be happy to read a quick-fire Q&A with our beloved adventurist below.
What was your first two wheeled adventure?
That was my first summer season, after buying Mousi -the name of her trusted XT-, 13 years ago. We went up north from my hometown Düsseldorf, to the North Sea, crossed east to the Baltic Sea, and all along the coast to the first village in Poland, before we made our way back home.
What did your motorcycle luggage look like on your first trip?
I already had the aluminium panniers, and complemented them with a grey second hand canvas duffel bag, which had to hide in a plastic bag, if it became too rainy
How did your personal motorcycle luggage kit evolve during your adventures, and can you describe what kind of luggage you use at the moment?
Since I’ve rattled off the Sensor of my DSL Camera inside the pannier on my way to Hamburg, I invested in a second hand waterproof camera backpack and into a used waterproof duffel bag. With this set up, I traveled the west of Russia in 2018. Right after this, I came across the products of Enduristan and hopelessly fell in love with the looks of them and the thought and quality that went into these products. I kicked it off with the Sandstorm 4X Tank Bag and the Can Holster, and rode through Europe in 2019. Now, with my two Tornado 2 bags, the Small Parts Organizer and the Hurricane 25 backpack with the 3L Hydrapak, I’m at the top end of equipment and have tackled the biggest trip of my life so far, with the most reliable and amazing set up, I could ever imagine. Nothing has impressed the Enduristan bags on this epic trip so far, whether it’s been the sharp and stinging stones and plants along the Mediterranean, the intense sun and hottest desert of the world in Iran, the sandy roads through Pakistan and Nepal, or the tropical massive rainfalls now in Indonesia- It’s true. In my 23 months and 50.000km on the roads of this planet, Enduristan bags do what they’re supposed to do, wherever you ride!
What is the best experience you have had on one of your trips?
To me, the best experiences are either being able to witness the beauty of nature, which always leaves me in awe, and a feeling of being fully in the moment, not wanting to be anywhere else than where I am. And meeting with the people of this planet, connecting with them, and even being hosted by them. It’s such a humbling and grateful reminder about how beautiful humanity can work out. I feel like I’ve always met the right people in the right time. It’s magical to step through the world with an open heart and spirit.A lot of miracles happen, whenever I do.
What is the worst experience you have had on one of your trips?
I’ve really been blessed throughout my solo adventures. Everything that happened, never took the worst end, and just brought me more awareness about how I can move more safely. Losing my grip due to algae in this ditch on the road in Greece at about 40ks, ripping off my pannier and ripping open my lip was the worst road experience so far. The series of physical assault attempts I experienced in Pakistan, by a couple of men, were the worst experiences I had with people.
Is there a piece of advice that you have for future adventurists?
Presence. Being fully present, as you ride, as you meet people, as you move and feel the spaces you’re moving within, will keep you most safe. Stepping out of the familiar comfort zone, will let your instinct surface. Pairing it with your awareness will turn it into a dependable seismograph, that will enable you to make the right decisions and do the right things in the very moments you’re traveling in. Trusting my instinctive impulses and acting accordingly without doubting it, has brought me here in one piece, great health and with most gorgeous encounters.
Quite often, I get the question which bike is the best for travelling, which I can only answer with “it’s the one you love”. If you have a problem, you won’t become mad, but will switch into the support mode for your bike. This kind of attitude makes all the difference. You’ll end up anticipating the solution that will surely come, and continue your trip filled with gratitude.
Which country that you visited is the best for two-wheeled adventures?
So far, I really loved Greece. It has it all. Beautiful, flawless winding roads along the most picturesque landscapes. Off roads, if you want them, great atmosphere, lots of ancient landmarks to explore, nice people and culture, and of course, delicious cuisine, whenever you need to fuel up- whether you decide to go to a taverna, or shop at a market for cooking.
Can you describe how you prepare for dinner when you are out traveling?
I love fresh salads and always have red lentils on me. I would stop at a farmer’s market as it appears, or at a private little stand on the side of the road, where people sell their own produce. I’d only buy two meals, since the only way I can keep it somehow fresh is to store it in a cotton bag, so the wind will cool it while riding. As sunset is approaching, I’m topping up water and start to look out for a camp spot. As soon as I’ve settled somewhere safe, I’ll turn into a chef.
Since Pakistan it became harder to find a remote spot to camp, but food also became more affordable. So lately, I’ve been more and more indulging on the local kitchen. And there’s plenty. As soon as you’re hungry, you simply stop at the next street food stand.
You ride a classic bike around the world, can you give us an idea of how reliable it is?
Within 50.000km, I had no major breakdowns. The one time I had to tow it 500 kilometers to Delhi, it turned out to be a broken cable at the kill switch. So, whenever there was a problem, it’s been a small one and can be either fixed by me, or any mechanic, with a little replacement or welding, since the motor is one of the most simple set ups out there. I carry some specific spare parts to this bike but didn’t need any of them so far. I just need to make sure that she has enough oil and doesn’t get too hot- and she just keeps riding and chugging. The mechanics I have encountered so far, would say the same: the simplicity of the bike, will make it less prone to problems. The more features a bike carries, the more things can break, the search for the cause and getting the spare part takes longer- and the costs for the repair will also go up. So far, I’ve not spent more than 400€ on mechanical interventions for Mousi on this trip, partly also because some mechanics have been so enthusiastic about the bike and my undertake, that they helped me for free.
Describe your bucket-list trip on two wheels for us (“your dream trip”).
That would honestly be the one I’m on right now. Germany to Australia on the south route. It’s so full of variety in terms of culture, landscape, climate, taste, smell… it’s simply glorious! It gives me a pretty good idea about what our world is made of, and what it is about. Nothing more I could wish for.
How many kilometers have you ridden on your bike in total?
It pretty much sums up to around 80.000 adventurous kilometers in trips. Can’t tell how much more I’ve used up in everyday life, as she was my first vehicle for about four years, before I had my first car. And no, I can’t use the tachometer to read it off, as it has stopped working here and there, while I was riding through Russia.
With all the experience you have, would you have an ideal luggage item in mind that does not exist yet?
Definitely an adjustable watermelon holster... :-D
If you wish to follow Melanie on her adventures, make sure to digitally-jump on the back of her XT just like our luggage. You can follow her on her social media channels below: