Hi Guys,
Probably too late, but as a 30 year old, with adventure running through my veins, here is my 2 cents worth:
Kobus is spot on with his saying that most 20 to 30 year olds can’t afford an adventure bike, thus not fully experience the adventure rider spirit. I could never afford a proper adventure bike but my finances did allow me to buy a few forgotten Honda XR classics which I restored.
None the less that never stopped me from having an adventure. Whether it was building my own “kaskar” and riding it down in our street, or having to be very fortunate and doing a solo trip through Namibia on my boet’s 1150 GSA.
To me it is all about the spirit inside you, your willingness to explore and eagerness to see the unforeseen. If you have that passion, it can never be taken away. Passion is something that can’t be learned nor bought. Mechanical skills, endurance, stamina, strength, knowledge is all things you learn as life takes you on various journeys. Having all these skills doesn’t make you an adventure rider, it make you a good rider. Adventure comes from within.
Reading all the comment above and having followed the 2017 Quest closely, I can only dream of achieving all these things. But I will stand to my point, as a 30 year old I might not have all the skills and experience that defines a good adventure rider, but my passion, willingness and drive to learn, explore and go that extra mile makes me an adventure rider. I am young, I am fit, I am strong and I have passion. These are the only things that I can use to grow and evolve into a true experienced adventure rider.
I have learned all the necessary skills to take care of my bike, but no one has taught me to have a passion for adventure.
Getting on my bike every weekend and just driving on any dirt road I can find for as long and far as I can, man that feeling can never be taken away and sends chills down my spine.