The Ride That Changed Everything
It began with a phone call in January. Willy, my lifelong friend from Bragado, Argentina, was on the other end with a plan that was equal parts madness and beauty. He wanted to ride to Alaska. Not for the vistas or the bragging rights, but to fulfill a promise he’d made to Riki, a mechanic who once helped him in a moment of need. Riki had dreamed of making the ride himself but passed before he could. Willy intended to carry that dream forward, with a photograph of Riki making it to the “Welcome to Alaska” sign.
And he wanted me to join him. Here’s the thing: I hadn’t been on a motorcycle in over 30 years. The last time was as a teenager on a borrowed 400cc bike, more scared than exhilarated. But this wasn’t about my lack of experience; it was about honoring a promise and saying yes to something bigger than myself.
The first challenge was choosing a bike. Hours of poring over forums, reviews, and advice led me to Jon, a seasoned ex-RawHyde instructor. He was the first and only owner of a 2014 BMW R1200GS Adventure, a towering, glacier-white machine that looked like it could take on anything. Jon didn’t just sell me a bike; he gave me the tools and the belief I needed to make this ride possible.
First time on dirt. Rowher Flats, CA.
Training came next. I found Gerardo, an Argentine expat, who showed me the ropes at Rowher Flat, an off-road playground near Los Angeles. Every fall and every scrape taught me something, and with each attempt, I grew steadier. By the time I met Willy and Fabio in Texas, I wasn’t just ready—I was eager.
The ride itself was everything and nothing like I expected. We avoided highways, choosing instead the stark beauty of White Sands, the towering majesty of Monument Valley, and the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone. Each mile brought something new—new challenges, new perspectives, and new stories.
But the road isn’t without its tests. SometimEs it has its plans. In Idaho Falls, we were diverted to an endless soft gravel road—thank you Google Maps. Fabio crashed. Broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a shattered collarbone meant his ride was over. Strangers—the Wilson family—took us in, fed us, and reminded us that humanity thrives in the most unexpected places. Fabio stayed behind, but Willy and I made a promise to finish for him.
Idaho Falls: Where Fabio's ride ended, but his spirit carried us forward.
The path to Alaska was gorgeous and sometimes brutal. Torrential rains, lightning, biting winds, and endless stretches of emptiness pushed us to our limits. But my R1200GS Adventure became more than a bike; it was my anchor in aN expanse of uncertainty.
When we finally crossed into Alaska, the feeling wasn’t all triumph. It was something quieter and deeper—a sense of having faced something bigger than myself and coming out the other side. This wasn’t just a ride to Alaska. It was a lesson in resilience, friendship, and the unpredictable roads life puts before us.
fulfilling of a promise. Realizing a dream.
Now, I’m embarking ON the next chapter: a Home-to-Home Charity Ride.
From my Los Angeles home to my birthplace in Argentina, through Ushuaia at the edge of South America, every mile serves a mission. I'm riding to support Rising United and their Hera Rising project—where a woman will make history by leading a jump from the edge of space, inspiring young girls to reach for the stars through STEAM careers and championing gender equality along the way.
Through this ride, I hope to raise awareness and funds for this groundbreaking mission.
Adventure riding has taught me one thing: life happens in the detours. It’s in the falls, the breakdowns, the acts of kindness, and the unexpected moments that redefine who we are.
This ride is about more than just reaching the destination; it’s about making every mile count. Together, we can ride for change and prove that when we ride united, we rise united.
