My Route 66
Becoming a Full-Time Adventure Motorcyclist at Age 66
Most people slow down when they reach their sixties. I did the opposite.
At 66, I left the familiar routines behind and turned my life into a long, open road. I chose the saddle over the sofa, the horizon over the calendar, and I traded “one day” for “today.”
My journey didn’t start with a crisis - it started with a question: If not now, when?
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The legendary Route 66 was the spark. The idea of crossing an iconic stretch of America lit something deep inside me.
I wanted to see what happens when a man in his sixties stops planning for retirement and starts planning for adventure.
It became clear very quickly: the road doesn’t age you. It wakes you up.
This blog is the ongoing story of that awakening. Not a highlight reel - a real-life transformation. A second life lived on two wheels.
I’m Not Alone
Meet Jessi - My Travel Partner - a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
Every journey needs a partner. Mine just happens to have two wheels, a boxer engine, and a personality of her own.
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Her name is Jessi, a BMW R1200 GS Adventure - tough, capable, loyal, and always ready for the next stretch of unknown.
She carries everything I own on the bike, never complains, and forgives me even when the road gets rougher than planned.
Some people think of a motorcycle as a machine. Riders know better. Jessie is my travel partner, my companion, my reliable friend through mountains, deserts, coastlines, mud, and the beautiful chaos in between.
If I have a silent conversation on the road, trust me - it’s with her. Sometimes, you just need good advice.
I'm focused here
What You’ll See Here - and What You Won’t
This blog is not a gear channel. It’s not a “how to take the perfect corner” channel.
YouTube already has incredible specialists for that. And I’ll happily point you to them a s soon as their special topics come up - promised.
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You’ll see ROADS - the long, the dusty, the forgotten, the breathtaking.
You’ll see PEOPLE - the ones I meet by chance, by luck, and by the strange magic of travel.
You’ll see LOCATIONS - villages, deserts, mountains and coastlines.
You’ll see HISTORY and HERITAGE, places that stay with you long after you leave.
You’ll see MOMENTS - the real ones, the quiet ones, the ones that shape a man who chose the road at an age where most choose comfort.
What you WON'T SEE (sorry folks): endless reviews, gear talk, technical breakdowns, or riding tutorials. Others do that better, and I respect their expertise.
Here, you come to FEEL THE JOURNEY, not to compare torque specs.
This blog (including my YouTube Channel "Fred & Jessi") is for dreamers, planners, riders, and everyone who wants to experience what the road does to a person - especially when you choose this life later than most expect.
Get the Most Out of here
How to Best Use the Fred & Jessi Online Content
My YouTube Channel Fred & Jessie is the heartbeat of this adventure. I publish one new video every week - a new chapter of the story.
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Each video is complemented by a dedicated blog article right here.
The blog gives you the extra layer.
Deeper storytelling.
Background on the route.
Maps, history, local insights.
Links, references, and details.
You’ll always find the link to the related blog post in the video description or the pinned comment. If you want the full experience - the sights, the sounds, the stories, and the meaning behind them - follow both the channel and the blog.
Thank you for being here.
The Adventure doesn’t happen on the screen - it's inside you.
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Our recommendations on this page are based on our own independent research and riding experience. We are not responsible or liable for any issues, malfunctions, or dissatisfaction with the products mentioned. Please note that we may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.