Tim Notier's Blog

🎙️ Welcome to Our Audio Adventure 🎙️
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What does life actually look like after more than eight years of traveling the world by motorcycle? In our new PODCAST, Marisa and I will go far beyond the highlight reels, sharing the full journey from our earliest rides, to the remote roads and unexpected moments that shaped our life on the road. This is where we unpack the reality of an around the world motorcycle adventure, from the wins to the setbacks, the challenges that tested us, and the lessons that stayed with us. It is an honest, behind the scenes look at adventure motorcycling, and the stories we have never shared... until now. Why Start a Podcast?

While our YouTube videos will continue to showcase our current adventures, this podcast spans our full journey of over eight years of travel from before we ever pressed record on a GoPro or writing our first blog. We will dive into the crashes, close calls, cultural surprises, and lessons we’ve learned along the way. This is where we explore the stories that never made it into videos or blogs, including the moments that tested our patience, endurance, and relationship. We are thrilled to launch our very first podcast, going live on March 28th! 🎉
The first episode, Our Origin Story | From Chicago to 8+ Years on the Road, is already recorded and scheduled to air on March 28th here on Patreon or on your favorite podcast app. But before we record more episodes, we want to hear from you: the people this podcast is made for. What questions have you always wanted to ask about life on the road?
We Need Your Input

We want this podcast to answer the questions you’ve always wondered about. Imagine sitting across from us at a campfire, what would you ask? Here are a few examples we’re planning to explore:
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• Funding Long-Term Travel – How do we afford to stay on the road for years on end?
• Adventure Bike Debate – Big and powerful or small and agile? Which wins on the road?
• Convincing Your Partner – How I persuaded Marisa to ride around the world with me 😉
• Motorcycle Maintenance Skills, or lack thereof – What do I need to know to get by? • Marriage on the Road – How we’ve stayed together through stress, long trips, and epic challenges
• Social Media – Behind the scenes of creating YouTube videos, blogs, and our podcast. Is it worth it?
• Packing: What’s in your luggage and how do you decide what to bring on long-term motorcycle trips? • Why Marisa doesn’t ride her own motorcycle
• Favorite continent / countries
• Health emergencies from Peru to Indonesia to Thailand Which of these questions stand out to you? Or do you have your own? Your input will help shape the stories and episodes we share, making this podcast a true conversation with our adventure community. We would love for you to comment on this post or in the 2Up and Overloaded Community Chat Group on Patreon with your questions!

This podcast is for adventurers, dreamers, and riders of all levels, and we hope it inspires you to explore, plan, and maybe even take the leap to see the world on two wheels. You will be able to listen to our podcast on Patreon, or by following us on your favorite podcast app 🎙️ 👉 Follow Podcast or by searching for 2Up and Overloaded on Apple Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Pocket casts, and MORE.

Join Us for the Ride

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering us, there’s a place for you to share stories, ask questions, and connect with fellow adventurers via the 2Up and Overloaded Community Chat Group.

We can’t wait to start this journey with you. Grab onto the handlebars, put your visor down, and let’s go for a ride!

Not a PATREON ? Become a member for as little as $5 a month to receive:

✅ All 3 eBooks written by Tim Notier! 📙 📗 📘
✅ Postcards from our around the world adventure! 🏞️
✅ Early access to the latest YouTube videos, Ad Free! 🎥
✅ Your name in the credits of our YouTube videos!
✅ A warm fuzzy feeling by supporting our journey! 🥰
👉 https://www.patreon.com/2upandoverloaded/membership 🚨 🚨 Blog Subscription Update!! 🚨 🚨
​
Marisa and I will slowly be moving our Blog from this subscription list to our  Patreon Page  . But don't worry,  it is 100% FREE FOREVER to join our Blog !

Join for FREE - FOREVER! No trials, no hidden catches. It’s completely free to join our Patreon Blog email list, and it ensures you’ll keep getting all our latest content. There are paid tiers that have additional benefits, but our Blog posts are completely free, no strings attached.

Earlier this year we had to switch our email list provider, and we lost nearly half of our subscribers . We never want that to happen again, so we are building our community of like minded explorers and friends on Patreon to ensure that everyone who signs up gets our latest blogs, YouTube links, and future Podcast episodes!​

Please  Join for FREE  now to ensure you keep receiving all of our content. We would love to hear from you in the comments or message board on Patreon.

Click here to sign up for FREE!  ​

- Tim Notier

Our West Malaysia Adventure Begins in Kuala Lumpur
 
​Read the Blog, then watch the video 👉 Link to Full YouTube Episode 👈 
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After eight years of riding motorcycles across dozens of countries, we finally rolled into a place that had long lived on our dream list: West Malaysia.

And it all began in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. A city of gleaming skyscrapers, spotless streets, world class food, and narrow roads stretching toward misty highlands and jungle covered mountains. Kuala Lumpur felt modern, organized, and surprisingly easy to navigate. It did not take long for us to realize that this was not just another big city. It was a launchpad.
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But before we could chase waterfalls, border crossings, and mountain roads, we needed one very important thing: a motorcycle.


Upgrading for a New Chapter
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After spending a year riding a tired old Bajaj Pulsar 220cc across Indonesia, we were ready for something new. Something a bit more reliable and capable of carrying us across Peninsular Southeast Asia and, if all went well, into Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

Marisa and I were lucky enough to be able to borrow a motorcycle from a new friend, one who unknowingly to us at the time would shape our adventure into a journey we will never forget!
Enter our friend Faizal. Marisa and I met with Faizal early in the morning to introduce ourselves and meet the newest member of the 2Up and Overloaded team. And in Malaysia, no adventure begins without food.
Before even looking at motorcycles, we sat down for a proper Malaysian breakfast. It was a new set of flavors from all over the world. A mix of Indian, Malay, and Chinese food made a perfect blend for our taste buds to enjoy!

Then we met the bike.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 411​

We had ridden many motorcycles over the years, but the Royal Enfield Himalayan was one we have always been curious about. One look at the 21 inch front tire and sturdy frame and we knew it would be a perfect fit for what we had planned. It seemed to have simple electronics and was rugged for the amount of gear we would load on its back and the potential bumpy roads ahead. We both felt drawn to the Himalayan. It seemed to fit our style. And though it may not be as fast off the line as some more sporty bikes, it seemed like it would chug along without complaining much through any terrain.

We all headed to Sunny’s workshop, one of Faizal’s trusted mechanics, and the Himalayan got fresh oil and a once over. When it was finally time to ride it for the first time, we gave the bike a name. We knighted our newest steed: Naga. There is something special about that first ride on a new machine. The cautious clutch release. The search for the shifter. The small grin that spreads from ear to ear inside your helmet.
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So far, everything felt right. Reuniting With Old Friends
Five years earlier, while riding through South America, we met Kira and Brendan, better known as the Adventure Haks. We traveled together across the Bolivian Salt Flats, mud pits in Peru, got through breakdowns, and created some of our favorite memories from the road (you can find all these adventures in our book "Blood, Sweat, and Notiers").

Now, by pure coincidence, they were in the region.

So we invited them to Kuala Lumpur for another chapter together.
With Faizal guiding us through the local food scene, we embraced Malaysia’s national pastime: makan, which means eating. A lot. Huge spreads of dishes covered the table as we caught up and laughed about past adventures. Then we took in some of KL’s most iconic sights.
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The skyline of Kuala Lumpur rose around us like a city constantly reaching upward. Glass and steel towers reflected the tropical sun, but nothing commanded the horizon quite like the twin spires of the Petronas Towers. These architectural wonders glinted in the sunlight, and they have such a unique design, I consider them to be some of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world.  Their stainless-steel facade shimmered in the humid afternoon light, the intricate geometric patterns inspired by Islamic patterns catching the sun from every angle. Later that afternoon we left the modern skyline behind and rode just outside the city to one of Malaysia’s most iconic cultural landmarks. Batu Caves rises abruptly from the jungle limestone hills, a dramatic wall of ancient rock that feels almost prehistoric compared to the polished towers of downtown Kuala Lumpur. At the base of the cliff stands the colossal golden statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory. Towering more than 40 meters tall, the statue gleams brilliantly against the dark limestone behind it, holding his spear high as if guarding the entrance to the sacred caves above. From the plaza below, the staircase leading upward looks almost unreal. 272 steep steps painted in vibrant bands of red, blue, yellow, and green climb sharply toward the cavern entrance carved into the limestone cliff face. As we started the ascent, the tropical heat wrapped around us instantly. The air was thick and humid, and each step seemed just a little taller than the last. The resident monkeys watched everything. Long tailed macaques lined the railings and perched along the staircase walls, eyeing tourists with the casual confidence of animals that know they run the place. Some lounged lazily in the shade while others darted across the steps, occasionally attempting a quick snack theft from distracted visitors. At the top, the entrance to the main cathedral cave opens like a massive natural doorway in the rock. Inside, the space is enormous. Sunlight pours through a hole high in the limestone ceiling, illuminating the cave floor where small temples and shrines sit beneath the towering rock walls. The air felt cooler as the cave echoed with the sound of chanting, footsteps, and the flutter of birds nesting high above. Incense drifts through the cave as worshippers pause in prayer while visitors wander quietly through the sacred space. It is both a place of devotion and a reminder of Malaysia’s deep cultural roots. Hindu traditions brought by Indian communities over generations remain alive here, carved directly into the limestone hills that have stood for millions of years. From the futuristic skyline of Kuala Lumpur to the ancient stone of Batu Caves, the contrast is striking.

Within a single afternoon, the city revealed two very different sides of itself. One reaching toward the future in glass and steel. The other anchored firmly in tradition, spirituality, and the stories of the people who have shaped Malaysia for centuries.

But cities are only the beginning.

It was time to ride.

Heading for the Highlands
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Thanks to Faizal’s generosity, we now had two motorcycles: the Himalayan and the Bandit. Four riders. Two bikes. Just like old times. We left Kuala Lumpur behind and aimed north.

The Royal Enfield surprised us immediately. It was not fast, but it did not need to be. The suspension handled uneven pavement beautifully. It climbed hills without complaint. It felt like a small military tractor in the best way possible.
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Then came Fraser’s Hill. If anyone thinks Malaysia does not have world class twisty mountain roads, they are mistaken. The climb toward Fraser’s Hill proved that within minutes of leaving the busy lowlands.
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The road began gently enough, weaving through small patches of jungle, but before long the climb starts in earnest. Tight twists wind their way up the mountainside. Each corner seems to lead immediately into the next, a rhythm of braking, leaning, and rolling back on the throttle. Marisa and I just kept giggling to each other over our Bluetooth intercoms. The jungle presses in close on both sides. Towering tropical trees form a dense green wall along the road, their branches reaching high overhead and filtering the sunlight into shifting patches of shade across the pavement.
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As the elevation rises, the temperature began to drop. The humid heat of the lowlands gave way to cooler mountain air, and the scent of damp earth and vegetation drifted through our helmet vents. Mist hung in the trees, adding a quiet, almost mysterious atmosphere to the ride. The road itself was narrow and wonderfully technical. First or second gear became the natural rhythm of the climb. It is not about speed here. It is about precision. Smooth throttle control while finding the perfect line through the corner and letting the bike flow naturally from one bend to the next.

And the turns just kept coming. Looking down at the map, I could see that the route zigzaged up the mountain in a series of sharp angles that resembled a child’s drawing more than a highway. But on the bike, every one of those turns felt perfectly placed, as if it was designed specifically for riders who appreciate a good mountain climb. By the time we reached the cool highlands near Fraser’s Hill, it was impossible not to appreciate just how special these Malaysian mountain roads are. Hidden beneath the jungle canopy and far from the bustling cities below, they offer some of the most enjoyable riding in Peninsular Malaysia.

And then something went wrong.
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Road Gremlins Back on the main road, the engine began revving higher than it should have. And the bike was not accelerating the way it should.

I knew something was off, but my mechanical diagnosis of what it could be lacked the skill to know what was wrong with any confidence.

We had dealt with a failing clutch before in Bali. That repair turned into a two-week ordeal of waiting for parts and rearranging plans. The thought of repeating that on our very first day in West Malaysia was crushing.
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Every twist of the throttle sounded dramatic but delivered little power. We pulled over, took off our helmets, and a sinking feeling settled in. Thankfully, Brendan has a sharp mechanical mind. After some inspection and a few test rides, he realized that the handlebar adjustment had tightened the clutch cable slightly. He added slack to the cable and took the bike for a cautious test ride.
The Royal Enfield seemed to like the extra slack, and it ran much smoother. I was still uncertain that the issue had been fully resolved, but I was so thankful to have Brendan riding with us as he solved a problem that I would not have been able to do on my own. I always say that you don’t have to be a mechanical genius to travel the world on a motorcycle, but man is it nice when you have one along for the ride!

After a bit of cranking the throttle while in gear to see if it responded properly, I headed further up the road much more confident in our machine.
We pulled into a hotel after another 20 minutes of riding and took in a deep breath of satisfaction and relief. I now felt assured that we were able to ride further than only a single day out of Kuala Lumpur.

The Beginning of Something Bigger

This was just the beginning of a grand journey across Peninsula Southeast Asia. It began with new and old friends, stunning architecture, culture, and food, along with a mechanical scare as a reminder that the road ahead would have challenges as well.

Our 1st day on the road had the full mix of what makes a proper adventure.

And if West Malaysia had already given us glittering skylines, sacred caves, incredible food, legendary mountain roads, and a mechanical scare on day one, we could only imagine what the rest of the journey would bring.
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Stay tuned. The highlands, the borders, and the rest of Southeast Asia are waiting. Watch the full YouTube Episode 👉HERE! 👈 or click the below image!
Or, as a Patron get early access to our latest videos ad free! 🎉 Marisa and I would love to answer any questions you may have. When we are not riding, we try to reply to all of our Patreon comments and are so thankful to the growing community that we have.

Marisa and I are ecstatic to announce our latest motorcycle tour in Thailand!! Join us on an epic adventure through the endless twisty roads in Northern Thailand and relax on stunning beaches on Koh Lanta in Southern Thailand! Check out the itinerary and available dates HERE .

We would love to ride alongside you and explore the world together!  We can’t thank all of our Patrons enough and we are so grateful to have you along for the journey!
​
Not a member? Become a  PATREON  member to receive:
 ✅ All 3 of Tim's eBooks of our motorcycle adventures around the world! 📗 📘 📕
 ✅ Postcards from our around the world adventure! 🏞️
 ✅ Early access to the latest YouTube videos, Ad Free!  🎥
 ✅ Your name in the credits of our YouTube videos!  📋
 ✅ A warm fuzzy feeling by supporting our journey! 🥰
https://www.patreon.com/2upandoverloaded/membership Blog Subscription Update!! 🚨 🚨
​
Marisa and I will slowly be moving our Blog from this subscription list to our  Patreon Page  . But don't worry,  it is 100% FREE FOREVER to join our Blog !

Join for FREE - FOREVER! No trials, no hidden catches. It’s completely free to join our Patreon Blog email list, and it ensures you’ll keep getting all our latest content. There are paid tiers that have additional benefits, but our Blog posts are completely free, no strings attached.

Earlier this year we had to switch our email list provider, and we lost nearly half of our subscribers . We never want that to happen again, so we are building our community of like minded explorers and friends on Patreon to ensure that everyone who signs up gets our latest blogs, YouTube links, and future Podcast episodes!​

Please  Join for FREE  now to ensure you keep receiving all of our content. We would love to hear from you in the comments or message board on Patreon.

Click here to sign up for FREE!  ​

- Tim Notier

What eight years on the road has taught me, more than anything, is that adventure is not a constant state of euphoria. It is a constant state of problem solving and teamwork. Sometimes life on the road feels like 50% pure bliss, while the remaining 50% is just trying to push through difficult terrain, poor accommodations, bad food, and motorcycle problems. I wanted to try to shine a small light into some of the realities of motorcycle travel in an effort to explain some of the struggles we have had, and what we have done to try to overcome these obstacles. I also wanted to share some of this 'behind the scenes' reality because for a while I thought we were somehow "doing it wrong." We should be having the time of our lives, an 8 year "vacation" that most people only dream of.

And I want you to know if you have ever felt overwhelmed and out of your element, you are not alone. But by the end of the blog I hope you feel confident that you, as we have, can overcome obstacles, emotional downs, and the daily struggles that are often wedged between the beautiful FaceBook photos. From the outside, our journey has looked cinematic. We have ridden through the Americas, halfway up Africa, and now across Southeast Asia. What a lot of people assume, and what Facebook and Instagram would lead you to believe, is that these once in a lifetime journeys are filled with nothing but bliss and wonder. And don’t get me wrong, there is a whole lot of bliss and wonder involved as we meander around the world. From faraway lands to our own country as we explore the world as a team. Social media captures the golden light, the sweeping drone shots, the kiss at the overlook. It does not capture the struggles that happened in the days leading up to, or even ten minutes earlier, nor do they reflect the anxiety quietly building under our helmets. Some days truly are surreal. Riding across the mirror-like expanse of the Salar de Uyuni with a thin layer of water reflecting the sky felt like floating between two worlds. The horizon disappeared. The motorcycle hummed across a surface so flat it felt imaginary. In those moments, every hardship fades into the background.

But salt water is not kind to motorcycles. What looks like magic in a photograph can turn into weeks of electrical gremlins. Corrosion crept into connectors. Warning lights flickered. The bike that carried us across continents suddenly felt fragile. We learned quickly that every “epic shot” sometimes comes with a mechanical bill attached. We have successfully traveled as a duo over some of the worst terrain imaginable for being 2Up and overloaded. ​But as we pass elephants and other exotic wildlife, a true sense of wonder always washes over us. Reminding us that we are truly on an adventure of a lifetime. ​And we’ve made out in some pretty amazing places... It would appear that we are just two happy people meandering around the world having the time of their lives without stress or worries. ​​Traveling and snapping pictures all the way to the ends of the Earth. ​And after years on the road, we returned home and got married after a blissful circuit halfway around the world. But, in reality, flat tires, oil leaks, and mechanical problems plagued our trip.

Sometimes we feel as broken down as our motorcycle. We had our share of electrical problems, no thanks to our little joyride through the Bolivian Salt Flats.
 
When things go wrong, all our vulnerabilities are exposed. Sometimes we’re left stranded in remote villages but were always lucky enough to be rescued. And there were even overheating issues that left me stripping down the motorcycle in the middle of a deserted mountain pass in Argentina. Below, the coolant was so low that I was debating on whether I should pee into the coolant reservoir… I didn’t. In some of the posts I’ve made, I projected a false sense of happiness. Let’s take a second look at the below picture to dissect what is actually going on. First off, and most notably, we can all see that Marisa has absolutely no vertical jumping ability. And secondly, a fact that is a little bit harder to see through the smiles is, that I, at this moment, having reached the southern tip of South America with a lovely woman over the course of two years, was absolutely miserable.  Fin del Mundo translates to ‘the end of the world’ and that is exactly how I felt. After all the bike problems we had been having over the previous month, and having the journey that we were so eager and excited to be on had basically turned into us riding from one mechanic or dealership to the next in an effort to keep the bike rolling.​ But throughout all the triumphs and failures, we had to not only navigate the roads that wound their way across continents, but we also had to figure out how to do so as a team. Marisa and I were physically touching each other for nearly 20 hours of the day. And that was a new ‘arrangement’ than in our previous life. Some of the 1st issues that we noticed were where to stay the night. We now use iOverlander and Google Maps to plan out a few options along the route depending on how the day is going. But at the beginning of our journey, it was more of a potluck as we never knew exactly where we would be. Hotels are expensive, but Marisa insisted that she needed to shower every 3 days whereas I could go a week straight without a shower. ​Luckily for us, we had the same major interests. Ruins, nature, and archaeological sites. We grew up just outside of Chicago, and we both desperately wanted to avoid big cities. Marisa is a little more culturally dignified than I am, so she enjoys churches and museums, but we have both learned to compromise and find common interests with periodic offshoots that she may favor more than I do. ​My ‘off shoots’ were mostly roads that led up or down mountain passes that would leave me grinning from ear to ear, but Marisa would be behind me breathing heavily, sounding like Darth Vader. Our levels of comfort while off road was one of our major issues for the first couple of years. But I knew that her confidence in not only me, but in herself, would grow. I think that us gradually diving deeper into the deep end made her feel more confident than if I just continued to take every nasty road that I could find. ​Another issue, right off the bat, was what food we would eat. I, again, had a much lower standard and could survive off McDonalds and gas station food for the rest of my life. But Marisa quickly snubbed that option out. She demanded substance that had nutritional value.
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She also gets a little more ‘experimental’ with what she will consume. She ate grubs in South America, caterpillars in Africa, and deep-fried scorpions in Thailand… and I wanted nothing to do with any of that. ​We also realized that we needed both physical and mental breaks from being constantly on the road. Time to reflect on where we have been, laugh over some of the oddities that had happened to us, and just absorb nature for all that it had to offer. ​As hard as it is at times, we knew we needed to give each other personal space while not on the motorcycle. Just some good old ‘I’m not right next to you’ time. ​While on the motorcycle, we both have Bluetooth headsets, but are in our own different worlds. Marisa usually listens to podcasts as I am rocking out to Guns and Roses. But even though we are physically touching, we have our own ‘helmet time’. We used to get upset with each other when one of us would dramatically hang up on the other person via our headsets, only for the other to chime in and yell some more. But we gradually realized that arguing while going 80kph or over rough terrain wasn’t the wisest thing to do on multiple levels.
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The alone time within our own helmets could at first be used to think of all the damaging things to say, but that gradually faded. And by the time we would stop, most of the time we would both immediately apologize to each other having realized the bigger picture, and just how stupid some of our arguments are after reflecting on them. ​Even while on the road, having the time of our lives, we would get into arguments. My biggest stresses didn't even come from Marisa directly, but through the magic of male stubbornness, and it somehow seemed to always transfer to Marisa in the thick of the moment. When things went wrong with the motorcycle, there was tension in the air. And I will admit that I sometimes became less than ideal to be around as I cursed and swore on the side of the road.

​But I think that Marisa would agree that this is something I gradually became better at, still not 100% ‘enlightened,’ but I now know that every problem always seems to figure itself out. ​I now try to wait 24 hours before completely freaking out. I’m still not as Zen as I would want to be, but I began to realize that all of the gods in all of the multiverses, along with Marisa were NOT teaming up to make my day miserable. But for a while there, it was pretty rough for Marisa to have to deal with my child-like behavior. ​But the truth is, even when we found ourselves in the most beautiful of locations, we were able to ruin it by fighting with each other. Marisa had almost flown home 3 times before we entered South America. But we wanted to resolve our issues and be able to continue traveling the world together. ​So how did we navigate through the twists and turns of our relationship? ​My biggest challenge to overcome, was to focus my attention on the problem at hand, not on each other. Once I started to conquer this flaw, it led to us working together as a team in getting us out of whatever situation we found ourselves in. And it truly felt rewarding once we managed to get through it. We would often high five and hug each other knowing that we had avoided pointless stress and had turned it into an achievement. ​One of my favorite quotes that I have come across is “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it”.
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I don’t think there are any other words that could wrap me up as an individual as those. We have also learned not to be afraid of some of the obstacles that we are bound to come across. Because just as Marisa’s confidence grew as we took worse and worse roads, and my skill level grew at the same time, our relationship also became stronger as trust was built on multiple levels. ​Above is a picture of ‘not-so-happy’ Marisa as we rode down Titus Canyon in Death Valley. ​And here is that same wonderful woman, on a very similar road in Southern Peru. ​I couldn’t have asked for a better partner than this lovely woman. At times there have been struggles for sure, but we both learned that there are larger priorities in life than who may be right or wrong in a pointless disagreement. I know that I wouldn’t be able to do this journey without her. But Marisa has stood by my side through some difficult times, and I am forever grateful for her patience. ​Don’t assume that the rider is the captain of the ship. We are a team, and we need to always keep that in our mindset.

I also listened to Marisa when she would say, “Let me off for this part”. At first I felt offended that she didn’t trust me or my skills. But slowly I learned to respect her requests.
​
This worked out for multiple reasons. First, she would be able to go ahead and feel out of harm’s way if the bike were to drop. ​Secondly, it would make traversing down crappy roads a bit easier due to her weight being taken off the bike. ​And thirdly, it allowed for her to take some pretty cool photos as I splashed through puddles or bounced my way over baby head rocks. ​Marisa would cheer me on and help motivate me through some more of the difficult roads, all while she was safely on flat earth.
​
Marisa knew that confidence was half of the battle, and when she wasn’t physically helping me push my way through something, she was always there like a cheerleader saying things like ‘you got this’, or ‘you’re doing great!” We would still find ourselves in situations where the bike had fallen over with us both on it. But we were beginning to act more as a single unit instead of clashing against each other when things got tough. Communicating is very important. Sometimes in the heat of the moment our brains would conclude that this was the end of the trip. That things weren’t working or fun or enjoyable. But it never was the end of the trip. We just needed to end that state of mind. We kept pushing through, and now we have the mentality that we know we’re going to get through it. We still hit roadblocks and potholes in our relationship just as we do when driving down crappy roads, but just like any good suspension, we need to absorb them.

​Marisa and I know that you will possibly find yourself in tough situations. Stress will rise, arguments may occur, but we are equally confident that you will be able to get through them as a team, and grow both individually and together. ​In the end, after all the beauty and the thrill of the open road, mixed in with overcoming obstacles and emotional battles, Marisa and I know that traveling the world together is the best thing that has ever happened to us. And we are both willing to fight for the ability to travel more, opposed to fighting with each other that could potentially end our journey. ​Just remember to focus your energy on solving the problems at hand, listen to each other’s needs and request, and be vocal about any potential issues before it can erupt into an argument. At first it may be challenging, but we promise you that it is an achievable dream, and one that is worth pursuing. Marisa and I would love to answer any questions you may have. We reply to all of our Patreon comments and are so thankful to the growing community that we have.

And we are also ecstatic to announce our latest motorcycle tour in Thailand!! Join us on an epic adventure through the endless twisty roads in Northern Thailand and relax on stunning beaches on Koh Lanta in Southern Thailand! Check out the itinerary and available dates HERE .

We would love to ride alongside you and explore the world together!  We can’t thank all of our Patrons enough and we are so grateful to have you along for the journey! We want to welcome Jacques Dubeau to the Patron family! Thank you for joining the adventure!
​
Not a member? Become a  PATREON  member to receive:
 ✅ All 3 of Tim's eBooks of our motorcycle adventures around the world! 📗 📘 📕
 ✅ Postcards from our around the world adventure! 🏞️
 ✅ Early access to the latest YouTube videos, Ad Free!  🎥
 ✅ Your name in the credits of our YouTube videos!  📋
 ✅ A warm fuzzy feeling by supporting our journey! 🥰
https://www.patreon.com/2upandoverloaded/membership   Blog Subscription Update!! 🚨 🚨
​
Marisa and I will slowly be moving our Blog from this subscription list to our  Patreon Page  . But don't worry,  it is 100% FREE FOREVER to join our Blog !

Join for FREE - FOREVER! No trials, no hidden catches. It’s completely free to join our Patreon Blog email list, and it ensures you’ll keep getting all our latest content. There are paid tiers that have additional benefits, but our Blog posts are completely free, no strings attached.

Earlier this year we had to switch our email list provider, and we lost nearly half of our subscribers . We never want that to happen again, so we are building our community of like minded explorers and friends on Patreon to ensure that everyone who signs up gets our latest blogs, YouTube links, and future Podcast episodes!​

Please  Join for FREE  now to ensure you keep receiving all of our content. We would love to hear from you in the comments or message board on Patreon.

Click here to sign up for FREE! 

- Tim Notier

The Mae Hong Son Loop does not ease you into it. The road immediately starts climbing and twisting, demanding your attention with every corner. There is no autopilot here, just you, the bike, and the next turn.

From the start, this ride felt like it was going to be more than just another loop.
​
We rode our motorcycles to Nam Lod Cave, cutting through quiet roads surrounded by jungle and limestone cliffs. The entrance to the cave felt like a gateway to another realm. Once inside, the light disappeared almost instantly. We stepped onto a small wooden raft, poles dipping silently into the water as our guide pushed us forward. The only illumination came from a lantern, its flame flickering against the cave walls. Drifting through the darkness, I could not help but think of the river Styx, as if we were being ferried straight into Hades. 
​
We climbed into three separate cave systems, each one demanding a serious effort to reach. The steps were steep, uneven, and seemed to go on forever. By the time we reached each chamber, my legs were burning. Our guide, a woman carrying a simple lamp, led the way. The swinging light threw shadows across the cave walls, making the rock formations feel alive. Marisa and I did not have headlamps, so we stayed close behind her, trusting her light completely as it danced across the darkness.
​
When we finally emerged back into daylight, I was thankful to be back in the world of lush greenery instead of dark chambers. The heat, the air, the color of the world all hit at once. We were energized and ready for more.
We got back on the road and followed the rolling hills that surrounded us. This is where riding in Thailand really shines. The pavement flowed effortlessly, one corner stacking into the next, each turn revealing a new view of jungle, farmland, and distant mountains. The road never felt rushed. It invited you to settle into a rhythm, lean the bike over, pick your line, and roll on the throttle as the landscape unfolds around you.

Tight switchbacks kept us focused, while long sweeping curves let the bike breathe. Small villages appeared without warning, then faded back into greenery just as quickly. The smells of wood smoke and roadside food stalls mixed with fresh mountain air as we passed through.
​
Riding here demands attention, but it also rewards it. There is a constant connection between rider, machine, and environment. No straightaways to get bored on, no wasted pavement. Just corner after corner, climbing and descending through hills that seem designed specifically for motorcycles. It is the kind of riding that leaves a smile stuck on your face long after you shut the engine off.
We pulled over for coffee, drawn in once again by a view that demanded we stop. From where we stood, the landscape rolled off into the distance like tall waves on a rough ocean, layers of hills fading from deep green into soft blues as they met the horizon. It was the kind of view that makes you forget how long you have been riding, even though your body knows exactly how far you have come. We have Airhawk seat cushions on our seats, but every break is welcomed.
Coffee in places like this is never just about the drink. It is about slowing everything down and taking in where you are. Helmets came off, gloves were set aside, and conversations started easily. More riders pulled in, each of us drawn by the same stretch of road and the same pull to explore it. Stories were traded without effort. Where you came from, where you were headed, favorite roads, close calls, and moments that made the ride worth it.
There is a shared understanding among motorcycle travelers, especially in a place like this. Different bikes, different backgrounds, but the same reason for being there. Standing together with coffee in hand, looking out over the hills, it felt less like a rest stop and more like a quiet reminder of why we ride in the first place.
That night, we stayed in Mae Hong Son, and as the sun dropped behind the mountains, the town slowly came to life. The walking streets filled with soft light from hanging lanterns, their warm glow reflecting off the pavement and storefronts.
Monks smiled as they attended their evening rituals, their presence calm and unassuming as they passed through the lantern-lit streets. Marisa and I purchased a simple offering. A candle and a few sticks of incense on a small wooden boat, nothing elaborate, but meaningful in its simplicity. We stepped aside, away from the flow of foot traffic, and lit the candle together. As the incense began to burn, we placed it carefully in the water and let the smoke drift upward into the night air.
We stood quietly for a moment, reflecting on the road behind us and the miles still waiting ahead. The twists we had already ridden, the places we had passed through, and the experiences that had shaped the journey so far. It felt like a brief pause in motion, a chance to acknowledge the ride, to say thank you for the safe roads behind us, and to ask for a bit of good fortune for whatever might be waiting around the next corner.
It was also in Mae Hong Son where we said goodbye to our fellow riders Dan, Tim, and Chris. Moments like that always carry a strange mix of gratitude and sadness. Days on the road together create a connection that forms quickly but runs deep. You learn each other’s riding styles, share meals, swap stories
Splitting ways is never easy, especially when you have been riding alongside people who share the same pull toward adventure. There is an unspoken trust that builds between motorcycle travelers, a quiet understanding that everyone is out there for the same reason. Even as plans send you in different directions, the bond remains. You know that somewhere down the road, those paths may cross again, carried forward by the same love for the ride.
Instead of continuing along the main loop toward Mae Sariang, Marisa and I took an eastern route toward Mae Chaem. Almost immediately, the road began to change. The pavement narrowed, traffic thinned out, and the ride felt more personal. It was the kind of road where you slow down naturally, not because you have to, but because you want to take in what is happening around you.
Small villages appeared along the way, quiet and unpolished, with daily life unfolding right alongside the road. Locals went about their routines, kids waved as we passed, and roadside stalls sat patiently waiting for the next customer. There were no tour buses, no crowds, just a steady rhythm of life that felt genuine and untouched.
We love riding through places like this. Areas where tourism has not yet softened the edges and the culture still feels raw and authentic. It is in these moments, riding through smaller towns at an unhurried pace, that the road feels less like a route and more like an invitation to understand the place you are passing through.
The following day, we rejoined the main route and headed toward the highest point in Thailand, Doi Inthanon National Park. The air cooled as we climbed, and the scenery shifted once again. At the summit, we visited the Royal Pagodas, Noppamethanedon and Nopphonphusiri. Built to honor the King and Queen of Thailand, the twin pagodas sit above the clouds on clear days. Their intricate details, manicured gardens, and panoramic views made the long ride up feel completely worth it.
It was also another place where we met more riders and travelers, all drawn here by the same pull of the road. Bikes of every style were parked nearby, dust-covered and well ridden, each one carrying its own story.
The grand finale of the loop was Wachirathan Waterfall. You barely have to leave the road to find it, but long before you see it, you hear it. The sound of rushing water cuts through the forest, growing louder with every step. As you get closer, the mist starts to fill the air, cool and heavy, clinging to your skin and gear.
​
A short walk down slick, well-worn steps brings you to the edge of the falls. Standing there, you are met with a powerful wall of water crashing into the rocks below, sending spray high into the air.
​
This journey truly felt like traveling from hell to heaven. From the dark, torch-lit depths of Nam Lod Cave to rainbows arching from cascading waterfalls. Old friends rode alongside us, new friends joined along the way, and the road stitched it all together. Thailand has a way of offering both the underworld and the heavens in a single ride, and the Mae Hong Son Loop delivered every bit of it. We can't wait to announce our Tour Dates for 2026! Stay tuned!
We leave you with warm Christmas greetings! Christmas trees are a bit different here in Thailand but seem to sparkle just as much as lights.
​
And for all of our Patron supporters, we mailed out Christmas postcards! With two giant stamps that cover half of the address, and then another stamp postmarking them that cover a portion of the physical address, we have to cross our fingers that Santa Claus is able to decipher where to send them!
​
We can’t thank all of our supporters enough and we are so grateful to have you along for the ride with us! We want to welcome Jason Y. to the Patron family! Thank you for joining the ride!
​
Not a member?  Become a  PATREON  member to receive:
 ✅ All 3 of Tim's eBooks of our motorcycle adventures around the world! 📘📗📕
 ✅ Postcards from our around the world adventure! 🏞️
 ✅ Early access to the latest YouTube videos, Ad Free! 🎥
 ✅ Your name in the credits of our YouTube videos! 📋
 ✅ A warm fuzzy feeling by supporting our journey! 🥰
 https://www.patreon.com/2upandoverloaded/membership 🚨🚨 ‼️ Blog Subscription Update!!
​
Marisa and I will slowly be moving our Blog from this subscription list to our  Patreon Page  . But don't worry,  it is 100% FREE FOREVER to join our Blog !

Join for FREE - FOREVER! No trials, no hidden catches. It’s completely free to join our Patreon Blog email list, and it ensures you’ll keep getting all our latest content. There are paid tiers that have additional benefits, but our Blog posts are completely free, no strings attached.

Earlier this year we had to switch our email list provider, and we lost nearly half of our subscribers . We never want that to happen again, so we are building our community of like minded explorers and friends on Patreon to ensure that everyone who signs up gets our latest blogs, YouTube links, and future Podcast episodes!​

Please  Join for FREE  now to ensure you keep receiving all of our content. We would love to hear from you in the comments or message board on Patreon.

 Click here to sign up for FREE! ​
Merry Christmas Everyone!

- Tim Notier

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our North American friends and family!

​Marisa and I have been exploring Thailand for our latest motorcycle tour offering in Nov/Dec of 2026. Marisa came to Chiang Mai twenty years ago, and the stories she has shared with me made me eager to experience this place for myself. I now understand why. This city feels like a blend of history and wonder, filled with Nagas, wats, monks, and old Tuk Tuks weaving through the heart of the old city.
​ But just outside the walls of the old city, past the marijuana shops and Thai massage parlors are hidden gems that are off the tourist track. We spent the last two days exploring the area on the back of a 125cc Scoopy scooter instead of a motorcycle, and it has been wonderful.

Grand staircases that lead to mountaintop temples are guarded by two Nagas that welcome you. Rows of sharp teeth and serpentine tongues taste the air, detecting if your spirit is pure enough to enter the monasteries where monks practice their faith. Mantras fill the empty silence that vibrate your soul and the smiles of friendly monks dressed in crimson robes warm your heart. This area is filled with both Buddhist and Hindu architecture. From Brahma, Ganesh, to the Buddha himself, we are surrounded by an ancient belief that has survived the centuries to be displayed within a mile from a modern-day Mac Store. There may not be any Thanksgiving cornucopias or turkey dinners, but at its core, Thanksgiving is a holiday centered on gratitude. It is a time for people to reflect on and appreciate the blessings of the past year with family, friends, health, food, and other opportunities often taken for granted. And Thailand has proven to be an excellent source for all of the above on a daily basis.
​ Instead of our home country's Thanksgiving celebrations, we were lucky enough to catch the end of “The Festival of Lights”. Loy Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon in November. At dusk, the night sky is filled with thousands of lanterns that drift slowly towards the heavens like jellyfish bobbing in the open ocean. We missed the main attraction, and the massive crowds that are drawn to this event, but we did catch the aftermath of lingering hanging lanterns that line the walkways and courtyards of the surrounding Wats.

The mass tourism has settled back down to the standard hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai, and we are loving our time here. There seems to be a million little Wats that are tucked into the corners of the city, and the faint sounds of chiming bells direct us to each one like an audible treasure hunt to these hidden gems.
​ Tomorrow, we leave to scout out our “​Tail of the Naga” Thailand motorcycle tour that circles around the famous Mae Hong Son loop. This part of the world is filled with some of the best motorcycle riding we have ever encountered and we can't wait to share our adventures with you either behind the screen, or in person behind the handlebars.
​ We are so thankful to have such an incredible network of friends and family from all over the world. Our adventure wouldn't be nearly as fulfilling without the generosity, kindness, and friendships we have encountered along the way. It has been an honor to meet some of you in person, and to have lead a few of our followers on our tours throughout some of the most incredible places we have ridden.

Whatever culture, faith, country, or region of the world you are in, we hope you know that your conversations, laughter, and presence have created connections that we are truly thankful for on this, and every day, of our travels.

The tour we are putting together begins here in Chiang Mai, and ends with luxury while relaxing and getting messages on the island of Koh Lanta in southern Thailand where spires of limestone crags emerge out of Phang Nga Bay. We will slowly be releasing tour dates, info, routes, and finishing the website as we lock in the incredible places we will visit.

I will end this blog with a valuable insight we have learned in our short time here in Chiang Mai: How to properly stay connected via social media in Thailand.

To Tweet out your daily adventures, follow these 4 simple steps:

1 - Hire an official carrier pigeon (Cheap, but reliable) ​​2 - Confirm the text is legible and clearly understood (Use a large font) ​​3 - Send your 'tweet' to the recipient (A gentle push helps send it on its way) ​4 - Your message has been sent! (But as with all social media, there will be people who don't agree with your post) 🚨🚨‼️ Blog Subscription Update!!
​
Marisa and I will slowly be moving our Blog from this subscription list to our   Patreon Page  . But don't worry,  it is 100% FREE FOREVER to join our Blog ! 

Join for FREE - FOREVER! No trials, no hidden catches. It’s completely free to join our Patreon Blog email list, and it ensures you’ll keep getting all our latest content. There are paid tiers that have additional benefits, but our Blog posts are completely free, no strings attached.

Earlier this year we had to switch our email list provider, and we lost nearly half of our subscribers 😢. We never want that to happen again, so we are building our community of like minded explorers and friends on Patreon to ensure that everyone who signs up gets our latest blogs, YouTube links, and future Podcast episodes!​

Please  Join for FREE  now to ensure you keep receiving all of our content. We would love to hear from you in the comments or message board on Patreon. 

👉 Click here to sign up for FREE! 👈 ​Or become a  PATREON  member to receive:
✅ All 3 of Tim's eBooks of our motorcycle adventures around the world! 📙📗📘
✅ Postcards from our around the world adventure! 🏞️
✅ Early access to the latest YouTube videos, Ad Free! 🎥
✅ Your name in the credits of our YouTube videos! 📋
✅ A warm fuzzy feeling by supporting our journey! 🥰
👉 https://www.patreon.com/2upandoverloaded/membership

- Tim Notier

There are good days, there are bad days… and then there are Lombok torrential rainstorm days, the kind that make you question all your life choices, your mechanical abilities, and whether motorcycles can drown.
Spoiler: they can. Somewhere between "It only has to last one more day” and “why is it making that noise?”, our faithful Bajaj Pulsar 220, affectionately named Dorco, decided to take a nap as we rode through a seemingly harmless puddle. Marisa and I pulled over trying to restart the bike but with my lack of any mechanical abilities, I may as well have been kicking a can down the road.
​
That was the moment we officially entered recovery mode.

⚙️ Resurrection by Carburetor

After a lot of poking, prodding, and Google Translate-ing Indonesian motorcycle terms, we cracked open Dorco’s carburetor. A swampy soup of water and fuel poured out, and we crossed our fingers that this impromptu baptism might bring her back to life.
And miraculously, it worked!

Not only did Dorco cough, sputter, and roar back to life… she suddenly ran better than ever.
Apparently, she’d been slightly clogged up since the day we picked her up in Jakarta. All she’d needed was a torrential monsoon to clear her sinuses.

So yes, the rainstorm that nearly killed her actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. With the equivalent of a motorcycle enema courtesy of Mother Nature, the bike was unclogged and felt much more “regular”, and we rode off with nervous smiles back to Bali. 💸 The Great Dorco Sell-Off

With our time in Indonesia wrapping up, we knew it was time to part ways with Dorco. She’d carried us across four islands, Java, Kalimantan, Bali, and Lombok. Through volcanic ash, jungle mud, and some of the best (and worst) roads imaginable. She’d also broken down approximately 472 times, so… you know, mixed feelings. Enter Joel, our friend and fellow rider, who somehow decided he wanted to buy Dorco. (Even after witnessing its near-death experience first-hand.)

We sold her for a whopping $250, which honestly felt like we were charging too much for a motorcycle that previously refused to start just hours before.
​
Joel, bless him, took her for a test ride, came back with a straight face, and said:
“It barely works… but okay.”
That’s the spirit. 🚢 Farewell Ferry Fiasco

Our final act with Dorco was loading her onto the ferry back to Bali. The crossing between Lombok and Bali is notoriously rough, the kind of seas that make Dramamine stock prices go up. Marisa, Joel, and I snagged a “VIP cabin,” which in Indonesian ferry terms means a room that kind of smells like a locker room but has a window that doesn’t open. We tried to sleep while the boat pitched like a seesaw, hoping we wouldn’t wake up to Dorco rolling overboard.
​
At 11 p.m., we finally landed in Bali. We were all exhausted and queasy, and Marisa and I got to show off Dorco’s 1 watt headlight as we road back to Joel’s house nearly blind to our surroundings. ☀️ A New Dawn for Dorco The next morning, Bali greeted us with one of those perfect tropical sunrises. Birds chirping, palm trees swaying, and Dorco sitting proudly in the driveway like nothing ever happened.
It was our last morning together.

Joel took ownership, promising to give her a second life as a rental for adventure riders exploring Bali. I told him to be gentle as she’s been through enough existential crises for one lifetime.

Weeks later, Joel sent us photos, and my jaw dropped.

He’d transformed Dorco completely. New paint, new panels, new spirit. The same frame, the same engine, but she looked amazing.
​
Dorco 2.0 had risen. The little engine that couldn’t had become the little legend that could. 🏍️ What’s Next?

That marked the end of our Indonesian chapter. Thousands of miles, four islands, one resurrected carburetor, and countless memories.
​
But every ending is just the start of another misadventure. Where are we heading next? What new motorcycle will we pick up? Will it also die in a rainstorm? (Statistically, probably yes.)
​
You’ll have to stick around to find out.

Until then, here’s to Dorco, our unreliable, unstoppable, unforgettable partner in crime.
Ride on, little buddy. Ride on. 🚨🚨‼️ Blog Subscription Update!!
​
Marisa and I will slowly be moving our Blog from this subscription list to our   Patreon Page  . But don't worry, it is 100% FREE FOREVER to join our Blog ! 

Join for FREE - FOREVER! No trials, no hidden catches. It’s completely free to join our Blog email list, and it ensures you’ll keep getting all our latest content. There are paid tiers that have additional benefits, but our Blog posts are completely free, no strings attached.

Earlier this year we had to switch our email list provider, and we lost nearly half of our subscribers 😢. We never want that to happen again, so we are building our community of like minded explorers and friends on Patreon to ensure that everyone who signs up gets our latest blogs, YouTube links, and future Podcast episodes!​

Please Join for FREE now to ensure you keep receiving all of our content. We would love to hear from you in the comments or message board on Patreon. 

Click the below picture or click here to sign up for FREE!  🧠 Tech Tip from the Road

If your seat is as comfortable as a two-by-four, don’t spend hundreds on fancy mods? Grab an Airhawk cushion and, for the pillion, toss in a cutting board underneath for extra width.
Yes, a cutting board.
No, we’re not joking.
It’s not pretty, but neither are we after 8 hours in the saddle.
​
Check out our full list of gear here and let us know if you have any questions!
👉 https://www.2upandoverloaded.com/ourgear.html Thanks for riding alongside us,

We’ll see you in the next chapter, wherever two wheels and too much gear take us next.
​
Watch the full episode of our latest escapades on YouTube here 👉 https://youtu.be/ml9oFTJ-i_8 Or better yet, Join us on Patreon for as little as $5 a month! ​Sign up for our FREE Blog on Become a PATREON member to receive:
✅ Free eBooks written by Tim Notier! 📙
✅ Postcards from our around the world adventure!
✅ Early access to the latest YouTube videos, Ad Free!
✅ Your name in the credits of our YouTube videos!
✅ A warm fuzzy feeling by supporting our journey!
👉 https://www.patreon.com/2upandoverloa...

- Tim Notier

Put your helmets on as we ride on the back of a rickety Bajaj Pulsar 220 to Bali’s legendary Lempuyang Temple. ​The Great Lempuyang Temple Showdown

Our destination? The jaw-dropping, mirror-illusion-fuelled wonder known as Lempuyang Temple, aka The Gates of Heaven. It’s famous enough for postcards and Instagram selfies, but is it a sacred place—or a tourist trap in disguise?

​If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and seen that jaw-dropping shot of two stone gates perfectly framing a volcano, you’ve already “been” to Lempuyang Temple—digitally, anyway. But as we recently found out on our Bajaj Pulsar 220, there’s a huge difference between the photo and the reality.
​
Winding Roads and Bajaj Bravery

The day started the way many of our adventures do, me piloting our trusty Bajaj Pulsar 220 while maneuvering us around Bali’s unpredictable traffic. Dogs, chickens, scooters stacked with entire families, it’s all part of the obstacle course.

There’s something poetic about riding Bali’s winding roads on our trusty Bajaj Pulsar 220- small, spirited, and mighty. If this bike were any more overloaded, its little heart might’ve exploded from all the uphill temple climbs and jungle turns.

The Bajaj may not be the flashiest machine on the island, but it’s our mechanical sidekick. A 220cc single-cylinder beast that’s equally good at weaving through chaos and complaining loudly about steep inclines. As we ascended toward Lempuyang, its little engine let out the same kind of grumbles as I do when climbing up four flights of stairs with our luggage in hand at a hotel with no elevator. Both the motorcycle and I are always pushed forward with the loving motivation and support from Marisa. First Glimpse of the Gates of Heaven

By the time we rolled into the parking lot, the Bajaj was panting, and so were we. Lempuyang Temple is one of Bali’s oldest and most sacred temples, dating back to the 8th century. It’s part of a series of temples along the slopes of Mount Lempuyang, each one requiring a little more effort to reach. The famous “Gates of Heaven” are located at the lower temple, Pura Lempuyang Luhur.

After a bus ride and a short, but exhausting hike, we could see the iconic gates, and they looked every bit as stunning as the photos... with one missing component - there was no reflection pond in front of the stunning gates.

The Queue, the Mirror, and the Magic Trick

We joined the line of eager visitors, cameras in hand. A friendly crew runs a ticket-style photography system. You wait your turn (we waited an hour and a half, and it was a slow day), and when your number is finally called, you hand over your phone and the photographer uses a little square of black glass to create that perfect “reflection” shot. The clouds drift over Mount Agung, the light shifts, and voilà, your personal slice of Bali magic.
​
“Next pose! Hands up! Kiss! Jump!” the photographer directed as if shooting for the cover of Vogue. We got around 25 poses before we were shuffled away to make room for the next couple. The result? Gorgeous photos, but not exactly the serene spiritual experience we’d imagined. Tourist Trap or Cultural Treasure?

This is the million-rupiah question. Is Lempuyang Temple a sacred treasure or just an Instagram trap? The answer is… both.
​
On one hand, it’s a place of deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Balinese people. Pilgrims come here to pray, to make offerings, and to complete the demanding climb to the temple, a journey believed to cleanse the spirit.

On the other hand, the temple has undeniably been reshaped by tourism. The queue, the paid photo service, the “next pose” instructions, it’s all designed for the modern social media visitor. If you come expecting peace and quiet, you might leave disappointed.
​
Riding Home with Mixed Feelings

By the time we descended back to the parking lot, the clouds had thickened, giving Mount Agung a moody, half-hidden look. We swung a leg over the Bajaj, who seemed relieved we were headed downhill this time, and began the ride home.

Our verdict? The “Gates of Heaven” are worth seeing. Just know that the most meaningful memories took place far from the photo spot. Final Thoughts

Lempuyang Temple is a place of contrasts. It’s a sacred site wrapped in a tourist spectacle. It’s a spot where you can both marvel at nature’s beauty and grumble about the commercialization of it.

For us, it was all of those things. And riding there on our Bajaj Pulsar 220 made it all the more memorable. Because no matter what’s at the end of the road, half the joy is in the ride itself. If you want the full experience, awkward poses, and Bajaj grumbles, the full episode is up on our YouTube channel: 2up and Overloaded -  DECEIVED! – Bali’s Most Iconic Temple… or a Tourist Trap? For as little as a $5 a month, become a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/2upandoverloaded 

As a Patron, enjoy Ad Free Early Access to our latest episodes, as well as a postcard sent to you from our locations all around the world!

​Help us get  further down the road by supporting us at: https://www.paypal.me/notiersfrontiers  ​Borneo Motorcycle Adventure! You are invited to join us on a 10 DAY MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCE in East Malaysia, guided by yours truly - Tim and Marisa Notier. On this experience, you will ride through some of the oldest rainforests on earth, encounter orangutans and other stunning wildlife, twist into the foothills of Borneo's tallest mountain, plunge under waterfalls, and explore untouched coral reefs. All while making great friends and lifelong memories.

We want to show you some of the best roads and most breathtaking sights we've ever encountered after our 7 years on the road. And Borneo is a treasure trove!

This tour is particularly exciting since Borneo is still quite untouched and unknown. Although riding a motorcycle is a dream come true here, it's normally very hard to do so logistically, meaning that most adventure riders miss out on this incredible destination. But we have found a way!

So come along with us, and let us show you the ride of your life!

By Tim Notier

If you’ve ever Googled “Bali,” you’ve probably been bombarded with Instagram-perfect shots of infinity pools, swing sets over jungle canopies, and beaches that look like they’ve been dipped in Photoshop. But we decided to veer completely off that well-beaten tourist path and head somewhere far less glamorous: Deep into the clouds on the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s tallest and most sacred volcano.

We didn’t know what we’d find, but we were sure of one thing: it wasn’t going to be a spa resort with free Wi-Fi.

The Temple That Doesn’t Exist (On Wikipedia) 

After navigating roads that could be more accurately described as long stretches of potholes interrupted by occasional gravel, we stumbled upon Pura Pasar Agung. A temple so remote it doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page. In today’s world, that’s basically like finding Atlantis.

Shrouded in thick fog that rolled in like Liberace making a dramatic entrance, the temple felt otherworldly. Its stone gateways framed the misty silhouette of Mount Agung itself. We watched as locals, dressed in vibrant ceremonial attire, prayed and performed rituals that have been passed down for centuries.
​ It was humbling and beautiful. Marisa and I stood out like two sore thumbs in our plain sarongs, looking like we were wearing forest patterned camouflage in the arctic. (Pro tip: nothing makes you feel more conspicuous than standing next to Balinese women in their stunningly intricate outfits.)

Still, the people welcomed us with smiles warmer than the tropical sun. They even let us snap a few photos together, proving once again that Indonesian hospitality is undefeated.
​ Our Bajaj Pulsar's Brakes Were Definitely Tested

​Leaving the temple meant tackling the mountain roads again, only this time, gravity was working against us. Our motorcycle brakes are best described as two wooden blocks rubbing against a wheel of cheese, so “slowing down” was more of a suggestion than a guarantee.

“Slow down!” Marisa shouted as we hit a steep section.

​“I’m trying!” I yelled back, pulling on the brakes as if they might work better if I begged them. Spoiler: they did not.

Our decent tuned into a dirt road riddled with potholes, but we were surrounded by lush vegetation and passed locals riding down the same bumpy road on small scooters loaded with with firewood. Their suspension bottomed out the same as ours as it seemed both of our monoshocks were refurbished springs from a Bic pen. 
​But somehow we made it down alive and found ourselves weaving through villages so quiet and serene that the loudest sound was our sputtering exhaust. Kids waved, old ladies tended to rice fields and everyone greeted us with the same Indonesian smile that we have so gratefully grown accustomed to.

Rice Paddies Like You’ve Never Seen 

As we descended further, the landscape opened up into shimmering rice paddies terraced across the hillsides like nature’s own mosaic. These fields weren’t just beautiful, they were reflective pools that mirrored the sky, palm trees, and distant mountains. It was one of those moments where you had to stop and pull over to appreciate the view. Because if you’re riding and staring at the same time, you’ll end up face-first in a ditch.


​From ground level, the paddies were stunning. From drone level (aka our “jetpack 150 feet up”), they looked like artwork. The different shades of green and blue formed patterns so perfect that even the best painter would be jealous.

The Villa of Our Dreams 

By the end of the day, we were exhausted, hungry, and overwhelmed by the beauty of the day's events. But then we arrived at one of the most beautiful villas we’ve ever stayed in.

Perched on a hill overlooking the rice terraces, this little slice of heaven had everything we could possibly desire. Marisa and I will always remember this villa paradise. Tucked between the mountains, paddy fields, and palm trees, we had hit the jackpot!


​The woman who ran the villa greeted us with a smile, handed us keys to our room, and pointed out a trail that led to a nearby village where we could find dinner. “Just follow the canal,” she said. “It’s a three-minute walk.”

​
​Of course, we immediately got distracted, wandered through a Balinese neighborhood that felt like it was frozen in time, and ended up finding a restaurant purely because it had a litter of puppies out front. The food was incredible, but let’s be honest—the puppies sealed the deal.

The Bali Few People See 

That night, as we looked out at the mist rolling over the hills from our villa, we realized we’d experienced a version of Bali that few travelers ever get to see. No crowds, no staged photo ops, just quiet temples, kind people, and landscapes that made us feel like we were living inside a painting.

The durability of our Bajaj Pulsar 220 motorcycle weighed heavily on our shoulders, but our souls felt a little lighter.
​
So, if you’re planning a trip to Bali, venture beyond the infinity pools and the Instagram hotspots. Ride up a misty mountain. Get lost in tiny villages. Pet some puppies. Who knows, you might just find a temple so remote even the internet doesn’t know it exists. Check out the entire adventure in our latest YouTube Episode - ​​The Bali Temple So Hidden It’s Not on Wikipedia Get early access to our latest YouTube episodes Ad Free for as little as a $5 a month by becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/2upandoverloaded 🎉 and get postcards from us as we meander around the world!
Borneo Motorcycle Adventure! You are invited to join us on a 10 DAY MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCE in East Malaysia, guided by yours truly - Tim and Marisa Notier. On this experience, you will ride through some of the oldest rainforests on earth, encounter orangutans and other stunning wildlife, twist into the foothills of Borneo's tallest mountain, plunge under waterfalls, and explore untouched coral reefs. All while making great friends and lifelong memories.

We want to show you some of the best roads and most breathtaking sights we've ever encountered after our 7 years on the road. And Borneo is a treasure trove!

This tour is particularly exciting since Borneo is still quite untouched and unknown. Although riding a motorcycle is a dream come true here, it's normally very hard to do so logistically, meaning that most adventure riders miss out on this incredible destination. But we have found a way!

So come along with us, and let us show you the ride of your life!

~ Tim and Marisa Notier​

Marisa and I are currently in East Malaysia on Borneo exploring this incredible part of the world with our tour guests!! It has been an epic motorcycle adventure and the first two of the three tours of 2025 were such a success, that we are excited to announce our Borneo to be Wild 2026 Tour Dates! Join us in February of 2026 as we seek out natural wonders, orangutans, and ride through a remote and beautiful part of the world! As we planned, prepped, and are now leading these tours, we have gotten a bit behind in our blog posts. We are now going to put our full attention back into our social media content.

This post is a flashback to one of the most magical landscapes we have come across throughout all of Southeast Asia - Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. This is my deep dive (and steep hike up) to an otherworldly landscape, a sea of sand, and a volcano that can destroy the most powerful of rings. ​If you were to Google Image Search “Mt. Bromo” you would be directed to a satellite view of a smoldering, active volcano. And if you zoomed out just a little, you would see five more volcanos that bulge out of the earth from an ancient hot spot that resembled the goosebumps that formed on my arm as I first viewed out at the calderas.
 
But if you were to zoom out even further, you will see that the five volcanos are all formed within a larger, ancient MEGA Caldera. It was like seeing a fly on a frog, then noticing the frog was on a turtle, only to realize it was turtles all the way down. The magnitude of the volcanic complex is absolutely mind-blowing.
​To reach this surreal destination, you have to cross something that sounds like it could be pulled from the map of a fantasy novel. THE SEA OF SAND would be written in a bold, foreboding font and scattered skull and cross bone icons would indicate the hazards that lay before you. The map‘s legend would reveal that the gas mask symbol designated the areas where sulfuric clouds of gas spewed out of the volcanos and hung low to the earth. The entire panorama looked like it could be the set of the next season of Fallout or any other post-apocalyptic movie.
 
The landscape wasn’t finely chiseled marble that left the smooth edges to form Michelangelo’s David. The rough edges of this massive caldera seemed to be carved by a chainsaw that left deep scars across the earth. The steep walls of the ancient volcano’s rim soared straight into the sky from the crater’s floor. Four new cones emerged within the giant super volcano that erupted ash and debris from their depths. This was a violent and chaotic place 45,000 years ago. But now, after the dust had settled to create the Sea of Sand, we could look out in awe to a real-life Mordor and not be afraid of being attacked by orcs. ​The only modern-day hazards were the 4x4s being driven by local tour guides. Instead of a constant flow of lava there was a constant bombardment of Toyota Land Rovers. Hundreds of them locked their trajectory straight into the path of our small motorcycle. There was a width of a hundred yards to safely pass us, but each and every one of them chose to come within feet of our track.
​But like most epic quests involving brave Knights and Dames, we conquered the elements, rode past the stream of combative non-playable characters, and made it to a safehouse to collect our bounty of rewards from such a stunning day’s ride. We pulled into our hotel and made Cahyo Homestay our basecamp for the next two days as we explored the area.
 
That night, the sun looked as if it had gone supernova turning the atmosphere into a Martian landscape. If NASA’s Rover had landed anywhere near us, scientists would have assumed it was an uninhabitable environment that could not support any forms of life. But we were there, breathing in the chilly air as we stared out in awe.
​The following morning, we rode our Bajaj Pulsar 220 to a small parking lot and started our hike to Seruni Point for sunrise. We were once again blown away by what lay before us as If it was the first time we had seen this alien landscape. There was almost no need for a drone at the altitude we were at. We had a bird’s eye view of the volcanos that gathered together as if taking a family photo. The scene before us would be impossible to convince people of its existence without photographic evidence. I couldn’t believe it myself, and I was the one staring out at its glory.
​After taking in the views from afar, absorbing in everything from a distance, we decided to look down into the throat of the monster before us. But instead of riding our Bajaj Pulsar 220 back across the madness that is the Sea of Sand… aka: SOS, we decided to hire two smaller scooters complete with drivers that would taxi us to the steps of the smoldering volcano.
​What awaited us after our short scooter ride was a thousand steps that led to the volcanic crater. Thankfully, there were plenty of rest areas with small benches that we took full advantage of. Marisa and I aren’t exactly great hikers, but this was a pilgrimage that would allow us to stare into the golden eyes of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation.
​The name Bromo is the Javanese pronunciation of Brahma, but this god-like volcano seemed more of a destroyer than a creator. But it was apparent that all of the land around us was fertile and appeared to be able to turn a single seed into a lush garden within weeks due to the nutrients in the earth. It was incredible what could flourish in a seemingly toxic area.
 
But Brahma, and his four heads that looked out in each direction, was blessing the land with vegetation and life. Once at the top of the crater, we saw a small idol of the Hindu god Ganesha, that is still worshipped by the Javanese Hindus.
​Marisa and I were only allowed thirty minutes at the edge of Bromo’s crater. The thick smell of sulfur filled our lungs as plumes of toxic gas burst into the sky. There are days, even entire weeks, that the stairway to Bromo’s crater is closed due to the unsafe levels of gases being released. But we had hiked up on a clear sunny day, to peer down into the gates of hell, and were surrounded by gods, poison, lush vegetation, and views one could only look down at as if on top of Mt. Olympus alongside the gods themselves.
​This is not a mythical place of legend, us mere mortals can walk amongst the wonders, look upon its beauty, and appreciate the pure and raw sculpting that is only achievable from millions of years of mother nature molding her creation, regardless of if you call her Bromo, Brahma, or Gaia.
Indonesia has provided us with a lifetime of memories so far, and there is so much more to discover. We can't wait to share all of our experiences with you here on our blog, via our YouTube channel, Facebook, and on Patreon (our Patrons get early access to all of our videos, ad free, and our up-to-date notifications!)

We love having you follow us along on our journey on social media, but if you want to physically ride alongside us on a motorcycle through some of these magical places, join us on our Borneo to be Wild Tour across Sabah, east Malaysia! Check out all of the dates, itinerary, prices, and FAQs by clicking on our tour dates page.

There is so much more that we can't wait to share with you, either here, virtually, or in person on our grand tour of Borneo's most iconic locations! We have also updated the way we send out our Blog, we are using a Feedburner alternative called follow.it. We hope that this posts gets to your inbox, we would love to hear your feedback in the comments below!

- Tim Notier

​Borneo is an island that’s existence I was completely unaware of until a few months before riding our motorcycle on its beaches and through its thick jungles. When conjuring images of Southeast Asia, I could only imagine congested, overpopulated, and constricted cities like Jakarta in Indonesia, Bangkok in Thailand, or Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.
 
And if anyone had asked me to draw a rough outline of this region of the world, or worse yet, the individual countries that make up Southeast Asia, the results would have been laughable. Without any guidance, my illustration may as well have been the map at the beginning of a fantasy book that consisted of faraway lands covered with rainforests in one region, erupting volcanoes in another, and sea serpents that lurked in deep oceans that separated different nations. ​Even after arriving in the region, there were mysterious corners that my mind couldn’t piece together. With over 25,000 individual islands, Southeast Asia’s charted lands resembled the aftermath of a vase falling onto the floor and shattering. Big chunks represented Java, Borneo, Papa New Guinea, and Sumatra, while the remaining splinters made up the tiny islands that I will never be able to name more than a few of.
 
But thankfully my failure to pay attention in my 8th grade geography class did not bar me from entering this stunning part of the world. And Borneo is the diamond that is set into the middle of the fragmented crown of the world’s largest archipelago. ​At first impression, the reality of Borneo was not that much different than the fairy tale I had created in my mind. This was an island where Orangutans swung gracefully between the trees and millions of fireflies swarmed in the night, illuminating the bushes and ferns in more flickering yellow lights than the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. There were tribes of the Dayak people who still lived in towering longhouses who played exotic instruments and wore colorful headdresses made from the skulls of hornbills and the tusks of wild boars.
 
Borneo wasn’t plastered with bustling cities the likes of Bangkok or Jakarta, Borneo was still wild, and we were riding into the heart of it with wide smiles that stretched from the South China Sea in the West to the Sulu Sea in the East. Marisa and I set off on our latest adventure on a rented KTM 250 Adventure. It was a small motorcycle for being 2Up, but we were both able to squeeze between the tank bag in front of me, and the rear duffel bag behind Marisa. With the newest cast of man, woman, and machine, we planned on doing a magnificent loop around the remote Malaysian State of Sabah.
 
It’s often said that it is about the journey, not the destination. And that statement holds true, but an additional factor can enrich or tarnish the most thrilling of adventures. That variable is the people we meet along the way and the communities that we temporarily submerge ourselves into. Thankfully, the individuals of Sabah did not disappoint as we were welcomed into shops, restaurants, and hotels as if we were their favorite customers who were returning for the hundredth time. ​Marisa and I were temporarily adopted into the families of our hosts as we made our way from Kudat, the northernmost tip of Borneo, to Mt. Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in all of Malaysia. Long, twisty, paved roads with stunning views connected the points of interest as we propelled forward via our KTM’s little engine that could.
 
Our route hugged the ocean’s coast as the motorcycle glided across the sands of secluded beaches. Marisa and I couldn’t help but giggle at the excitement of having an entire beach seemingly reserved for just the two of us. ​“Notier, party of two, this way please,” Mother Nature’s soft voice would whisper to us through the branches and leaves of the thick forests. We followed every suggestion we heard and were rewarded with hidden treasures hidden far away from the main Pan-Borneo highway.
 
Marisa and I hiked to remote waterfalls that we swam under as rays of sunlight glistened through the surrounding jungle canopy. From one destination to the next, we floated down scenic roads with views of the ocean, thick jungles, and tall mountains. We shared the remote asphalt roads with few other vehicles but had to avoid monitor lizards who used the tarmac as their own personal sunbeds.
 
After blissful days of riding through unforgettable landscapes, we stayed in oceanside bungalows and dove beneath the surface of the ocean to find a whole other world. Millions of fish lived in metropolis cities where skyrise buildings were made of coral reefs, the Goodyear blimp was replaced by hovering jellyfish, and the diverse population of its citizens coexisted in Utopian harmony. ​Clownfish stuck their orange and white stripped heads out between sea anemones to study us just as curiously as we did them. Starfish sprawled out on the ocean floor as in the same poses as Marisa and me while sunbathing on the white beaches that the tide’s waves broke against. After swimming back to shore Marisa and I traded stories as if we had both just come back from distant planets.
 
We had only traveled halfway across this magnificent island and were already spellbound by the abundance of wildlife, nature, and people’s kindness in every direction we pointed the front tire. Marisa and I were filled with a warm happiness from the towering 4,800’ platform that overlooked Mt. Kinabalu all the way down to 10’ below sea level as we mingled with the fish. Borneo had it all, and we couldn’t wait to find out what was past the next twists in the meandering roads that headed towards the eastern side of the island. ​What greeted us were the people of the forests, translated to Orang Utans in Malay. These wonderful creatures can only be found in the wild on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Marisa and I had missed our opportunity to see the gorillas while in central Africa, but we weren’t going to miss this family reunion with our distant cousins, aunts, and uncles, even if our families haven’t spoken to each other in nearly 14 million years. ​I was surprised when l learned that our great ape ancestors shared approximately 97% of our DNA. I figured the 3% gap could easily be bridged with a decent haircut, some snazzy clothes, and a few hours of listening to Hooked on Phonics. But I realized that 3% variance can take a few million years to catch up to us humans who trade stocks and have mortgages, if that’s for the better or worse is still debatable. Domesticated felines share 90% of our genes, and my cat, Mr. Moto San, wasn’t going to take up day trading or refinance his litterbox any time soon.
 
After an afternoon with the orangutans, we rode our little KTM 250 Adventure through a jungle of palm oil trees to a spectacular section of old growth rainforest. Our bumpy, offroad ride was down a dirt path that must have changed shape, pitch, and width every time it rained. While dodging as many potholes as I could, we finally pulled into a proboscis monkey sanctuary. ​The proboscis monkeys did not have a direct translation from Malay, but all the locals did call them “Dutchman” monkeys due to their large, prominent, Jimmy Durante looking schnozzolas. It was another afternoon filled with laugher as the Dutchman monkeys snorted and grunted at each other as if in a session of British Parliament. The females thankfully did not have the same unattractive feature and had cute little upturned noses and curious eyes as they foraged silently while the males bickered and blathered.
 
Our loop around Borneo had undeniably turned into an adventure straight out of a fantasy book. There were no dragons to slay, no tyrant kings or evil witches to outwit, but there was instead a land of seemingly mythical creatures that we could almost communicate with via facial expressions and hand gestures. The headhunters were long gone and replaced by the friendly and loving people of this incredible island who invited us into their homes for tea at every chance. ​In place of a black stallion, I gallantly rode our small but mighty KTM 250 Adventure through the vibrant landscapes with my very own princess. We made lifelong friends and memories alike, and even though our Southeast Asian adventure wasn’t finished yet, we knew that we would live happily ever after. Marisa and I would love to share this part of the world with each and every one of you! Either through our YouTube channel, or better yet, in person on one of our new Borneo Tours !
Join us  Sat, March 29th - Mon. April 7th, 2025  to explore all of these amazing places alongside us!!
Check out the itinerary, motorcycles, and all FAQ here 👉  Borneo Tours  or ask us any questions you may have by filling out the form below!  #element-ff6a3402-74e0-4847-9fed-e86925b7a38d .weebly-jotform-wrapper .select-form-table { width: 100%; height: 200px; min-height: 200px; max-height: 200px; border: 1px solid #eee; cursor: pointer;}#element-ff6a3402-74e0-4847-9fed-e86925b7a38d .weebly-jotform-wrapper .select-form-table .select-form-table-cell { display: flex; width: 100%; height: 100%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; justify-content: center; align-items: center;}#element-ff6a3402-74e0-4847-9fed-e86925b7a38d .weebly-jotform-wrapper .select-form-table .select-form-table-cell .jotform-addform-wrapper { width: 175px; height: 64px; border-radius: 6px; background-color: white; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; text-align: center; gap: 12px;}#element-ff6a3402-74e0-4847-9fed-e86925b7a38d .weebly-jotform-wrapper .select-form-table .select-form-table-cell .jotform-addform-wrapper .jotform-addform-text { color: #0A1551; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700;}#element-ff6a3402-74e0-4847-9fed-e86925b7a38d .weebly-jotform-wrapper .select-form-table .select-form-table-cell .jotform-addform-wrapper svg { width: 18px;}