I caught up with Steve Braybrook shortly after returning from Iceland, where he took part in the ‘Honda Adventure Roads’ trip: 10 days on board Honda’s Africa Twin (with DCT) across Iceland on every type of terrain imaginable, from dust and sand to waist-deep water crossings. The weather, like the country, was ever changeable too.
Steve was one of 35 riders on the ride, all of whom received off-road coaching from José (Nacho) Ignacio Cornejo, Adrien Van Beveren and Ricky Brabec as there were 3 HRC riders, who form the heart of the HRC rider team on the Honda Adventure Roads trip. With a wealth of experience on the Dakar rally and other championships around the world, these HRC experts, along with the UK’s multiple motocross world champion Dave Thorpe, were on hand for one-to-one training and to demonstrate what the Africa Twin is truly capable of. A backup crew, including medics and a team to look after accommodation, luggage and maintenance of the bikes, meant that all Steve and his fellow adventurers had to do was turn up and ride. But, as Steve explains, this was anything but a walk in the park; it was a true adventure.
"It all started off from a Facebook page. I’m a Honda Africa Twin owner – I bought it in 2019 – and part of the owners’ group on Facebook. There are six of us who get together once a month to ride out both on and off-road. I saw the advert, applied and initially I didn’t make the cut. But due to the delay because of the global pandemic, a few riders dropped out and I just made it in.
I knew it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I convinced my wife it would be a ‘one-off’ 40th birthday gift. Thankfully, after lots of gifts and a few bottles of bubbles, she agreed."
"Once I had the confirmation, I started a lot more training, bought an excellent Honda CRF250 Rally and joined a local off-road club. I couldn’t get enough of it, but the excitement didn’t really build until about a week before leaving. Strangely, it was even exciting to get on a plane because, due to lockdown, I hadn’t travelled in ages."
"Landing in Iceland was surreal. By mistake, I ended up sharing a taxi to the first hotel with Ricky (Brabec), the Honda Dakar rider. At the time I didn’t know who he was – but what a top bloke. That evening we had the team dinner, met Charlotte and Nick who organised everything, and the rest of the team. For me, that is when the true adventure began and we all started to work together. That was when I really realised what I was in for.
There were two groups: one for regular riders like me and one for journalists and experts, like Vanessa Ruck. Accommodation varied: one overnighter was in the middle of nowhere, others were in luxurious hotels like the Hotel Geysir and sometimes we camped. It was a real blend. But no matter where we stayed, the main thing we all wanted was somewhere to dry our kit off at the end of the day’s ride."
"My favourite was camping in yurts, complete with heated blankets, comfortable beds, lovely staff and friendly locals. The salmon was smoked over goat manure, which we didn’t find out until afterwards. Indulging in local food and mixing with friendly locals is my thing completely."
"Day one was easing into it. We visited a local Honda dealer, did a shortish road ride, then into training and onto the first hotel. After that the pace picked up, which meant getting up around 7am for breakfast, then 8:30 briefings and onto the bikes by 9:30. Group one, with the Dakar racers and journalist, was considered the fast group, while our group of ‘normal’ riders unofficially sub-divided three, depending on the pace we wanted to ride at."
"The rhythm of the day was like an accordion: we’d usually catch the faster group as they were preparing to depart after a stop – but we’d ride as a group, always helping each other. The fast group would get to the hotel around 4pm or 5pm, while we’d be in at 6pm at the earliest. One day things got particularly adventurous and we didn’t get to the lunch stop until 7pm, but as hard as it got, nobody wanted to give up. Even at 7pm, nobody was giving in despite more river crossings and a long off-road ride ahead. People wanted to help, but the mentality and ethos were to keep going no matter what. That was the challenge we all relished
The first three days were blessed with unprecedented warm weather. Then we had a few river crossings and from then on rain on most days. Once our kit was wet from the river crossing or rain, sometimes both, it was a bit of a race to get it dry in the hotel and ready for the next day. It was boots upside down in the bath, jacket and jeans spread out on the radiator… We wanted to spend more time sorting and drying the kit but also wanted to be on time for dinner.
I think I planned an early night every night, but it never happened as we were too busy having a beer and a laugh. We were lucky to get to bed before midnight and we all struggled to sleep as it’s almost constant sunshine at this time of year. We had Honda eye masks, but almost everyone went to bed at midnight and woke up around 4am. Such a weird shared experience."
“I don’t have one main highlight as every moment, every river crossing, all the off-road, and the laughs in the bar were all fantastic. But the most memorable moment was probably the end if the journey: getting off my Africa Twin. I know it’s just a bike but I thanked it anyway; gave it a tap and almost cried as I walked away. I was flooded with emotion, and it wasn’t just me. We had all bonded tightly with our Hondas.
“Every day was a highlight, so too every lunch stop and every mile. I’d be sat on a rock with a sandwich, surrounded by amazing scenery, a waterfall cascading behind me, and just think: ‘wow’. But the end was special. I think I’ve gained some lifelong friends and that the trip has changed me. In fact, I’m already looking at other trips.
“I love the adventure side of life, and I’m lucky to have a wife who supports my wild ambitions. Now I can’t wait for the next one. It was such an amazing and emotional trip, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.”
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