1 WOMAN, 1 MOTORBIKE, 1 YEAR, 1 WORLD RECORD

– All 50 United States and Canada

Allow us to introduce you to this impressive motorbike woman.

Danell Lynn is the first solo woman ever to break the world record for longest journey by motorbike in a single country (48,600 miles)

Danell is an American long distance motorcycle rider. Not only has she broken a world record, won many awards, penned a number of books,  run dl-couture, a custom high fashion line which has dressed Mrs. World, Miss America, and more, she also continues her humanitarian work through her foundations Threading Hope and Highwire. Danell is a motorbike woman of epic abilities who shares her story with the Motowitch Collective of traveling through all 50 States in the USA and through Canada on her trusty Triumph Bonneville, Amelia.

In 2015 I completed an adventure through all 50 states and Canada by motorbike. Part of that adventure was my record breaking attempt in the lower 48 states for “Longest Journey by Motorcycle in Single Country.” It took a little over 12 weeks, after my return home and record submittal, to find out that at 34 years old; I was a Guinness World Record holder, and the first solo-female rider in the world to ever hold this record! I was honored, and this year 2018 I was featured in the GWR book (originally told it would not make it in, I was pleased to have held the record for so long that it made the books…and of course cool points with my niece and nephews!)

Armed with tank full of fuel and a case of Rand McNally maps I was ready to take on the back roads and scenic routes across the North America. Amelia-my 2006 Triumph Bonneville- was loaded! All my belongings for a year were packed into waterproof GiantLoop luggage, my home – a tent was strapped to the back…left leg in and now the right as I zipped on my REV’IT suit I exhaled – it was time!

One of those goals was to camp / to set up tent in every state – box checked! Much of my route was guided by visiting National Parks, both in the US and in Canada.

I grew up camping at many of these as a child and it was wonderful to experience them again some 15 or 20 years later, as a woman and by motorbike. I enjoyed all types of camp life on the road – from my Lone-Rider Moto-Tent (my main house) to Yurts in Pennsylvania and Colorado, and KOA Kamp Kabins (graciously donated to me in a handful of states along the journey).  From State Parks to wild camping, to privately owned sites, all had different appeals and experiences.

Everyone I met along the road was kind, some stand out more than others…like the couples that provided me breakfast at campsites, or gave me extra fire wood. And then there are the “gas-station” gentlemen that would always venture in close with admiration as they thought I was riding a vintage Triumph, like the ones they used to ride. These gentlemen were usually in their 60’s or 70’s, and we would chat about bikes and adventure, and one even gave me a couple bucks to have a coffee on him, this after I removed my helmet and he gasp…”you’re a woman!” I just laughed and said, “yep!” We talked of travel, weather and the beauty of taking life on – full-throttle, living out adventure!

I can honestly say there was not a horrible event in my journey, as things going wrong challenged me and always led to amazing opportunities or meetings with wonderful people! If the weather was bad and re-routed me it always led to a unique experience I would not have had otherwise. Or even when I crashed at slow speeds on the ice, this gave me a chance to meet a driver coming around the corner to warn me about the blind curve ahead that hits steep downward hill with no guard rail and covered in sheet ice – I would take my mini-crash at 3 to 5 mph over the possibilities of that hill with speed any day.

This was a solo journey but at times I did plan rides with others along the way. Some planned weeks in advance and some by happenstance. But all were cherished. I rode through Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona with my mom and dad. With m Uncle, I rode many Eastern States and Deals Gap. 
It was a pleasure to ride with new friends and motorcycle groups I met along the way.

The community rides were so enjoyable as there is a creative flow when surrounded by others who get the spirit of flight without leaving the ground…but I did cherish the times I rode alone (which I did for over 80% of my trip).

Having traveled solo throughout the world, part of this experience was challenging myself and taking the time each day to just be alone with my thoughts and the silence of nature (or the loudness depending on where I ventured, such as falling asleep to the insects in the south and waking up to birds in the north).

To sum up each month I documented in raw version of mini-documentary on my YouTube Channel. Showcasing sights and sounds and the beauty that the open road holds. Enjoy the journey and ride free!

Stats

• Departed Sept. 19, 2014 – Returned Sept. 27, 2015 (373 days)
• Crashes – 1 (slow speed on ice in NM)
• Punctures- 2 (both rear)
• Standing bike dump – pavement-1
• Bike dump on dirt – 1
• Tires: Front -4
• Rear – 8
• Speeding Tickets: 0
• Most expensive fuel-$5.989 (Death Valley, CA)
• Cheapest fuel- $1.749 (Soso, MS)

States visited – ALL 50 & Canada Miles

• 53,800 on Amelia (not including HI)
• 54,050 (including HI with limited edition Triumph rental bike).
• All 54,050 ridden on Triumph Bonneville
• GWR miles – 48,600 (continental US states)