A Different Kind of Interview
This interview was very different from my usual ones, since I normally talk about roads or sports motorcycles. I myself haven’t had many opportunities to test adventure or enduro bikes. But we need to talk about them, because they’re becoming increasingly popular. This time, we dive into the world of rallying, desert riding, gravel, and mud with Patrick Trahan, an adventure and enduro motorcycle instructor. What I particularly loved was being able to participate as an observer during the training. This session was exclusively for women, and each could progress at her own pace.
The Beginnings of a Passion for Patrick Trahan
His passion started very young, but not on a bike. Everything changed when a classmate his age moved into his neighbourhood. That’s when something clicked. His friend’s father was a mechanic and rode motorcycles, quads, and other motorized machines. “When I saw his dad take out an enduro, I don’t know why, but I think that’s when the spark happened! I used to see bikes when I was little, and it made me dream,” Patrick recalls.
From Skiing to Adventure Riding: The Turning Point
Patrick was, first and foremost, a skier and didn’t have any motorized toys. His father passed away when he was seven, and he didn’t really know his brother either. He grew up alone with his mother, and motorcycles were far from a priority.
First Rally Attempt: The Defining Crash
He finally tried his friend’s little CT70 Mini Trail, and luck wasn’t on his side—he went straight into a tree the very first time. His motorcycling career stopped there, with only a split lip. His mother obviously didn’t encourage him to continue after that accident. It took a long time before he got his own bike. Living in the city made it harder to access gravel roads to ride on. It took 30 years before he owned his first bike, but what truly drove him wasn’t the bike itself—it was the dream of rallying. Owning a motorcycle was cool, but while in university, the passion wasn’t strong enough to take over his life yet. What really motivated him was the Dakar!
Revelation and Turning Toward Rally
Curious, I asked him, “But why are you so drawn to rallying?” What made him discover this world of adventure?
He discovered rallying after returning from a ski trip in Europe. At the airport, they came across a guy dressed head to toe in motorcycle gear. It was odd! They asked what his story was, and he said he was coming back from the Dakar. They had no idea what that was. He shared his thrilling story—he had just withdrawn from the race and was flying home. Back then, riders were completely on their own. Today, things are much more structured. Patrick found the story fascinating. Once back in Canada, he saw the Dakar on TV and said to himself: “One day, I’m going to do that!”
That’s where it all started, even more than the motorcycling itself. He bought his first bike solely for rallying, without ever having ridden before. He packed it up and left for a rally. He had done a bit of motocross so he could shift gears and ride a manual. He also did mountain biking and downhill skiing, and he wasn’t afraid of much. All that helped him learn fast, though he had no enduro or desert experience.
Dakar Rally: Goals, Lessons, and Realities
I was completely captivated by what he had just told me.
The Dakar Rally is the biggest rally in the world. It has existed since 1980 and runs for about ten days, with 10 to 12 endurance stages. The goal is to achieve the best overall time—it’s a real race.
Participants use a Road Book, and you can compete by motorcycle, car, or truck. About 400 people take part each year. With over 20 years of full-time riding, Patrick is a true rally-raid enthusiast. He competed in the Paris-Dakar three times, finishing 55th in 2010.
He also participated in 14 other international rallies, including in Egypt, Morocco, Dubai, Thailand, Mexico, Greece, and Albania. He still goes today, but now as a worker for the Rallye du Maroc or the Dakar.
Touareg Aventures: The Birth of an Adventure Riding School
He now works as a coach for his own enduro and adventure motorcycle training school, Touareg Aventures.
It all started during the pandemic when he was looking for something to do and came up with the idea of offering training. Since gatherings were limited to six people, he found a site where he already went skiing.
He launched his website and announced his courses. Everything came together with the help of good people. He now gives around 150 sessions a year, for a total of about 450 so far.
A Unique Approach to Adventure Motorcycle Training
Why do riders enjoy his training so much? He has a friendly approach and people trust him. He has extensive experience in adventure riding and loves teaching in a clear, hands-on way.
Patrick Trahan: A Gravel Guy
He admitted that he rarely rides on asphalt. Why? Simply because he doesn’t like it! It doesn’t thrill him. He doesn’t mind it, but he much prefers off-road riding. He says, “I’m a gravel and dirt guy, that’s for sure!” He worked for Honda Canada for 10 years and often did riding demos as part of his job. His job is to ride!
If he has to choose between a touring bike, like a Goldwing, a sports bike, or an enduro, he’ll always pick the enduro and head for the woods. During the summer, he’s busy with his courses, his company, and the Rallye de Parent. When he has time off, he takes three days alone in the woods on his bike. That’s his version of vacation. He also enjoys riding forest roads toward La Tuque and Trois-Rivières.
His Dream Destination?
I wanted to know his dream destination to ride—a place he’s never been. He replied: Australia. He has crossed several continents and deserts, including the Sahara, Morocco, Chile, Tunisia, Egypt, and Arabia, where he worked in the dunes with trucks. His three dream destinations remain Namibia in Africa, Mongolia in China, and Australia.
Patrick Trahan’s Advice for Starting Out in Adventure Riding
To help new riders, what does he recommend for safety—something he applies himself? It starts with proper gear, of course!
He also recommends planning your route in advance. Often, adventure riders get injured or damage their bikes because they set off without planning and don’t know where they’re going.
Experience is key when taking forest trails. You need to make sure the route matches your skill level, especially when riding in a group. A good communication method is also essential—you can get lost, hurt, or suffer from the cold.
Patrick’s Motorcycles
Patrick owns a KTM 950 as his personal bike and a Honda motocross bike converted to enduro. Since 2025, he’s been an ambassador for CFMOTO Canada.
Other Passions
Patrick also has other interests: computer science, which he studied at university; skiing and mountain biking, though he lacks time for them; and snow biking, which he’d love to try out West. He also enjoys the challenge of preparing rallies. As Patrick says, “I live off my passion!”
Patrick’s Life Philosophy
I couldn’t forget to ask my usual question to all passionate riders: a quote or phrase they’ve heard that inspires or guides them. Patrick answered instantly—it’s an easy one!
He’s kept this saying in mind for 20 years. Someone else told it to him. It helps him when he rides, races rallies, and lives his everyday life.
“We always make it to the bivouac.”
It basically means coming back home or to base, where the family or rally participants gather.
In rallying, you often get stuck in mud or sand and sometimes want to give up. Even when things look bad, you just have to stay positive and remember—you’ll always make it back to the bivouac!
He says he doesn’t experience stress because he applies this philosophy to everything. To him, stress doesn’t exist—because one way or another, you always make it back to the bivouac. If you’re in a rally and your wheel gets ripped off, you’re not going to sit there feeling sorry for yourself! (Haha! That made me laugh!) You roll up your sleeves and make the repairs.
“Always Back to the Bivouac”: The Rally Mindset
It’s a great way to stay in solution mode, focused on the present, and find your way out. One way or another, we’ll always make it back to the bivouac!
Useful Links
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- A Thanksgiving Adventure with TM Motorcycles: Demo Ride Review
[ALBUM PHOTO] https://magazinemoto.com/album-photos/album-photo-patrick-trahan-moto-aventure-rallye-et-touareg-aventures/
