Shannon

“Couldn’t you think of a more original name,” asked Laurence, my motorbike partner (and spouse), as he sat soaking in the tub, bubbles hanging off his chin. “How about something like Lolly and Shanner’s Motorcycle Adventures,” he said, perhaps with sincerity, I questioned?

Lolly. Shanners. He can’t be serious.

I’ve named our blog Taking the Long Way Around for two reasons: Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor. They filmed Long Way Round, a documentary about their around-the-world motorbike travels. Laurence and I have watched it many times over the years, even recommending it to others who enjoy adventure and motorcycling. And, like Charley and Ewan, we are planning our own adventure, not riding from one end of the world to the other, but darn close: Minneapolis, Minnesota to Niagara Falls, Ontario.

In total, we’ll ride 2,359 miles in 11 days. And, what’s my longest ride? 5.5 hours. I have a lot of training ahead!

Name	Shannon Johnson
Age	34
What I do when I’m not riding	Director of communications, Nexus
First motorcycle	Honda Trail 110
Current motorcycle	BMW F650 GS
Longest ride	5.5 hours, 277 miles