Elsie Smith is a committed (and committable) long distance rider, having completed many 24 hour rallies, and successfully finishing the prestigious Iron Butt Rally. Her riding passion began long ago with small dirt bikes, and fast street bikes; think XS1100 going as fast as it would in the middle of the night. Later, as she "matured" she became known for pushing her BMW RT down roads it was not intended to ride on by the makers, and more than once, requiring some inventive terrain rearranging to get it unstuck.

 A couple of years ago Elsie succumbed to the whispers in her ears and traded the RT for a BMW F650GS single to allow her to explore even more remote and unpaved roads with her riding partners. Elsie was tired of picking up the RT, and not listening to stories of unpaved road travel from her friends. It was soon apparent that she needed to upgrade her skills to match the roads she was traveling on, as well as preparing for a trip to Mexico.

 Ron suggested that she attend MotoMark1's ADV course, and he would come along to help her pick the bike up (Not!). Elsie spent a very hot and humid day in the fields with Mark, learning the skills she would put to good use on the trip to Mexico. The following spring she helped organize a trip to the southwest, where a small group spent several days poking around dirt roads in southern Utah and Colorado, despite some snow, high winds, and cold nights.

There aren't many roads Elsie won't try now, alone or with a partner. The basic off roads skills she learned in the ADV course complement her well developed street skills, creating an unusually well balanced rider...er, driver!

In Elsie's words...