EVERY.DAY.RIDE #7 with Sammie

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Sammie and I was born and raised in the only Grand-Duchy in the world : Luxembourg. I started riding in June 2022, have two cats that I dearly love and I currently ride a KTM RC390 from 2022 and will soon add a Ducati Multistrada V2S to the park. A fun fact about me are probably the freckles I have on my elbows and knees. I thrive on creating content for social media, whether it's capturing my adventures with a 360 camera or snapping shots with my professional gear. Look for me across platforms under the handle TiptoeSammie.

How and when did you get into riding?

I was seconded to Switzerland, Bern, for work and with the relocation of my workplace, the commute time increased significantly. It went from a swift 10-minute walk to a 40-minute journey by public transport, or about 15 minutes by car. Faced with the challenge of limited parking spaces, I opted for a solution – a cute little red 49ccm Vespa for my daily commute.

The initial rides on the Vespa were a bit challenging since I lacked prior experience, but I quickly adapted, and it soon became my absolute favourite way of getting to work and back. Not only did it cut through the stress of the workday, but it also lifted my mood, leaving me with all the happy feels when I reached home, successfully leaving work behind.

Once home in Luxembourg I wanted to continue commuting in this way and decided to get my licence. It took some theory and practical lessons as well as two exams and I was ready to ride.

What are the best and worst things about riding?

The best thing is definitely how riding helps me clear my head. Whenever I encounter a rough day or find myself overthinking, taking a ride immediately dissipates the mental fog and elevates my mood. Might as well add the random encounters with strangers while at gas stations or simply parking the bike. The motorcycle community is one of a kind.

On the flip side, the worst is people on the road not paying attention, whether that´s granny taking the right of way because she´s late for bingo or corporate dude stressed on the way to a meeting. Not being seen is the worst so riding defensively is the way to do.

Tell us about your most memorable ride to date?

That was probably my first ride with my bike. Being able to ride on my own for the very first time, without having an instructor by my side and just going for it felt so freeing and incredible. I initially wanted to just take the bike home safe and sound and then slowly get into it, well it turned into a 2 hour ride all through the country. I don´t know if I ever had such a big smile on my face.

What’s the best piece of riding advice you’ve ever been given?
Ride your own ride. Don't let external pressures or influences lead you into making impulsive decisions. Make sure you know your own skill level and comfort zone, and ride at a pace that feels right for you. You don´t have to have zero chickenstrips or get your knees and elbows down to have a fun ride.

What do you bring with you on every ride?
I always carry my 360 camera and my leg bag containing credit cards and some cash for gas station trips and snacks. For my daily commutes or longer journeys, I also have my lock to secure my bike. When I'm out shooting content, I add my professional camera to my backpack along with my tripod.

How do you keep your bikes secure at home and on the go? Share your best tips to help others keep their bikes safe.
Besides using a lock, I prefer adding an extra layer of protection with a hidden GPS Tracker on my motorcycle. At home I am lucky enough to have a closed garage where I can safely park my bike. On the go I use the lock to secure it, either by blocking the tires or by attaching it to a firm object. I steer clear of placing the tracker under the seat since that's the first place thieves tend to look. Airtags are not my favourite though due to the risk of Apple devices detecting them, hence making thieves aware of it. My recommendation? opt for a tracker offering real-time location updates and alerting me if my bike's position changes unexpectedly.