This past weekend I did something that felt equal parts exciting and terrifying: my first solo overnight motorcycle trip—plus my first real ADV off-road training. Motorcycles of Greensboro hosted the event and BMW Moto sponsored it, and I headed up into the mountains of North Carolina to High Country Motorcycle Camp in Ferguson. I packed pretty light since it was just a weekend, but fitting everything on the bike still felt like a puzzle. I leaned on my side bags (love that they extend if you need more room), tossed basics like clothes and cosmetics in there, and made sure I had rain gear—because summer in the mountains is gonna do what it’s gonna do. The training itself was led by BMW Ambassadors Shawn Thomas and Louise Powers, and I seriously can’t say enough good things about them. Before we even got on the bikes, they shared their stories, which immediately made me feel safe enough to be vulnerable—especially as someone riding off-road for the first time. I loved the structure: quick group talk, a live demo, then a ton of practice with instructors walking around giving feedback. My biggest takeaway? Dropping the bike and messing up is part of the process—almost like a rite of passage. That mindset shift, plus a supportive community, made the weekend so much more enjoyable. If you’re an aspiring adventure rider, I’m a huge advocate for investing in training—it builds skill, but more importantly, confidence.