Welcome!
This website, I call "Living Off the Slab," is dedicated to those who share my passion for motorcycle travel. It is my way of sharing my experiences while traveling in my home town and across our great country. Hopefully, it will inspire you to get out and follow your own personal dreams and ambitions.
We will discuss adventures, riding tips, gear and bike reviews, and along the way, I hope to share some of the lessons I have learned from the backroads and super-highways of North America.
—Craig Ripley

An Easy Way to Find What You Are Looking For
The latest goings on in the motorcycle and travel worlds
12/02/2020—Ducati Introduces Redesigned Monster
11/30/2020—2021 Isle of Man TT Cancelled
11/26/2020—Dakar Rally Announced for 2020
11/24/2020—Retailer 2Wheel.com Aquires Motorcycle Consumer News
11/24/2020—Some International Travelers May be Required to Get COVID-19 Vaccine Before Flying
11/223/2020—IATA Announces Creation of Digital COVID-19 Travel Pass
11/23/2020—Honda Introduces the New Rebel 1100, with Africa Twin Power
11/23/2020—Kawasaki New Model Launch for 2021
11/18/2020—Yamaha Discontinues Three Icons (YZF-R6, VMAX and WR250R)
11/16/2020—New Motorcycle Only, Elephant Rock Trail System Opens in New Mexico
11/14/2020—Comoto Holdings (Revzilla and Cycle Gear) Aquires REVER
Craig's Latest Video Productions
Do you every wonder what comes after this life? Is there simply a never-ending sea of black silence? Do we spend eternity in some predetermine paradise or purgatory? Or perhaps our souls are recycled, returning again and again until we gain enlightenment.
In 2019 I was fortunate enough to take a 11,700-mile cross-country trip over the course of 58 days. This adventure was in celebration of completing my 60th trip around the sun. Over the course of this two-month excursion, I wanted to meet as many of my YouTube followers as possible and in the process, turn the camera on them, to hear their motorcycle stories. This turned out to be one of the most rewarding parts of my travels.
It often amazes me, how wisdom can be found in the strangest places. There are certain events or experiences in life that at the time seem insignificant, but as life rolls on they stick with you. I don’t know about you, but I find myself reflecting back on these lessons over and over again as life continues to throw tests and challenges in my path.
Back in 2010, before I had a YouTube Channel, I took a ride out to Barre, MA for an open house at the local Victory dealer. On the way, I was listening to some of my favorite Jimmy Buffett tunes and heard the song, "Take Another Road." Listening to the words prompted me to write a blog on the subject which I posted to my website. However, I never did a video on the subject.
While I sit around the house waiting for my shoulder to heal (I had rotator cuff surgery) and Spring to arrive, I have been taking stock of all the items I have taken with me during my various tours and adventures. I thought it would be interesting to share the list of items or gear that I have found to be most useful or “essential” for the "modern motorcycle traveler."
We all know it, 2020 has been one wild ride, and it is not over yet. But even with all the turmoil this year has brought, I still find that I have the ability to take stock of all the blessings around me and give thanks.
I was asked by a viewer if I had any tips for the first time solo motorcycle traveler. I thought that was a good idea for a video, so I came up with the following list of eight tips. These suggestions are not about packing or logistics, rather they are about having the right mindset for travel.
Follow Craig and Friends on Their Latest Adventures
Follow Craig as he travels from Boston Massachusetts to Los Angeles California and back. Along the way, Craig travel 11,700-miles over the course of 58 days to help celebrate his 60th birthday.
During the Summer of 2017, Craig and two of his friends, Peter and Steven rode from Boston Massachusetts to Anchorage Alaska and back. The almost 12,000-mile took 5 weeks to complete.
Craig's Latest Ramblings and Words of Semi-Wisdom
Past Lives
Do you every wonder what comes after this life? Is there simply a never-ending sea of black silence? Do we spend eternity in some predetermine paradise or purgatory? Or perhaps our souls are recycled, returning again and again until we gain enlightenment...
It's All About the Smell
In 2019 I was fortunate enough to take a 11,700-mile cross-country trip over the course of 58 days. This adventure was in celebration of completing my 60th trip around the sun. Over the course of this two-month excursion, I wanted to meet as many of my YouTube followers as possible and in the process, turn the camera on them, to hear their motorcycle stories. This turned out to be one of the most rewarding parts of my travels...
Our Constant Companion
It often amazes me, how wisdom can be found in the strangest places. There are certain events or experiences in life that at the time seem insignificant, but as life rolls on they stick with you. I don’t know about you, but I find myself reflecting back on these lessons over and over again as life continues to throw tests and challenges in my path...
Finding the Other Road
Each time I get on my bike I have a great time, enjoying the wind in my face and the freedom of the open road, but every so often I am fortunate enough to have an almost mystical experience. I know that sounds rather sappy but if you are a motorcycle rider you know exactly what I mean. There are those days, when the weather is warm, the roads are smooth, and everything just clicks...
9 Essential Items for the Modern Motorcycle Traveler
While I sit around the house waiting for my shoulder to heal and Spring to arrive, I have been taking stock of all the items I have carried with me during my various tours and adventures. I thought it would be interesting, and I hope helpful, to share the list of items or gear that I have found to be most useful or "essential" while traveling...
2020 has Been a Bitch, But I Still Can be Thankful
Just the other day, my wife Cathy and I decided to talk a walk on a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning. We started out by strolling down our tranquil tree line street, returning home through a wooded path that travels along an old abandon railroad bed...
Help Support Living Off the Slab
Become a Monthly Patreon SupporterOur country is filled with amazing people and spectacular locations. And for me, there is no better way to seek them out than from the saddle of a motorcycle. As everyone who rides a bike can attest, there is just something magical about floating over the tarmac on two wheels; providing a sense of freedom and adventure.
This website is dedicated to those who share my passion for motorcycle travel. It is my way of sharing my experiences while traveling in my home town and across our great country. Hopefully, it will inspire you to get out and follow your own personal dreams and ambitions.
Help me to continue this mission by becoming a monthly Pateron supporter, for as little as $1 per month! $1, $3, $5 and $10 levels are available.
What are you waiting for? Get out there and ride
eBooks
Traveling by Motorcycle by Craig Ripley
Achieving Your Motorcycle Touring Dreams While Still Holding Down a Full-Time Job
As motorcyclists, we know that covering ground on two wheels is liberating and magical. The sensations are greater, the smells more intense and the landscape is so close it seems to reach out and embrace you in its majesty and wonder. Yes, it can be uncomfortable, difficult and even dangerous, but that just adds to the adventure, helping to broaden your horizons and expand your personal limitations.
If you are retired or happen to be independently wealthy, then finding the time to travel is much easier. However, if like me you still get up every day and punch the proverbial clock, planning and executing epic motorcycle trips is a bit more of a challenge. Not only do we have to deal with vacation-time limitations and the challenge of saving money, we must factor our families into the equation. We cannot just take off and leave our spouses or children behind. To successfully follow our touring dreams, our loved ones must be fully onboard, at least If you want to maintain those relationships.
So how do you do it? How do you find a way to hold down a full-time job, support your family and still find time to pursue your dreams? Well…that is what this book is about.
Contents
- There is still so much to be done
- Why Write a Book for the WORKING man and women?
- Start Off Slowly
- Finding the Time to Travel
- Saving Money
- Get the Right Tool for the Job
- Planning Your Trip
- Creating a Budget
- Packing for Your Adventure
- Staying healthy while Traveling
- Take the Right Gear
- Take Another Road
Price
$2.99