The man who first believed in the journey joins him
Traveling the world by motorcycle, starting from his home in Spain, Andres Sile set out to make a dream come true. And it’s a dream many riders share, but for Andres the dream would at long last unfold into a story in late 2023. After a series of encouraging conversations with his father, the hesitation gave way to momentum. He set off. And now, two years later, the story has come full circle. The man who first believed in the journey, giving him the nudge to go out and live it, has joined him for the US leg of his trip.
Where the Journey Began
The mutual love for motorcycles between father and son started early on in Andres’ life. “I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was sixteen years old,” he shares, “but the first time I ever got on one was at the age of four with my father. He had an old Honda that he eventually had to sell to focus on taking care of the family.”
Andres, now 32, continues, ”At 22, I took my first motorcycle trip in Thailand with some friends and discovered the sense of freedom that traveling through a country by bike gives you – it allows you to reach places that would otherwise be difficult to access.”
The One Person He Knew Would Understand
His story is not unlike that of his father, Antonio. Now 65, he started riding an old Vespa when he was sixteen years old. “In 1979, at the age of 20, I went on my first road trip, traveling through every town in the province of Cádiz on my small 125cc Vespa. Later on, I bought a Honda 700 that I shared with my brother.” It’s the same bike Andres would sit on years later.
Andres had always admired his father deeply. “He has always loved adventure but chose a quiet life and a stable job to provide for his family,” he tells us. So, when others in the family worried about his plans, he turned to the one person he knew would understand.
“My father was worried too, but our conversations were different,” Andres explains. “From the very beginning, he encouraged me. Saying something like, “If you think this will make you happy, do it. Don’t let the years go by only to regret not having tried. The longer you wait to make the decision, the harder it will be.” That conversation was the push I needed. If my father – who, like any parent, wants his son to be safe, financially secure, and employed – was telling me this, it was enough. Deep down, I’ve always thought he would have loved to live an adventure like this in his youth, but life made it harder for him than it did for me.”
“I Didn’t Dissuade Him, I Encouraged Him”
Recalling his thoughts during those conversations with his son, Antonio chimes in: “Every human being has dreams, but the difference between one person and another lies in the decision to pursue them before falling into the ‘normalization' of daily life: a partner, a job, a mortgage... That path is, in itself, a beautiful adventure, but of a different kind. That is why, when my son pitched the desire to circumnavigate the globe on a motorcycle and to start before turning thirty, I didn't try to dissuade him. On the contrary, I encouraged him.”
The decision was made and Andres set off on the 16th of June 2024, recording everything for his YouTube channel. “That very same day, looking into the camera, I said, ‘One day, my father will come with me for a few weeks to travel by motorcycle in some country.’“
About a year later, Andres arrived in Thailand, having crossed Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. His stories started to resonate and he gained an audience. Bringing him to wonder; where to next?
“My Dad Had to Come and Join Me”
“I decided to ship my motorcycle to Canada to begin traversing the Americas. From the most-northern edges of Alaska – a town called Deadhorse – to the southernmost point of South America – the world even: Puerto Williams in Chile,” he explains. “I arrived on this new continent, and I knew it was time to keep the promise to myself; my dad had to come and join me. I wanted him to experience traveling through another country by motorcycle; to see firsthand the happiness gained from the decision he helped me make. I proposed that he’d meet me in Chicago a few weeks later so we could ride the legendary Route 66 together.”
Antonio recalls, “When he proposed to ride Route 66 together, I couldn't refuse, despite my concerns. I didn’t have any experience with large, modern tour bikes, I didn’t speak English, and I had never been to the USA. But I couldn't refuse taking part, accompanying him on a small part of his dream, of his life goal, and witnessing the daily challenges he faced by creating the content his following craved.”
While Andres made sure his father had a bike to ride, us here at REV’IT! jumped at the chance to make sure both had the right riding gear. Then it was time for Antonio to fly out to meet up with his son and start the adventure.
Intense but Unforgettable
“The trip has been intense but unforgettable,” Andres tells us. “My father had to let himself be guided by me in a foreign country. He relearned how to ride a big bike while covering over 300 kilometers a day; and he had to adapt to my work schedule, speak to the camera, eat unfamiliar foods, and step out of his comfort zone. But we also had the opportunity to get to know each other better.”
The pair set off, with Route 66 unfolding its charms before them. Starting with a retro diners in Illinois and vast cornfields in Missouri, soon they rode into great wide US open. Andres: “The Navajo Nation reservation impressed us with amazing landscapes like Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon (which we also toured), the Grand Canyon, and the rock formations of the Painted Desert in Arizona.”
A Shared Dream and a Bond Strengthened
“When we arrived at the Grand Canyon, my father got quite emotional,” Andres adds. “He realized that if it hadn't been for this trip, he would never have seen such a spectacular landscape, and he thanked me for it.”
“The most important aspect I perceived during the time I shared with my son was that he enjoyed what he was doing – he was happy!” Antonio says. “Route 66 transformed for me into a shared dream and a bond that strengthened with every kilometer. I felt a sense of admiration for my son, who had turned motorcycle travel into more than just a profession; it was his life.”
Adding his final thoughts, Andres continues: ”On my end, I felt I was fulfilling my dreams thanks to my father, while also achieving something epic: riding Route 66 as father and son. Without a doubt, this has been an experience that will remain in our memories forever.”
Who is Andres?
Always on the road and on two wheels: Inspired by the first-ever circumnavigation of the planet, Spanish adventure traveler Andres is tracing the proverbial footsteps of 16th century explorer Ferdinand Magellan – who’s journey set off from Andres’ hometown.
