Kevin and Leigh traded bikes and leather for a van.
Unlike most grey nomads, Kevin and Leigh Timms have never struggled to find enough space in their van for their possessions. Indeed, the veteran travellers face the opposite problem … what to do with all of the empty cupboards!
Their ‘too-much-space’ troubles really began in 2014 when they bought their first caravan, having spent the previous decade travelling on motorbikes.
“We spent years on bikes, exposed to the elements and loved every second of it,” said Kevin. “But you definitely learn to minimise your possessions and look for ways to save space and weight.”
The pair spent most of their bike touring days riding BMW R1200RTs, with Kevin towing a home-made mini camper trailer.
“They were brilliant,” said Kevin. “They towed really well and were equipped with a queen-sized bed … luxury on wheels!”
It was only creeping age and the start of back and knee issues that persuaded the couple to hang up the riding leathers, and hit the road in a caravan.
They were initially staggered by the endless space they suddenly had in their Avan Cruiseliner. However, having slowly got used to more luxury, Kevin and Leigh recently upgraded to an Atlantic Endeavour van, which they tow with an Isuzu MU-X.
While four wheels is good, the pair still sometimes still wonder if two wheels was better.
“As motorcyclists we were a novelty to other travellers who would marvel at where everything came from after we had set up,” said Kevin. “There seems to be a bit of a pecking order surrounding the various sized vans and motorhomes!”
While the pair have had the time of their lives over the last 20 years travelling the country, first on bikes and then in a van, it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Leigh has beaten cancer twice but has refused to let chemotherapy treatment stop her from living her dreams.
“We hope to fill in a lot more tracks and destinations before we have to hang up the spurs,” said Kevin. “I just have to stop Leigh from filling all the empty spaces in the van with ‘stuff that could come in handy’.”
Awesome
Great to see folks on bikes touring
What great adventurers.
I got a chuckle about the “pecking order” comment, there is no doubt there are “keeping up with the Jones'” types everywhere, thankfully there are no more of them per capita of Nomads as there are in any other group/circle.90% of people are more concerned about your ability to be a human being than you ability to have the latest and greatest.