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Update on Itchyboots

GaleForceEight

Well travelled
Location
Southend on Sea
Now I imagine you would have to deduct expenses, besides the cost of the bike, and then divide her "income" by the 12 hour per day x 7 day per week job, which I am sure not many on this channel work as many hours. I wouldn't buy another Himalayan and attempt to import it into South Africa just to keep purists happy. Why not buy what is available, especially when COVID is still impacting your travel. I would also suggest those who find it no longer entertaining to "change the channel". Kudos to Noraly for doing what others only sit around and talk about on their couches, if it is so easy and she is making so much money, then I suggest it would be easy for anyone to do the same. Tired of whiners.
Not whining, just highlighting a reality. I would also refer you to my post directly above where you posted this, saying that I wish her all the best of luck.

I did the travelling thing when I was younger than Noraly, including spending a month riding around in Malaysia on a rented moped when 'adventure' bikes weren't really a thing outside of bikes custom modified for specific trips, with a couple of jerry cans hanging from a bit of rope for spare fuel, my rucksack bungeed to the front to stop the from from bouncing up and down on potholes, and for emergencies I had a bicycle pump and puncture repair kit..... That was pre-internet, and watching Noraly's initial adventures triggered memories from thirty odd years ago before I broke my knees in a climbing accident.

Like I say, not whining - or sitting on the couch to talk about it - I've been there done that and the t shirts fell to bits and got used as rags quite a long time ago.
I respect that she has turned it into a business, but the obvious fakery when she turned it into a business also turned me off from supporting her channel.
 
Not whining, just highlighting a reality. I would also refer you to my post directly above where you posted this, saying that I wish her all the best of luck.

I did the travelling thing when I was younger than Noraly, including spending a month riding around in Malaysia on a rented moped when 'adventure' bikes weren't really a thing outside of bikes custom modified for specific trips, with a couple of jerry cans hanging from a bit of rope for spare fuel, my rucksack bungeed to the front to stop the from from bouncing up and down on potholes, and for emergencies I had a bicycle pump and puncture repair kit..... That was pre-internet, and watching Noraly's initial adventures triggered memories from thirty odd years ago before I broke my knees in a climbing accident.

Like I say, not whining - or sitting on the couch to talk about it - I've been there done that and the t shirts fell to bits and got used as rags quite a long time ago.
I respect that she has turned it into a business, but the obvious fakery when she turned it into a business also turned me off from supporting her channel.
I apologize if I insinuated anyone specific was whining. I meant in general one hears much criticism today of what others do and my feeling is everyone walks a different path or rides for different reasons. For some, Noraly is entertaining, maybe for others she is not. We are all different and that is a good thing, we even ride a different style of bike, but do we criticize other's judgement of what they decide to ride? I'm not opposed to someone making money, certainly its better than being on the government dole at taxpayers expense. How much garbage is sold at Home Depot or Walmart coming from China? It certainly doesn't seem to stop people from making their own choice whether to buy the product or not. To me the same for Itchy Boots, its a commodity, a product or a service, whatever you want to call it. In the end I thin she is a net positive to the world of motorcycling.
 

Kiwiscoot

Well travelled
Wow, I can hardly believe the words "dishonesty" etc. is being banded around here and that her content is not "genuine". Sounds like sad wannabees. Go ride Sani pass and then come back and critique a video riding it as not being "genuine". That is a seriously difficult road. Some parts of the world are so sad, imho people should rather go for a ride than sit and minimise and discredit a person who is out there doing it. Go and walk in her shoes in South Africa or anywhere where she has been and then give a informed critique. Where she's gone is potentially dangerous, just look at the murder, etc. statistics of South Africa. I take my hat off to her and salute her for her courage riding and creating the content. There is nothing dishonest about her content, it is what it is. Just like Netflix, etc. there is no free lunch, in the end money makes the world go round. Nothing to be cynic about, it is what it is.

I have enjoyed seeing parts of the world through her lens that I have never seen before. I say "Go Noraly go!" and leave the negativity behind.
 

johnny42

Well travelled
Location
NY State
Go ride Sani pass and then come back and critique a video riding it as not being "genuine"
She narrates as she rides, not post editing. If I was "real-time" narrating that Sani Pass section, I'd have to edit out every other word in order to have my video family friendly. BTW: she'll be out on hiatus for a couple weeks as she's visiting a close friend.
 

60sRetro

Well travelled
Location
British Columbia
The one thing that I have in common with Noraly is the love of solo travel, on or off a bike. But I would not do what she is doing, for any amount of money. Basically she has a job...getting footage, narrating, editing and posting. When I travel, it's to get away from from job stuff, having to do something every day.

I've had a couple of email exchanges with her, I was riding a Himalayan in Vietnam while she was in South America.

I totally respect what she did pre-covid, her early stuff, India, Burma, the Stans was really cool, back before her YouTube income flow ramped up.

Maybe it's just me, but I sense that since her escape from Peru, she's no longer doing it for the adventure, and is just going through the motions, milking the cow. It's like watching someone do their job at work every day.

I still watch her eps occasionally, but only for the visuals, getting a sense of South African landscape, cities and towns. And I find myself fast-forwarding through a lot.

Just a note...I tend to get more value out of Kinga's vids (OnHerBike). She seems to have a more intrepid approach.

Both of them are great women and an inspiration to others.

I would just rather be out there myself.
 
Maybe it's just me, but I sense that since her escape from Peru, she's no longer doing it for the adventure, and is just going through the motions, milking the cow. It's like watching someone do their job at work every day.
I expect for most people due to COVID their routines have been forced to be changed. Not always to their liking. Everyone has had to make adjustments, change their plans etc. Perhaps Noraly is just doing this, attempting to get through this extended period as best as possible. She doesn't have the freedom to just transport her Himalayan and cross borders at will. I would suggest for those offended by her current routine to tune out and for those who still enjoy watching to continue. I would rather watch her than the mindless main stream media propaganda machines or listen to a feeble goat from Washington DC. Or watch professional millionaire athletes take a knee.
 

GaleForceEight

Well travelled
Location
Southend on Sea
I like others here feel that there was a definite change from where it became a ‘share my adventure with the world’ to a ‘how can I make the world fund my adventure’ thing. This was what turned me off Noraly. Yes she is a pretty girl doing something I did for myself back when I was younger than her, but FFS she has gone from one thing to another without respecting the people whose support would not have enabled that transition. Not good form! B-
 
I would expect for some people if she just stayed home and watched TV and didn't at least try to ride during worldwide COVID lockdowns they would be happy. Anyone on this site know the term "Spinning your wheels"? I certainly do, and with COVID restrictions was what prompted me to purchase my Himalayan, to get away from the asinine regulations and enjoy my life the best way I can. I'm 72 and not going to let fear keep me from living. My take on Noraly is once COVID restrictions are lifted and she is once again free to travel her way to the countries she wants to travel, she will. For now she is just "Spinning her Wheels" to keep from going steer crazy. You can only ride so long in South Africa and she is waiting for the chance to ride in other countries freely.
 
Wow, I can hardly believe the words "dishonesty" etc. is being banded around here and that her content is not "genuine". Sounds like sad wannabees. Go ride Sani pass and then come back and critique a video riding it as not being "genuine". That is a seriously difficult road. Some parts of the world are so sad, imho people should rather go for a ride than sit and minimise and discredit a person who is out there doing it. Go and walk in her shoes in South Africa or anywhere where she has been and then give a informed critique. Where she's gone is potentially dangerous, just look at the murder, etc. statistics of South Africa. I take my hat off to her and salute her for her courage riding and creating the content. There is nothing dishonest about her content, it is what it is. Just like Netflix, etc. there is no free lunch, in the end money makes the world go round. Nothing to be cynic about, it is what it is.

I have enjoyed seeing parts of the world through her lens that I have never seen before. I say "Go Noraly go!" and leave the negativity behind.
Deserves more than just a LIKE. Well said.
 

TN_twowheeladdict

Well travelled
Location
Tennessee
People who aren't driven sometimes loath those who are. I see Noraly as a driven adventurer and film maker who rivals anything I have watched on television. I wish I had her drive and ambition.

I am home for two weeks and had to put a new axle and tires on my trailer, do an oil change on my truck, change out two motorcycle tires, run errands, take care of honey dos, get in some riding on top of 40 hours a week of work. I'm beat.
 

60sRetro

Well travelled
Location
British Columbia
People who aren't driven sometimes loath those who are. I see Noraly as a driven adventurer and film maker...
Yeah, I don't see anyone talking about loathing, nowhere near that. I see a lot of respect expressed, with references to the fact that her channel has changed and, in my view, seems much more contrived, less about the adventure, more about just going through motions to keep the income flowing. And probably not her fault, f'ing covid has hit everyone in different ways. The world has changed. I wanted to be biking around southern India this past winter. Hopefully I'll be able to do that next winter but the way things are going, that is doubtful.

That doesn't take anything away from what's she's achieved. She is an inspiration. But make no mistake, she is running a business. She is selling a product. And anyone who buys that product, subscribes to her channel and watches her vids (contributes to her income), has a right to point out and lament a drop in quality.
 

TN_twowheeladdict

Well travelled
Location
Tennessee
Yeah, I don't see anyone talking about loathing, nowhere near that. I see a lot of respect expressed, with references to the fact that her channel has changed and, in my view, seems much more contrived, less about the adventure, more about just going through motions to keep the income flowing. And probably not her fault, f'ing covid has hit everyone in different ways. The world has changed. I wanted to be biking around southern India this past winter. Hopefully I'll be able to do that next winter but the way things are going, that is doubtful.

That doesn't take anything away from what's she's achieved. She is an inspiration. But make no mistake, she is running a business. She is selling a product. And anyone who buys that product, subscribes to her channel and watches her vids (contributes to her income), has a right to point out and lament a drop in quality.
You must not be watching her SA videos. Oh, and I was just making a general statement about loathing.
 

TN_twowheeladdict

Well travelled
Location
Tennessee
given that your ‘general statement’ about loathing is on this thread that only deals with one particular person, I call bullshit on your excuse.
Feeling hurt? I'm so sorry. Do you need to go to your safe place for a while? I made it general statement about people in general. If it hit too close to home you may want to look in the mirror and do some self analyzing why you write what you do.
 
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