Meet Antoni D'Avanzo, the dynamo of entrepreneurship and speed. When he's not crafting the next big venture, you'll find him racing against the clock, fueling his competitive spirit and love for adrenaline. His idea of a good time involves a mix of laughter, camaraderie, and perhaps a friendly competition or two. Get ready for a ride with Antoni, where every day is a new opportunity for laughter, exploration, and pure fun!
Jake Orpin is a young and enthusiastic gearhead ready to conquer the Namibia Rally for Rangers alongside his father, Jonathan! At 22 years old, Jake is already making waves as a Mechanical Engineering student, constantly tinkering with tools and expanding his knowledge of all things mechanical.
Jake's quite handy with tools and when he's not working on mechanical or engineering projects, you'll find Jake indulging in his newfound passion for mountain biking. He's recently been captivated by the thrill of pedaling through rugged terrains, exploring nature's wonders on two wheels.
But the adventure doesn't end there for Jake. As a co-owner, along with his father, of a small herd of dual sport and adventure motorcycles, he's well-versed in the world of two-wheeled exploration. Whether it's tackling off-road trails or embarking on daring journeys, Jake is no stranger to the thrill of the ride.
Joining forces with his father, Jake is set to embark on the Rally for Rangers in Namibia. Their shared love for adventure and the open road will undoubtedly strengthen the bond between father and son as they navigate the challenging landscapes of Namibia together.
"A New Orleans transplant, I took the long way here from SC by way of school in VA, and career moves to DC, NY, CA, and NC. I’ve always had a fascination with the natural world and its wonders.
I thought I had a strong travel/exploration drive until I met my wife who glows with an energy hard to keep up with. I enjoy seeking out hard to reach places frequented by few, and the chance encounters with others of like mind and determination. My penchant for calculated risks is mildly tolerated by my wife who prefers to keep it between the lines.
Somewhat ironically, as a working stiff, I consult on troubled infrastructure projects and other commercial deals gone off track.
After a 30 year hiatus I’ve been itching to get back on two wheels off-pavement. Finding an organization that serves up two-wheeled backcountry adventure with actual impact in conservation outcomes hit all the right spots. Excited to participate in and contribute to the Rally for Rangers movement."
With a passion for motorcycles, biking, and all things outdoors, Enife is always on the lookout for her next thrilling escapade. In fact, she's been daydreaming about joining the Rally for Rangers ever since her buddies Anna Kim and Oliver Dunkley couldn't stop raving about it!
But Enife is more than just an adrenaline junkie. She's a true entrepreneur at heart, having rocked the role of an Engineering Program Manager at Apple and a Producer at Microsoft. With her sharp mind and go-getter attitude, she's no stranger to pushing boundaries and bringing amazing ideas to life.
When Enife isn't conquering the corporate world, you'll find her unleashing her inner warrior in the most unexpected ways. She's a Krav Maga aficionado, a kickboxing enthusiast, and a fearless practitioner of MMA and BJJ. There's no doubt that she's always up for a challenge and loves testing her limits.
But don't be fooled by her fierce fighting skills and impressive professional background – Enife's curiosity knows no bounds. She's a lifelong learner who's constantly seeking new knowledge and experiences. Whether it's mastering a new skill or diving deep into a fascinating subject, Enife is always eager to expand her horizons.
👩🏼💻 Engineering Program Manager, Emerging Technology
👩🏼🎓 Oxford Univeristy
🏍 Throttle Junkie
🥋 Krav Maga + 🩰 Ballet Enthusiast
📸 Model in A Prior Life
Louisa is an adventure motorcycle tour guide, member of the 200 mph club and land speed record holder (sand racing) who in 2019 had an opportunity to ride on the salt flats at Bonneville on a Hayabusa she bought while attending Speed Week as a pilot - on a completely different bike! All these things Louisa achieved after returning to motorcycling just three years previous and only after overcoming her fears – of change, the unknown and yes, even speed!
After her corporate career ended, Louisa began to question what a good and happy life looked like. Where was true contentment to be found? She researched, read, talked and meditated until she concluded happiness is not obtained passively but needs to be cultivated. For Louisa, that meant combining her passion for adventure and love of riding with causes she believed in.
Louisa enjoys sharing her philosophy of life through writings and talking under the persona 'The Existential Biker' and wants to show that most anything is possible, that we all have the potential to achieve great things and how good it feels to find your personal tribe, at any stage of your life. Louisa lives in Scotland and loves to go trekking over the highlands with her dog, Mr Spock.
"I am a professional brewer living, working, and riding in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. As a brewer I'm not sure what I obsess about more, brewing beer or riding motorcycles. It's about 50/50 I'd say. I've had small bikes when I was a kid, been riding dual sports for the last 14 years, and larger ADV bikes for the last 5.
When I first read about Rally for Rangers I thought it was a really cool story but didn't really think I would be part of it. But the stars aligned and I decided to take a chance! The opportunity to witness the front lines of conservation while engaged in a passion seems unreal.
Having lived in South Africa for a bit as a child, the place kind of gets under your skin. I am so looking forward to this amazing experience. If you're ever in Central Virginia, look me up. We'll go for a ride then have a beer. Prost!"
His love for the outdoors and National Parks started at a very young age. A large part of his childhood was spent with his Grandparents at their vacation home 5 minutes from the entrance to Zion National Park in Utah. As a young kid, it was truly a magical place to explore. As an adult, he still finds himself hiking, biking, running and canyoneering in the many nooks and crannies that have rarely been seen inside the park by many people. He has a great understanding and appreciation for the rare and “finite” resources these precious places are.
Joshua, like many others, was forbidden to ride or own a motorcycle when growing up. As a result, his motorcycle education (or addiction) was obtained at a young age riding his friends’ motorcycles with flip-flop shoes and, of course, no helmet or other protective gear. He didn’t purchase his first motorcycle until long after he was married (and have since obtained the proper safety gear). He has however acquired a decent size fleet of bikes for himself and his kids ever since.
When he heard Tom’s interview on “Adventure Rider Radio Podcast” with Jim Martin, he knew that this was the perfect way to blend two of my greatest passions (the wild outdoors and motorcycles) into a charitable and important cause. He says “I am really looking forward to being able to be part of a great mission that I believe will benefit the present and future generations to come.”
Michael Emrich has been riding since he was only 12 years old. He has tackled various terrains and weather conditions, proving himself as a true adventurer. From snowy mountain paths to muddy gravel roads, and scorching desert sands, he has fearlessly taken on every challenge nature has thrown his way.
In 2019, Michael embarked on an awe-inspiring journey from Cusco, Peru to Ushuaia, Argentina, covering a staggering 8,700 miles. Over half of the trip was spent conquering dirt, sand, gravel, and muddy roads. It's no surprise that Michael is still in top-notch shape and always ready for new challenges.
In 2022, Michael joined the Rally for Rangers for the Bhutan Rally, and boy, was it an unforgettable experience. The ride tested his skills and endurance as he encountered miles of mud and relentless days of rain. But through it all, he not only survived but thrived! The joy of handing over the motorcycle to the rangers, knowing the positive impact it would have, and forging lifelong friendships with fellow riders are memories that will be cherished forever.
As Michael fearlessly navigates challenging terrains and pushes his own limits, he carries with him a greater purpose: to make a difference in the lives of park rangers and the protection of our natural heritage. His dedication to providing these unsung heroes with the tools they need to effectively enforce environmental conservation is truly admirable.
"While growing up in St Louis, MO, I found the excitement of 2 wheels on BMX bikes. This eventually caused me to be chased off of the Jefferson National Expansion Monument a number of times. When I saw my late teens, motorcycles were my passion and have taken me to many amazing places.
From Amateur Road Racing and Moto Travelling to Adventure riding through Baja, I have visited most of the United States and am currently brushing up on my Enduro skills. I have always found my happy place on 2 wheels.
I was first introduced to Rally for Rangers by dear friends of mine who are National Park Rangers and are motorcyclists themselves. Immediately after hearing about the first ride, they told me I had to go and it would be perfect for me. After reading about the work and the support Rally for Rangers gives, I knew I had to be a part of it. Helping to provide equipment and gear to Park Rangers to do what they love to do is an honor and it's the least I could do."
Anna’s first foray into the two-wheeled world had a less than auspicious start when she whiskey throttled her rental scooter onto a sidewalk during her college fall break in the Bahamas. Nevertheless, she persisted. Upon moving to San Francisco at the age of 27, she purchased a used motorcycle and for weeks practiced riding around the empty streets at dawn. Motorcycling quickly became a passion of hers and before she knew it was commuting daily on a motorcycle, spending her weekends riding the back roads of the Bay Area, and boring all her very patient non-rider friends with nonstop chatter about bikes.
Anna works in construction robotics and when she’s not exploring California on her much-loved Street Triple R and trusty WR250R enjoys cooking, SCUBA, snowboarding, camping, traveling, and hosting pig roasts. She also recently launched a wine label called “Countersteer” and is excited to be able to combine her interests in wine and motorcycling (although obviously not at the same time).
Anna knew she wanted to participate in Rally for Rangers the instant she heard about the program through friends. Her first dual sport adventure, a 2,500-mile trip along the Carretera Austral to Ushuaia, was an unforgettable experience that opened her eyes to the joys of exploring the hidden corners of the earth on two wheels. Given the positive impact motorcycles have had on her life, she is particularly inspired by the mission of Rally for Rangers —to better the lives of those who are working hard to protect Mongolia’s natural resources—and is honored to have been chosen to take part in this year’s Rally.