Latest / JUSTRIDE Podcast / FROM MOTOGP PADDOCK TO 1,500KM RIDES - Thalassa’s Story | JUSTRIDE Podcast Ep.4
Transcript
- Admin: ⁓ So this week on Just Ride, we're by someone who's seen the motorcycle world from almost angle. Talasa Van Beek, who's joined us tonight, started her journey traveling across Europe with the world suited by Paddock, working with teams like Ten Kid Honda and Crescent Suzuki. She later turned that experience into a career, founded her own agency, Motorcycle Marketing, working with some of the biggest brands in the industry. And she's not just about being behind the scenes, she actually rides too. Last year she took part in the Yamaha Tenere Travel Trophy. I can never say that. The Yamaha Tenere Travel Trophy, which is 150 three countries and over a thousand miles across Scandinavia, which is just incredible. From World Superbike Paddock to the Pyrenees, Lasse van Beek, welcome to Just Ride. Thalassa: Thank you guys, happy to be here! Admin: Yeah, I think when you explain that to me last year, I still didn't get it right. It's a bit of a mouthful, isn't it? Well, it is. But yeah, so tell us, mean, how how was that whole trophy? Because I know you came to ABR and saw us last year, didn't you? And when we were there and you and you turned up on your bike and I was like, you mean you've done all of the trophy challenge and road to ABR, which I was mourning of just coming down from them. the North East. So how was that? Thalassa: And don't forget, before the Tenerife Travel Trophy I actually came from Spain. I came from Spain all the way up north to... Yeah, you forget that part. ⁓ I honestly don't know. I don't know. I mean, you're asking me miles. from... Like to the Netherlands, because I went from Spain. I'm based in Barcelona. Admin: out. How many miles? Kilometers, kilometers. Thalassa: I went to the Netherlands which I think is about 1500 kilometers and then from there to Denmark which isn't that much so maybe I don't know maybe 700. That's where the Tenere travel trophy started and yeah it was amazing like you said it was 150 Tenere riders. Every day we were camping the first day well we arrived the first day and then the next day was in Denmark. doing all kinds of like, there were like different challenges you could participate in and trainings and just getting to know the whole group and, and, you know, making friendships. And I knew several people there already. So it was also nice just catching up with everyone. then that night we all took a ferry to, into Sweden. And then the day after that it really started and it was just, ⁓ it was, it was fantastic. Through Sweden, I think was two days and then another three days or so through Norway. It was organized really well. So there was a off-road route, but also an on-road route and it like kind of crossed each other every, I don't know, like every hour or so. So... I mean, off-road riding for me is still quite challenging. So I did every morning the off-road part of it, but by lunch I was just completely exhausted. the afternoons I did the on-road part, but both were, it was so beautiful and so fun. And then with all the Tenerife riders, obviously you all share the same passion. So it was like one big family and then... Admin: Thank Thalassa: every night ending at a different campsite where everything was taken care of. Like the dinners were arranged and it was fantastic. It was really, really fun. So 150 riders. And then of course there's a bunch of volunteers and the organization. And I guess in total we were maybe 175 people. I think maybe a little bit less. Yeah. Something around that. Yeah. Admin: How many people tell us? So as far as the adventure goes, is it something where every stop is planned, every meal is planned, or is it just wherever you end up, you end up? Thalassa: Yeah, so the starting point is obviously planned and where you end every day. And then they... Let me see if I remember correctly. So you have to get stamps in your passport, I think, if I remember correctly. So there's a few coffee breaks that they set up along the way. So everyone kind of checks in there and it's a nice... have coffee there and like a little snack. And then for lunch, they give suggestions. actually have an app with the routes and suggested lunch spots with some, restaurants or bars or whatever, because obviously you're going through the, through the middle of nowhere. So sometimes, you know, you have to, you have to plan a little bit because otherwise if you decide that you're hungry, you might have to write another two hours before you find something. ⁓ so yeah, suggestions, but obviously some people. would just go to the supermarket and get a, like make their own lunch, ⁓ which is also an option. Admin: How did you prepare for that then? Because that is a mammoth trip. I we've done some trips, but that is a mammoth trip. Thalassa: Well, to be fair, it wasn't my first trip like that. don't, maybe you guys didn't know that. I don't know, but the year, no, two years before that, I already made it all the way to North Cape. And that was on my own. That was not organized at all. So, and before that, I've also done like trips through, not that far up North, but like trips of six to eight weeks across Europe. So. By now I'm quite used to, you know, having to pack the bike. I have a list in my phone of all the things that I need to bring. ⁓ The most difficult part for me is that, you know, especially in summer, I leave from Spain where it's 30 plus degrees. And if you ride to the North Cape, I think the coldest that I was not during the travel trophy, but the trip that I did completely on my own, the coldest was I think two degrees that I got. ⁓ So yeah, and you have to pack for all of that, not just clothes, but also sleeping bags and like, you know, things like that. So, ⁓ that takes a bit of planning and thinking things through, but yeah. Admin: Yeah. So you've obviously got sleeping bags. So I say, do you take a tent or is it in youth hostels, a proper accommodation or? Thalassa: So the travel trophy was all camping. ⁓ Except for one night where they had to arrange a hotel just because of logistics with the ferry. basically it's all camping. ⁓ And for the parts that I do on my own, ⁓ I always bring a tent. Also just because it's a lot cheaper to camp of course. ⁓ But things also need to be fun. So if it's really bad weather, I'll find myself a cheap hotel. Admin: I think we found our travel guide. I'm just amazed because I've been to Scandinavia too and it is just the most beautiful place to go. And when I come round to do my little piece to camera to say what would be my ideal journey. Thalassa: Hahaha. Admin: you've already done part of that. So I've got family living in Denmark and I've got family living in Norway. And I've always wanted to do the sky bridge from Copenhagen over to Sweden and then ride the bottom of Sweden round to Kristiansand at the bottom of Norway and then up the West Coast. And my family live in Stavanger on one of the islands just outside Stavanger. And I just think, and then I've got family living in Denmark as well. They've got a biker hotel. Thalassa: Mm. Admin: So the bike a barn shout out for the bike a barn bike a barn in Denmark And I just think I'm just in awe. I'm just in awe and I think it When I plan it in my head and I think ⁓ it's gonna be a two minute journey. I know fine Well, it's not and and I've just got this vision that I'm just gonna go across in the tunnel Channel tunnel and then just went my way through France Belgium Holland Thalassa: ⁓ well. you Admin: in Germany, into Denmark, and I keep saying to these guys, we can go and do that. To Lasse, we can go and do that journey, by the way. My sister said, come on, we can all go and stay. Thalassa: Yeah. Yeah. Really the question is why haven't you yet? If you have family there, like, come on. Admin: Yeah. Because I think you've probably far braver than I am. And, you know, when you talk about doing that with 170 people, but then you also mentioned that you've done so many of these adventures on your own. I just don't know where that courage, I don't know if I've got that courage, you know, that courage just to say, wherever I end up today, that's where I am. Where does that come from? Thalassa: well, where does it come from? That you probably have to talk to my therapist. don't know. But no, I don't. I mean, I've always been pretty independent, but for me, just to be clear, like when I ride alone, I don't go off road. I only go off road when I'm with other people. ⁓ So when I'm alone, I stay on road. And really like, especially Scandinavia, it's not that different in terms of. Admin: Yeah. ⁓ Thalassa: what to expect. The roads are good, the people speak English. It's not exactly a culture shock. It's beautiful, ⁓ but it's not a culture shock. Especially if you go in summer, sometimes it does feel a little bit in the middle of nowhere, but it's not really. If anything happens, you'll be fine. You'll be able to talk to people or people will find you. Admin: and Thalassa: It's not that, I don't know, it's not dangerous, that's for sure. it's, I don't know, like for me, it's not that big of a deal. Like if you look at, you know, people like Itchy Boots, like Noor Ali, ⁓ she goes to countries where, yeah, there probably is some danger and you truly are in the middle of nowhere. But as long as you're in Europe, you don't really need a lot of courage, I think. Admin: Mm-hmm. She goes to some places that are a lot of danger. Obviously being a serving personnel and everything else, she goes to some places I've seen when she's been on the internet on YouTube. And I've been like, brave, take my hat off to her totally. Cause some of the places she goes, I wouldn't go. Thalassa: Hmm. ⁓ Yeah, now I've seen, yeah. Admin: So lastly, I mean, you've obviously got a bit of a spirit of adventure. How did you get into motorcycling in the first place? Thalassa: ⁓ Well, we have to go back 21 years by now. I'm 38. I'm 38 now. So when I was 17, ⁓ did, I mean, I went to school, of course, but on, on, the weekends, I worked as a hostess at different events. And so this one year I was asked to work at the ⁓ Motorbeurs Utrecht, which is the big motorcycle show in the Netherlands where I'm from. And ⁓ Admin: Not that old. Thalassa: So when I was younger, I always felt like one day I want to get my license, that like, that's where it ended. I don't, I didn't really have anyone around me who was riding bikes. didn't grow up with it, but it just, it seemed like something that would be fun one day. So was working at this event and I don't even remember the company I was working for. But what I do remember is it was next to the stand of Yamaha and I saw an R6 and I thought. I need to start saving money and I need to get my license because I want to have that bike. ⁓ So that's where it started. Now I don't know if you want the whole history from then until now or that will go in like different phases, but yeah, that's where the love started. Admin: Did you did you get the R6? You still have it? You still have it? Oh, wow. What year is it to Lassa? Thalassa: I did, I did, and I still have it. It's a 2001 blue one. It's like for me, it's like the classic the R6. It's like, if I think of an R6, that's the one, that's the model. That's the color also. Admin: If you see Andy crying, if you see Andy crying, that's why. Yeah, because he loves it. I had a 1999. It's not about me. It's about Tulasa. We know you. Andy shut up. So you spent some time with the World Suited by Paddock. Was that after that point when you were... Thalassa: Ha Yeah, so I'll try to keep this a little bit short, but basically that's, so I worked there the whole weekend. And because of that, you know, I was talking to all weekend to the people from Yamaha. They, ⁓ then invited me to come to the MotoGP in Assen. So I was there in their VIP lounge and Rossi was there and he won and there was champagne. And it was like, it was pretty impressive, right? I mean, again, I was 17. ⁓ I stayed in contact with, Yamaha, ⁓ obviously from, from high school, I went to university. Throughout that time, I also did some modeling. So I actually ended up modeling a little bit for Yama for their apparel brochures. ⁓ And then on Saturdays, I started working at a Yama dealership. ⁓ So that was fun. then, yeah, so throughout all that time, I was still doing some hostessing and modeling. And through that, ⁓ Admin: Nice. Thalassa: One day I was asked if I wanted to be an umbrella girl at well, at the, at the super bikes. One day I was asked if I wanted to be an umbrella girl at well, at the, at the super bikes. And, um, you know, I figured that's my way to get on the grid because I was never going to be a racer. Uh, so if I want to be on the grid, that's probably the way to do it. So yeah, that's, uh, but there was a few years because I did that when I was, let me think. 24 probably. Admin: Right. Thalassa: I figured that's my way to get on the grid because I was never going to be a racer. Uh, so if I want to be on the grid, that's probably the way to do it. Admin: Hmm. Thalassa: Yeah, so I'm feeling like so there were quite a few years in between and by then I already like obviously I already had my my R6 and I was writing and so yeah there was quite some some time in between. Admin: ⁓ We're supposed to you questions. I'm a bit gobsmacked. So, so listening to that, that's how we get on the on the grid Andy, we have to become umbrella girls. And then we'll we can get on the race track with a very big umbrella. Yeah. I've got. ⁓ We're supposed to you questions. I'm a bit gobsmacked. So, so listening to that, that's how we get on the on the grid Andy, we have to become umbrella girls. And then we'll we can get on the race track with a very big umbrella. Yeah. I've got. Thalassa: Hahaha! Hahaha! That's the way to do it, yes. That's the way to do it, yes. Admin: Yeah. ⁓ I've ⁓ got to remember any of the riders maybe you had to do that for all audit. ⁓ Thalassa: ⁓ I do. So actually the very first time I did it was with just a one-off in the Netherlands and that was with James Stoesland. ⁓ A long long time ago. And then the year that I did it that I went to, I'm sorry, there was a season where I went to, no it was the season after then. There was a season a few years later where I did not all but quite a few of the European races and it was with ⁓ Admin: ⁓ yeah, yeah. Thalassa: present back then Suzuki team. that was with Leon Kamiar and I feel really bad now because I forgot there was a French guy as well. Admin: But Toslan became world champion, didn't he? Yeah. Toslan became world champion as well. Dukat and you went ahead. Yeah. Thalassa: Sorry. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah, so that was, yeah, that was that year. And then ⁓ the year after I was still in the paddock, but I was actually, it was more in like a support communication kind of role. Wasn't really a great girl anymore. And then I did went to every single European race that season. Yeah. Admin: Yeah, I mean, we put some questions together because we're you know, in terms of I don't think of experience really certainly paddock. But what was what was the experience of the paddock compared to what fans see on TV? Thalassa: ⁓ I mean, to be honest, it's fantastic because actually a few years later, also, again, not every race, but I worked a little bit with the Yamaha MotoGP factory team. So I was also in the MotoGP. Admin: at your ⁓ Thalassa: Sorry guys. Yeah, keep it cool. Keep it cool. Keep your faces straight. Come on. I mean, that was the season with Rossi and Lorenzo both in the team. Admin: Yeah, it was, was that the fear at Yamaha that year? Wasn't it the delivery on the side? So that would have been a year, the Barcelona one then was that the one where Lorenzo and Rossi were racing a Barcelona, Catalonia. ⁓ Thalassa: I don't remember. It was the year where I don't remember exactly what it was like, but Rossi kicked Marquez or something like that. Like during the race, like I just remember because I also did some social media. So I just remember after that race, it took me two days to remove all the, ⁓ not just ⁓ the mean comments, but like the comments that were really over the top. Like I can't repeat the words they were saying. It took me two days, but anyway. Back to the question. so ⁓ I've been in the bike paddocks and, ⁓ I've been in the MotoGP paddock, ⁓ I've been in the bike paddocks and, ⁓ I've been in the MotoGP paddock, ⁓ both as a umbrella girl and then also in like marketing ⁓ kind of roles, which which was the MotoGP paddock. ⁓ and the, the, the on a Sunday morning in the paddock, you cannot describe it. It's, ⁓ it's like, there's this and like. I don't know, it's hard to describe, but it's really something special, I think. And then on top of that, when you do every race or almost every race, mean, especially that one season, I saw those people a lot more than I saw my own family. you arrive on a, I would usually arrive on a Thursday. Admin: Yeah. Thalassa: And then you spend there the whole weekend to work together, you eat together, you do everything together. then Sunday evening, Monday morning, I would leave again. the next Friday, no, the next Thursday, often you would see them again, or maybe the week after, but, ⁓ so you spend a lot of time together and, ⁓ yeah, it's, it's, it's. It's I felt like for me, it was really fun to be part of it for a bit. Yeah. Admin: Yeah. Hmm. Before you move on. I just need to know. well, I love MotoGP. Absolutely love MotoGP. And I know Scott does as well. And we religiously watch it. And which was the best paddock? Which was the best track to go to? So I've been a ⁓ British MotoGP, but I've never been abroad. So is it back in Assen or is it somewhere else that you really like to go to? She's got a choice of any of them. Thalassa: Hmm. ⁓ that's a hard question. Because also, I mean, it's been a while since I was there. ⁓ mean, Assen was fun for multiple reasons. Like one, obviously, it's like an iconic track, right? It's like the cathedral. And on top of that, me being Dutch, of course, I saw like... that race, would see even more people that I would know, you know, and it's catching up with everyone. So for me, obviously that was always quite nice. ⁓ so yeah, that was nice. then, ⁓ I just think back about, I don't know if it's really the track, but I just think back about moments. Like there was a race in, in Italy where on Sunday night we had a, like a beach party altogether, you know, that's the things that make it fun behind the scenes. Right. ⁓ So yeah, don't think I have... Can I say that? Do I have a favorite track to work at? No, don't think so. I just have a lot of good memories at different tracks, but yeah. Admin: So you have a memorable track when you go there. That's the one I enjoyed the most. Thalassa: Well, so that's the thing. It's more about, you know, the things around it. But now I'm thinking... ⁓ Admin: So, to quote Tulasa, it's not about the track, it's about the parties. And I would agree, think that's best way. Thalassa: I mean, look, I'm not a writer, right? So yes, for me, it's not necessarily about the track itself, but like the whole vibe around it. ⁓ Aragon, for example, ⁓ like the town, because I would sometimes go out into the town for dinner and the vibe in that town is just fantastic. Like it's just... Admin: Yeah. Thank you. Thalassa: full of of Maldives Peevans because it's it's in the middle of nowhere. ⁓ So everyone goes to this one town where there's a few restaurants and yeah, that obviously that brings a certain vibe, right? Which is which is really cool. Admin: Yeah. And did being around that environment and push you to riding more than and really going and getting the bike and did it inspire you to ride more? Thalassa: To be honest, don't think so. I was already riding, I was already all in when it came to motorbikes. ⁓ And then, of course, being away so many weekends, ⁓ that means you're not actually riding. I did a cup now a few years ago, the year that Rossi was with ⁓ Petronas' team, that last year. ⁓ Admin: Yeah. Thalassa: I did the, during the MotoGP weekends, I managed the social media content on the, not on the team's page, but on the sponsor's page. So on the Patronus Motorsports page, which meant that from Friday morning, the first free practice until Sunday, well after the race, when the quotes came in for the press releases, I was working. I've never ridden my motorcycle as little as I did that year because every MotoGP weekend I was working. So yeah, no, it didn't really inspire me to write more because I was already all in anyway and I just took time away from my own motorcycle. Admin: Looking at what you ride now and obviously we saw you're at AVR. You've been around the Sault Emôtre GP and the race bikes and you mentioned obviously they are nine, was it? They are Why the Pivot to kind of the Adventure bike? What attracted you to that? Thalassa: Mm. R6. Yeah, so ⁓ like I said, I chose the R6 ⁓ because saw it and it love at first sight. I just thought it looked ⁓ so incredibly cool. ⁓ But to honest, it's really not the right bike for me. I'm not fast, actually I'm pretty slow. For me, motorbike riding is about being out there and exploring new places and the views and... Admin: Yeah. Thalassa: You know, it's never for me, it's never about the adrenaline. So really what am I doing with an R6 and even more living in the Netherlands where there's, you know, there's no fun places to ride really. and then when I moved to Spain, many years later, quite a few years later, you know, I went, I took the R6 into the Pyrenees, which was fine. That's the bike that I had. So that's what I, what I did it with. Admin: and Thalassa: You want to say anything there? I see some faces. Admin: No, no, no, I'm just like, everything I'm thinking about, all I can see is just these beautiful hills on a horse's head. And I'm thinking, we're doing the UK when it's raining. I'm starting to be 60 years of age and I've just realised my life's been a total failure. I think we're all in a little bit. I'm a bit in awe. Thalassa: ⁓ yeah. Yeah. Yeah, but, yeah, so anyways, I took the R6 into the Pyrenees because that's the bike I had. So that's the bike I was taking in, you know, into the mountains. But then I was riding with a friend who had a super Tenere and for half an hour we swapped bikes and I was just, I was actually, well, first of all, of course I was more comfortable on it. ⁓ but also like I was actually faster with the Tenere because I was more comfortable and it gave me more confidence than the R6. So that's when I, when the, that was the first time when I was like, already knew that I wasn't gonna get a super Tenere because it was just so big and heavy, but it opened up the idea of, you know, something that wasn't an R6. And then I think it was one or two years later that they announced the, Tenere 700. And so was like, well. That sounds like a good option. However, I was always back then off the idea, like I shouldn't buy a brand new bike, especially something that's so different from what I know. Let's just buy like a secondhand cheaper bike to see if this is really what I want. Because yeah, I like the idea, but will I really like it once I have it? So I ended up getting an ⁓ XT 660. ⁓ wrote that for a little bit, which was fun. I did a little bit of off-road with it, but I never really became friends with that bike. ⁓ It's quite like, especially in first gear, it's a bit like, and like, I don't know. It's a, yeah, it wasn't, I'm sure that looked really good on camera. Admin: ⁓ That's the hook for the podcast by the way. Thalassa: Well, yeah, but everyone knows what I mean, right? We're all bikers here. So everyone here knows what I mean. Then I got a chance to try a Tenere 700 and like that same afternoon I ordered one. I was like, yep, this is it. So yeah. Admin: I can see why, because we had the opportunity to ride a Tenere. And obviously I saw your bike at at ABR. So I knew what the bike was like. Obviously we didn't, didn't get to ride it. ⁓ and then when we got to ride it, I was like, I want one of these. I fell in love with it because it's a completely different scope of bike to what I'm used to from a sports tour. So I totally get where you're coming from with regards to that. The super Tenere is that the one that's got the two fuel tanks on it as well? Thalassa: Yeah. Hmm. Admin: So we, when we were at, when we were at the bike show last year, I don't know if it was a Dakar special, there was one which had, um, were with the fuel tanks. Yeah. Yeah. It's how that one is. Yeah. was, that was beautiful. when we did our Titanic moment, I think that's the super tennery. The super tennery is the 1200 engine. it? think. Yeah. Yeah. It's slightly bigger. Thalassa: Nah, it's, it's the world, the world's great or something like that. So that's probably the newer one. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, exactly. They don't make it anymore. Admin: Ah right, so yeah so we wrote the 700 last year and yeah that was fun. Have you ever fallen off it? Thalassa: If you'd, mean, I write off-road, that's kind of what happens. Yeah. Admin: Yeah. Yeah. Silly question. Silly question. Just just going back to working with the motorcycle brands, because I know obviously you've now got your own company, motorcycle marketing. So when you're working with Yamaha, Yamaha Motor was in the Netherlands ⁓ on brochures. Did that give you a deeper understanding of the motorcycle kind of market in the sense of from a brand and marketing perspective? Thalassa: Nah, think back then not really, because again, this was when I was, well, maybe the brochures were when I was like 18 or 19 or something. so I'd only just started going to university by then I studied international business. but it was, mean, they were just photo shoots, so it wasn't like I could really get, a look behind the scenes in what goes on. Admin: Mm. Yeah. Thalassa: in like a brand like that, right? So, no, I don't think you could really say that. ⁓ if anything, I think would really, really helped me. So, so like I said, studied international business with my major in marketing and, wanted to, then work in marketing after. And I think working as an umbrella girl at the super bikes. did help me a bit with that because, you know, I had to prove myself a little bit. And because most of the girls working there, they only work their, their local round, basically they don't travel and they just do it because it's a job. Basically how my first hostess job at that motorcycle show started. It was just, you want to work here? Yes. Okay. Well, there you go. But most of them don't really care for motorbikes. So that's how everyone kind of treated me in the beginning, but then, you know, I kept showing up every race. obviously you start talking to people and then pretty soon they would figure out like. Oh, she actually, you know, likes motorbikes. Oh, she has an R6. Oh, she goes to university. Apparently she has a brain. So by the time, you know, by the end of that season, people knew who I was and people, you know, like respected me, let's say, like, you know, they were treating me as just one of the team, really. So then when I finished university and had a couple of like odd jobs, pretty quickly I got into contact with a ⁓ marketing agency where basically the biggest clients was Yamamoto Europe and Yamamoto Racing. So when I was going to apply for the role that they had available or like the position that was open there, ⁓ you know, I could come in with, okay, ⁓ yes, I studied marketing and I have some experience, yeah, but also here are one of the 60 mutual connections we have on LinkedIn. ⁓ Admin: Cool. Thalassa: you want some references, here's a list, know, pick your favorite. ⁓ So yeah, it was very easy to get that job because of, you know, all the connections that I made in the paddock and through all the things that I've done over all those years. Admin: I'm not gonna do that. Yeah. And when did the idea for actually doing it yourself and starting the business and motorcycle marketing come from then? What was the kind of inspiration for that? Thalassa: So ⁓ I actually left that agency quite quickly and I went freelance. ⁓ And starting a freelance business isn't easy. So I would just take basically any client that I could work with in any kind of industry. So I did that for several years. ⁓ Went well, but then after some years, it was a mix of things. ⁓ You know, my clients were also asking for other services that I didn't necessarily knew how to do. Like I was doing marketing, but then, you know, they were asking for design or very specific things. did mostly social media marketing and I wanted SEO or other things. That was one thing. The other thing was that I started missing a bit, like working together on something. you know, freelancer, it's, pretty lonely. And then. Admin: Yeah. Thalassa: Beyond that, like, you know, I was traveling with the motorbike sometimes and that, and while I was working, so that would sometimes mean that if you would do a video call with me, ⁓ you know, in my background, there would be a tent and a motorcycle. And, know, not every client appreciated that. ⁓ so I figured, you know what? I'm just going to do this differently. I'm gonna only work with motorcycle clients because. Admin: Yeah. Thalassa: Then a meeting starts like, ⁓ where you're at, what it is like, tell me, should we go there, how's the riding been, yada yada yada, before we start talking about work. ⁓ And yeah, could, you know, I would find other people around me with different specialties that would compliment mine who are also riders. ⁓ And yeah, now I just get to talk motorbikes all day long for work. Admin: Sounds amazing. So, so, that's a what, you know, in motorcycle marketing, what does a fun day look like for you? Thalassa: ⁓ I mean, it differs. ⁓ So let me see, because I'm not sure how much I can say about these things. But for example, I'm working on a project now with Yamaha. Well, let's just get this right. It is a lot of office work, right? It's still marketing. still sitting, or like online marketing, it's still sitting behind my laptop. ⁓ But for example, for a project that I'm working on now, ⁓ Over the last two months, I've had video calls with the marketing teams of about eight different countries in Europe. Like the marketing teams from Yamaha and like country managers and things and hearing their thoughts on specific parts of certain things. Let's put it that way. Yeah, but like that's fun, right? Because... ⁓ yeah, that really is getting, getting a look behind the scenes and getting some insights that, you know, other people don't necessarily know. And yeah, of course it's fun, especially with a brand that has a special place in your heart. But then at the same time, it's also, you know, the small brands that I work, for example, with, ⁓ hammerlats and they are basically like unbreakable turn signals. So really for, for ADV riders. And I started working with them a couple of years ago and to see them grow and knowing that I'm truly part of that. If I come up with an idea, I talk to the owner and tomorrow we implement it and next week we could see already the first results. Like that's really fun. Yeah. Admin: Yeah, I can imagine that. Yeah, it's quite rewarding, quite exciting to think you've played a part in that company or that product or service actually becoming successful. That's been down to your influence in one way. do you, obviously you said there's a lot of office work, but... Thalassa: Exactly. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, exactly. So yeah, it's really fun. Admin: Do you, obviously you did the Tenere Trophy with Yamaha. Do you get to use your bike much in your job? Obviously we saw you at ABR last year and you rode over so that was great. We got to see you and your bike. Is there other elements that you get to ride with? Thalassa: Ha ha. ⁓ I could do more of it probably if I wanted to, but, ⁓ you know, I go to quite a few events, obviously, ABR, EICMA every year in Italy, the biggest motorcycle show. ⁓ this year I didn't go, but I would usually every year go to that same show in the Netherlands where it all started. ⁓ I've been, been a couple of times to the, ⁓ motorcycle live, the NEC in the UK. But yeah, I mean. I don't know about you guys, going to the UK from Spain by motorbike, what is it? End of November, early December sometimes. You know, I'd rather fly in. yeah, there you go. so yeah. Admin: Yeah, we drive Yeah, so you're based in Barcelona Thalassa: Yeah, just like an hour north of Barcelona, know, mountains in my backyard. Admin: So tell us what it's like, tell us what it's like riding around Barcelona. I mean, we could only dream of being able to, know, there's some of the, you've got the Pyrenees on your doorstep. What, what, what is the best bit about like riding and enjoying that kind of part of the world? It's not wet. Thalassa: Well, I mean, the thing is, last anyone listening in from Spain will tell you the last two months have been basically like the UK. It has been raining so much. Yeah, I know, I know. I figured I'd try, but okay. ⁓ Admin: No, you're not getting any sympathy from us. I'm sorry. I bet it's been warm and wet today. Thalassa: Yeah, no, but, I mean, obviously it's, fantastic again, like coming from the Netherlands where, know, the, the, the, the highest point in the Netherlands is a speed bump, really. ⁓ so, you know, and now I can wake up on a Sunday morning, look outside thinking, ⁓ looks like a nice day. I'll go to the Pyrenees today and be back by dinner. You know, like it's still, and I've been here now for over eight years and that is still like Admin: You ⁓ Thalassa: Pinch me, you know, like it's, it's yeah, it's fantastic. Admin: Is that what you prefer or do you do coastal or what's what's kind of what the sort of routes that you like to to go and ride? Thalassa: I really, I prefer the mountains. ⁓ I've always preferred mountains. ⁓ I'm close to the Costa Brava, which is very, it's very beautiful. However, in summer it's just full of, you know, campers and vents and well, sorry, what did you say? ⁓ Admin: English we have all time. As I said, Costa Brava is full of English people. ⁓ Thalassa: That too, lots of Dutch people as well though, so I can't really say anything there, but just like full of slow traffic. And of course those coastal roads you really cannot overtake. in summer, basically from, from May till September, I stay away from the coast. ⁓ I do go sometimes in winter. ⁓ and, and yeah, it's that, I mean, it's, very pretty, but I prefer the mountains for sure. Admin: So you enjoy the Pyrenees, but you haven't done the Hemsley TT yet. It's got a little bit of a hill, hasn't it? That's a little bit. I don't know if it's any quick. my goodness. I'm absolutely blown away. absolutely blown away. My head just stopped when we were talking about MotoGP. I'm going back there, okay. No, no. So I'm really interested about... Thalassa: I have nuts. Probably still more than the Netherlands. No. you Admin: about Yamaha actually. And I know that you can't speak about what you're actually doing for Yamaha currently. But did you have an opportunity to pick up any memorabilia? Do you still have any prize memorabilia that you may have picked up? And then equally, I know that Yamaha aren't possibly having the best time in MotoGP this year. And obviously their champion, their world champion rider is about to leave as well. Which is a real shame, which is a real shame because... We all love Quattroraro, he's a fabulous rider, but he's gonna go to a different brand, isn't he, for next year. But, so couple of, I'm just rambling here, a couple of questions. Memorabilia, I'm sure you're gonna turn your camera around, it's gonna be full Yamaha leathers and... She's got Rossi's bike on the wall. All of that, no, okay. Thalassa: you know, when you, when you work in paddock and you, know, kind of know some of the guys and you know, the teams and you know what's going on. ⁓ then it's, know, obviously like you're automatically more engaged, but when I stepped back from the paddock and I, know, at some point they didn't really ⁓ know, like I knew the names and the faces, but you know, I said hello to them. never seen them in real life. you know, then it's just, it goes back to just seeing different motorbikes going, but you don't, I don't know. It's just less, I feel less engaged and then when I actually know some of the people, right? So. Admin: So it's a bit like not looking behind the curtain, as they say. So what we see on the TV and how everything goes, because it all seems seamless, obviously we know it's not. But it's very intense because of the environment you're in and what you have to do. obviously for us, it's not watching it. Thalassa: Hmm. Yeah. that's, yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's like, you know, for example, there was, there was ⁓ a moment during the race, like I was, I was often watching in a, in a pit box. She's just watching the screens, right? But you're there among, family of the writers and friends. and, you know, again, like you, talk to everyone every week. you, you know, you, you form friendships. And then if. someone, you know, if someone crashes on TV, it's like, it's a spectacle and it's like, ⁓ wow. And, you know, like it's, action. It's fun. But when someone crashes and their mom is standing next to you and the guy isn't getting up immediately, that's a completely different level of engagement. Right. And obviously it's not, it's not a fun one, but it's like, you, you, you literally see and feel all the emotions that are going on behind just the little figure that you see on the TV screen. Right. Admin: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Thalassa: so yeah, and I mean, this is a bit of a sad example, but, the same thing, like, you know, when, when, when someone wins and you're standing next to their family or you're with their team or, know, when you, when you're standing in front of the podium and you open a champagne altogether. And yeah, again, that's very different than watching it on TV and, especially like not knowing the people anymore. So, yeah. Admin: Thanks Yeah, I'm going to step a little bit to one side here and talk about women in motorcycling. We obviously had International Women's Day this week. You've been there and done lots of various things. Obviously now we know so much more about what you've done in, and certainly in the motorcycle arena. Do you think it's changing a lot now for women in motorcycling? And if so, I can't kind of how... Thalassa: Yeah, I think so. see it in ⁓ different moments. Like one thing, ⁓ back when I started, there wasn't a whole lot of choice in motorcycle gear for women. ⁓ The shop I worked at at the time was actually, at least back then, the shop, the store with the biggest collection of gear for women. So people from all over the country and even abroad came to that shop because there was an actual like a good selection, right? But even that wasn't close to anything of the amount that the men that was available for men, of course. Now, when you go into into a motorcycle store, obviously there's still more options for men, but there's more and more availability for women and it's starting to look better and it's starting to, you know, like you don't have to look like a little Michelin. Duel anymore. ⁓ so yeah, that's, that's one thing. ⁓ then, you know, since you guys love racing, there's the, ⁓ let me say this corrected that world WRC world. Women's, ⁓ what's it? ⁓ I should probably cut this section. The world's world's women's racing. Admin: Go put it up on the screen. Thalassa: serious racing championships here. yeah. Yeah. So a championship for women, right? On a world level. And that started, I want to say two or three years ago now. ⁓ So yeah, that didn't exist before. And ⁓ maybe it's also now that I live here in Spain, but I guess it's the same in the Netherlands. Once in a while, I get a group together of And it's like we're with four or five like of my girlfriends, not just strangers from the internet, but like my girlfriends that live here and we go out with our motorcycles. I think, you know, when I started, I wouldn't have known four or five other girls that would ride motorcycles. So, yeah, I think, I think it is changing. ⁓ are we there yet? No, but yeah, it's changing for sure. Admin: What do you think's inspired that because I think in growing up and you know when I was riding bikes earlier, I didn't know. ⁓ a single female at road bike and whereas now you look on social media and you know there's there's lots of you know female riders there's quite a few uh you know we um influencers um you know sort of we mentioned itchy boots earlier um you know who are who are you know it's a serious thing for them and so what what do you think sort of you know inspired that Thalassa: I mean, I think social media is definitely something that helps. I mean, I'm sorry to say it, but working now as a marketing agency with influencers, I think they're ⁓ relatively a lot more good female influencers than there are male influencers. ⁓ They're just, you know, Admin: Agree. Thalassa: On average, they're just better storytellers, which makes for more interesting content online, right? ⁓ So, and you know, you only need a few of those to inspire a few more and those will lead to a few more. And at some point that reaches just, you your average girl sitting at home watching it on her phone and thinking, if she can do it, maybe I can do it as well. Admin: in. Because the stats are now showing quite a surge. mean, it's steadily increasing. There's more women coming into motorcycle, which is fantastic. What would your advice be for any women watching this or listening to this to actually get into riding? What's the path here? What's the best thing they can do? Thalassa: I mean, honestly, for me, just, just the same path as it would be for men, guess, just find, you know, like a writing school near you and sign up and get started. Admin: not become a model, go to the heat paddock and do all of those kind of Just buy an R6. Thalassa: Yeah, I mean, I realized my path was a bit, you know, it's not like everyone's else's, but then again, not everyone else is aspiring to have a whole career in the motorcycle industry, right? Like, ⁓ if, like I said, I'm 38 now, have people around me, if women around me would come up to me and ask me, no, you don't. But that's the other thing, like, it doesn't need to be something big and massive. And, no, I think... I guess, especially for women, they're maybe more easily intimidated by things. So if they see an itchy boots and it's, you know, if they would think like, ⁓ that's apparently what I have to do. Well, I'm never going to do that. But no, like it doesn't have to be big. doesn't have to be massive. And also for the bikes, like, let's be honest, a Tenere is a pretty big, you know, like tall bike. Doesn't need to be a Tenere. You can get like a whatever other bike that, that suits. Admin: Yeah. Yeah. Thalassa: you know, your needs and your wishes and what you're comfortable with, ⁓ your writing type. You know, if that's what you're comfortable with, then that's what you should write. Admin: underground for me then. But there's so much choice now, obviously for all riders, wherever you want to get into riding, there's a lot of choice of bikes out there. So there's something for everyone. So female riders, like there's a lot of female racers. So is it Jenny Timbers? Yeah, Timbers. Or used to do the TT, like I mean, Maria Castello, Maria Castello. Yeah. And they compete with the men like and obviously in World Superbikes is women that compete in it. I can't think of that lady that's in in a something which she can. That's it. That's Carrasco. Yeah, so there's a lot of women now that are inspiring. Thalassa: Yeah, Kurasko, and Maria Herrera, and yeah, there's a few. Admin: other women or women to actually get into biking or even racing. Here's a question. Do women approach riding differently than men? In your opinion? Thalassa: I mean, I can't speak for all women, of course, but when I look at the women around me or even looking at Tenere travel trophy, it's not. So we're 150 riders. think about 10 of us were women. And again, right? Admin: Ha ha ha. ⁓ So easy is it? Hmm. Thalassa: Talking a little bit in stereotypes here, but you could see a lot more of the guys like kind of showing off, gone crazy, know, like pushing themselves and, and, and not competing with each other because it's not a race, but you know, like, yeah, showing off a little bit. Whereas I feel like the women who participated were just, you know, enjoying themselves. Like they were writing for themselves. And I think you see that. You know, I think you see that across the whole motorcycle community on average a bit more that the men are still trying to prove something every now and then. Whereas the women just ride because they just want to ride. Admin: I hear they're always buying new helmets and leathers and yeah, and you buy. So look at me. I thought I was avoiding the criticism. I mean, there's a question, do women make better riders than men? I mean, there's there's one we're going to throw out for the comments. In the spirit of International Women's Day, I'm just pointing out that. Thalassa: Ha ha ha. you You Admin: I think you know when Tulasso was talking earlier on about maybe going out and then once we join the scenery and then want to enjoy the ride and being out in the open air and enjoying the experience of riding the bike as opposed to throwing your leg over it and trying to get somewhere as quickly as you possibly can and then not even realizing did I really enjoy that or have I taken some silly risks? And I think we've all been guilty of that. And I think it is lovely when you actually are, you can live in the moment and just be there, you know, and enjoy the experience. And when we've had the opportunity to do some local tours or go to Wales and places. We all come back and we rave about those points that you mentioned earlier on, Talasa, about the, it's maybe not even the sort of things of the actual riding, it's the little things and that things that happen on an evening or people that may be in hot tubs at five o'clock in the morning talking to the rest of the world. Those sorts of things that always you come back to and make, a little bit of a, it's making those, having those experiences, which is a lovely thing. Thalassa: Yeah, yeah, I agree. mean, looking back at any trip I did, but especially, well, especially now, like including the travel trophy, you know, and I think back about the best moments, was, it was the views or it was for some write-ables also, like the points where I just really felt in the, like, like in a flow, you know, like everything, every corner went well, every, like everything just... Yeah, like a flow, everything just worked the way it should. ⁓ And of course, when you're really in a good flow, you automatically go a bit faster, I guess, but it was never about the speed. And for me, especially the moments where I feel like, ooh, I almost lost it there, those for me are not the fun moments. And for me, those are the moments that I actually want to avoid because I do not like that feeling. ⁓ So yeah. Admin: Yeah. Coming to motorcycle travel and bucket lists, because I think we've all been talking about what bucket lists and where we want to go. What would you say is the best country that you've ridden in so far? Thalassa: you Admin: And voila. Thalassa: So, I mean, if there's, if you would ask me, like you can only ride in one country the rest of your life, it would definitely be Spain just because there's so much variety and basically anything you like to do with a motorcycle you can do in Spain. ⁓ Admin: I'm really shocked you didn't say the UK. ⁓ Thalassa: Yeah, I mean, I still haven't been to Scotland, so I definitely want to do that. I want to, yes, for sure. No, exactly. No, no, it's true. No, really, just, in the UK, I've only done basically from the ferry to ABR to the next ferry. All right. Admin: You'll have to come with us. You'll have to come to Scotland with us. You haven't done Wales either, till I serve you. we will change your mind you think Spain is good yeah you come to Scotland always when it's dry yeah when it's dry if we can the Sun that'd be great favorite motorcycle trip so far if you can if you can Thalassa: Yeah. Yeah, so I'm thinking, I mean, there's something about it. Like, I love Norway. I really, really do. was really beautiful. you know, this was an image that I'd only ever seen in photos. But like when you have a road and just these walls of ice next to you and you're riding in between it, right? Like I found myself riding inside that photograph that I always had in my mind, right? So that was fantastic. But then... Admin: And then. Thalassa: ⁓ I also actually, rode motorcycles for a weekend in Turkey, in, in like the countryside of, of Turkey. And which was a whole adventure with stuff happening and whatnot. So, so there was something to that. ⁓ but then I remember still, it was just a weekend trip here in Spain. And I was this one road where I was just, that was one of these months where I just saw in the flow, like it's a few years later and I still remember it. ⁓ I rode in Albania, which was beautiful. Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro, I think. You guys need to leave that island of yours there. Come here sometimes. Admin: shaking our heads. We thought we'd been. Yeah. We need to get a life. I have suggested that we ride to Spain, but I got knocked down. We're going to fly instead. I got told we are not riding to Spain. Yeah, well, it's more than 10 hours. It's all part of the adventure. Thalassa: Hmm. To be fair, the middle of Spain, I don't blame you for flying over it, I think. Admin: Yeah, yeah, thank you. So the rules. So where in the world do you still want to ride? Where's the kind of thing, the place that you go, right, bucket list. I want to go there. And why? Thalassa: ⁓ So again, I think, no, no, no, no, no. ⁓ I really, want to go to Alaska. And ⁓ I don't even, like, I don't expect the writing itself to be the most amazing there, but just like the nature, like writing through the nature there must be fantastic, I think. Admin: If they're most of them, but... Thalassa: ⁓ Like everyone else, want to go to Iceland. I've been to Iceland when I was younger, but not by motorbike. I was 12 years old. I would love to go back there and ride a motorcycle there. ⁓ Admin: interesting. Thalassa: I think those are two that I have very clear in my mind, like that's where I want to go. if someone would invite me to ride through South America, I wouldn't say no. Well, no, it's true. ⁓ do want to go. Well, yeah, I mean, if I'm there, may as well go to Wills, but Scotland has always been on my list. I did a little bit of riding in Ireland, which was beautiful. yeah. Admin: And yet. Yeah. You mentioned earlier about ⁓ the question whether it's mountains or course, but here's one for you, gravel or tarmac, because I know you're obviously with the bike that you've got and you mentioned the Tenere Trophy Challenge. Yes, got it. What's your kind of... Thalassa: No, not a challenge, there's no challenge in there. Tenere travel trophy. Admin: No, it would be a challenge for us. That's why I'm calling it a challenge. So Gravel, Tilemark, ⁓ kind of off the road, what's your favourite? Thalassa: Ha ha ha ha ha. Okay. A really good day on tarmac or a really good day off-roads. I choose off-roads. The problem with me is that I'm still very scared off-roads. So I don't have that many good days off-road half the time. I'm just too scared. But you know, I'm getting there, but yeah, let's say my aspirations are for sure off-road. Like, you know, I want to be able again to just have my tent, strap my tent on the back of my bike and just ride up to that little mountain top. where there's nobody else, set up my tent, make myself some food, watch the sunset. And like, you just don't get that when you stay on the tarmac. Admin: getting Snowdonia. I'm getting hints of Snowdonia. Where you're riding through and it's snowy and you have to use a sledge. So we're coming back to Wales and there's a part of Wales called Snowdonia where you could do that. You could do that. We can come with you. Other countries are available. Yes, other countries are available. Scotland. Something that we don't have to fly or don't ride two days to get there. Thalassa: Yeah. you Ha ha ha ha ha. But then you just stay jealous of every story that is not in the UK. Because you guys just keep talking about wheels in Scotland. ⁓ Admin: Yeah. We need to get out more. I did say we should ride to Spain. Can I ask a question? You're living in a country which is absolutely phenomenal, along with Italy producing for all levels of motorcycle sport, just top, top competitors. Thalassa: you Admin: in both male and female, I would imagine. And I don't know, I don't know if there's something, I think obviously they've got a better training programs in for all forms of motorcycle competitions. I'm sorry, trying to think of my words, because I don't want to just talk about MotoGP, I'm talking about, you know, even black car and things like that. The guys are from Italy and Spain are always at the top and riding factory kit as well. Thalassa: Yeah, like... Yeah. Admin: And I just don't, you know, why is it so great in Spain, particularly? Thalassa: I mean, guess it's a bit of a, what do call it? Like a self-fulfilling prophecy in the sense that. You know, there are good writers, they're on TV. So, so I don't know about the UK, but, MotoGP results. They are often here on like the news channel, like the general news channel. Right. So as like little kids, they grow up with seeing it on TV. Me growing up in the Netherlands, I never saw motorcycle races on TV. Like you just. Unless you actually go looking for it, you wouldn't see it here. It's just part of life. so, you know, when you grow up, your, your, your grandfather is probably still writing a little bit. Your dad is writing, your uncle's writing. Um, you know, maybe hopefully your mom is also writing and your aunt is writing, you know, but, but you, it's just, it's just so normal here. Like when I was 17, I said like, Oh, I want to ride motorcycles. I was the weird kid in the class. Um, Here it's just like, of course you're probably already started writing when you were three years old in your grandfather's field in the countryside. It's normal, right? So I think that kind of repeats itself the whole time. And with that, the level of writer gets better and better. Admin: They are they're just phenomenal. They are really just some of the most skilled and talented people. It's because of their grassroots because of obviously the way this Spain and Italy do it. The way they've set it up. That's why a lot of British riders will go to Spain to go part of the academies so that they compete. So it's just all about investment. Whereas in the UK don't really they do invest, but not as well as Spain. That's Thalassa: Yeah, that's of course, again, like if, the grandfather and the dads are both, you know, like riding then and the uncle and everyone else, then there is a good chance that they'll kind of maybe not push, but at least encourage their kids like here, here's a, here's a mini bike, you go on it. And then if they like it, Ooh, he's got some talent. Maybe he'll be with the next, you know, Mark Marquez or Valentino Rossi. And, and it seems like just slightly more achievable here. Whereas. In the Netherlands, nobody's going to think their kid is going to be the next horsey because you're Dutch. What are you going to do? Right? Like, where are you going to go? ⁓ yeah. Admin: I've got a question for you, Talasa. So obviously you've done the Tenere travel trophy, ⁓ obviously, which is a big deal. What other ⁓ event would you like to do that would probably push you even further than that event? Thalassa: ⁓ I, I don't know. I think my first goal, no, think the thing is like, I think my first goal would be because like I said, I only did the morning or like the off-road I only did in the morning. I think first my goal would be to be comfortable enough, off-road to just be able to do the whole day without being absolutely exhausted by the end of it. ⁓ just feeling more comfortable and doing that because actually the. Admin: That's an on the spot question, isn't it? Thalassa: The Tenere travel trophy is quite, it's like, even if you're a beginner off-road rider, can, you can get along quite, quite well. also, have some different extra sections, the, I don't know, like the red routes or something like that. But if you know, you have a higher level, you've got more skills, you can take that route instead. ⁓ so my first goal would be to be like, be more comfortable during that. then, ⁓ no, it's maybe one day I'll do like a small. rarely, but very only I probably won because, yeah, I mean, I, you guys, I have these, this, this problems with my back. so I don't think it's reasonable for me to want to do that. It's just a bit too risky. but I do enjoy like the travel trophy, these things that aren't necessarily a race. So maybe more of those kinds of events where you just ride with a whole group, ⁓ in new places, like it's fun. Admin: It does sound fun. obviously, obviously we've spoken about it before, so it does sound really fun. And someone I'd love to have a go at, be honest. I'd probably be just as scared as Talasa, to be honest. Well, I think you would be our instructor Talasa, because I think you're a far more accomplished off-road bike rider than certainly anybody sitting on this table or sat in the corner in this room. Thalassa: you I'll tell you though. Admin: ⁓ Thalassa: There was one section where, you know, it was going up, up, up, up, and it was gravel, but they just renewed it. So the gravel was pretty deep. So it was so like the bike was going everywhere and there was pretty tight, tight turns and going up and up and up. I was honestly like, I was screaming in my helmet and not out of excitement, but just out of like pure fear, but you can't stop. Like you have to keep going. And ⁓ that was not a good moment. Not a good moment. So Admin: Sounds like fun. ⁓ It does like, so we've come to that time of the day where we're going to ask you some quick fire questions. ⁓ So I'm that you're ready for these ones. if money, if money was no object, you know, you're living in Spain, your pockets are bulging with money. ⁓ You're wandering What bike would you buy? Thalassa: yeah, no, not for ⁓ Bring it on. This is really boring but right now I would stick with the T7. I think for me at the moment I just love that bike. If really money was no object at all I would throw so much money at Yamaha that they would build specifically for me like a Tenere 450 or 500 because I love the Tenere and I love everything about it except if it was a little bit lighter and a tiny bit smaller I would probably love it even more. Admin: I'm trying to think, didn't they used to do, was it the XT they used to do many years ago? Was that a 500? Was that a 400? Very large, yeah. Thalassa: Yeah, the very old one, they have a 500, yeah, but I'm guessing it's not as smooth as the tenner that I have now. Admin: And they're very expensive in the UK now if you do come across one they're very expensive. Who is your motorcycle hero? Thalassa: Yeah. ⁓ Really a hero. don't think, yeah, I don't really think I have one. just, like, let's say I have a lot of respect for, so basically some of the other girls that were joining the travel trophy. ⁓ I think Lola was one of the girls, Lola Zopfi. Not even sure I pronounced her name correctly that way, but like she... Admin: or heroin. Thalassa: hadn't been riding off-road that long yet. She didn't have a lot of experience yet, but she was just going for it. And she just didn't care. And she would fall and she would get back up and she would just keep going and smile while doing it. And, and yeah, she also got frustrated sometimes and you know, but, but she just, she just kept going. And I thought that was really, really fun. And that was inspiring for me, right? To just have fun in the, in the learning. part of it. think if I would have to call out anyone, yeah, Lola, why not? Admin: Lola, so the final question for you, Tulasa. So you bought that lovely new motorbike because you've got all that money, forget, and you've still got a couple of quid left in your pocket. So there's plenty of euros still spilling around. What would you do with the rest of the money? Would you buy a helmet? Would you buy boots? Would you buy something else? What would you do with it? Thalassa: ⁓ I mean, I'm very happy with the outfit I have right now. wouldn't necessarily change that. I probably should get a new helmet at some point, but everything else I'm very happy with. If I have a new bike, for sure I would get accessories for that. So some good crash bars and hand guards. you know, all those kinds of things, because again, riding over it, you know you're going to fall. So you better make sure that the bike can handle a few drops. Admin: So can I just confirm that if you were to buy a new bike, I'm just doing this part for selfishly for myself that's about to get a new bike. And so that my wife can see this, I am allowed to purchase some other pieces to go along with my new bike. Good answer. Very good answer. He needs to go back to a GS if he's going to do that. And I've tried that and it doesn't work. My wife said no. Thalassa: You're not going offroad with it, so I'm not sure. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Hahaha. Admin: Fantastic. Well, Tolasso, thank you very much for joining us tonight from Barcelona in Spain. you like that? I've been practicing that all day in ⁓ And we absolutely do want to try and either come down to Barcelona or you come up to ⁓ Scotland or Wales or other countries available. And I think definitely teach us a few things or two about riding, you know, with the right kit, maybe going off road. We've been saying we've got to go off road. Thalassa: you Admin: Yeah, think it scares me going off road. I'm being honest. It's just to control the bike, suppose, you know, because I'm used to tarmac. I love the tarmac. Whereas you're like the off road bit. But yeah, if we get to do that, that would be fantastic. do it. Let's do it. But yeah, big round of applause for the last guest. See you again on the next episode.