Adventure riding is all about freedom—exploring remote trails, conquering rugged terrain, and chasing that next horizon. But let’s face it, sometimes riding off the grid comes with risks. That’s where the Garmin inReach Mini shines. This tiny powerhouse keeps you connected and safe, no matter where the trail takes you.
Here’s the thing: the inReach Mini uses satellite communication, so you’re never out of reach—even in places where your cell phone is just a paperweight. You can send and receive messages, share your location with loved ones, and track your ride in real time. Plus, if things go sideways, the SOS feature connects you to 24/7 emergency support that can get you the help you need.

At just 3.5 ounces, this compact device won’t take up precious space on your bars or weigh you down. Whether you’re tackling a multi-day rally, exploring a forgotten fire road, or just heading out for a solo ride, the inReach Mini is your ultimate safety net.
Picture this: your bike breaks down miles from civilization, or you take a spill in a remote canyon. With the inReach Mini, you’re not stranded—you’ve got the power to call for help and let others know exactly where you are.
For adventure riders, the Garmin inReach Mini is more than a gadget—it’s a ride partner that gives you the confidence to push your limits. Don’t leave safety to chance—grab one before your next ride and experience the freedom of riding smarter, not just harder.

Just remember, just as much as we care about our bikes our families care about us. This means they rather know where we are at and not the bike, I know sad! Remember, it is best to wear these devices on yourself!

**El Paso, Texas** – [10/26/2024] – Kove International Racing Team is proud to announce its participation in the 2024 SCORE International Baja 1000.  Formed by multi-time Score Champion, Dakar Veteran and RallyComp creator, Mike Johnson, the team unites an impressive roster of North American talent, featuring riders from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as they prepare to take on one of the world’s most challenging off-road races.

The Baja 1000, one of the most prestigious and difficult races in off-road motorsport, spans over 1000 miles of intense desert terrain across the Baja California Peninsula. With Johnson’s extensive racing experience and a skilled team of international riders, including Jim Pearson fresh off the overall podium at the 2024 Six Day Baja Rally aboard a Kove 450 Rally,  the team is ready to tackle the grueling journey ahead.

“We’re excited to present the Kove International Racing Team for this year’s Baja 1000,” said a team spokesperson. “Our diverse lineup represents the strength and unity of North American riders, all coming together to meet the challenges of this legendary race. Made up of veteran riders that are no strangers to the grueling terrain, we’re confident in the team’s abilities and the performance of our Kove Rally 450 EX Factory Race Bike.” "The Rally 450 EX is slated to be at the 2025 Dakar and the Baja 1000 will be an opportunity for further development"

**Team Roster:**

- **Mike Johnson (USA)** 
- **Jim Pearson (CAN)**  
- **Marco Molinar (MEX)**  
- **Sergio Vega (MEX)**  
- **Jordan Huibregtse (USA)** 
-** Doug Smith (USA)** (ASST. Team Manager)

The Baja 1000, scheduled for November 12th - 17th, 2024, will test the endurance and skills of riders as they navigate the harsh desert terrain, mountain passes, and coastal routes of the Baja Peninsula. The Kove International Racing Team’s participation aboard the newest iteration, the Kove Rally 450 EX, reflects a commitment to showcasing the strength and durability of Kove motorcycles in some of the world’s toughest conditions. 

​Fans can follow the team’s journey and receive live updates during the race on Instagram @Kovemoto_Usa and @ChasingWaypoints
Stay Tuned for more! 
___

**Media Contact:**  
Victor Orellana
Media Liason  
[email protected]
https://www.chasingwaypoints.com/

Are you ready to take your Starlink Mini on the road and stay connected no matter where you travel? You might be wondering how to keep it powered up when you're cruising down the highway or camping in the great outdoors. Well, here's a fun hack: you can power your Starlink Mini using a portable laptop charger right from your car! It’s easy, affordable, and perfect for road trips. Let’s dive in.
What You’ll Need:

1. Your Starlink Mini – Of course!
2. A 12v Portable Laptop Charger – Make sure it has a capacity of at least 60W to 100W.
3. USB-C Adapter to 5521 – To plug your laptop charger into your car.

How It Works: First things first, find a portable laptop charger that packs enough power (around 60W to 100W) to handle your Starlink Mini. Most laptop chargers have USB-C outputs that make it super simple to plug in and go.
Now, plug the laptop charger into your car’s power port (that’s the one you use for charging your phone or using a GPS). You’ll need a USB-C car adapter to 5521 barrel for this. Inverters convert your car’s power into a form your laptop charger can use, while USB-C adapters let you plug directly into the Starlinks power port.
Once everything’s connected, plug your Starlink Mini into the adapter, and voilà! Your portable satellite internet is ready to roll with you.
Perfect for Travelers!Whether you're taking an epic road trip, camping in a remote spot, or just driving through the countryside, this setup lets you stay connected with the world. Plus, using a laptop charger is a lightweight, easy solution that won’t take up much space in your car.
Now, you’re ready to power your Starlink Mini on the go. Happy travels, and stay connected!

First off, I recognize that I have OCD... So when It came to mounting a Starlink Mini in my car I was not in a hurry to just slap it in. The criteria was simple. I can remove it easily, it gets powered by 12v, and it mounts inside the car interior.  Well, I managed to check all the boxes after some digging...

The mount:
Being a avid user of a 3d Printer I new I could find something that would make sense to print and mount the dish. After racking my brain on how to do it I decided to see what was out there already and stumbled upon the design from clloyds (clloyds_304573) on printables.  Link here or download below

Then you you are going to need some suction cups... easily found on Bezo's Speedshop here...

The Power:
Next you will need to power it. This is a two part problem the barrel connector and the voltage. See my original goal was to power it with 12 volts. I tried a few different combination but in the end I went with a obvious choice.  A 12v laptop charger and a USB -C  to 5521 Adapter.  This type of adapter provides higher voltages as needed to allow the Starlink Mini to operate as normal.  See below or click here:

You are also going to need one of these.... The power adapter

The Finished Product:
After all was said and done, it worked awesome... well just one thing...  Because the sunroof was now going to stay open I need to get it tinted darker and with something that would help reject the heat. Well Ceramic 35% was the ticket and I was nervous on whether or not the reception would be blocked. 

In the end... all systems go. Averaging 40 to 55 mbps while moving and over 110 mpbs while stationary! 

​

Alright, back to the rally!

First of all, thank you! The journey to 200 has been paved with many many great conversations and not only that amazing experiences shared and experienced. When this started back in 2018 I did not know that it would turn into a podcast 2 years later and would be where it is today that would be tuned in to by the world abroad.  

​The common denominator has been the motorcycle community and particularly those looking to get into rally. The mission continues! See below for the list of some of the greatest hit episodes if you’ve not already tuned into them. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you!!

When Giovanni Spinali arrived at the hospital in November of ‘22, it appeared that his racing days were over. Lucky to be alive, Giovanni had broken eighteen bones, was in the hospital for over five weeks and required three surgeries after that year’s clash with the esteemed 1000, resulting in a DNF. This time it was rugged Baja that had “won the race.” Like many Baja racers, Giovanni began his two wheeled dance with the desert as a youngster, going on to race approximately 40-50 SCORE races, with 5 Championship wins. The hospital stay was where I “got to know” Giovanni, along with his dedicated sweetheart Petro. When the very slow recovery progress began, it was apparent that Giovanni has the Baja racer spirit, this was NOT going to keep him down. In fact, the injuries weren’t even going to hold him in the hospital - he broke himself out on Christmas Eve. Barely able to move yet determined to be home for Christmas, Giovanni held this mantra : WHAT WOULD EVIL KNIEVEL DO? (There may or may not be a picture floating around, Gio in a completely appropriate driving … gown!) Giovanni told me recently that he would not take back the experience, and that he had set a new goal upon leaving the hospital- to return and finish what he had started, one more final Baja 1000. And he did. Along with his teammates the following year, he won the championship. 
​

A team concept that began in 2012, HERO Racing has now emerged with a new twist of the throttle as Giovanni has stepped away from racing himself. Helping Everyone Reach Out Team has a charitable aspect to their racing. Funds and donations of food, clothing and other items are collected with every race that HERO Racing enters, and it is now composed of upcoming talented riders. With a goal of enabling young riders to succeed, HERO is already an exciting team to watch with Arturo Salas and Carter Klein winning the recent San Felipe 250. 

​

A true part of off-road racing is rallying around the injured in the race community, and Giovanni furthers his influence to “give back” this coming weekend, April 20, bringing the Clayton Roberts Benefit Ride to the community. A raffle with race swag, impressive winner jerseys and all things moto related is going on, with absentee options, and all proceeds from the ride will go towards furthering Clayton’s present challenge, recovering from a devastating crash in a recent race. The event, along with Clayton's movement toward a new, healthy life, can be followed in the links that are posted both on chasingwaypoints.com and also on Giovanni’s social media sites. 

When I expressed to Giovanni my personal experience with and connection to people and groups giving aid and support in different ways, his words were these: No better feeling helping others, not even winning, but that is a close second!!! <insert laughter emojis> Even with HERO’s two young racers, Arturo and Carter, the excitement of contributing to the wellness and betterment of folks in need is evident. I dare say that Giovanni Spinali is giving to more than just the recipients of his benevolence efforts. These young racers are learning early the joy of expanding their “wins” in ways that do not result in medals or trophies, but will be lasting and rewarding in even deeper ways. 

Good luck HERO Racing, Giovanni, Arturo and Carter, we are cheering you along with all  your race undertakings, in all of the ways!!!

​

Time and again we here that balance is on of the key fundamentals to life and well pretty much everything. But, when it comes to riding a moto, it happens to be one of the more important fundamentals. Hell Jimmy Lewis corrected me on the podcast episode we did with him. 
Listen here: 

Anyway so I have been on the hunt to learn basics of riding and things that will help with my confidence. I started to notice after watching countless videos on athlete training in motorsports that the Balance Board was a common theme.  So... I figured I should work on this. No sooner than I started looking them up the Algorithm started pitching in and suggesting different ones, and I bit...

I went with the RevBalance as according to Instagram it should be the one I should be interested in. 
But, I quickly realized 1 thing... I WAS NOT READY!  While my Asthetic OCD was satisfied the love for my ankles and well being took priority.  It is slippery, in other words slight movements and you are already at the safety stops... which Im grateful for. 
​

Once I was able to determine my ability I went searching for a replacement and stored the RevBalance. What I found was something very similar but with no moving parts. Enter the StrongTek Wooden Balance Board.  

With no moving parts and a more tame motion this one was more my speed. I have been using it for over a year not and no signs of wear. Some of my coworkers ended up getting them as well. It required me to balance both heal / toe and left / right. Here is the scary part, with out much effort at all, just standing. I noticed a difference even just balancing in general while performing garage moto repair yoga. Price wise it was MUCH less than the RevBalance, which I will eventually graduate to. But for now... Im a believer of this one. 
By the way...

Written while standing on it...

First time to see the Pacific Ocean, and first to see the Atlantic. First time to ride a rally bike in Texas, then in Mexico. First time to sleep in an airport, first time to fly alone. First time to fly in Mexico, first time to fly at all. First time to BE in Mexico, first time to be outside of the USA. I’m missing other firsts, but none of this means that Justin Jumet didn’t handle all of these things like he’d been traveling and riding since he was three. Constantly eager and aware, quick-thinking and confident, Justin delighted everyone who caught wind of what this quiet, easygoing, quick-to-smile Kansas kid was doing. 
Born and raised in Colony, Kansas, Justin is a 24 year old diesel mechanic, with experience in his field that began when he was a youngster. (Wait…he IS a youngster…) Justin took his first paying job as a mechanic at 17, as an apprentice for a transmission specialist while also side gigging in the NAPA parts house. Justin now does service calls and works on “pretty much everything” but specializes in diesel engines, an A-rated mechanic. As far as motorcycles go, he began riding dirt bikes as a boy and then racing off road:  hare and hound, hare scrambles and other enduro races,  mostly in local race circuits. He gained his experience racing and riding with buddies. 
On Wednesday, February 15, Justin picked me up at the Kansas City airport; we were joining the Off Piste Adventure team headed to Coast2Coast Rally, beginning in Veracruz and ending in Puerto Escondido , Oaxaca. As we headed to team manager Matt Ransom’s home and garage in Manhattan, Justin filled me in. His one and only rally bike ride was three days prior, which of course meant his first road book as well. He received his passport just two days prior. Off Piste had contacted him in January offering a sponsorship to the upcoming C2C rally, and Justin, with an easy, midwestern drawl, shrugged, cocked his head and said “So I said, ‘why not?’ “ He was grateful, he told me, to be part of an organization that, in order to get young riders into rally raid, are willing to put their money where their mouth is. And did they ever, but that is another story. 
After several attempts to get through the import chechpoint in Mexican territory with a large truck/trailer rig and four motorcycles, Justin rode the one problematic bike (wrong papers, basically) back across the border to US soil. C2C event director Patrick Reyes had begun working with us to get the bike across, and had a contact at a border crossing 60 miles east of the Laredo border crossing, but he was redirected back to Laredo with no luck. Justin’s instructions were to get a hotel for the night and then find a secure storage space to leave the bike, crossing  
the border on foot the next morning and then making his way to the airport in Nuevo Laredo, flying from there to meet us in Veracruz. 
Meanwhile, things were getting dicey for Matt and myself, having finally gotten across the border ourselves. With Patrick staying in close contact with us via cell and RallyComp tracking, we learned that we were not in safe zones nor within safe travel times, as it is not safe to travel after dark. Though we were pressed for time as we had the RallyComp equipment for the whole event starting less than 36 hours later, military and even locals were urging us to stop until daylight the next morning. As we sent prayers back Justin’s way for safety and presence of mind, we turned south as quickly as possible. When we got enough cell signal to check on Justin, we couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, no problem!” he yelled into the phone, excitedly. “I’m having the time of my life: they had a full-on parade in Laredo - THESE PEOPLE LOVE GEORGE WASHINGTON ! - and you’ll never guess where the bike is!” He was right, and suffice it to say there was governmental security involved. At this point Matt and I realized that we needn’t be overly concerned about our rally teammate newbie, and of course, he made a Spanish speaking friend who helped him with airport security and directions, he found a couple fellow C2C racers and caught a ride with them to the Coast2Coast hotel that was hosting registration and start line bivouac. 
After all of this it should have been no surprise that on the very first stage of the race when Justin realized his tracker wasn’t working, he calmly headed back to the start line to have the officials fix the problem - across the river, back by the dunes and back down the beach. By the third day Justin took his first stage win and followed with another the next day. Though his final placement was not on the podium, all eyes are now on the Kansas kid, who, I might add, resembles a kind of popular rally kid out of Auga Dulce, California. 
As is characteristic of rally raid, there’s plenty more to the story, and get ready, rally community, there’s a new kid in the bivouac, and the wheels are turning <bad pun> to get Justin to the next event, and the next and the next. Thank you, Kansas Kid, for taking me along for the ride, for the impromptu mini-classes on torque vs horsepower and the strategy behind changing sprockets and all the other stuff you patiently explained! Word is that I will see you again by the end of this week, and you’ll probably be doing something new!