{"id":16135,"date":"2026-08-03T17:46:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T17:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=16135"},"modified":"2026-08-03T17:46:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T17:46:16","slug":"a-ride-through-mongolia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=16135","title":{"rendered":"A Ride Through Mongolia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<p>Published August 3, 2026 11:35AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nine motorcycle riders were traversing Mongolia\u2019s remote Orkhon Valley when they were unexpectedly engulfed in a sandstorm. Reduced visibility left the riders barely able to see their front fender. The group was running out of fuel, daylight, and options\u2014trapped in a race against an intensifying sandstorm that threatened to wipe them off the map.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2746385\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">From the left: Palmer West, Alex Earle, Justin Chatwin, Jonah Smith, Paolo Martinoglio, Bryan Greenberg, Dimitri Komarov, David Perez, and Norman Reedus<\/span>\u00a0(Photo: Jonah Smith)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mongolia has been generating buzz among adventurous travelers for a few years now. It\u2019s a raw, beautiful place where rich history and culture come with a dose of Type 2 fun. One of the best ways to experience a big slice of it all? On a motorcycle expedition that removes all the filters between you and the action.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s exactly what the AETHER Apparel team was seeking on an ambitious six-day, 1,000-kilometer journey through the wilds of Mongolia to field-test their <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/aetherapparel.com\/collections\/mens-motorcycle-collection\">newest adventure motorcycle gear<\/a>. Guided by Nomadic Off-Road, Mongolia\u2019s leading off-road adventure outfitter and official Husqvarna partner, AETHER assembled its crew: cofounders Jonah Smith and Palmer West, photographer David \u201cShadi\u201d Perez, vehicle designer and racer Alex Earle of Earle Motors, and actors and avid riders Norman Reedus, Bryan Greenberg, and Justin Chatwin. Documenting their rugged experience demanded a durable camera with pro-level stabilization. GoPro helped them capture the whole ride with several of its MISSION 1 PROs.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"1,000 KM Across Mongolia | AETHER Apparel\" width=\"729\" height=\"410\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oG6tJoX4ekM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Day 1: Headfirst into the Wild<\/h2>\n<p>The first day was surprisingly ambitious, requiring the group to traverse around 300 kilometers, a section that included frequent deep, rutted sand troughs. The sand took its toll early: While cruising through a section at 60 kph, Palmer West caught a hard edge.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy bike went into a high-speed, tank-slapping death wobble while riding through the sand,\u201d West said. \u201cI clipped the hard dirt and launched into the rough terrain\u2026My momentum took me over the handlebars, landing on my head.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The impact resulted in a minor concussion, but West walked away without a broken bone or even a single bruise. The cutting-edge D3O\u00ae armor in his AETHER jacket and pants worked exactly as intended, as did his Leatt helmet. After a short ride in the support truck to recover, West was back in the saddle and riding into camp by sunset.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slideshow\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col items-center justify-center py-base-loose\">\n<div class=\"relative flex w-full flex-col items-start\">\n<div class=\"relative w-full touch-pan-y pb-base-tight select-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"block h-auto w-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/130L1004309-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"The group was prepared for any conditions with Aether Apparel\u2019s new motorcycle collection.\" draggable=\"false\"\/><\/div>\n<p class=\"min-h-[48px]\"><span class=\"text-left font-utility-3 text-secondary\">The group was prepared for any conditions with Aether Apparel\u2019s new motorcycle collection.<\/span><span class=\"ml-1 text-left font-utility-3 text-text-disabled\">Jonah Smith<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Day 2: Selfies and Hail<\/h2>\n<p>The riders started day two in a picturesque valley, passing by local herders, their animals, and various wildlife. \u201cWatching Mongolian herders chase camels across the landscape on small motorcycles was one of those moments that perfectly captures the country,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n<p>While the crew filled up at a remote gas station and stretched their legs, a passing driver stopped, recognizing Norman Reedus. It became a recurring theme: Locals frequently approached the actor for photos. Smith thought it was hilarious to routinely insert himself into the selfies.<\/p>\n<p>The tarmac transitioned into dirt as the group made its way through a mountain pass. The riders didn\u2019t know it yet, but they were about to experience some of the worst weather Central Asia could offer. Light rain turned to a heavy downpour. The downpour evolved into a painful hailstorm. Riding through the ice was cold and painful yet surprisingly euphoric.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2746402\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Aether Apparel\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1708\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2746402\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/31L1003394-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/31L1003394-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\">(Photo: Jonah Smith)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Day 3: Khorkhog to Hillclimbs<\/h2>\n<p>The team woke up on day three at the Genghis Khan Retreat, an equestrian wilderness lodge nestled deep within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Waking up in the heart of the valley felt magical\u2014an ancient landscape frozen in time, where wild horse pastures stretched to the horizon\u2014and a bit surreal.<\/p>\n<p>After navigating technical river crossings and muddy singletrack, the group stopped to eat. That day\u2019s lunch was khorkhog: traditional Mongolian barbecue consisting of lamb that had been slaughtered only hours earlier and cooked with hot stones and wild root vegetables. The rest of the afternoon involved miles and miles of highly technical riding, traversing steep, rocky ledges and ascending hills.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2746403\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Aether Apparel\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1708\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2746403\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/21L1003295-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/21L1003295-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\">(Photo: Jonah Smith)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Day 4: Sandstorm<\/h2>\n<p>The scale of Mongolia\u2019s unpredictable weather systems became terrifyingly apparent on day four as the riders watched a towering, apocalyptic wall of dust swallow the horizon like something out of <i>Dune<\/i>. Realizing they were directly in its path, the group pinned their throttles, attempting to outrun the massive sandstorm.<\/p>\n<h2>Day 5: The Bermuda Triangle of Mongolia<\/h2>\n<p>The real test came on day five when the group entered a treacherous grassland section called \u201cthe Bermuda Triangle of Mongolia.\u201d It was easy to understand why the area is considered cursed. High-sides, low-sides, and bent bodywork plagued the group. Multiple riders went down, but their gear remained intact.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slideshow\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col items-center justify-center py-base-loose\">\n<div class=\"relative flex w-full flex-col items-start\">\n<div class=\"relative w-full touch-pan-y pb-base-tight select-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"block h-auto w-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/59L1003600-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"The Husky Lodge\" draggable=\"false\"\/><\/div>\n<p class=\"min-h-[48px]\"><span class=\"text-left font-utility-3 text-secondary\">The Husky Lodge<\/span><span class=\"ml-1 text-left font-utility-3 text-text-disabled\">Jonah Smith<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Day 6: Forged Bonds<\/h2>\n<p>By the time the team returned to the neon-lit streets of Ulaanbaatar on day six, the scuffs and scratches on their AETHER Mojave 2.0 moto gear felt like badges of honor. Unsurprisingly, Reedus was repeatedly stopped by fans requesting photos. The final night\u2019s farewell dinner was clearly elevated by the bond forged over grueling time behind the bars.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrips like this are never really about motorcycles,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThey\u2019re about the people you share them with. The crashes, the storms, the breakdowns: These are the things we\u2019ll laugh about years from now. It\u2019s the hard days that become the best stories.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/aetherapparel.com\/\">AETHER<\/a> delivers uncompromising, built-to-last garments that blend timeless style with modern performance and functionality, enabling them to seamlessly go from city to summit. From our rain jackets to our ski apparel to our moto gear, our garments are also characterized by their immense versatility and the robust protection and coverage they afford\u2014whether that\u2019s protection from the elements while out on the<span style=\"font-family:Helvetica\">\u00a0<\/span>trails, or slides and impacts when on the road.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/outdoor-gear\/clothing-apparel\/a-ride-through-mongolia\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Published August 3, 2026 11:35AM Nine motorcycle riders were traversing Mongolia\u2019s remote Orkhon Valley when they were unexpectedly engulfed in a sandstorm. Reduced visibility left the riders barely able to see their front fender. The group was running out of fuel, daylight, and options\u2014trapped in a race against an intensifying sandstorm that threatened to wipe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16136,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wild-living"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16135"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16135\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}