Andrew Pieper
07/24/24 • 48 min
For generations of teenagers, a driver’s license represented independence, a milestone moment that transported fresh-faced wheelmen (and women) one step closer to adulthood. That is less so now, with fewer young drivers showing interest in taking to the road. Andrew Pieper, however, is all about bucking trends. In fact, he couldn’t wait to pass his driving exam so he could buy, you guessed it, a motorcycle.
“I always wanted a bike,” admits Pieper. “When I turned 16 and got my license, I immediately got my motorcycle endorsement. I didn’t even have a car until college. I rode everywhere.” Everywhere, indeed. In June, 2022, Piper set the record for the fastest time on a motorcycle across America—from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Diego, California—28 hours and 42 minutes.
On this episode of the “Driven to Ride” podcast, host Mark Long interviews the South Carolina native, who describes himself as, “Just a guy trying to live life fully alive.” Racing the clock on a Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird isn’t for the faint of heart, and Pieper spent a lot of time planning his cross-country record attempt, not to mention enlisting a slew of supporters to help him achieve his unique goal.
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For generations of teenagers, a driver’s license represented independence, a milestone moment that transported fresh-faced wheelmen (and women) one step closer to adulthood. That is less so now, with fewer young drivers showing interest in taking to the road. Andrew Pieper, however, is all about bucking trends. In fact, he couldn’t wait to pass his driving exam so he could buy, you guessed it, a motorcycle.
“I always wanted a bike,” admits Pieper. “When I turned 16 and got my license, I immediately got my motorcycle endorsement. I didn’t even have a car until college. I rode everywhere.” Everywhere, indeed. In June, 2022, Piper set the record for the fastest time on a motorcycle across America—from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Diego, California—28 hours and 42 minutes.
On this episode of the “Driven to Ride” podcast, host Mark Long interviews the South Carolina native, who describes himself as, “Just a guy trying to live life fully alive.” Racing the clock on a Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird isn’t for the faint of heart, and Pieper spent a lot of time planning his cross-country record attempt, not to mention enlisting a slew of supporters to help him achieve his unique goal.
Connect with Us:
Website:
Instagram:
www.Instagram.com/driventoridepodcast
Facebook:
Email:
Previous Episode
MotoGP At Mugello
If spectating at a MotoGP race in Europe is on your bucket list, then the Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello won’t disappoint, as “Driven to Ride” host Mark Long discovered firsthand this past June. Long spent the week traveling with his buddy Mike, who lives in Switzerland. Together, they enjoyed the full, immersive race-weekend experience camping on the scenic (and noisy!) Tuscan hillsides.
To better understand the nuts and bolts of a MotoGP race, especially one held on the Continent, Long spoke with Friné Velilla, who has worked for series commercial rights-holder Dorna for 20 years, the past 15 as media manager. FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel Chairman Freddie Spencer knows his way around Mugello, too, the three-time world champ having won both the 250cc and the 500cc races on the same day in 1985.
One of the fastest circuits on the calendar, Mugello is also one of the most difficult to nail as a rider. “It’s technical, it’s high-speed,” Spencer explained, “but it challenges you mentally.” Long met two more Americans, J.J. and his son Connor. “This is number one on my list of the tracks I wanted to go watch,” J.J. said about Mugello. And Long’s post-event advice? Go. Just go. But remember to bring earplugs. You’ll need ’em.
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Next Episode
Guillermo Cornejo
True story: “Driven to Ride” host Mark Long booked a Kawasaki Vulcan S through Riders Share for the MotoGP race weekend at Circuit of The Americas. Upon arrival in Austin, Texas, he went to the designated location to pick up the bike from owner Guillermo Cornejo. Turns out, Cornejo is the founder of Riders Share, said to be the largest motorcycle-sharing community in the world. What are the chances of that happening?
Wait, there’s more. The Kawasaki was only available for Long to use that weekend because Cornejo forgot to pause his motorcycle listing on the Riders Share website. Stranded without his usual two-wheel transportation, he was forced to Uber to COTA. “It was a terrible mistake,” admitted Cornejo, adding, “but I still made more money on Riders Share than I spent on Uber.” All’s well that ends well, right?
On this episode of “Driven to Ride,” Cornejo explains why booking a motorcycle through Riders Share can be easier and more cost-effective than renting one from a national agency or even a local brick-and-mortar dealer. Is Riders Share the right choice for your motorcycle-rental needs? Listen to this episode and decide for yourself. Perhaps, like Mark, you might even meet the owner of the company.
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