Exodus singer prepares for cross-country motorcycle trip

Rob Dukes, lead singer for Bay Area thrash progenitors EXODUS and a motorcycle enthusiast, will soon embark on his third cross-country trip by bike. He's scheduled to depart from New York City on Sunday, August 30th and shares the following:

This will be your third trip. You said you were really inspired by Neil Peart's book, Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road . Were you in mourning during your first two trips or were you just looking for a fresh start on life... or both?

"Neil Peart's book was inspiring to me. It was a very sad read, but a great book. He was going through a lot when he started on his quest; I was just looking to change my life. I was living in New York and wanted to surf and live at the beach in California. I was going to finish my master scuba diving license and teach scuba diving, but I ended up singing for EXODUS. Life is weird. Two years ago, my friend Lenny and I rode to the four corners of the United States. We went 14,652 miles in six weeks and two days. This trip will be about 4,500 miles."

For those who'd never consider doing something like this, is riding a bike cross-country really a healing experience? What are the best aspects of it for you?

"It's definitely a soul-searching experience. I like to be alone a lot, so all that time in your helmet with just your thoughts and the sound of your engine and the wind… you get to really feel the world - the smells, the sights, the weather, and the people you meet along the way. It really is an awesome experience. I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to take on the challenge. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best roads in the U.S.
It has Deal's Gap [Motorcycle Resort, one mile south of the Tennessee/North Carolina state line] near it, which is nicknamed "The Dragon" - 318 turns in 11 miles. For race guys, it's dream road. Utah and Arizona are really great - killer views and great roads and the Rockies of course. My new bike, a 2004 Honda RC51, is fuel injected so the altitude won't be a problem. All my previous bikes were carbureted and ran like shit through the higher elevations."

You mentioned you really need to be in good shape to sit for long periods of time. How are you preparing for this trip of yours?



"400 to 500 miles a day is brutal on the body. I have been running and doing a lot of kung fu core exercises and some weights, but mostly just sit-ups and running, trying to get back in shape. When I quit smoking cigarettes, I blew up and put on 70 pounds. It's been hard to lose it.
I was such a fat fuck (still am). I was eating fucking horribly, especially on tour. Nothing but pizza and fast food but after the last tour, I really have changed my eating habits and started training again.
It will take time, but I will get there."



With all the tattoo appointments and hairpin turns that await you, where can fans keep track of you on your journey?



"I will checking in every few days on the EXODUS message board and my Facebook page."



EXODUS are due to enter the studio in November to record the follow-up to 2007's The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A and 2008's Let There Be Blood, a re-recording of their classic album, Bonded By Blood.


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Tags:  Exodus, Rob Dukes, motorcycle, honda, Neil Peart

admin    August 25, 2009