Steve Erbrick is Co-Founder and Director of Bikerbnb Adventures, a one-stop shop for motorcycle travel and tourism, which runs guided tours in Scotland, Spain and Morocco.
Here, Steve talks about his lifelong passion for biking, what he loves most about riding in Scotland, navigating potential hazards on rural roads, and the importance of 'riding your own ride'.
How did you get into biking and how often do you ride?
I started biking as a kid on a Honda 50 in the United States. Every afternoon, I’d come home from elementary school and ride endless laps around my neighbourhood. Riding a motorbike was an activity I instantly fell in love with, knowing I would enjoy it for the rest of my life. Throughout my teenage years, I had dirt bikes and quads, but there was a brief interlude during university when I didn’t have any bikes. Since 2011, however, I’ve essentially been riding non-stop.
My friends and family were instrumental in getting me into biking. We’d spend weekends at my family’s farm, riding off-road or racing hare and hounds. As I got older, motorbiking became my life and career. It’s how I made lifelong friendships, formed new connections, met my wife, and discovered many rich experiences. I’m a daily rider – commuting to work and going for long rides over 100 days a year, accumulating over 20,000 miles annually between my personal trips and tours for my business, Bikerbnb Adventures.
In 2019, my partner and I moved to Scotland, and we bought a bike the day we arrived. I’ve been fortunate to never be too far from two wheels. For better or worse, biking has defined my career, relationships, and how I spend most of my time.
Tell us a little about Bikerbnb Adventures
Bikerbnb Adventures is a one-stop shop for motorcycle travel and tourism. We run guided tours in Scotland, Spain, and Morocco, and offer a fleet of Royal Enfield motorcycles for hire from our workshop in Edinburgh. As a Co-Founder and Director, I focus on the strategy and operations of the business. We founded Bikerbnb Adventures to improve the way motorcyclists plan, book, and travel around the world.
Planning a motorcycle journey is often difficult, requiring a lot of time, effort, and energy to ensure a successful trip. Some riders enjoy the intricacies of planning a route, booking accommodation, and researching the best experiences along the way, while others prefer expertly curated trips with unique stays, amazing food, and authentic experiences off the bike. We serve both audiences through our self-guided trips and all-inclusive offerings in Scotland and abroad.
Since we first started running commercially-focused tours in 2020, we have grown significantly. We are now looking to expand into new markets such as Ireland, Italy, and Norway in 2025 and beyond.
What do you love about riding in Scotland?
Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world for motorcycling, as long as the weather cooperates. I love riding in Scotland because the scenery is constantly changing. It’s one of those places where you can ride 30 miles and feel like you’re in a totally different country. From the beaches of the west coast to the rolling hills of the Tweed Valley, there’s a ton of variety. Scotland also has a small but mighty vibe. In just five days, you can see nearly everything the country has to offer (except the isles, which are worth saving for another trip). And outside of the popular hotspots like the NC500, there’s not a lot of traffic.
Living in Edinburgh, I spend my weekends and much of the off-season riding the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. I’ve done the ride through the Pentlands, down to Moffat over the Devil’s Beef Tub, and back up through Innerleithen countless times. My tours often take me to more popular destinations in the Highlands, like the Duke’s Pass, Spittal of Glenshee, the Bealach na Ba, Applecross Peninsula, and all the classic routes along the NC500.
It’s hard to pick a favourite route in Scotland. For me, it’s all about being anywhere in the country when the weather is good. You really can’t go wrong wherever you ride. We are truly blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful mountains, glens, lochs, and welcoming people.My best advice is to follow the weather and make sure you have plenty of fuel.
What potential hazards should bikers be aware of when riding on rural roads in Scotland?
Having led over 40 guided tours across the country with riders from all over the world, I have experienced first-hand the challenges and hazards we face on rural roads in Scotland. The weather is the biggest complicating factor. Wet conditions can affect the road surface, impair visibility, and create fatigue, especially when it’s cold and damp. I always remind my riders to ‘ride their own ride’ and not feel pressured to keep up with the group. We use a drop-off system so no-one is ever truly left behind, with a sweep rider always at the back of the pack.
Rural roads are often narrow and characterised by blind corners and bends. Riding at a high speed can make it easy to miss hazards such as sheep or lambs in the spring, farm equipment, dirt and runoff from fields, or impaired road surfaces. Additionally, Scotland is a popular tourist destination, and if you are traveling along the NC500, be mindful of other road users, especially those in caravans. Some of these drivers are driving on the left-hand side of the road for the first time, are unfamiliar with the area, and are not used to driving wide, long, or heavy vehicles. Give them plenty of space and save overtakes for clear sections of the road.
How do you approach safety when you prepare for, and during, a tour with Bikerbnb?
Road safety starts well before our tours commence. We ensure our bikes are well maintained and conduct a comprehensive review before any motorcycle hits the road. It’s essential to check the tyres, brake pads, fluid levels, and chains to ensure everything is operating correctly. Once the machines are in top shape, we focus on the human element. We take riders to parts of Scotland they might never reach on their own, so it’s important to address any anxiety, nerves, or physical considerations thatmight contribute to risk.
At the start of each day, we hold a detailed briefing to explain our route, stops, and any challenging roads along the way. If we notice someone riding less confidently or unsafely, we check in with them one-on-one. Sometimes additional training is needed; other times, a coffee and cake break does the trick.
All our guides are trained first aid responders. Motorcycling can be dangerous and, while we account for as many risks as possible, unforeseen challenges can arise. Being prepared with appropriate first aid, mechanical knowledge, or simply knowing when to take a rest can make all the difference.
How do you overtake safely on rural roads?
During group rides, the number one concern I see is inappropriate overtaking. This issue typically arises with less-experienced riders, those unfamiliar with the area, or those on smaller or slower bikes who feel pressured to keep up with the group. It’s important to remember that no-one will be left behind.
It’s frustrating to sit in the sweep position at the back of the pack and watch a rider attempt an overtake on a blind hill or curve. Group riding situations often lead to riders following the person in front of them without considering the safety of the manoeuvre. There are many conditions to consider, such as warning signs indicating a turn, changes in speed, or variations in the incline or decline of the road.
This is mostly a psychological issue, but I wish motorcyclists would take their time to overtake and assess if it’s truly safe to pass. The lead rider also plays a crucial role by leaving plenty of space for those behind and fostering a culture of maturity rather than macho behaviour during the ride.
As an experienced rider, which riding behaviours would you encourage others to adopt?
I always tell my riders to “ride their own ride,” be intentional about their actions, and reflect on how they are feeling. Riding a motorcycle is an activity we do for pleasure; it’s not necessary, and there are much safer ways to travel. No one is compelling you to hop on a bike and make poor decisions. While motorcycling can be a group activity, it is driven by your individual thoughts, actions, and reactions to external variables.
Safe riders ensure they’ve had plenty ofsleep, are in the right state of mind to ride, have dressed appropriately for the type of riding to ensure comfort and protection, and that their machine is well maintained before even hopping on the bike. Once on the road, we should focus singularly on the task at hand, not on distractions like an upcoming deadline. Remember, we are ultimately vulnerable on the road, and a moment’s inattention can have serious consequences.
The roads in the UK are usually well-marked. Taking the time to read the road and adjust your speed for weather, bends, or slow-moving traffic puts you several steps ahead of most riders. Some days are just not good for riding. If conditions are poor, it’s best not to force it. If you’re dealing with stressful challenges like the loss of a family member, it’s probably not the best time to hop on a motorcycle. There are plenty of options for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies, such as track days at Knockhill or Duns MX, which are much better suited for pushing limits than the A68.