Spotlight on Mélusine Mallender: a passion for motorcycle travel

Motorcycle travel is often described as freedom. In Mélusine Mallender’s words, it’s also a way to meet people, to learn—fast—and to see countries without the filter of headlines. In this interview, she talks about why the bike became obvious to her, what changes when you ride solo as a woman, and the moments that marked her most: a breakdown near a ger on the Mongolian steppe, and an unexpected burst of music and dancing on an Iranian roadside. A grounded conversation about vulnerability, choices, and the kind of courage that grows one kilometer at a time.

“Motorcycling was obvious.”

What made you want to ride?

Mélusine Mallender: “It was obvious. I didn’t want to do anything else. Both my parents ride, so that helps—especially when you need them to accept that they can’t forbid it. But it’s still a real desire: we’re three kids and I’m the only one who rides, so you can’t blame it all on family.”

Why travel by motorcycle?

Why do you choose motorcycle travel?

Mélusine Mallender: “It’s the combination of two things I love: travel and motorcycling. I love discovering new places, new people, new ways of thinking.

Traveling by bike also puts you in a certain category—someone looking for simplicity and encounters. People like motorcycles, or at least they’re sensitive to them. It creates an easy conversation: ‘Where are you from?’ ‘What bike is this?’ And there’s a vulnerability to it. You’re exposed. That exposure becomes simplicity—and a kind of respect too, because you’ve covered all those kilometers on two wheels.

You don’t have the barrier you have in a car. You breathe everything: engine noise, wind, smells. You feel in contact with the environment. And you can stop when you want, go where you want. It’s practical—and it’s a huge freedom.”

Planet Ride pro tip (how we pace a roadtrip)

On long days, riders tend to overestimate “GPS hours.” In real life—fuel stops, water, roadworks, a meal that turns into a conversation—plan fewer miles than you think. As a rule, keep a buffer so you’re not hunting for a safe place to sleep at dusk, tired and rushed.

Riding solo as a woman: fear, audacity, reality

Leaving alone on a motorcycle as a woman—scary or bold?

Mélusine Mallender: “At the start, your loved ones can be reluctant. A woman traveling alone can worry people. Paradoxically, I feel it used to be easier a few years ago, even though we now have more security and better communication tools. It just requires a different way of traveling than a man’s—not less beautiful.

Personally, I even see advantages. As a woman traveling solo, you can move between different ‘worlds’: the men’s world (because motorcycles are still seen as masculine) and the women’s world. You can go from the living room to the kitchen without friction, and that’s a real chance. It also makes it easier for people to approach you.

But I’m careful about where I sleep. That’s when I feel most vulnerable, so I often look for a place where there are women and children. At first, I didn’t want to bother people or impose my presence, and that was hard.”

Concrete logistics that matter on the road: sleeping is your weak point, so decide earlier in the afternoon where you’ll end the day; keep enough fuel margin to avoid “last station stress”; and don’t rely on constant signal—have offline maps downloaded before remote sections.

“Where is your husband?”: the reactions

Do people get shocked to see a woman riding?

Mélusine Mallender: “Yes, sometimes they’re shocked. A question that comes up often is: ‘Where is your husband?’ ‘When are your friends arriving?’ ‘Are you lost—can’t you find them?’

And when you say, ‘No, I’m alone,’ people can think: ‘Why is she traveling alone?’ Different emotions appear: admiration, or a desire to help.

Because a woman traveling alone is rare, you often have to explain your situation to reassure people. You have to communicate a status that is clearer for them.”

Moments that stay with you

A motorcycle memory that marked you?

Mélusine Mallender: “There are many, but one of the strongest was during a motorcycle trip in Mongolia. The bike was completely wrecked, I couldn’t take it anymore. I was riding standing up—only dirt tracks, off-road. I was exhausted.

I arrived near a ger and stopped to fix my suspension. An old man came over. My bike fell because I’d put the side stand badly—fatigue. It was horrible: everything accumulated and I collapsed crying.

The old man was there with his grandchildren and brought me into his ger. He took care of me like one of his kids. We spoke half Russian, half Mongolian, with our hands—but it was clear. The next day he came with a kind of 125cc clutch and helped me repair my bike. I let him ride it, even though I never lend it. He was so happy. That moment was magic.”

Micro-reality check: on sustained off-road days, fatigue shows up in small mistakes (a badly set side stand, a rushed repair). That’s exactly why you keep daylight margin and avoid forcing a “last push.”

And another memory?

Mélusine Mallender: “Meeting women in Iran also marked me. At first I traveled for myself—to be free, to live my adventure. The second time I left, I realized how incredible the encounters are—motorcycles are a true catalyst.

In Iran, I saw women in a car with the music loud. They signaled for me to stop (they can’t get a motorcycle license there). They started dancing around the bike. A friend arrived and turned the music up even more. People stopped and danced. Dancing is forbidden in public in Iran, there are no nightclubs. I felt a cry of freedom—dancing around me even though it’s forbidden. It was fabulous.

One woman gave me a plastic cockroach. I didn’t understand at first. But the meaning was simple: ‘We’re like cockroaches—people crush us, but we always come back.’ It became a key moment in my desire to talk about countries we don’t really know.”

What would you say to women who want to leave?

If you had to encourage women to travel by motorcycle, what would you say?

Mélusine Mallender: “Go. It’s always hard to start, but life is short and you don’t want regrets. Sometimes you have to be a little selfish. We do a lot of things for others (especially women), and we put pressure on ourselves because the people around us can put obstacles in the way: safety…

Don’t hesitate to live your dreams. The worst thing would be to give up. You have to try. It’s not a big deal to fail. There will be falls, hard moments—but that’s part of the trip. Tell yourself it will be difficult, and then realize it was manageable. There are always excuses: money, time, kids, health. But when you truly want it, you can.”

What’s next?

Your projects?

Mélusine Mallender: “Don’t back out.”

Mélusine Mallender: “I ride to countries that are a bit unknown and ask myself what freedom means there. I want to meet people who drive change and freedom—and also people in everyday life. I’m especially interested in women: what is freedom in places like Rwanda, Iran, Bangladesh… and showing another side of countries that can seem scary.

We often hate what we don’t know. Once you begin to know, you’re more able to understand, listen, and think differently. I wanted to bring a different perspective than the one often shown in the media, which can be simplistic. I also try to push people to go discover these countries themselves. It’s the best way to understand what it’s really like.”

Dream destinations

A destination you haven’t done yet, but you’ve had in mind for a long time?

Mélusine Mallender: “There are many. But the one I’d really like to ride is Bolivia. It looks beautiful, and there’s everything: mountains, jungle… It attracts me for the roads.”

Mélusine Mallender: “I’d also like to return to Mongolia. And right now I’m looking at South/Central America for my next expedition.”

Want to discover Mongolia by motorcycle? Planet Ride takes you deep into the steppe.

Mini-FAQ

Is motorcycle travel a good way to meet locals?

Yes—Mélusine describes the bike as a natural “conversation starter.” You arrive exposed, approachable, and people are curious.

What’s the hardest part of riding solo as a woman?

For Mélusine, it’s the sleeping moment—when vulnerability peaks. Planning your end-of-day stop earlier and keeping daylight margin makes a real difference.

Do you need constant mobile signal on a roadtrip?

No. In remote areas, assume signal gaps. Download offline maps in advance and keep a simple routine: fuel when you can, water before you need it, and a buffer in your daily schedule.

À savoir aujourd’hui

This interview remains a strong, firsthand take on what motorcycle travel changes: exposure, encounters, and the way solo riding shifts your decisions. Before leaving in 2026, re-check what can evolve fast—local licensing rules, border procedures, and what’s acceptable in public space—because those details can change from one year to the next.