Naomi Sesstein
Brand Manager and Tour Guide
I was always the daydreamer kid. In fact, I still have a school report card that says I spent much of my time in the classroom completely in my own world, and I truly was. From as early as I can remember, I had a wanderlust and a deep desire to leave my hometown and explore. When I was 17, I left my family home and travelled for two years. I did the usual backpacker thing—a summer season here and there, a few months in Thailand and Australia—until I ran out of money and returned home again. By this point, I was 19, and this is where my biking career really began. The first time I rode a motorcycle, it was like a religious experience. To this day, it is one of only two things in my life that I have been instantly and completely sure about. I just knew that riding bikes was all I wanted to do from that moment on, and that is exactly what I’ve done.
I spent five years at the BMW Rider Training School in Royston, training under the lead instructor, Ian. Most of these years were spent out on the road, racking up miles on both beginner and advanced training courses. My first bike trip came when I was 21, when I took my 650 GS, affectionately known as Billy, to Europe. I spent three weeks riding through Spain, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Germany, and I had the absolute time of my life. All those childhood years of wanderlust became a reality. I remember returning home from that trip and realising that life would never be the same again—Pandora’s box was well and truly opened.
Fast forward ten years, and I have ridden my 1250 GS, both on-road and off-road, on five continents. I have ridden the west coast of the US from Alaska down to LA at least four times, crossed Europe twice over, ridden my GS to the Arctic Circle on two continents, completed several BDRs with more planned for the coming years, ridden to the end of the world twice in the craziest wind you could ever imagine, ridden on a beach at sunset in Japan, and across deserts, tundras, rainforests, mountains, and so much more!
I have been extremely fortunate to see the world as I have, on two wheels. I have met some truly amazing people—some of my closest friends are those I’ve met through Magellan. Motorcycles have given me so much, and they continue to delight, challenge, and calm me. The fact that I get to share this experience with so many lovely people who feel the same gives my life so much meaning. I’ve worked with Magellan for seven years now; you’ll usually see me alongside Felix, leading the paved tours in the States and the off-road tours in Spain. I also help plan and ride the recces to new destinations. On those rare occasions when I’m not on my bike, I create the end-of-year photo books, which is a job I love! Seeing the memories everyone has made over the years is heartwarming, and I can relate to the experiences they’ve gone through, even if I wasn’t there, because I’ve felt it time and time again.
Check out Naomi's three favourite trips