The Simple Philosophy of Spreading Good Along the Way

Who are we? Have you ever asked yourself this question? It may seem trivial, but it’s not easily answered. Our story is one of passion, adventure, dark moments, and willpower. And, of course, a motorcycle trip.

It started back in 2015 shortly after Luca and I met. At the time, I worked in tourism and Luca in fire prevention. We enjoyed our lives, and while I was constantly looking for my place in the world, he focused on career and physical training. Then, suddenly, everything changed in ways we could never have expected.

Giulia: Year Zero

It was a warm sunny day in August 2016. That evening I received an SMS from a friend asking if Luca was with me. I thought he’d be home by then, and it took just a few phone calls to figure out where he actually was: he’d been hit by a car and was in the hospital.

The doctors had little hope, Luca had a great many fractures, and a concussion. When he awoke after five days of intensive care, he demanded to be released so he could go on vacation (yes, that was his first thought).

Until recently, he’d been fascinated by sport bikes, super-fast and powerful. But motorcycle adventuring had tempted him, and he’d gone from a Honda CBR1000 to a more comfortable Aprilia Tuono and was planning for a significant trip. It was a dream that now had to wait.

It took him a while to comprehend the seriousness of his condition. His left foot and leg were destroyed, the left elbow was seriously compromised, and his nose and right eye had also been severely damaged. He was alive, but the road to recovery would be long and hard. Would he still be the energetic and full-of-life guy I knew?

Two weeks after the accident it was clear that the recovery would be slow... but dealing with it together was a blessing.

Luca: New Life or Despair?

There is something few can rationalize when it comes to severe accidents. While stuck in a bed, you realize there are just two options: either spend your days complaining about your situation and asking self-defeating questions such as, “Why me?” Or, recognize it as a gift of time and take advantage of it. Many of those around me focused on the fact that I was still alive and had “had a good run.” But, at first, I didn’t feel so lucky.

One thought struck me when I woke up in intensive care. I realized I had no regrets, had left no stone unturned, and there was no wish in the drawer that I hadn’t at least tried to scratch. But from there to “feeling lucky” while trapped in a hospital bed with dozens of broken bones was a long process.

The brain indeed tends to forget it has experienced such pain. But it was an excruciating period, and only strong painkillers and a good dose of self-control kept me from going crazy. The left foot was crushed, and I was hardly surprised when they told me the leg below the knee should be amputated. I’m practical, but even I was amazed at my lucidity upon hearing that news. Before that, however, I had to endure 40 surgeries for the many other fractures. A year later, I still had the leg, I’d started walking again, and it had improved slightly. But after three more years, in 2019, the doctors determined the leg had to come off.

Believe in yourself despite your limitations, and you may find yourself on top of a dune in the middle of nowhere, without a leg, but with a lot of pride!

During that period, many things happened. Giulia was at my side with her disarming spontaneity, and her trust in me was an incentive for recovery. Instead of separating us, it brought us closer, and on a warm September day in 2018, we married.

In the meantime, my passion for motorcycles continued and provided further motivation. The adventurous part within me was regenerating, although the thrill of speed was no longer relevant. Even though I’d always been fascinated by motorcycle adventures, I didn’t yet understand the profound meaning they could give my life. So now it was time to get back on my feet (kind of) and try touring and off-road.

Between rehabilitation and medical check-ups, I fed on stories of travel and adventure. I bought an old BMW F650 GS and spent roughly a year sitting in a wheelchair with the aim of repairing it. As soon as I was strong enough for a short trip, I left for a tour of Corsica. It went well, and I felt free and full of life again. That’s why, in July 2018, I embarked on a much more challenging journey: from Verona (where I live) to North Cape. Ten thousand kilometers of nature and long roads, with a tent and the bike, lost in my thoughts between fjords and endless woods.

After regaining riding confidence, I was delighted that Giulia was enthusiastic about joining me for a long ride. So, six months after the amputation, we left for Tunisia, putting our wheels in Africa for the first time.

Thanks to those experiences, I realized that I was born on the “right side of the world,” which upset my priorities. I still didn’t know where those thoughts would lead but was sure I’d soon find out.

Having a laugh at a difficult time is often the best way to experience adventures.

Giulia: The Birth of KarmaOnTheRoad

Traveling is wonderful. I’d already had experiences around the world alone, but doing it with someone you love is something else. Luca and I felt the need to transform our shared passion into something more substantial... maybe just traveling around wasn’t the final goal after all. His way of dealing with the accident was an inspiration to everyone around us, and it became clear how much the motorbike helped in the healing process. We wanted to spread the message that two wheels can be an incredible symbol of solidarity, willpower, and hope. But how?

We scoured the web for rehabilitation centers to visit. And that’s how we discovered Legs4Africa (Legs4Africa.org). This fantastic association collects used prostheses in developed countries and sends them to various rehabilitation centers in Africa, where they’re donated to those in need. It all started from there. So, we got in touch, explaining our idea for a fundraiser, and started planning our motorcycle adventure, entirely self-financed, with the destination of Dakar. Why there? Because it’s an iconic motorcycling site and Legs4Africa collaborated with a rehabilitation center there: the “CNAO” in Dakar.

During the summer of 2020, we chose a name for our project, “KarmaOnTheRoad”, opened a Facebook page and YouTube channel, and got sponsors on board. Of course, no one believed we could leave during the pandemic. Still, we did our homework and, after preparing all the necessary documentation, bought ferry tickets that would allow us and our 2018 Africa Twin DCT to land in Tangier, Morocco, where our adventure would begin.

Knowing we were leaving home for at least two months was an incredible feeling. On October 17, 2020, we were on our way to Genoa, to board the ferry the following day. To our surprise, we were the only Italians on board... and the only motorcycle!

Fifty-two hours later, we landed in Morocco. But with the Mauritanian border still closed, we decided to slowly visit the country, traveling far and wide, discovering so much we hadn’t expected. It seemed everyone was welcoming and happy to chat, especially as Morocco had been in lockdown since March. Eventually, we left Tangier to ride south.

After visiting Chefchaouen and Moulay Idriss, the Atlas Mountain Range revealed itself in all its majesty. Snow-capped peaks and warm colors, sharp rocks, and harsh earth, quiet roads, and emotions at every turn. Although we were often above 2,000 meters, the sun warmed our bodies and souls, and only in the evening was it necessary to cover up. Finally, riding through an amazing mule track, we reached the gorges of Dadès, an unmissable destination for any motorcyclist who loves mountain passes.

The majesty of the rugged Moroccan rock intimidates and excites at the same time.

We usually moved every two days, choosing a different guesthouse or B&B at each destination, but in Dadès, we decided to stay a little longer. It was an excellent opportunity to get to know our host. Although his rooms had been empty for months, we were struck by the calmness. He was serene and trusted confidently in a better future.

After many days in the mountains, it was time to head into the desert. Merzouga was hardly the small and spartan village we expected, but it has retained some of its cultural uniqueness despite being touristy. And it was a blast deflating the tires a little to ride the sand, where the Africa Twin allowed us to play just enough to feel like real adventurers.

Days passed between cities to explore, videos to edit, and social pages to update. The fundraiser for Legs4Africa was going well, and we wanted to keep our goal alive—helping others to walk again.

By November’s end, we entered the western Sahara where the fuel was cheaper, the police a little more curious about our destination, the land flat, and vegetation increasingly scarce. We’d finally managed to obtain special authorization from the consulates of Senegal and Mauritania to continue despite the COVID situation and presented ourselves in Guerguerat, the southernmost border of Morocco.

Sometimes in the western Sahara petrol stations were in short supply or empty. We had to be prepared!

The road was nothing but a long, straight, and a terribly windy ride for the entire final stretch. But when we arrived, the police were skeptical and told us, “You cannot leave the Kingdom of Morocco; land borders are all closed.” In a miserable place full of flies just next to the border, we called consulates, police departments, embassies… anyone we hoped could help, but no luck. After a day of trying, we gave up and returned to Dakhla, 400 kilometers north.

Luca: Success Despite Everything

Just one thought made us smile again: we indeed did everything possible to try to reach Senegal. With this perspective, and a great deal of support from our followers, our spirits lifted, and we ended the journey peacefully. By December 24, we were back in Verona after 9,000 kilometers and nine intensely emotional weeks. Our Legs4Africa fundraiser managed to send 206 prostheses to various African rehabilitation centers. We hoped to collect testimonies from some of those who received them, and maybe one day to be able to meet them personally. But KarmaOnTheRoad doesn’t stop here, Giulia and I are forging ahead and can’t wait to embark on our next adventure.

I once read a maxim that struck me: “Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it.” I feel like the living proof of this, and will do my best to pass it on, continuing to sow good along the way.

The vastness of the desert changes your perspective. You feel small. And, you can actually hear the silence.

Luca Facon has always been a sporty, ambitious, and determined guy. But an accident in 2016 changed his life; losing his left leg led him to rework his life’s priorities completely. Giulia Trabucco, an independent woman, and a lover of travel, remained by his side throughout the experience. They’ve since collaborated and created a non-profit association, Karma on the Road, where they inspire others and help amputees to have better lives. See “KarmaOnTheRoad” on Facebook and YouTube | Legs4Africa.org