Episode 62
Kevin Bulger, iRideArusha
iRideArusha is the entry point for exploring Tanzania by motorcycle. On this episode of the “Driven to Ride” podcast, Kevin Bulger describes to host Mark Long how he and wife Sylvia, a native of the East African country, founded the company. Bulger’s big idea was to share his passion for adventure, motorcycles, and travel with like-minded enthusiasts from around the world.
“I’m not one of those guys that’s been riding since I was five years old,” admits the Chicagoan. In fact, he didn’t even throw a leg over a motorcycle of his own until he was an adult. “I bought that bike and literally rode it to every corner of every neighborhood in the city. It opened my eyes. ‘Wow, how diverse and broad and wonderful Chicago is.’ That got me interested to explore the wider world."
An investigative trip led to an opportunity better even than the Bulgers imagined. Rather than start an entirely new company, they partnered with the owner of iRideNairobi, a tour company in Kenya. “I thought, ‘We can open locations across East Africa,” says Kevin. “That’s sort of our grand vision—multiple outposts where riders can start in one location and end in another.” Grand, indeed.