EXODUS Frontman Prepares For Third Cross-Country Motorcycle Trip

Rob Dukes, lead singer for Bay Area thrash progenitors EXODUS and a motorcycle enthusiast, will soon embark on his third cross-country trip by bike. He's scheduled to depart from New York City on Sunday, August 30. A question-and-answer session with Dukes regarding the experience follows below.

Q: This will be your third trip. You said you were really inspired by Neil Peart's book, "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road". Were you in mourning during your first two trips or were you just looking for a fresh start on life… or both?

Dukes: "Neil Peart's book was inspiring to me. It was a very sad read, but a great book. He was going through a lot when he started on his quest; I was just looking to change my life. I was living in New York and wanted to surf and live at the beach in California. I was going to finish my master scuba diving license and teach scuba diving, but I ended up singing for EXODUS. Life is weird. Two years ago, my friend Lenny and I rode to the four corners of the United States. We went 14,652 miles in six weeks and two days. This trip will be about 4,500 miles."

Q: For those who'd never consider doing something like this, is riding a bike cross-country really a healing experience? What are the best aspects of it for you?

Dukes: "It's definitely a soul-searching experience. I like to be alone a lot, so all that time in your helmet with just your thoughts and the sound of your engine and the wind… you get to really feel the world — the smells, the sights, the weather, and the people you meet along the way. It really is an awesome experience. I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to take on the challenge. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best roads in the U.S. It has Deal's Gap [Motorcycle Resort, one mile south of the Tennessee/North Carolina state line] near it, which is nicknamed 'The Dragon' — 318 turns in 11 miles. For race guys, it's dream road. Utah and Arizona are really great - killer views and great roads and the Rockies of course. My new bike, a 2004 Honda RC51, is fuel injected so the altitude won't be a problem. All my previous bikes were carbureted and ran like shit through the higher elevations."

Q: You mentioned you really need to be in good shape to sit for long periods of time. How are you preparing for this trip of yours?

Dukes: "400 to 500 miles a day is brutal on the body. I have been running and doing a lot of kung fu core exercises and some weights, but mostly just sit-ups and running, trying to get back in shape. When I quit smoking cigarettes, I blew up and put on 70 pounds. It's been hard to lose it. I was such a fat fuck (still am). I was eating fucking horribly, especially on tour. Nothing but pizza and fast food but after the last tour, I really have changed my eating habits and started training again. It will take time, but I will get there."

Q: With all the tattoo appointments and hairpin turns that await you, where can fans keep track of you on your journey?

Dukes: "I will checking in every few days on the EXODUS message board and my Facebook page."