The American Underdog

07/04/2026

Whoa! Whu' happened!? Two seniors, wandering through Africa, on a 25-year-old BMW? I mean, what could go wrong!?

Just a failed crown bearing that locked up their back wheel going 65 mph! But Brad’s years of riding experience paid off, and Susan’s clenched you-know-what kept her steady in the seat until they came to a safe, sandy stop.

What saved them? Staying alert, recognizing warning signs early and deploying defensive riding techniques.

Because adventure riding isn't just about epic roads and breathtaking landscapes, it’s about building resilience through unexpected challenges and bonding with incredible people along the way. As you can see in their FB page update below, this close call not only renewed their deep gratitude for life…but their faith in the kindness of strangers.

Have you ever experienced a breakdown far from home? What did you learn? Share in the comments!

What’s next for this daring duo? Travel "real time" with them through Africa by following their BuggyTeeth FB page for more outlandish fun and foibles as they finish up their 3-month tour. And check out https://www.youtube.com/ for funny and useful riding tips, plus their previous full-length episodes of Europe and India…and (hopefully) their completed Africa episodes this fall!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1atWMCazkf/

05/01/2026

These K9 co-pilot riders are taking it next level. Wow!

04/29/2026

And, they're off through Africa! Riding 2-up on their smartly packed 2002 BMW GSA, fellow BMW MOA club members Brad and Susan of BuggyTeeth are doing what many of us would love to do in our retirement years...ship our bikes to different countries, ride beautiful roads and experience new cultures. But something happened they didn't see coming as they rode through Europe last summer: travel was profoundly changing them. And, bringing them even closer as a couple. Their sweet little "retirement vacations" became bigger than them. So, after a couple glasses of liquid courage, they decided they had to share what they were learning.

And just like that, they added the latest camera gear and took on the complicated learning curve of "content creation." Not for money or sponsors. Or "look at me" fame. Just to inspire riders like you and me to squeeze the most out of travel, cultivate deeper connections and de-mystify the scary stuff behind overseas travel.

I have personally learned so much from their unique skillsets. (Susan: Chaos Control, Svelte Redhead & Master World Traveler...Brad: Chief Instigator, Pro-Rider & Cool Cat with 9 Lives.) I am proud to help share their amazing stories as a moto journalist. Check out their recent YouTube teaser for their Africa trip, now underway, posted below.

Even better, you can travel "real time" with them through Africa by following their BuggyTeeth FB page. You won't believe what they've uncovered in just their first few days after flying into Cape Town to retrieve their faithful stead "Sterling."

Speaking of learning curve....let them know how they did on their 1st Season of European Episodes and funny/useful shorts at https://www.youtube.com/ -- I kinda think they nailed it for digital creator newbs! Move over Ewan and Charlie!!

https://youtu.be/ePV2m3EHAj0?si=5ExXAzdSdZhTJypV

2 likes. "We shipped our motorcycle from Europe to Africa... Season 2 shows exactly how it works! 🔥"

04/27/2026

Have a ball for a good cause! Ever heard of testicle festivals? There are hundreds all around the country, like the one at Pine River Inn in little Yuba, Wisconsin. It has the heart (and balls) to throw a sack-a-licious shindig every August that helps fight cancer – in a very unique way. Click the YouTube link below to find out!

I hope you get a kick out of this look back at one of my first underdog stories with F***y, my first beloved K9 crusader who helped me get the Underdog mission started! (Fun fact: this video was ALL shot on my cell phone! Ha!) I hope to return this summer with Jack to shoot and edit a new higher-quality piece with all new characters – and get the scoop from the Agrace charity beneficiaries, too!

1 like. "Having a Ball"

04/27/2026

Dig this video of my daring K9 crusader learning to master the backroads from the comfort of his K9 Moto Cockpit. (He's hella-cute...don't you think??)

We've been busy sniffing out and loading up some good stories on our YouTube page -- and finding others on their own meaningful missions we'll be sharing soon, too! Stay tuned!

4 likes. "Underdog Trailer: Meet the K9 Crusader!"

06/24/2025

A huge thanks to those who came to our BMW MOA national rally presentations last weekend! I so appreciate your time and suggestions on the Underdog stories in the works on our new www.YouTube.com/
(And a big thanks to Jason Olson, Vince Barkhoff and Bunny Ernst, our wonderful support crew, too!)
Stay tuned for more, soon!

06/24/2025

Happy 101st birthday, Uncle Frank! I finally finished his American Underdog tribute -- from his 100th birthday party last year! Add a fun "victory ride" in Jack's sidecar...and interview about his incredible service in WW2 as a bombardier in the 8th Air Force. (If you have ever seen Masters of the Air...Frank is the real deal behind that Apple TV series.) But that's just part of his incredible story...see the video below!

Captain Frank Mauro survived 21 bombing missions flying B17 long-range high-altitude air attacks on the Germans in WW2. Most never made it past 5. But that's...

06/09/2025

When even your tea bag knows something good is about to happen to The American Underdog project! Stay tuned!

06/30/2024

Sometimes you find the most amazing, unexpected places close to home. Nestled in a beautiful valley between Soldier's Grove and G**s Mills is an orderly and peaceful working organic farm and French restaurant, coffee house and shop built and run by friars and nuns (and a visionary bishop). They are dog friendly at outside tables, and a young nun even blessed my sweet Jack and offered him treats. Highly recommend you visit! (And call ahead if you have a larger group.) Proceeds go to help with food pantries and those in need in the surrounding area.

In addition to our photos below, here is a slideshow that shows the vision and work of the hermitage: https://www.stfrancishermitage.org/our-vision?wix-vod-video-id=79cfa8c449d54330b6c135bbe1a50cc1&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-javj8m39

03/23/2024

This just in from the U.N.N. (Underdog News Network):

Meanwhile, back in the U.S., local cats have set up a CHOP-zone-like protest city after hearing of Brad and Susan's happy travels to New Zealand -- due to the pending "Predator Free 2050" policy there. The eradication initiative would add cats to its "pest extermination" list and invoke mass genocide of millions of their feline friends. While highly contested by NZ's cat lovers, national policy makers claim cats kill millions of birds and have nearly wiped out some endangered species.

Revolt leader of the FLM movement (Feline Lives Matter), Willie Nelson of the Tabbyban, recently tweeted shortly after he was seen biting the head off a tweeting bird, "We're just doin' our thing, man. How about some credit for all the disease-carrying rodents we kill, and the crazy smelly cat ladies we love who no one else wants to?!"

While FLM protestors are not yet a threat to officers or citizens due to their cute and cuddly nature, they have made these demands and compromise offers:

- Socialized medicine: free spay/neuter clinics and trap/fix/release programs
- Forced spay and neuter of the "neo-fascist" Predator Zone policy makers
- Free cat houses to reverse long-time gentrification practices
- Naturalization for feral feline immigrants
- Expungement of past crime records
- Free catnip, belly rub and butt-scratchie clinics in every town
- Donald Trump's hair piece