The 26-year-old Alex Chacón is a popular motorcycle adventure rider of Modern Motorcycle Diaries. He is also a public speaker, professional photographer, videographer and social media producer. He travels adventurously in different parts of the world, around the world, on motorcycles, from Alaska to Argentina, to the highest top of the road, Khardung-La, in India, the highest mountain pass at 18,380 feet. Chacón is documenting capturing every unique experience on photos, video and web episodes to share with the world through his web page Modern Motorcycle Diaries and social media, including his Facebook page, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. “To show the world in a unique and happy way, to draw their attention,” he said. Chacón was born in the US to Mexican parents. He has dual citizenship. “I speak Spanish, English and Portuguese fluently. So, I can interact and communicate very easily.” Three years ago, Chacón graduated from the University of Texas with honours in Biomedical Sciences, Nutrition and Chemistry. He was to begin his doctoral studies but put it on hold, instead deciding to fulfill his lifelong dream of travelling around the world on a motorbike. He is committed to documenting his adventures while raising awareness and funds for charitable causes. Chacón has completed numerous trips in the past, all to raise money for charity. “I sold everything I had at the beginning of my journey, including my car, TV and clothes to start travelling. I don't have official sponsors. I had a lot of people who helped me, giving me free jackets and helmets or giving food because they liked that I am documenting everything.” “It's a dream inside you since childhood. When I was two years old my mom and dad would put me in the car and drive me around the neighbourhood which would put me to sleep. Basically I was curious about the world. I always wondered what it looks like.” Chacón's most famous expedition took him around the world solo in 600 days. He spent three years riding his bike, driving more than 200,000 km, through 40 countries, crossing more than 75 borders and four continents. During his travels, Chacón documented his adventure with the aid of a GoPro camera on the end of a pole, for taking what he describes as the most “epic” selfies. He produced a stunning selfie film called “Around the World in 360 Degrees”. The film took five months to edit. It gives an amazing summary of some of the most epic sights, places and people on planet Earth in a new and creative way never captured before. It became a viral sensation on the Internet and social media with over 1.7 million views in just the past few months and is still growing. Chacón is participating in Cross Egypt Challenge 2014. He told Al-Ahram Weekly, “Egypt has a very unique valley and it's a challenge. I think many people have wrong perceptions about Egypt at this time. I am here to show the world what Egypt really is. It's a great place to travel, with a great community. I hopefully want to transmit this thought through the magic of video. “Not many countries in the world have that much beautiful scenery, deserts and so much participation and support from Egyptians in the valley. Africa has races and different stuff but I feel this Cross Challenge is more about the people, communities and areas rather than how much faster to get there or bikes to use.” Chacón will produce a second part from his film Around the World in 360 Degrees. “It will include live shots about Egypt. I will concentrate on the local people other than places. Egyptians are humourous. I'd like to have something as comic as well as the people.” The equipment he took during his adventure on his motorbike? “GoPro camera with a long stick, most importantly, first-aid kit, laptop and more cameras,” he said. “Most shots I took by myself. More recently, people have been taking shots for me because people liked what I am doing and are trying to help me.” Chacón has no favourite motorcycles. “I drive any motorcycle I find interesting or not dangerous to the country. I think the idea is that the rider makes the motorcycle, not the opposite. It doesn't matter what you drive as long as you go out and have adventure.” “I eat what the local people eat. I am in love with the Egyptian people. I use the same fuel and eat the same food.” In his last trip before coming to Egypt, he flew to Morocco and took his motorcycle around the entire country. “The worst experience throughout my journey was the paperwork and political situation in the country. I ran out of food and got lost for a few days and I had bad health as well during the trip.” His future plan will be spending all his time creating the video. His backpack is adorned with 27 flags, representing each country he has visited. “I have been to more than 40 countries but I can't put any more flags. Basically, I took this bag with me every place I went. It's a unique tradition.” For more details visit Alex Chacón's website: http://www.modernmotodiaries.com
