Keep Reading—RoadRUNNER's Best Columns
As the year winds down, we’ve been flipping back through the pages of 2025 and revisiting the stories that slipped in between the usual travel features, destination pieces, travel guides, and bike reviews. Every so often, our writers wander off the beaten path—into reflections, curiosities, hot takes, and little slices of moto-life that don’t fit neatly into any category.
If you missed them the first time around, here’s your chance to dive into the columns, opinion pieces, and oddball gems that sparked conversation and added a little extra flavor to the year. These are the stories you read with a cup of coffee, nod along to, or send to a riding buddy because they just get it.
Enjoy.
Christa's Journal
Written by Christa Neuhauser herself—our founder who’s been in the saddle since day one. This column pulls back the curtain on the reflections, memories, and hard-earned lessons that shaped RoadRUNNER. From the early days in a basement office to guiding the magazine into national recognition, her essays offer the kind of firsthand perspective you won’t find anywhere else. It’s more than a column; it’s the ongoing story of RoadRUNNER.
Editor Letters
Every month, you’ll find a personal note from the saddle by either Florian Neuhauser, our Editor‑in‑Chief, or Marisa McInturff, our Managing Editor.
These “Letters from the Editor” dive into everything from what's trending in the motorcycle world to bigger questions about life, adventure, and what it means to be part of this community.
Shop Talk
Penned by accomplished mechanic and engineer Caleb McInturff, “Shop Talk” is our go-to column for all things motorcycle maintenance. Caleb breaks down the mechanics with clear, real-world insight—whether he’s tuning, troubleshooting, or upgrading.
If you’ve ever wanted to know what’s really happening between your legs as you cruise down the road, or how to keep your ride running at its best, this column is worth your time.
Shiftin semantics
In Shiftin’ Semantics, our talented copy editor Ile Kauppila takes a deep dive into the language of motorcycling. From the words we use to describe bikes and gear to the phrases that have become part of riding culture, Ile unpacks why we say what we say—and how the nuances of language shape the way we experience the road.
25th Year of RoadRUNNER
In this special column, we look back on 25 years of RoadRUNNER—its beginnings, its peaks, and everything in between. You’ll hear reflections from different members of our team as they share stories, lessons, and favorite moments from decades of publishing the best motorcycle travel magazine on the road. Whether you’ve been riding with us since the early days or just picked up your first issue, this column brings the past into focus and revs up our excitement for what’s still ahead.
Speed The Wheel
In Speed the Wheel, veteran writer Jeff Buchannan brings a sharp, thoughtful voice to two-wheeled adventures, and not just the kind that follow a map. His essays blend the exhilaration of riding with reflections on time and speed. Whether he’s chasing the horizon or sitting still and listening to the hum of the engine, Jeff’s writing is grounded and poetic.
Tales of Trails
In Tales of Trails, well-known motorcycle journalist and author of The Bad Editor, Peter Jones, invites you along for his journeys on two wheels. His stories weave together life on two wheels, unexpected detours, and the raw moments that turn any ride into a memory. Peter’s voice brings the heart of motorcycling to life.
Fouled Plugs
Fouled Plugs is the no-holds-barred Op-Ed column from Dr. O, where controversial, head-scratching, and sometimes infuriating motorcycle topics get a spotlight.
These writings bring hard-earned opinions and irreverent humor to motorcycling, diving into to the heated debates of riding culture. This column is equal parts education, entertainment, and unapologetic truth-telling for anyone who loves motorcycle discussions.
Helmet Hair
Helmet Hair, drawn and written by Ryan Cook, merges motorcycle travel and comics in a way that’s equal parts dry humor and desert soul. Based in New Mexico, Ryan weaves his experience as a rider and artist into playful, visually rich strips that feel like snapshots from the road—hot afternoons, open landscapes, and the little frustrations (and delights) that come with life on two wheels.