The American Motorcyclist Podcast

The American Motorcyclist Podcast | Episode 2: Arctic Trek, A Forgotten Legend, and the Fight for Bat Nest Road

Some stories stop you mid-scroll. Some make you reach for your keys. And some remind you exactly why the AMA exists in the first place. In this episode of The American Motorcyclist Podcast, we sat down with AMA Editorial Director Mitch Boehm to dig into the April 2026 issue of American Motorcyclist magazine — and it's one for the books. We started with the cover story, “Arctic Trek” — the final chapter in Aaron Stevenson's extraordinary father-son two-up series. This time, Aaron and his son Micah tackled the legendary Dempster Highway, pushing all the way to the Arctic Ocean, through 500 miles of dirt, 40-knot crosswinds, three flat tires, beluga whale blubber, and encounters with indigenous communities, governors, and fellow riders from the Carolinas in the most unlikely corners of the world. It's one of the most human, most unforgettable adventure stories we've ever published. Then we turned to “The Story Behind ‘The Late Ken Pressgrove’” — Mitch's deep dive into the man whose name Bruce Brown spoke in On Any Sunday and then moved on from, leaving generations of riders wondering: who was he?The answer is a story about a natural-born talent from Topeka, Kansas, who was on the verge of greatness before his life was cut short at 24. It's the kind of piece that reminds you why motorcycle history matters — and why the people who lived it deserve to be remembered. We also talked about "The Battle for Bat Nest Road" — a one-mile dirt road in Knox County, Ohio, that became a flashpoint for the AMA's ongoing government relations work. When a private landowner threatened closure of this beloved riding road, Laura McCartney, the AMA and Backcountry Discovery Routes rallied riders from across the country to fight back — and won. This story is a blueprint for how everyday riders can make a real difference when access is on the line. And if you've ever wondered what it actually means to be an AMA member — we talk about that, too. The magazine is just the beginning. Not a member yet? Learn how to get American Motorcyclist magazine delivered to your door: https://americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine/get-the-magazine/ [https://americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine/get-the-magazine/]    🎙️ Host: Joy Burgess, AMA Director of Marketing & Communications 🎙️ Guest: Mitch Boehm, AMA Editorial Director In this episode: * "Arctic Trek" — Aaron and Micah Stevenson's epic father-son journey to the top of the continent on the Dempster Highway * "The Late Ken Pressgrove" — uncovering the story of a rising dirt track star immortalized by a single line in On Any Sunday * "The Battle for Bat Nest Road" — how the AMA and everyday riders fought to keep a beloved Ohio riding road open for public use * How to join the AMA and start receiving American Motorcyclist magazine Subscribe so you never miss an episode of The American Motorcyclist Podcast — where the stories are as good as the ride. 🏍️ Join the AMA: https://americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine/get-the-magazine/ [https://americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine/get-the-magazine/]

The American Motorcyclist Podcast | Episode 1: Stories from the Salt

Some stories don't just get told — they get felt. That's the philosophy behind American Motorcyclist magazine, and it's exactly what we're digging into on the very first episode of The American Motorcyclist Podcast. We sit down with AMA Editorial Director Mitch Boehm to pull back the curtain on the March 2026 issue — one that centers on "The Gift," a cover story that captures something rare and deeply human about the sport we love. We also dove deep into Stories from the Salt — a sweeping look at motorcycle racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats, where speed meets legacy and every competitor carries a story worth telling. But we didn't stop there. Mitch talks about the behind-the-scenes process of creating a magazine that has meant something to riders for decades — the secret sauce that makes the storytelling in American Motorcyclist so different, so resonant, and so worth reading. Whether you've been a member for years or you're just discovering the AMA, this episode is your invitation into the world behind the pages. Not a member yet? Learn how to get American Motorcyclist magazine delivered to your door: https://americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine/get-the-magazine/ [https://americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine/get-the-magazine/]   🎙️ Host: Joy Burgess, AMA Director of Marketing & Communications  🎙️ Guest: Mitch Boehm, AMA Editorial Director In this episode: * The cover story "The Gift" — and why it stopped us in our tracks * "Stories from the Salt"— the racing, the riders, and what Bonneville means to motorcycling * How the magazine gets made — and what makes AMA storytelling different * How to sign up and start receiving American Motorcyclist Subscribe so you never miss an episode of The American Motorcyclist Podcast — where the stories are as good as the ride. 🏍️ Join the AMA: https://americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine/get-the-magazine/ [https://americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine/get-the-magazine/]