Motoring takes an exciting U-turn when you hear the stories of a Slovenian named Rozle Verhovc; a licensed motorcycle guide who heads a company named “Clutch”.
Rozle is the type of person who is above the saying – “Life begins at 40.” When he turns 40 next year, he will be among the few truly curious travelers who has experienced – not only visited – more than 120 countries in extraordinary ways, most often on a motorcycle.
The Philippines is one of those countries he’s visited not only once, but five times already. The most recent was in January when he flew in a day before the 1,200-kilometers-in-24-hours BOSS Ironman Challenge.
The visit was both leisure and business for him. The leisure side was a ride he could not resist — to be a finisher in the most challenging endurance ride in the Philippines.
The business part is to invite Filipino riders to travel with Clutch in Europe.
It’s not the first time that Filipino riders will be joining a Clutch-organized motorcycle tour in Europe with Rozle. Last year, 10 riders, some of them members of the media, joined Rozle to go riding in Croatia, Slovenia and Italy.
In that part of the world, Rozle has cornered a niche market.
That all started six years ago – in 2013 – when he opened “Clutch” to offer luxury motorcycle tours in Europe and Asia, the ones with attention to details — seamless transport, awesome views, breathtaking sunsets, charming local traditions, delicious local cuisine, and significant historical landmarks — all while riding tandem with adventure.
This year, he will be leading a big group of Filipino riders to experience Italy and other countries in Europe. In fact, as we talked, he was already arranging for a second group to guide in Europe shortly after the first group completes the tour.
It helped greatly that the people, mostly doctors — who had sat in bus tours which Rozle led years ago — are now the biggest endorsers of his specially-designed motorcycle tours. A few of them will be riding with him soon.
He has also guided a few adventurous Filipino VIPs around Europe many times in the past, all who can vouch for his tours.
Listening to Rozle’s stories is like reading a travel book. It’s also a story on human initiative. Starting as a tour guide in his 20s, he decided to open his own company with a little investment and passion as thick as the concrete highways he’s traveled on his motorcycle.
In between, he’d go back to his roots in the travel industry, offering his services as a tour guide to strengthen his skills in putting together an itinerary designed for a specific traveler’s wishes.
He’s made one for a client who wished to visit 100 countries in one year, starting with a 22-country itinerary which he outlined in between dinner and breakfast! When we talked, he had just completed that series of tours that took his special client to that ambitious goal.
His most popular product is the Black Sea Coast tour which is an adventure in 28 days, covering 8,000 kilometers.
I am sure Rozle will be back in the country soon. There are Filipino adventurers on motorcycles who have set their sights on the roads of Europe!
By Pinky Concha Colmenares