WHO WE ARE
Shira Kamil + Brian Rathjen - Publishers
The heart and soul of Backroads, these two have been riding for years. It is not uncommon to find them at various motorcycle events and other related functions. When not scouring the planet looking for the next great touring story, they can be found at Backroads Central, located in the forests of northwestern NJ.
Mark Byers
A chance meeting with Brian and Shira on a Montana tour is how Mark was introduced to the crew. When he's not serving as a motorcycle referee for bicycle races, Mark can be found riding his bike du jour or two-up with his wife Betsy from their home in Southern Maryland.
Dr. Seymour O'Life
Little is truly known about Seymour, yet he constantly pops up at Monkey with a Gun, Backroads’ private watering hole, with some of the most bizarre places to which one can ride their motorcycle.
His Mysterious America column has long been a favorite
Tony Lisanti
The spark was lit in the early 1970’s helping his dad with photography at local Motocross races. Since then, he has raced hare scrambles at the amateur level and still enjoys dirt riding and touring. He met Brian and Shira in 2001 at a Ride for Kids event in Rockland County. He has been a regular at Backroads events ever since and serves as a “utility reporter” contributing articles on racing, product reviews, journeys and events. A native New Yorker and Mets fan, now living in northern NJ.
Pamela Collins
When Pam began motorcycling, she realized not only did her new passion provide exciting personal joys and experiences, but compelling story ideas as well. Pam joined the Backroads writing team over 15 years ago and has become an embedded member of the traveling and writing family ever since. She and husband Tim call both Pennsylvania and Florida home and when not on her motorcycle can usually be found running, hiking, paddling or enjoying some sort of forward motion.
Dan Bisbee
Started riding in the late 1970s with a Honda 50. A decade and a half later he dragged his foot pegs around the Pacific Northwest on a Kawasaki Concours. After relocating back to New England, he picked up a copy of Backroads and said “I think I can do that”, and submitted his first article to Backroads. “I was amazed that they actually printed it.”
Dan has been part of the family since and his writings are always full of history, interesting destinations and a light-hearted style.