Elijah Curran poses for a photo while riding his motorcycle at his parents’ home in Bend on June 14, 2026. Elijah Curran, a Bend geologist and travel writer, is embarking on a two-year round-the-world road trip by motorcycle, visiting 64 countries on six continents.
Provided by: Ilya Karan
Last month, Elijah Curran left Bend for a two-year road trip around the world. His primary mode of transportation is a Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle, which he has covered tens of thousands of miles across six continents and 64 countries.
Curran quit his job as a geologist to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip that he had been planning for 14 years, ever since he discovered Jack London’s writings one winter break while a student at Oregon State University. Stories of hardship and adventure set on the high seas and frigid tundra inspired Curran’s love of writing, travel, and meeting people far from his hometown of Bend.
Karan’s journey around the world also opens a new professional chapter in his life as a travel writer. The Bend Bulletin publishes bimonthly articles written by Curran under a column he calls “Our Oregonians Abroad.” Karan also joins us to talk about the first destination he wrote about and other places he is looking forward to visiting and share his experiences.
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