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By MARK TUTTLE

ARDEN KYSELY, a longtime contributor to Rider and other outdoor publications, passed away in August at the age of 73. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, and a trio of loving Shetland Sheepdogs that are the couple’ s passion. Together the Kyselys explored the world on foot, horseback, and motorcycle, and there wasn’ t a year that passed when they didn’ t venture somewhere new.

Rider readers will remember Arden for his tour stories and motorcycle reviews on dual-sport and adventure bikes, a passion of his since high school, when a 1969 Yamaha AT-1 125 Enduro launched Arden into decades of off-pavement exploration. Camping in the middle of nowhere became his favorite pursuit. A frequent haunt was southern Utah, where he was a whitewater river guide and a National Park Service employee. He and Sharon also enjoyed horseback travel, having seen the backroads of a dozen countries from the saddle. Arden’ s biggest equine thrill was being chased by elephants in Kenya.

In addition to his full-time job as a software engineer, Arden contributed adventure stories, gear reviews, and motorcycle tests to Rider magazine and others for over 30 years. He believed being kind to the earth, wilderness, and wildlife. When he wasn’ t spending time with Sharon and the dogs at home and

abroad, he was happiest riding backroads, most recently on a Yamaha Ténéré 700 and a Honda CRF300LS. He also came close to wearing out two Kawasaki KLR650s and a Suzuki DR-Z400S. Since he lived just up the road from me in the Santa Barbara area, I’ m happy to say that since retiring I was able to enjoy many more rides with Arden in the surrounding mountains and river valleys. With his slender build and CRF300LS dual-sport carrying less weight, I think he especially liked outrunning me on my own CRF300LS when he got the chance.

Arden was smart as a whip and had the heart of a lion and a gentle nature that endeared him to all of his friends and family, and he will be dearly missed. Godspeed on your next adventure, Arden.

Arden spent most of his 47-year riding and writing career behind the handlebars of dual-sport and adventure bikes, ideal vehicles for the backroads and remote camping spots he loved.

8 / NOVEMBER 2026 / RIDERMAGAZINE. COM