The fundraiser for my Rally for Rangers Mongolia 2026 event wraps up at the end of this month, and I’ve raised just over $10,500. Only $440 left to reach the goal, so I’m pinging the forum one more time in hopes that some might be interested in donating.Our world’s natural resources are often challenged from various angles—illegal poaching, mining, deforestation, etc. Mongolia’s economy and population density are one of the lowest, making it susceptible to exploitation, and park rangers travel distances that would take much longer on horseback. Using common, reliable, light all-terrain motorcycles gives them the ability to reach and respond to incidents much more quickly.
I’m really excited—and pretty nervous. This ride, as shared in the podcast episodes linked below, will have challenges…and possibly/probably injuries. I fractured my pinky metacarpal in a high-side in Argentina. Hoping for nothing worse than that on this trip! I’m not a natural off-road rider, and I’ve had to purchase actual offroad gear to handle these challenges—motocross boots, knee guards, armored shirt, better gloves, a lighter off-road jacket and pants for the hot Mongolian summer. I don’t make a lot of money, but I know from being raised by grandparents that great experiences are worth saving up for. The roundtrip flight also cost over $2,000, so let’s just say my small emergency fund has once again stepped up to sacrifice itself for another international ride to remember.
Here’s the map of our stopping points that include historical/ cultural landmarks, ultimately ending at the destination where we ceremoniously hand off the now broken-in (hopefully not broken) motos for their use:
If you’re interested in helping me reach the fundraising goal and/or cover some of my personal expenses, you can donate through their BetterWorld.org page. It’s easy, and allows any U.S. resident to quickly reference for tax purposes should they choose to write off their donation as a charitable donation (Mongol Ecology Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit):
My BetterWorld.org Donation Page:Visit the following link:
http://mongolecologycenter.betterworld.org/campaigns/rally-rangers-mongolia-2026/p/dirk-shearerOr you can share and scan this QR code to donate:
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Some links for anyone interested in hearing / reading / watching more:
Rally for Rangers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rallyforrangersVideo Highlights from Rally for Rangers Mongolia 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2H32D9rzWE&t=2sRally for Rangers on Adventure Rider Radio Podcast:A few episodes of ARR have featured Rally for Rangers spokesmen and participants. After listening to these, you’ll realize these trips aren’t safe guided tours for Western tourists. It’s challenging work with wonderful gains.
Episode 489, November 2, 2023–Mongolia, Lester Appel—a participant who broke his ankle during his Mongolia ride:
https://share.transistor.fm/s/77ac4cc2Episode 569, May 16, 2025–Bhutan, Steve Zuschin—a multiple-RfR participant (and this year’s group leader):
https://adventureriderradio.com/adventure-rider-radio-episodes/2025/5/15/riding-bhutan-with-rally-for-rangersEpisode 283, November 29, 2019–Nepal, Tom Medema—retired park ranger of over 30 years and former RfR group leader:
https://share.transistor.fm/s/4cc628d4Thank you kindly for considering!
Just because, here are some photos from my previous trips through Spain, Turkey, Chile, and Argentina that I may or may not have shared before:
