'2 Ride The World'...the whole story [Archive]

View Full Version : '2 Ride The World'...the whole story

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 11:03 AM

Hi all,

..well with a little time on my hands, as Lisa's been ill so can't travel, I thought I start a thread and try and write up a 'litle ride report'.:brow

We were introduced to this forum only recently when we joined the MOA.

A little background. After a very bad year we knew our lives weren't going where we wanted. The idea had hit home...'what you do defines you! Not what you own'. Yeah, I know a little hippy but we'd had a lot to think about.

Lisa's dad had had a quad' heart bypass, my mum was diagnosed with Cancer and I'd spent the last 2-years learning to walk again after a car driver tried to remove my right foot and lower leg. 18-months with no walking gives a man pause for thought. You start to think about what your life is and where it might go, much like you did when you were 15-16 and your head wasn't full of the clutter and chaos of adult-hood, bills, debts, the right HD TV and the politics at work.

From the sactuary of our warm bed and duve, one Sunday morning we hatched our cunning plan and goals. We'd ride around the world, ride to all 7 continents, ride to the most Northely and Southerly points on each continent (excluding Antartica) and try and visit the highest and lowest points (altitude) on each continent. It all sounded so easy as we pushed our heads back into the pillows:D

Anywho...It had been a long time coming. For years we’d laughed off our throwaway comments of chucking everything in and riding off into the wild blue yonder to explore exotic lands. But how could we do that? How could I just walk away from a telecom company I’d built from scratch? How could Lisa throw away the great sacrifices she had made to earn a computing degree as a mature student and say goodbye to her new career as an IT analyst?

We were just starting to earn good cash, but were plagued by the nagging sense that there was more to life. Every so often, after a bad day at work, we would open a bottle of wine (or 3)and explore this travel fantasy. We’d allow ourselves to consider the idea. Hell, why not? We’re capable, self reliant, determined. Surely we could… Then the real world would flood in: what about work, the mortgage, pensions, career paths, insurance, blah, blah, bloody blah. More important, how could we afford it?

Over the years, the topic raised its head with noteworthy frequency. Finally it became clear that this was more than just an idea. We gave ourselves a month, 30 days, to seriously think about it before making a final decision. D-day arrived on a cold, wet Monday morning, midsummer in the UK. After a few deep breaths, we agreed. We’d sell everything and make our dream a reality. There is a side note to that. Lisa cheats..yep. We'd aggreed to both give our yes/no answers at the same time to make sure one wasn't infulencing the other. "OK, so after 3, ready"? "one, two, three...YES"!!! I yell, grinning, hands in ther air like I'm doing the mexican wave. Lisa's silent, not a murmur, her expressionless face quashing my schoolboy excitement. Oh ****??? It took her all of 30 seconds (which is a bloody long time) to finally crack a monster grin, say 'yes' and start making fun of me. Yeah, yeah, apparently my face was priceless.

...and so after selling everything, and yes we mean everything, we named my R1100GS Tinkerbelle (it's a Julia Roberts thing) and Lisa's F650 GS..Tarzan (it's apparently a good looking, naked, muscled man thing) addorned them with lots of adventurest style goodies and set off in early 2003, a full year before Ewan & Charley left for their first ride...'long way round'.

Well, here we are 5-years later (currently in Mexico), still on the road and on the same journey...broke, slightly mad and grinning like we've been dipped in chocolate and thrown to the lesbians, just itching to get back into the USA and head North up to Alaska.

Let the photos begin...
http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/us_new_bikes2.jpg

I'd been riding my 1100 since new in 99' and we'd bought a F650GS for Lisa for the trip in 2002 ready to modify. They look so new and clean.

The 1100GS pre-mods
http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/simon_gs_pre_mods_1.jpg

With some research done,we started modifying the bikes. Lisa's stock 650 begins its transformation with the Touratech big tanks newly installed.
http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/650_sin_paint_1.jpg

The bike work was fun but was only part of the process. it took us two years to organise and pack up our lives before the off. Belongings had to be sold and what didn't go had to stored or given to charity. Not fun:

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/packup_house_montage_1.jpg

Niether of us had ever ridden off-road and so we booked ourselves up for the BMW off-raod training school in 2002, where our love affair with dirt began.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/wales_training_2.jpg

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/wales_training_3.jpg

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/wales_training_1.jpg

The big day had come and at last we were off, waiving good-bye to family and friends, for what we thought was going to be two years. Wales, Ireland and Scotland came and went and soon we were heading for Norway, land of the Vikings. Nordkapp was our first big goal. You can't ride further North in the World! Nordkapp is only 1,100 miles from the North Pole. We were in for a cold time.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/ireland_1.jpg

...more to come
Cheers
Simon T

Visian

05-02-2008, 11:34 AM

:lurk

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 11:34 AM

Ridng the West coast of Norway North was cold, wet, and incredible. Small ferry crossings punctuated the day as we crossed the fjords. it was like riding through a giant set form Lord of The Rings.

Looking North to the Arctic circle.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/norway_dat1.jpg

We'd made to the Circle on Lisa's 41st birthday.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/arctic_circle_1.jpg

The long road to Hammerfest (the most northelry town in the world) & Nordkapp saw off the bikes and hudling around Tinkerbells cylinders every 30 minutes to stay warm.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/enroute_knordcap.jpg

We fijnally made it to Nordkapp on mid-summer eve. The view alone over the Arctic Ocan was worth it in itself.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/nordkapp_2.jpg

these were taken around 1:00am

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/nordkapp_1.jpg

Our aim from here was to ride east towards teh Russian border, where we'd sort out the various documents for entry with the bikes. We'd collected our hard faught for Russian Visa's in Ireland a few weeks earlier.

In the summer that far North the day never ends and in a tent with no curtains to close our sleep paterns were screwed. taking mid-night rides to past teh time became the norm'

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/norway_night.jpg

We headed for Murmansk, the home of the Russian Naval fleet, via the most North Westrly border in Russia. Our learning curve was about to get steeper as the roads became dust and dirt.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/to_murmansk.jpg

Russia was, and is a law unto itself and unlike anywhere else we'd been. Communication was the first challenge. We'd watched 'The Hunt For Red October' 23 times in preperation but to no avail:D Even the written word was a mission to get our heads around, niethr of could read Cyrillic.

><IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/mig.jpg">
So, we're on a logging route.  No towns, city or air museums for that matter...just a mig stuck in the ground.  Bizzare!  Below is a perspective shot.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/mig_bike.jpg">
Out of Russia we rode through the Baltic countries, Easterna and mainland Europe.  We were desperate to get to Africa.  The ride over the mountains into Spain was breathtaking.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/spain_mountains.jpg">
I'll post some photos of Africa soon.
Cheers
Simon T

Voni

05-02-2008, 11:53 AM

Welcome! It's grand to have you here.

Voni
sMiling:groovy

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 12:05 PM

Hi Statdawg,

Thank you for the kind words. The WaterAid project has had more impact than we could have imagined. We ran out of water in Mali, had a tough time and then things became serious. Now I do believe in serendipidy...fate. When we finally found a village with a well, enscribed by finger into the then drying mud mortar around the top was this..."this well was installed by wateraid in 1992". :bow :clap

For sure what goes around comes around. The other charities are closer to home as they directly helped our own families prior to our departure.

My neck accident and surgery was over 2-years ago now and although I have a few probs' in the extreme cold, in general it's not too bad. Lisa's been having some issues over the last 9-months but thankfully she seems to be on the mend as well. Right now we're preparing for some slideshow presentations starting with Santa Rosa BMW on the May 9th.
.................................................. ...................

The ramblings continue...:D

Here's something we've learned...we'd rather breakdown in Africa or South America than Europe any day.

9 times out of 10 you'll find someone, somewhere who'll help fix broken bits.  In Africa in particular there's a different mind set.  Things just have to work and if they dont you fix them untill they do.  The ingenuity is remarkable.  As opposed to "no sir, we dont have that part in stock but if you like to leave a huge deposit or pay in full we see if we can be bothered to order it and we'll all hope it arrives at some point in the future".
Here's a few images from Morocco and the Northern Sahara, we spent weeks here practising sand riding before the desert crossing.  Also broke my drive shaft and needed to wait another 5 weeks for the new one.  What an incredible place.  If you get teh chance go, it's all closer than you'd think.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/merzuga_fort1.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/landsacpe_1.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/big_dunes.jpg">
Cheers
Simon T

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 12:16 PM

These were from our first day in the Sahara.  It took us 4-days to run the shortest route down the West coast.  We learnt very quickly how valuable our practise in Morocco had been.

<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/sahara_1.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/sahara_2.jpg">
We thougth we'd done so well on the first day, after another 3 we were exhausted.

...with the exhausting riding of the Sahara proper behind us, we'd reached Mautitanias capitol Nouakchott, on New Years eve 2003/2004.  I remember a stange mix of exhuastion and exctement taking over as we lay outside the tent that first night. We did our best to keep tired, red soar eyes open, before conceding defeat and sleeping on the beach on the outskirts of the city.

We'd wanted to head South East.  We waited at Lac Rose on the outskirts of Dakar in Senegal for the final leg of the 2004 Dakar Rally to see friends finish and then pushed on.  
Our learning curve was about to get steep...again.  En route to Mali's capital, Bamako we chosen an 'off the beaten track' route, run out of water, halucinated and faced our first tough water crossing.  If the bikes didn't make it there was no 'recovery option', the trip was over and 3-years of planning was sunk...literally.  We'd imagned once or twice how we'd deal with this kind of obstacle.  We'd wanted to be relaxed, cool, even blase.  That didn't happen and I was more like the little scared boy who didn't want to go to 'big school' on the very first day!:jawdrop :
I wish we'd taken more photos or video but at the time we were dealing with managing our panic attacks.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/mali_river1.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/mali_river2.jpg">
Bloody hell those photos bring back some vivid emotions!
Cheers
Simon T

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 12:24 PM

In some countries much of the infrastructure is so weak that gravel, dirt, sand and mud trails literally are the only routes joining locations/villages/towns. 

That said Lisa and I love to get to unusual places and really thrill at getting well off the beaten track.  That often means takeing routes that are unknown or simply known to be tough and so western tourist/travellers don't go.
The reward for 4-days of gruelling travel in Mali was arriving at a small hut village, not on any map, finding the chief to ask for his permission and protection to stay the night and realizing via communication with the villagers that they'd never seen a white person!!!  We've all seen National Geographic and the discovery channel and been taken to the most remote corners of the world, I didn't realize that there were still places, so remote that a white person was unknown, an oddity.  Something to be stared at, poked at, giggled at and studied.  
...travel truly is a privelidge!
Without 'back-up' teams and researchers etc, there are times when you find natureal abstacles but you can always find away, up, over or around:D It's part of the challenge and the reward.
Beofore the Amazon leg our worst day of riding was 13-hours for a gain of 20 miles.
Here's a few photos from the easier stuff in Mali, again it's 'off-raod';)
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/mali_rock_track_2.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/mali_washout_climb.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/senegal_group_lisa.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/gambia_dust_road.jpg">
Funny...I just remembered,  a fraction of a second after Lisa took that photos of me riding up the incline out of the river bed, I had my first accident.  the pannier hit the mud bank (seen just beneath the left pannier) and spat the bike over.  I dislocated my shoulder and broke two ribs.  you think about daft things when you're hurt.  I remeber that all I could think about wondering what to do about my shoulder, was Mel Gibson in the 'Lethal Weapon' films.  trust me it hurt more than it does in the films:brow 
I'll post some photos soon.
Cheers
Simon T

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 12:26 PM

After long tiring dusty days, these kind of Sunsets seem to make it all worth while!:D
Here's a couple of 'Bush Camping Photos'.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/africa_camp_sunset_1.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/africa_camp_sunset_3.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/africa_camp_sunset_2.jpg">
Cheers
Simon T

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 12:30 PM

By the 11th March we'd ridden, skidded, slipped, crashed and survived North West Africa...just!
A delay in Spain has cost us dear and we were a month later than planned, making a crossing East to West, Sudan via Chad a risky proposition.  What wasn't helping was a renewal of fighting at the border, so much so that the respective countries had closed it.  shi.t!
We had no choice now other than to attempt the West coast.  At the Nigerian border we were stopped in our tracks. Panicked people were now fleeing East.  The run up to the general Elections had the country in more turmoil than usual.  300+ people being killed at the border was more than enough to turn us around.  Amazingly we've seen no news commnetary on this anywhere!
After a few days of researching it was now becoming clear that our only option was to book a ship and sail down to Cape Town or Jo' burg.  We hated the idea. The whole point was we wanted to Ride there.
Miracles do happen..and often in bars when your drunk stupid and the ugly girls and looking pretty!:buds 
We'd met Barry a South African, who was in a worse state than we were.  A deal was struck!  he owned a small 'non-cargo bearing' plane and he'd fly us past Nigeria.  We'd pay for the fuel.  We'd land in Soa Tome off the East Coast of Africa 'cause there's cheap jet fuel, fill up and the job would be a good'n!
We eventually landed on the Namibian border, before making our way South again to Cape Town.
The plane was cramped, just check out the photos.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/ghana_plane_1.jpg">
An excert from our diary:
The first job of the day was removing all the aircraft seats, the lot had to be stripped. With the seats out, anything else that could be removed, was; small tables, even partitioned walls all had to come out. We’d measured the height and width of the plane but being inside again doubts began to set in. 
It’s going to be tight. By midmorning the plane was stripped bare…It was now make or break time as we rolled the R1100GS up to the bottom of the makeshift wooden ramp we’d built, which was now propped up against the door to the plane. After a couple of almighty efforts to shove the red lump up the steep ramp it was obvious we were going to need more hands. The airfield fire crew were only too keen to lend a hand. So with Barry and Toll inside the plane and Stefan, Dieter, myself and the entire fire crew outside, we physically manhandled the GS up and into the plane. 
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/ghana_plane_2.jpg">
It was a tight fit:clap 
Cheers
Simon T

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 12:31 PM

By the time we'd reached Cape Town we were paying the price.  We'd both lost just under 2-stone (25 pounds) of body weight.  Now we could think about looking after the bikes making the repairs we needed and prepare for the next leg...South Africa to Uganda (South to North) and back!

...there was of course the opportunity to 'just ride and explore'.  No bags, no panniers and no weight. South Africa, what an amazing country.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/cape_town.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/abbg_ride_de_hell.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/abbg_ride_de_hell2.jpg">
I'll try and find some of the 'bike repair' photos.
Cheers
Simon T

lamble

05-02-2008, 12:53 PM

You two either owe me for tea bags at South Sound, or I'll accept a small article on www.unchainedworld.com for one or more of your fav unchaineds.

3 cups is still on for October, but gets sillier by the week.

I hope you are both keeping well and that on the next lap of the globe, you'll drop in, where-ever we may find ourselves.

Can't see Seattle/USA beyond 2010.

SIBUD

05-02-2008, 12:57 PM

Wow. I'll say it again louder WOW.
Thank you so much for taking the time to post your ride report here. As an armchair rider (due to recovery from shoulder surgery) I was delighted to see your report and pictures.

Wishing a speedy recovery and the continuation of your journey. :D :clap

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 01:29 PM

'ello lamble

hey congratulations, I've just clicked onto 'Unchained' and it's looks great. A lot of work that most wont appreciate.

So, quick, whilst I've a little time (now only a few days) how do I log onto your site and what kind of article do you want, or for that matter what country???

Give us some parematers...(sure that's spelt wrong but I'm on my third Mojito)

SIBUD...Hi,

what happened to the shoulder? Shark attack? Climbing accident? Trapese incident?:D

Cheers
Simon T

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 04:37 PM

With the help of our good friend Alf we set about overhauling the bikes at his dads garage (at his home).  The engines had faired well but both the bikes needed some TLC and the subframe of the 1100 needed some reinforceing.
...and so the surgery began.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/1100gs_overhaul_1.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/f650gs_overhaul_1.jpg">
 
Lisa's 650 looks more like R3d2 from Sar Wars than a bike.

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 04:56 PM

We'd spent our time in South Africa well.  We'd made friends that we knew would stay friends for life, got the bikes back into shape and had even managed to put on the pounds of weight we'd lost comming down the East coast.

With bags once again packed and the bikes loaded up we headed North East and up the 'Garden Route' towards Jo'burg and made a bee line for Botswana.  
...every now and again you see somthing very ordinary, that demands a second, third and maybe even a fourth look.  This is especially true of adverts in foreign countries.  This was an advert for a breakfast which , was placed on every table in the cafe...
 <IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/get_revenge.jpg">
:w00t:;):P:D:w00t:;):P:D;):D:w00t:;):P:w00t:;):P:P
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now bearing in mind that us Brit's are easily impresed by wildlife...the Americans have the 'Bold Eagle', the Auzzie's have the kangaroo, the welsh have their dragon, even the Peruvians have a bloody lama.  What do we have?  sheep and a few million wet pigeons!!!:D
Now as motorcyclist we are not allowed into national parks in Africa, with the exception of Uganda and they couldn't really care if you get eaten by the wildlife or not.
So, all the animals we photographed are wild.  Some shot around our camp, other whilst we walked. At the time we were using a regular 'point and shoot camera', no flashy lenses, so we're as close tothe animals as you think we are.
I don't have the elequance to articulate the emotions of being this close to such amazing wildlife...incredible!  
tell me what you think...please!
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/elephant_1.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/giraffe_kiss.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/lion_cub_drinking.jpg">

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 05:09 PM

We were now riding through what looked like the set from 'thorn Birds'.  A barren, vast dry savannah that made up so much of tanzania.  We wer using the Great North Road and riding North East for the coastal city of Dar Es Salem, where we pit stop and visit Zanzibar, the Spice Island.
We were lucky enough to make good friends and spent some time amongst the Massai.  We'd watch the TV countless times over the years when programmes would come on concerning Africa and been enthralled as the Massai were filmed.  Proud, suspicious and amazing to look at.  These guys were the real deal the last of the true warrior tribes. Being around them, knowing first names, drinking, eating and laughing with them was just sureal.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/massai_women.jpg">
this young lady was looking for a husband.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/tanzania_montage.jpg">
As thrilling as the Massai were, in equall porportion we were moved and touched by how unrelentingly hard life is here.  We never got used to seeing the kids with nothing and no hope of anything getting better.  We were struck by the courage and dignity of the Tanzanians.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/tanzania_boy.jpg">
 
..more to come soon.
 
Cheers
Simon T

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 06:11 PM

Simon and Lisa since you were both doing well career wise what was the main spark that lead you to risk everything and begin your journey ?

There were a few HU Community RTW riders felt they were at a Plateau in their 30s and pictured that they may be doing the same thing for the rest of their lives. Was this similar in your lives ? Did some voice tell you that there was a different world to see than running a 50 hour a week job ?

Why a motorcycle and not a 4X4 over-lander ? Really both of you were on the road long before the Long Way Around so what inspired you to do this on a motorcycle ?

There are a few IT people that are RTW's tourers but they seem to work and do sections of the world on holiday. Was this concept foreign to you or were you driven to just do the RTW all at once ? To be more focused on the journey than having a security cushion perhaps.

Are you from a motorcycle family ? Are there others before you that were adventurer's, explorers, travelers or are you the first in your family to venture forth ?

Hi Statdawg,

Wow, how do I begin to answer without writting a book?

mid'life crisis...no, well not the type you mean:D . Lisa and I have now been together 16-years, yep, she got me young:brow. Niether of us do things by halfs and we'd taken motorcycle journies as vacations since 1997, soon realizing that the amount of kit we'd pack up and carry wasn't that different from the amount of kit we'd need for a much longer trip.

Bad days at work would came and go...and come and we'd down a few bottles of wine and begin to fantasize. I had a good job in marketing and Lisa had just returned to University as a mature student, when things went sour....read on.....

In the same year Lisa's dad had a quad' heart Bypass, my Mum was diagnosed with Cancer and I suffered a very bad motorbike accident which took off my right foot and ankle..bar a few tendons. Life turned to crap:cry

We lost everything...cars, money, security, clothes, even furniture and the credit cards were maxed out whilst I pursued the car driver who'd hit me via the courts. The only things we refused to let go were the house and our two bikes. I was on my back for 18-months and it took two years to learn to walk again properly after 5 major surgeries.

...yeah, yeah all very sad...but, neither of us was happy. we were working ourselves to death, had a great income and no quality of life. The recovery time gave us time time to think, and yes all the old cliches are true. 'You only pass this way once, make the most of it'. 'Life's too short'! and my favourite...'it's better to regret the things you do, than the things you wished you'd one, when the opportunities have passed'!

the scariest part of the whole trip, was the deciding of it!

Why a motorcycle? We're bikers, for us there was simply no other alternative. For us the trip isn't about the kudos or even just seeing the countries, its about the riding. If your going to sacrifice, jobs, security, family and friends and everything else that comes with this gig, then you may as well do it on your 'own terms' and do it all the way.

To be able to look back at the end and know that you've ridden to and through the countries, their cultures indelibly making you. That you'd smelled and worn their dirt and grit with every passing mile, unable to do up the protection of those convenient windows. Now that's something you can look back and be proud of! It's the challenge and the reward.

Being on a bike and not cacooned in the protective sanctuary of a 4X4 forces you get much closer to countries and more importantly their people, and face many situations that you'd otherwise retreat from, due to nothing more than our own individual insecurities.

You have to communicate, to befriend and learn. Our journey has been all the better because we chose to do it on motorycles. 16-year angry russian soldier kids, scary looking Tourag nomads, Peruvian militia and Colombian drug lords all have one thing in common. They want to sit on the bikes, they want to rev' the engines, they want to imagine themselves heading off into the sunset on these massive metal machines. We're all the same. Motorcycles are the ultimate 'barrier breakers'!! Check out the image below which I put together in a matter of minutes, we have so many with people and the bikes.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/people_and_the_bikes.jpg

We planned initially to be away for two years. Since then we've simply fallen in love with not knowing where we'll be each evening. Now we're attempting Guiness World records and giving presentations, all of which wasn't part of the original plan. we've learnt to adapt:D the journey has taken on a life of it's own.

Familes??? Lisa comes from a motorcycle family. her dad rode one and both her sister did, in fact Caroline Lisa's middle sister rides a 1600 Harley but is about to buy a Yamaha 660 XT for a ride to Timbuktu with her new man Nick Sanders (biking legend...see more on him here www.nicksanders.com)

My dad did ride for a short time, although I was told i couldn't get a bike. I've now only been riding for 11-years.

See, I still ended up writing a book:D That was fun to write.

Thanks for asking
Simon T:buds

riderR1150GSAdv

05-02-2008, 06:33 PM

I have been following your trip on HU as well, and am amazed at what the both of you have accomplished!! :clap
Finally a chance to say what a great job you guys have done!!:bow

SimonThomas

05-02-2008, 06:37 PM

thanks for the kind words

...out of interset which HU articles/threads re our trip have you been following?Love to know:D

Cheers
Simon

knary

05-02-2008, 09:59 PM

:lurk

lamble

05-03-2008, 12:27 AM

'ello lamble

hey congratulations, I've just clicked onto 'Unchained' and it's looks great. A lot of work that most wont appreciate.

So, quick, whilst I've a little time (now only a few days) how do I log onto your site and what kind of article do you want, or for that matter what country???

Give us some parematers...(sure that's spelt wrong but I'm on my third Mojito)D

Cheers
Simon T

Logging on is just a case of entering your email and a password of choice. Have a look at search by country, then feel free to fill in any gaps on the globe that suit under the add an unchained.

PacWestGS

05-03-2008, 01:43 AM

:wave What a way to make a grand entrance... :clap

Helloooo Simon and Lisa (too bad to hear you are not feeling well, get better soon :hug)

Please continue with arguably the best pictorial in MOA history.

How are the kids? Holding up well? :beer
http://PacWestGS.smugmug.com/photos/195772029_SQBHQ-S.jpghttp://PacWestGS.smugmug.com/photos/195772182_8dqjQ-S.jpg

http://PacWestGS.smugmug.com/photos/288733023_9WmrR-S.jpg

SimonThomas

05-03-2008, 05:36 AM

Hey PacwestGS,

how are you. thanks for the post./

The bikes are doing well. We've been tinkering and adding some the new Touratech stuff, which will replace the broken bits, most noticeably the speedos, dials and clocks on both bikes which are being swapped out for electronic IMO 300 units which will be smaller and more robust.

Say hi to everyone in your area for us. keep the skies safe:D

Cheers
Simon

PAULBACH

05-03-2008, 05:50 AM

What a grand adventure. I like the starting philosophy:

'what you do defines you! Not what you own'.

The pictures and their presentation are among the best.

Please keep sharing this odyssey with the MOA community.

Best,

Paul

SimonThomas

05-03-2008, 09:25 AM

We'd wanted to climb Killimanjaro in Tanzania but at $600 per person, that was just out of the question.  
With jobs done and and emails sent curtsey of the small cafe in Arusha we headed north for Kenya. 

The rich English heritage still lingered here and there manifesting itself sometimes in the bizzare like at Thompson Falls outside of Nyahururu. A typical red bricked English country home complete with thick lush green manicured lawns ataop a dusty dry landscape...surreal.
We'd thought about reaching as far as Etheopia, but we now only had 3-months to get back to Cape Town in SA to meet Lisa's sister and that was pushing it.
We rached as far as Sanburu National Park a day South of the Etheopian border.  A national park without a single fence and here we celebrated my dad's 60th birthday and watched a blood red kenyan sunset turn slowly mauve and then finally midnight blue black, warmed by the camp fire we made earlier.
I rememver waking with a shock the following morning as a very pissed-off young bull elephant made his presence known.  We hid in the tent untill common sence got the better of us and we realised that, the tent...really wasn't all that protective!:P:D:w00t:
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/kenya_1.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/sanburu_kenya_1.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/kenya_samburu_camp.jpg">
...Uganda here we come
Cheers
Simon T

SNC1923

05-03-2008, 09:31 AM

Simon (& Lisa),

Welcome! Hugely entertaining report. Keep 'em coming.

SimonThomas

05-03-2008, 09:51 AM

We were met at the Uganda border by dozens of young men and women in makeshift wheel chairs, all with their lower halfs...missing, a result a Uganda still being one go the most mined countries in the world.
With passports checked we headed for Kampala and the source of the Nile and from there out due West to the border with Congo and the Ruwenzori Mountains.
Again, we'd hope to visit the gorillias but the cost was $1000 each as so we thought better of it.  The reality is of course we'd love to have experienced them but unless you have unlimted dosh, you just cant see and do everything.  Who knows another time another place!
We'd been brought up hearing Uganda in the news and for all the wrong reasons.  Uganda for us was the country of Idi Amin, attrocities and genocide.  What we found was one of the greenest, lushest and friendliest places in East Africa.  Talk about vertile.  You could plant a brick and would grow something.
That said the poverty and daily hardship of every day life are still visible everywhere.
<IMG src="http://2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/uganda_boy_1.jpg">

lamble

05-03-2008, 09:59 AM

Congratulations, the first unchaineds for S.America! That'll get a honouary mention at the end of our year when we will give out worthlessly cheap prizes of high merit and status to those that know. I think first post for a whole sub continent is worth something in a goody bag.

Thanks Simon. That link will be done tomorrow.

All the best to you and we hope Lisa is skippy and bouncy again, sooner rather than later.

On the way up to Alaska, any plans to be Seattle way again?
As I mentioned before, we have garage space and a shag pile carpet...well spare beds, but not until you've washed thoroughly...have you seen the price of duvet covers?

SimonThomas

05-03-2008, 03:21 PM

Lamble,

I'll look forward to my prize:D

Don't think we're gonna make Seattle en-route to Alaska as we've been booked for number of presentations. Got to put gas in the tanks somehow, and if it's not this it's back to kidnapping and prostitution:deal

Here's the booking we have and where we'll and when..ahh a pretty graphic:D

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/presentation_map.jpg

Talk to you soon.

Cheers
Simon T

riderR1150GSAdv

05-03-2008, 04:52 PM

thanks for the kind words

...out of interset which HU articles/threads re our trip have you been following?Love to know:D

Cheers
Simon

Funny thing is, that I can't find it at all anymore ...:bluduh . I saw a link to a blog there, or so I thought :scratch .
It has been a long time since I logged in there anyway. Regardless, I am glad you're posting here :D . MOA is in desperate need of great Ride Reports!!! :stick :deal :clap

SimonThomas

05-03-2008, 06:40 PM

Hi ,

HU does have a number of articles re our trip although most of the links for our blog/dairy went then to our own website. www.2ridetheworld.com

here's our diary pages, where you can choose to few entries by date or just click on the maps and select a country: www.2ridetheworld.com/diary.html

Happy reading.

Cheers
Simon T

BubbaZanetti

05-03-2008, 06:48 PM

When ya gonna get to NYC????

very nice stuff, keep it coming!

SimonThomas

05-03-2008, 07:02 PM

Hi Bubba,

We'll be in Prudhoe by early August and then we'll be heading directly to the East Coast and NYC.

We aleady have confirmed bookings for our presentation at Both Bob's BMW and Cliff's BMW for the start of September and from there we're heading South down to florida. From there it'll be back into Mexico for Visa reasons and then back into the states and up to San Fran or Seattle, from where we ship around to Japan and then Eastern Russia, Siberia, Mongolia and onwards to reach Australia.

...funny it sound so simple when you're just writing it down :buds :D :D

We're both looking forward to the East Coast.

Cheers
Simon T

BubbaZanetti

05-03-2008, 08:20 PM

Hi Bubba,

We'll be in Prudhoe by early August and then we'll be heading directly to the East Coast and NYC.

wonderful, i'll be in touch!

rgvilla

05-04-2008, 05:51 AM

what a great life you two are living! Please post your date to be at Bobs BMW, I'd love to ride down and hear your presentation. Ride safe! Your pictures are fantastic.

SimonThomas

05-04-2008, 07:49 AM

rgvilla,

it would be great to see you at Bob's.

They have booked us for September 13th. I think it's a daytime event but maybe you caheck with them?

I seem to remember us asking if they had a large dark room for the day event as projectors dont work to well in daylight.

See you there.
Cheers
Simon

Beemerchef

05-04-2008, 08:25 AM

WE might try to catch you in Salt Lake City as we are in Moab area and will be for a while... too many back roads to explore... too many photos to show about the backyard of this beautiful country for the souls that can only take 2 to 3 weeks vacation per year!
By the way... we are at 1200lbs total... same bike as yours... 184,000 miles and besides the U joint going out at 150K, finally the ignition sensor at 182K with also the starter coughing... NO problems!!!... I think and know that the 1100 was the best model ever made...
Be well... Ara & Spirit

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos/286802126_iXyy5-L.jpg

SimonThomas

05-04-2008, 01:46 PM

Beemerchef

05-04-2008, 07:29 PM

Hi beemerchef,

what a great name. I look at the various forums and all the clever screen names and feel I'm sadly lacking as I don't have the imagination to come with anything better than...simon thomas....I want a cool title. :p :clap :p

We've been reading your post and checking out you photos, you've got some great images. Well done.

What year is your 1100, mines a late 99' model. Although from our website it looks like we've had to work on the bikes in reality we haven't. Most of the work we don is preventative. Mines now got 145k + an dLisa 650 had 104k nad neither engines been opened or had any work done...none.

For me the 1100 is absolutley the best bike they built in terms ofperformance and build quality.

Hoe we get a chance to meet up we'd love to share a drink with you around Salt lake City.

Ride safe...but ride far.

All the best
Simon T:buds

OK... we have to find you both cool Titles... friends came up with that one! Of course when I was not on the road I also had a couple Ducatis... you see where that is going? DucChef?... NOT GOOD at all...
PREVENTIVE IS THE KEY!!!... need it or not I change it!... Mine is a 96, but build in late 96 so BMW changed the transmission and pulley (upgrades) at NC...
Will try real hard to make it to SLC... hopefully the Jello will firm up by then!
Be well... stay safe...
Ara & Spirit

lamble

05-04-2008, 08:12 PM

Simon,

Okay, 2 ride the world is now our front page lead story and has been added as the first unchained link. Congratulations on receiving the first ever Unchainedworld prize...I hope you'll continue to add unchaineds as the rest of the journey unfolds. Feel free (because it is) to self promote in the blogs and region forums too...those could end up being the most expensive tea bags you've ever accepted: we found Branston pickle today and the world looks a better place for it.

SimonThomas

05-05-2008, 03:26 AM

As a country Malawi is one of Africa's poorset, but also one of the friendliest.
How can anyone not love acountry who national beer is called 'Kuche Kuche', is a premium lager and is 20 cents for 5 litres:D:D:D
We spent two weeks here just chilling out, catching up on diary and tending to odd jobs on the bikes before heading into Mozambique or Mozam...bleak as we now effectionately call it.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/malawi_bugs.jpg">
 
a small problems with bugs.  This was happening every 15 minutes!!!
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/malawi_steps.jpg">
 
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/malawi_aids_sign.jpg">
more to come soon
Simon T

SimonThomas

05-05-2008, 01:00 PM

...
Mozambique couldn't have been more different to Malawi.  As we crossed the border there was a tangible shift in the atmosphere and easy and relaxed was replaced with tense and hostile.
They have good reason to be pissed-off, Millions of mines cover the land. 4-years ago massive floods swept through creating huge mud slides.  When the mud moved so did all the mines.  "What ever you do", we were told by officials..."do not leave the asphalt from any road.  Do not walk or ride off the roads onto the dirt".  We thought htey were exagerating, untill we saw the mine-field clearing teams, loaded up with all the gear de-mining the side of the main road out to South Africa.
We effectionalty renamed Mozambique to Mozam-bleak, which may have been a little unfair on reflection.  Although Mozambique was the only country in Africa where we were faced with a high risk face to face confrontational situation, what didn't help was that Lisa had got her and her bik air born in Ugunda and her rear shock had spilled it's guts over the floor.  Leaving her bike more like a bloody 'pogo stick' than a motorbike.
That added to too many miles on the bike, had also over stretched her chain, which was now comming off up to 5-times a day.  Only a day from exiting Mozambique Lisa also lost one of her chain tensioner.  We ended up secureing the lot with 17 zip ties.
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/mozambique_shanty.jpg">
<IMG src="http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/london_bikers/mozambique_shanty_2.jpg">
Cheers
Simon T

franze

05-06-2008, 08:59 AM

A fantastic journey! great pictures and narrative. Very inspiring. Thanks most of all for taking the time to put this on the RR. Best of luck with the rest of your travels.

Beemerchef

05-06-2008, 10:51 AM

OK... I have to ask... what is the camera used and software for those cooll effects?
I know it is talent... but I am sure many others would love to know, specially with now this Forum having a "Photograhy" section...

Thanks Simon... and be well, always.

Ara & Spirit

bobs98

05-06-2008, 11:38 AM

Amazing story, amazing journey and amazing photos.

Thanks for taking the time, making the effort and sharing with us!

Hope to catch you on your east coast swing.

OUTBACKUFO

05-06-2008, 11:46 PM

Hey Lisa and Simon,

finally caught up with your posting here on the MOA... glad to see you two joined... will try and see if i can make the June 7th at northern to see you two again. Will have an Aussy friend with me riding for a few weeks might be a good contact for you when you make it there adventurally... you two put on a great presentation

It was great to meet and chat with you guys at the HU in silverton last summer...

remember you guys have a place to crash and good gourmet pizza waiting for you in Carbondale, CO if you two ride through this way...

later
Mike Rand

xp8103

05-07-2008, 09:22 AM

What a most excellent adventure Simon!

As I was reading I could only think "I can't wait for the book to come out!!"

When you get to Maine (which of COURSE you have to go thru to get to the Canadian Maritimes), you and Lisa are invited for a soft bed and some weight gaining grub anytime at all!

SimonThomas

05-07-2008, 12:04 PM

Hi Beemerchef,

Well, we're now on our third camera...Prior to this trip I'd actually never taken a photograph and never owned a camera. The whole idea just seemed silly to me. As you can see. I'm a total convert and now love the idea of trying to capture either an image or the essence of something we've seen or experienced.

When we left the UK and all the way down to South Afrifca we only had a small Fuji 3.2 mil mega point and shoot camera. If you look at some of the early images their much grainier than the later ones.

In South Afirca we got hooked up with Fuji who sponsored us with an S7000, not a DSLR, but 12 million meg and and few more buttons to learn. No differing lenses.

We used that all the way up and down the east coast of Africa and all the way through Sotuh America up untill the Argentinian city of Salta, en-route North when it just died. So we borrowed some money and bought a Nikon D70s. The Nikon we used through Bolivia and North, through Central America and now here.

The bad news is that it's now started to die and we don't have the cash to replace it. We've just agreed to write for a few magazines and they've all asked for more than the 6 million meg pixels our nikon shoots anyway. We'll work something out...I hope???

I baught a pirate copy of photoshop back in Peru and have been teaching myself the program sice then, so that's what I'm using to produce the 'background - border effect on the images here. It's a lot of fun.

OUTBACKUFO, hi there, we'd love to make this years effent but Alaska beckons. Thanks for teh kind offer, we'll be in touch:drink.

Hi xp8103,

what a nice thing to say thank you. Ah the book thing. We get asked about this a lot especially recently (not sure why?) we'd love to crack on and getting something out there, but to be honest we don't have a clue where to begin. We have the content, diary, images and video but we don't know anyone in the industry and trying to get anyone to listen to us and discuss an idea etc, via email seems impossible. We have been trying.

If anyone knows of anyone else in the publishing game that you think would be intersted in partnering with us to produce something, we'd be more than grateful to hear about them of from them. We just need a place to get started:D

I'll post some of our trip soon.

Cheers and thanks again...talk soon
Simon T:buds

OUTBACKUFO

05-07-2008, 01:02 PM

OUTBACKUFO, hi there, we'd love to make this years effent but Alaska beckons. Thanks for teh kind offer, we'll be in touch:drink.

Simon T:buds

Simon,

you two should also think about heading up the Dempster if weather permits after the Dalton (Prudoe Bay)... lot less traffic and a great caribou burger in town under the midnight sun. the Top of the Wolrd Highway into Dawson City is agreat way to head back south.

Plus... a must is head the 80 miles to Manly Hot Springs on the Eliot Hwy... it turns west where the Dalton begins.. for 5$ you can sit in a natural mineral springs, and they have very cheap camping next to the river right across from the roadhouse. very well stocked bar and extremely friendly people... see if you can find a guy named Bunny there... he can tell you about the gold mine up the road.

later
best ot you guys has you head north

lamble

05-07-2008, 02:44 PM

Oi you shandy drinker!

Where's our link?

Interesting info on the specs required for mag shots.

On the publishing side, I got tired of trying to break in with White Horse, so I think mine and anyone else who wants a go at e-publishing, will be done via unchainedworld.com
We have an editor on board who can knock things into shape, then we will either take a risk on the sales, or look at an editing fee and some form of share deal on sales. It's not set in stone, but may be by the time you've got that link up, or finished the journey, whichever is soonest.

If you are Alaska-ing, will you be Millett HU-ing too?

Opened the Branston last night...little bit of Brit heaven.

SimonThomas

05-07-2008, 03:20 PM

lamble

05-07-2008, 08:44 PM

I'm more of a baby cham kinda' guy actually:p

Oi lamble...re the HU meeting you numpty I think you mean the one in 'Merrit' and not Millet. You're thinking of Millets the cheap outdoor shop back in the Uk:buds

So anyway, we can't go as we've got presentations booked, see earlier in this thread.

OK link all done, so go and have a look here: www.2ridetheworld.com/links.html

OUTBACKUFO, many thanks for the info we're just starting to look at maps so thanks for advice.

Cheers
Simon

Millets cheap, I once had to pay 1.50 for a cagoul and that was when money was worth something and chips cost a shilling and you got a plateful and you could leave your door unlocked and people wore hats to church and dogs didn't poop and ....etc...etc...

Slippers on, cardigan with toggle buttons fastened and belt under chest wisdom!

lamble

05-08-2008, 03:17 PM

I'm more of a baby cham kinda' guy actually:p

OK link all done, so go and have a look here: www.2ridetheworld.com/links.html.

Cheers
Simon

We found a pub in Brough that still sold Babycham. When we asked how much, they said the bottles had 2/6 marked on them. We explained to the young thing that was serving, that this was in fact, half a crown, which equated to 12.5 pence per bottle.

We bought all she had, 24 bottles. After 6 it gets quite nice and just becomes pop..."Hey, I'll have a Babycham!" :bottle

We were sick the next morning.

SimonThomas

09-03-2008, 03:24 PM

September 2004:

With Mozambique behind us, we re-entered the familiarity of South Africa before riding high into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. A jewel of a country in this vast continent.

With the highest motorable passes on the continent at 10,721 ft, we rode into this lush green and hospitable country, stopping where we could to talk with the locals and get a better understanding as to what living here really means.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/old_man_lesotho.jpg

SimonThomas

09-03-2008, 05:39 PM

We left reaching cape Agulas to the very end. Appropriate really as it's the Southern most tip of the dark continent.

We did our best to enjoy our last few weeks in this truly amazing place...Africa. riding with friends sin baggage and taking a few last deep breaths before the start of our South American leg. where we'd entrust our bikes to complete strangers who would ship the bikes across the Atlantic.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/lisa_water.jpg

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/lions.jpg

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/cape.jpg

...more to come soon.

Cheers
Simon

wsteinborn

09-04-2008, 12:53 AM

wow

What an adventure.

Nice turn of a phrase:
grinning like we've been dipped in chocolate and thrown to the lesbians

Motorradfahrer

09-04-2008, 09:44 AM

Welcome....Fantastic Advenuture....great snapshots.. entertaining report. Keep 'em coming. Been subscribing to your report. :lurk :german

Labrador 2008

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355326

SimonThomas

09-04-2008, 11:05 PM

By July 2006 we had landed in Argentina and headed north through Uruguay and had crossed without fuss into Brazil.

The land of carnival, coconuts and 'girls beach volleyball' didn't disappoint.

Of course before any real exploring could be done, we had to be tourist and visit São Paulo and Rio.

From Sugar Loaf mountain the view of Rio is simply...breathtaking.

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/gsclub_images/bmwmoa/brazil_jesus.jpg

more to come...

cheers
Simon

Burnszilla

09-05-2008, 12:23 AM

When are you guys planning on heading to Japan?

SimonThomas

09-05-2008, 09:12 AM

well...we are - or rather Lisa is! - planning the next leg of our trip now and getting quotes etc for shipping on over to Japan.

We are hoping to be there for April 09 - as Lisa has told me the - apple blossom season! from there we are still working on whether we go to S. Korea and then Vladivostok or just straight to Vlad.

Any advice???

thanks for looking in on this thread!
cheers

GlobalRider

09-08-2008, 02:33 PM

Simon & Lisa,

I've seen quite a few RTW trip reports, but I have to say your photography is absolutely first rate. Expecially Africa, but then that continent does have something magical about it.

I can't wait to ride there...its only so long to early retirement. :clap

rvb1019

09-09-2008, 06:42 PM

If you get the chance to see Simon and Lisa's presentation- DO IT!!!!!!!!

I met them at the Finger Lakes Rally and really enjoyed their show! Good People!

Good Luck on your next leg!

BeerTeam

02-15-2010, 05:01 PM

This is another candidate for best of the web :thumb