Long Way Round

[threeflys]

I just finished watching the premeir episode of this series on Bravo, Actor Ewen McGreagor and his buddy are going around the world from London to New York city by way of Siberia on R1150GS! It looks like it'll actually be a good show, looks like it'll be every Thursday night at 10 pm.
Chris

[sgborgstrom]

For those of you scratching your heads thinking thie title sounds familiar, this has nothing to do with Bernard Moitessier's book "The Long Way"

The first installment was entertaining enough, we'll see how they do covering the actual riding portion. Takes balls to take off on a fully loaded GS across Russia without any real experience in offroad riding (in E.M.'s case at least) but these guys are obviously passionate about riding so I think the series will be fun to watch. Only 6 episodes long so it'll probably hit the DVD rack one of these days.

I can't stand watching commercials so entertained myself by flipping between Long Way Round and American Chopper during the breaks. For all the bumbling around Mcgregor and Boorman were doing they made the OCC guys look like real clowns. At least Mcrgegor made an effort to learn something at the BMW offroad course he took in preparation for the trip.

Steve

[Hodag]

I liked how BMW spun their descision to use GS's. No mention of how KTM backed out on them, just that they decided against the chain drive and its inherent reliabilty problems. ("The BMW is equipped with a shaft drive. Prior to departure, Ewan and Charley had tested every bike that could be considered suitable for the adventure and the shaft drive of the BMW was one of the significant factors in picking BMW. The competitor's chain drives would have worn out, and stretched faster, meaning higher maintenance demand")
One question are adventures that topheavy that they tipover easy?
Mark

[rbertalotto]

Stay tuned! I just finished reading the book........Guess who the Brits end up riding into NY city with?

[Hodag]

they showed the 2 on occ choppers during the previews
mark

[MarkF]

the sequel will be on new R1200GS from Norway to South Africa?

Wouldn't you love to see a 50cc or 48 state ride documented the same way? Maybe Ron A. will come out of IBA retirement.

MarkF

[Visian]

Originally posted by Mark11LT
One question are adventures that topheavy that they tipover easy?


Not top-heavy... just plain heavy.

They tend to push their front wheels sideways while attempting to turn in anything less than ideal traction. The Conti TKC80 semi-knobby tires tend to help this situation somewhat.

Skilled riders use body english along with careful throttle and clutch control to keep the beasts upright and heading in the desired direction.

I liked the show, but I can't help reflecting on the accomplishments of Helge Pedersen, who did the same trip alone, without accompanying support vehicles. If you've not seen his multimedia show 10 years on 2 wheels (http://www.globeriders.com/book.shtml) or his later work about riding in Iceland, (http://www.globeriders.com/video_multimedia.shtml) you owe it to yourself to see them whenever you get the chance.

Ian

[Montana]

"At each of my two stops between West and East Glacier I was reminded of how easy people come up to we bikers and want to know how the ride is going, where we have been or going. Seldom is the handshake of humanity far from our handlebars. I pulled into East Glacier and found an espresso in the back of a grocery store. In one of its isles was an computer internet offering. I had never seen such Inter-station.. The bench in front of the store was occupied so I walked to the next block and found another. I was sitting and enjoying the world when three GS riders arrived. My god, did they look wonderful and so full of “GS-ness.” These guys were the real deal. No yuppie pretend to be adventurers here. Refreshing. Their bikes were dirty and used beyond belief. So too their riders. I bench parked just to watch and enjoy their British accents. They used the public phone down the block, got coffee and had a cigarette or two. After about ten minutes I drifted over to their bikes. My greeting was in the form of a question. “What first failed on your new GS’s? Their leader smiled and said that a component of the abs’s had failed on one of the bikes and that its rider had to do a few hundred miles on a borrowed 250cc before getting it fixed. Other than that nothing. He then told me BMW was sponsoring their world adventure tour. They had been on the road for 107 days, traveled 18,000 miles-some unbelievable, and had so far been in Mongolia, Europe, Alaska and were now working their way across America. Each rider reflected the splendor of it all.

I felt like the rest stop visitor asking me how my trip was going with me now being the tourist. Instantly we took a liking to each other and they all started to open up and enjoy our conversation. They wanted to tell me stories and talk bikes. Don’t we all. We laughed and laughed and I got a real feel for these young, wonderful adventurers. Ah young men and their quests. We should never forget this spark in being male as old men. I soon learned that BMW’s interest in sponsoring their adventure was because they wanted to see how their standard model GS bikes, off the dealer floor, would hold up in the true world of adventure. They wanted nothing modified on their bikes. BMW had fought the riders even on their desire to change bags, but finally agreed to allow this small change. Nothing else. For the riders this was an incredible opportunity. They got free new world class bikes, and all they had to do was ride them, and make a movie about it. Their tale will be aired on the Bravo channel in the months to come. The two rider’s names are Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman. The third rider was a cameraman. The two feature riders had cameras mounted on their Aria helmets. All three bikes suffered one flaw. They broke their frames in exactly the same spot. They showed me the welds. BMW will have to address this problem. But in defense of the GS they said all three bikes had been weighted down far over their limits. Aside from this they raved about the bikes. Make a point to catch this show. The title of the program I think is: LONG way round.

Their first bike of choice was the KTM. But the KTM company representative felt their bikes might not hold up. I render no further comment about why he said this. I just know none of the riders felt it a down grade of this wonderful bike. But one has to hand it to BMW for taking on the challenge.

I rode with them to Browning, MT. It was such fun seeing their headlights in my mirror and knowing their adventures were living in my present image They stopped for fuel. I didn’t need any plus they were celebrities and would likely be delayed continuously so I waved good-bye on my way to the junction for US 2 and US 89 where I then swung right. In East Glacier I had suggested better routes than theirs and knew eventually they would follow."

Cameramen never get credit where credit's due.

[Sue]

In the first show, they had "advisors" from Russia. All I kept hearing from these two women advisors was how it couldn't be done. I wanted to jump in there and strangle those two women.

<GRIN>

Some people just don't "get it"

Brian and I are enjoying the series....

[kioolt]

Is anyone willing to send me a VCR tape of the first episode? My wife was suppose to record it for me but somehow screwed up.

I will pay all costs.

Robert Smith

[Montana]

Me too!

Please.

Only I don't care if it's VHS or DVD or VCD. I got a new mutli-disk player last week and that show was my first attempt to record anything, and of course it didn't work. I keep checking the schedule but it doesn't look like they're rerunning the first episode prior to airing the second.

[flash412]

I keep checking the schedule but it doesn't look like they're rerunning the first episode prior to airing the second. Do NOT sweat this. Think about it... it is cable teevee. When have you ever heard of any program produced for cable that wasn't rerun a dozen or more times? Ferchrissakes, they even rerun live award shows on cable. Be patient. Sooner or later it'll be back on (and probably repeated until you're more than sick of it).

[Montana]

Well, I guess I'll have to watch it out of order!! I know how this story ends, anyway.

[PacWestGS]

I did record it (VHS), but there's really not much riding in this first episode. Mostly hotels, people they meet and getting stuck at border crossings. Really pretty lame if you ask me. But, I see in the advertisment that it should get better with more riding coverage. I plan on recording the whole sh'bang and will transfer on to DVD when finished.

Keep the post up and maybe we can deal later on getting out the recordings.

I have no idea why KTM balked, they don't seem to have a problem doing the Dakar! But, I'm glad they choose GS's , 'cause I ride one too.

'02 1150GSA and lovin' it.

[Montana]

Well, I could swear I set that disk recorder correctly, but it failed again. At least this time it told me so in a status window. Wish this wasn't on at 11pm my time, I'm either out doing something or going to bed. Put me on the list for the mailing.

I have seen a post by someone in the UK where the show was halfway through and it sounded interesting at that point. They were in Dubai, I think.

[ian408]

It's cool that people get to see that traveling by motorcycle
is not only possible but fun too. I'll bet the series also helps
raise motorcycle awareness for a time.

However, the Bravo series is pretty weak. There hasn't been
much riding and then there's the entourage following the ride.

The book is on the list and I'll give the rest of the episodes a
chance but so far, I'm not impressed. Especially when I read
articles with titles like "...and the radio played Alaska" or
"Mike O's inspection of the colonies" and consider that those
trips were self supported.

Ian

[PacWestGS]

Hey everyone, There's a four or five page article in the November edition of "Men's Journal" magazine that has a story on the pair. A few great pictures and their short version of the book that is to be released this month at book stores.

Should be a good read, Ewan McGregor uses some pretty foul language though if you're affended easly... :dunno

Looking forward to the series, will keep recording.

[MarkF]

Originally posted by SFDOC
Should be a good read, Ewan McGregor uses some pretty foul language though if you're affended easly...

He sure does say F*** alot. But with his smile and a chuckle it doesn't seem offensive on the show. He seems like a fun guy.

MarkF

[PacWestGS]

Much better show tonight. Man, I can't wait to start my own 'round the world trip. Ya' know, one thing though that I see on the program and have seen for myself from the places around the world visited without a motorcycle. You can visit the land right here in America and see the world. The terrain dosen't really change that much, you just have to be explorative. Go down that un-ridden road and see something you would have missed.

Still recording for those that are video-challenged.

I am so happy BMW stood up and provided bikes for this.

[ian408]

Tonite's show was a lot better. Maybe it's like any long trip. It
takes a time to get into the groove.

ian

[Voni]

I missed the first two episodes but sure did enjoy the one last night.

Having just gotten back from riding gravel roads in Namibia, I was in full sympathy with Ian's troubles in the dirt. My little GS with no luggage was enough of a handful! All I had was sand stretches and washboard and wind. At least it was a real road!

Bob Higdon had even more fun on the "roads" in Russia (see ironbutt.com for his reports)

Can't wait to see what comes next.

Voni
sMiling

[SNC1923]

My wife and I are really enjoying the show. She's a bit "iffy" on the whole motorcycle thing (though a good sport to be sure) but watching the show makes her want to ride!

I missed the first ten minutes last night, not realizing that Bravo had changed the broadcast time from 10:00 to 8:00 p.m. (PST) Drats!

I think my favorite part is the reaction of locals to these exotic travellers and how they are welcomed into strangers' homes. It's a great series and I, too, hope that the series is realesed on DVD.

[RT_guy]

WTF?

I taped the first one. For some reason, there wasn't any sound.
The second one I got to see. IMO, it sucked.
I missed the third one because of the reschedule.

Guess I'll wait for the reruns...

[MarkF]

Originally posted by RT_guy
WTF?

I taped the first one. For some reason, there wasn't any sound.
The second one I got to see. IMO, it sucked.
I missed the third one because of the reschedule.

Guess I'll wait for the reruns...

Check your local listings sunday for a rerun

[gambrinus]

I wonder if an invitation was tendered Mr. Boorman might consider an appearance at Lima? Not a snowball's chance in hell of Ewan showing, but Charley seems amusing in his own way, and would make an interesting guest.

RW

[TZOLK]

That would be pretty cool! Im sure the "Brass" could slip one into the channels. Hey Leadership YOUT THERE!? So on the sequel, is it going to be those two again or Paul and Paul Sr. Norway to Cape Town on illhandling raked out metal flake poseur pickles. For this one they may actually need a rear shock.

[Fighter]

Quick ... get the book.....read it. Then go to ADV Forums and check out Antware's trip to AK or Over the Top D2D. Great fun. :clap :clap