After three months on the road since leaving the UK, covering 19 countries and over 20,000 kilometres, GlobeBusters founders Kevin and Julia Sanders, and their team mate, Mark Hamilton, have finally reached Beijin

"This has been the toughest ride we have ever done," said Julia. "The road conditions have been at every extreme - sand, corrugations, mud, landslides, snow and river crossings; the terrain has been incredibly varied, with deserts, gorges and mountains; and the weather has ranged from well below freezing to over 43 degrees heat and humidity."

The expedition followed a groundbreaking route, venturing along the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan and then riding the southern road in China, via Tibet and Mount Everest, before heading north to Beijing.

 "We don't know of any other riders who have travelled this particular route to Beijing," said Kevin. "Most use the easier northern route along tarmac roads across the desert from Urumqi. Going via Tibet is extremely unusual. Once in Tajikistan and beyond, there were no home comforts to wash away the sweat and dirt of a day's ride. Often, there was no hot water, very few showers and no familiar meals or soft beds. We had to wait until we reached the more developed areas of China, such as Lijiang before we could enjoy such luxuries again.

"But as challenging as it has been, the rewards have made the journey worth it one hundred times over. The massive landscapes, breathtaking vistas, just the pure remoteness of it - it's adventure motorcycling at its best!"

This kind of adventure requires plenty of physical and mental stamina. Riders need to thrive on challenges, be open-minded to difficult conditions and be prepared to be pushed to new limits. "The sometimes extreme and unusual challenges of this journey are probably the reason why very few (if any) have tried to tackle this route," added Julia. "There is also the tricky topic of dealing with all the 'red tape' necessary to get permissions to travel there in the first place. We feel very privileged to have been able to do this ride and get through all those problems unscathed. The GlobeBusters team around us were all part of the success."

As soon as they arrived back from Beijing, Kevin and Julia were straight into the editing suite of a production company, which managed to produce a 30-minute 'taster' DVD of their journey. Kevin then rushed across to BMW Motorrad Days at Garmisch-Partenkirchen to present this film and talk about this trip to packed audiences at the BMW cinema at the event.

There wasn't any time to hang around to enjoy the party though, as the double Guinness World Record Holder for global endurance motorcycle riding was due home to prepare for the journey to Alaska for the start of the Trans-Americas - the longest supported motorcycle journey in the world, consisting of 19 weeks on the road along the Pan American Highway from the top of Alaska to the tip of Argentina. Kevin and 30 other BMW GS riders will leave from Anchorage on 25 July and arrive in Buenos Aires 134 days later, after covering more than 22,000 miles (40,000 kilometres).

Those who have been inspired by GlobeBusters' recent London to Beijing journey will be pleased to know that Kevin and Julia are now offering this incredible and unique overland adventure to other riders in 2010 and 2011. Despite the fact that the 2010 trip has been sold out for months, Kevin has decided to add just three more places to the group total, following the recce ride. To find out more information, call +44 8452 304015, email or visit www.globebusters.com

 

 

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