Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
"RTW" biking on Telly "RTW" biking on Telly
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Oct 2004
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
"RTW" biking on Telly
SKY ONE on Monday, October 18 (21h00-22h00) - "Long Way Round" (Part 1) Actors Ewan McGregor & Charlie Boorman go around the
world on R1150GS Adventures...

Should be interesting...

CB
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Oct 2004
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
Ted Simon did an article in the Sunday Times (UK - Oct 10th) about them. He flew out to visit them in Mongolia. I dunno, his article seemed to have been edited quite a lot. I can't find the article online (you need to sign up), but the last few lines are:

'Surely, I taunted them, it would have been more revealing to do the journey alone. Why make a production out of it? "There's an element of truth in what you say," said McGregor. Then, in a burst of honesty, he admitted: "But we always wanted to tell people at home that things are achievable. It doesn't matter who you are - if you're stuck in mud, you're f****** stuck in mud.'

[This message has been edited by DougieB (edited 18 October 2004).]
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Oct 2004
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
I am trying to live by the mantra: "If you've got nothing positive to say, keep your mouth shut".

So having seen the first episode, I believe future episodes can only get better and Ewan and Charlie will behave less like objectionable, spoilt w*nkers.

IMHO

ChrisB
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Oct 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Wallingford, Oxon, UK
Posts: 8
I didnt see the programme so I can't really comment - but when did that stop anayone!!!

I guess the problem for these two guys is tha to make a decent programme you need a crew, if they just filmed the trip on camcorners then there would not be the programme. This I would think provided a bit of a dilemma... From what I've seen in interviews etc they seem to be genuine bike nuts and pretty grounded but as I said I didn't see the actual programme.

My mate is taping the rest so I'll see...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23 Oct 2004
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Central Portugal
Posts: 315
We sold our house and saved hard for two years to fund our trip, as we know many people have done and I don't regret doing so for one second. What gets me is these guys, who are obviously not short of a bob or two, infact it's fair to say their loaded, expected to get free bikes for the trip because of who they were and when KTM turned them down, one of them who, incidentally, I've never heard of before, began throwing his teddy's around.

[This message has been edited by mcdarbyfeast (edited 22 October 2004).]
__________________
\"Bon Chance\"
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23 Oct 2004
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
It will not show until next week here, but I will watch it. I like travel shows but I don't like the self promotion of watching someone telling how good they are and not mentioning the camera crew.
Terra circa is the best, filmed on the go.
I loaned my copy to someone "I think"
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23 Oct 2004
davidmc's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 373
When and where will this be showing in the US?

Dave
__________________
Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23 Oct 2004
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
In Reno, NV on cable, Bravo 10 pm/9 central
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23 Oct 2004
davidmc's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 373
John, do you know which day this is?
__________________
Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 24 Oct 2004
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
Oh, I forgot Thursday October 28 10:00 pm
I think it is 6 hrs. I guess over 6 weeks ?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 24 Oct 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: England
Posts: 106
While I don't doubt the courage of those who've done it alone, neither do I have a problem with the TV show. Yes they got free bikes, but one has just been sold at a star studded charity auction for, I believe, £87,000 - proceeds to charity. The DVD of the trip will be on sale for £9.99 - proceeds to charity. Perhaps with their knowledge of the entertainments and charity industries they've found a way to fund their trip and make a packet for charity. And maybe to do that in the most effective way they got a good support team and a professional camera man. What's the problem?
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 25 Oct 2004
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
i wasn't objecting to their support (office staff of 10+), their cameraman or their backup truck. i was voicing my opinion that they - as people - were objectionable, spoilt w*nkers.

as somebody above pointed out: they are rich (and famous... although i hadn't heard of charlie boy either) and then throw toys out of pram when ktm won't give them free bikes....

or comments like "oh no, it's ten days til our trip starts and we still haven't got crash-helmets"...

well, why don't you stop whingeing and go to the f***ing helmet shop and buy one...

i look forward to the action, scenery and people shots... for the benefit of the program they should also stick to the less said the better maxim.
Cheers
ChrisB
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 26 Oct 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, UK
Posts: 24
While I have yet to go off on my very own RTW, I must agree with Chris that these two dudes did nothing but complain.

I certainly hope that these will get better as the show progresses, but there was a fair amount of 'oh me oh my, how will I ever cope' whinging in the first one. It wasn't so much that the got free bikes and stuff, but that they seemed to feel entitled to free bikes and stuff and would complain when it didn't come through as quickly as they would have liked.

I also hope that they will give a nod to all those that have come before in the show. From the looks of the first episode it seemed that no one had ever considered riding a motorcycle RTW, and it was Mr. McGregor and the other guy who invented the concept.

Just my two cents.

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12 Nov 2004
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
EMG has not only written a book about the trip, entitled Long Way Round, but he's also read excerpts from his book on BBC Radio.

I found it rather touching, not at all as described above, and I would like to share his readings with you. As I don't think it's available on the BBC web site any more I have transformed the 5 parts into MP3 files, which you can find here: http://beddha.free.fr/LWR/

Enjoy. I did.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 20 Dec 2004
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,913
Missed the TV but just finished the book . IMO much bitching, pining, but still an honest and fun read (see Ewan Mac G Hits the thread for a review).

I think its fair to say that not many who use this forum would be impressed with the 'Terra Circus' machine, but they did actually do something pretty hard that money and sat phones could not always ease.

Interested to read above/below that Ted Simon reported:
'Surely, I taunted them, it would have been more revealing to do the journey alone. Why make a production out of it?" It's what I was expecting him to say but in the book he is a chummy old codger "never short of a jovial anecdote" and accepted "you use whatever is best at the time" which did not ring true from what I know of TS.

In the end I think all the more respect to those of you who DIY. Mongolia sounds great but the book would right put me off schelping all the way to Magadan!

Chris S

Must not protest too much, I got a nifty quote for the back of AMH5 out of it ;-)
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:20.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top