| Author | Message | ||
     Twobuells |
First of six episodes of Long Way Round is on Current TV tonight at 9pm ET. DIRECTV Channel 358 (Nationwide) DISH Network Channel 196 (Nationwide) Comcast Digital Channel 107 (Most cities) Channel 125 (Dallas & Seattle) Time Warner Digital Channel 103 (New York City) Channel 142 (Los Angeles) AT&T U-Verse Channel 189 (Nationwide) In 2004 Ewan and Charley embarked on an epic Long Way Round challenge, to bike 20,000-miles, cross 12 countries and 19 time zones in just 115 days. Riding their BMW GS R1200s, they crossed Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia to ride the Road of Bones through Siberia, over to Alaska, through Canada, North America and finished in New York. The Long Way Round journey would challenge their view of the world and also test their physical endurance. http://www.longwayround.com/journeys.htm | ||
| Tootal |
Thanks, just scheduled the DVR! | ||
| 7873jake |
I've watched the series on DVD several times now and for the life of me, I'm left wondering two things: why didn't they spend any time with the BMW blokes to learn a thing or two about servicing the bikes rather than how to drop them in the mud in the English countryside? why does Charley spend so much time crying in his helmet? and a third and fourth... did they go 20,000 miles without an oil change? why did Ted Simon seem so reluctant to be seen with them or on camera for more than 3 seconds? (Message edited by 7873jake on October 26, 2010) | ||
| Trevd |
why did Ted Simon seem so reluctant to be seen with them or on camera for more than 3 seconds? Because he was embarrassed for them, considering that he did what they were doing 35 years ago with no one else - no partner, no chase vehicles, no satellite phones, little money, and all on an old Triumph. He was probably thinking to himself - "Yeah, so what's the big freaking deal!" | ||
| 7873jake |
What struck me as the most ironic piece in the whole series was the realization that Claudio the cameraman's Mongolian/Russian 'local' bike (The KamazTatraVolgaGAZ 318.7cc two stroke) was better suited to their journey because it was light, nimble and, comparatively simple. Yeah, Ted probably thought "if you two CAN'T pull this off, then you deserve to be shot or eaten by bear." | ||
| Sayitaintso |
What struck me as the most ironic piece in the whole series was the realization that Claudio the cameraman's Mongolian/Russian 'local' bike (The KamazTatraVolgaGAZ 318.7cc two stroke) was better suited to their journey because it was light, nimble and, comparatively simple. Except for the fact that the Beemers carried all Claudio's stuff and he rode with just him on the bike. I've always wondered how much KTM is kicking themselves for pulling the plug on their support. I'm sure that the cost of the support that BMW gave those two has been the best advertising BMW has ever spent; and its sold more bikes than any other marketing they've ever done, by far. (Message edited by SayITAintSo on October 27, 2010) | ||
| Firstbuell |
speaking as a Katoom owner [plated 2006 450EXC] and a friend of some experienced guys who've owned various KTM Vs [including an H-D dealership PHD who also owns a super-sano S3... I seriously doubt that the Vs would've finished that journey man, I love this dyno foto -  (Message edited by firstbuell on October 27, 2010) | ||
| Hooper |
Yeah, ADV has some amazing stories of taking similar journeys with no backup - just strong off-roading abilities, well-thought-out bikes, good regional knowledge, and TIME. I love watching LWR - mainly because its probably one of the only professional-quality films of riders on cool bikes doing this kind of adventure...something I'll likely never come close to doing with a 6-wheel-drive Russian truck or not! Go over to ADV and search on the users "Colebatch" and "rtwdoug"- dig their adventures in some of the same areas (and more!). Then come back to Badweb and continue the Buell lovefest.  | ||
| Hangetsu |
Claudio was actually the only hardman on this journey. He rode everywhere the other's did and did it all while carrying a full-size professional video camera. |
