Long Way Round - a old tv documentary

[houndguy]

   So I started watching the "Long way Round" the other night on netflix (http://www.longwayround.com/) and I have to say I was disappointed.  At least with the first 2 episodes...there are 9 total

If your not familiar with it, Ewan McGregor (famous actor) and Charley Boorman (not famous actor) took a 19,000 mile (30 KM) journey from London to New York.

What bothered me about it was that these guys are so rich that they can afford a staff to arrange visa's, get free gear, arrange sponsorship's.  I know for a fact that other riders have made similar journey's on smaller bikes  (BMW gave them R1150GS adventure models for promotional consideration).   They also had a support crew of at least 4 or 5 members in trucks following them at times.  Including a doctor and security personal.  The crew and riders all received specialized first aid, security and language lessons.

While I'm not denying the hardship they would have faced, I just wish they would have approached it as less as a TV production. 

OK...Jealous rant over. 

[GLV55]

I've seen the whole series, and that's exactly what I was thinking: how far would these guys get if the were truly doing this on their own? I like the fact that they are promoting two wheel adventures, but it just rang empty because of the special considerations they get because of their money/name. They also did a follow up series called "Long Way Down", going from the tip of Scotland down to South Africa.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I've seen the whole series, and that's exactly what I was thinking: how far would these guys get if the were truly doing this on their own? I like the fact that they are promoting two wheel adventures, but it just rang empty because of the special considerations they get because of their money/name. They also did a follow up series called "Long Way Down", going from the tip of Scotland down to South Africa.

Reading the book this week.....I guess I am supposed to know who these guys are?
Slow going......found a new book on Dylan, so skipped over to that.....though I still read my scooter book (Haynes) at bed time to get my dreams in line for a nice night.
Stig

[GLV55]

Reading the book this week.....I guess I am supposed to know who these guys are?

Ewan McGregor played one of the main characters in the "newer" Star Wars trilogy. I think he was the younger Obiwan Kenobe...not sure because I didn't see any of them after the original three movies.

[ts1]

I consider long way round/down as commercials. Not as riding adventures.
An adventure was Günter Markerts solo trip around the world on a Kreidler 50cc scooter - 15 months starting in 1954!
http://www.kreidler.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=41113

[Stig / Major Tom]

I consider long way round/down as commercials. Not as riding adventures.
An adventure was Günter Markerts solo trip around the world on a Kreidler 50cc scooter - 15 months starting in 1954!
http://www.kreidler.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=41113

This site is an interesting read....!
http://overlandmag.com/resources/history/history-1950s/
I am now searching for Gunther's book in English.(I also collect Brekina VW T1 models from Teningen....the Kreidler Florett Kastenwagen is a very much sought after model/issue from Brekina - I think the Florett was a much-loved roller!

[TLRam1]

I never knew these guys had money, wondered how they kept up financial obligations for months on end and jobs that allowed then to be gone.