Long Way Argument

[frozennorth]

Geez, I know this has been dealt with to death, but what the heck, it's the new year.

My father in law, a BMW rider of 45 years and I are having a substantial discussion (argument) about the Long Way Round series (that I bought on DVD).

His point is that these are two rich boys, not necessarily great riders, riding with a big support team, travelling hard roads that shoud be experienced hard-core. He believes that it's all about the money, that it's staged, and that, for "the real rider", isn't worth watching with little redeeming value.

My argument is that, aside from the obvious wealthy boy's behaving badly issue, that this really is a bit of a "pilot guide" program that shows what can be experienced on a touring machine to the general public--people who might at some point become bike afficionados. Further, I'd be hesitant to tour some of the areas they do, without some type of support . . . better to have someone come and save your bacon as opposed to losing a limb, being thrown into prison, or disappearing altogether. For the 70% or more of us that almost never take our bikes off a highway and don't tour for more than one or two weeks at a time, this program ends up being wishful thinking where we get a chance to live vicariously through a couple of guys who've got the money and connections to actually do this.

I've had this discussion with a bunch of my riding buddies and they are all slagging the program, but I sometimes think that secretly all these guys wish they had the opportunity to make that trip and it's a bit of sour grapes. I also wonder how many of us riders would do any better . . . with or without support team.

I guess if you are going to chronical 20,000 miles of riding, and want to do it in a format that you can actually broadcast to the masses you are going to make some sacrifices in terms of staying true to the so called "touring ethic". How many of you would watch McGregor and Boorman's home videos of the trip and not get bored . . . never mind the general public that doesn't know brake side from shift side.

In the end, these guys, no matter how rich and famous, and no matter what the financial motivation for the trip, did some reasonably hard riding, discovered some beautiful areas that they shared, and enlightened the non-riding public as to what can be experienced on a bike. This program does a service to getting new people into the passion of riding and touring and, for those of us who can admit it, makes a lot of us lust after their experience.

So . . . am I missing something here?

[DSKYZD]

I'm with you frozennorth. Long Way Round is pure inspiration. To me the guys come across as genuine enthusiasts who made a dream come true. The series makes me want to get out there and ride, that's a good thing.

When my going gets tough (tough by my pampered standards) I can think about what they went through and become motivated to endure it.

The only thing I'd slag them for is not doing a better job of getting their product to the American market and delivering less product once we did get it.

DSKYZD

[popgazer]

It's a reality show, and as such each person may have a different opinion. I was not moved at all by their adventure. Maybe because I have travelled to many places and frequented many cultures, which of course I love to do.

In my opinion, those guys definitely needed to first to travel, by train or by bus, to those places to at least learn something about the place and especially the people. I was baffled by the level of their ignorance of and sometimes intolerance toward other cultures.

[scottybooj]

if one were to look at the pioneers of sport throughout the years, one would find wealthy 'boys' trekking through the great unknowns of the world...with support in tow.

one could look at modern technology today and say that all they need is a SAT phone. i'd agree with that. if they got in trouble, call in the troops.

[Boxerboy]

frozennorth, you both have valid points.

It is staged, supported and not as difficult as it may have been, but these rich boys struggled and I bet they had their share of monkey butt. They hadn't ever tried something like this and they did what they set out to do.

Someone more independently resourceful "on the ground" might have made for more interesting viewing (probably just as staged) if they were as out there as Mcgregor was able to be in garnishing support to get it started in the first place.

I enjoyed watching it, I enjoyed their ignorance, I enjoyed their experience. A "real rider" would find such a trip difficult. The fact that these two softcocks managed to succeed with the support they had is still quite an achievement. I dips me lid to 'em.

If your F-I-L and his fav riding buddy did the same trip, do you think we'd be talking about it, after having watched the dvd? Notoriety, fame helps sometimes. Applaud the idea, applaud the achievement, like you have.

[DJ Downunder]

I say "Good on 'em"...I hope they do another one...and I'll be at the front of the que to buy it...

I liked this quote that was in a local bike mag from a reader...

"Please watch the DVD..and..if you are not moved and touched in your biker soul..then you don't have one!"

DJ

[Shaman]

My response from last year on Amazon:

But after reading the slew of negative reviews I was enticed to add my .02. This 'review' will actually be more of a scathing critique of previous feedback than a true review of the book (which I do own and read), but the book review is in there.

If a person does any amount of online research, such as reading the description of this book before buying it, you will realize it is two fairly well known people taking a trip across a vast distance. Just this fact would inform most intelligent people that an A-List actor and a well-to-do buddy (d-list actor?) would not be loading up 2 mopeds and heading into the wilds without some support.

People get hung up on the description of around the world.
They said 'AROUND THE WORLD",
- not 'touching every continent',
- not 'around the world by equator
- not 'around the world by your definition.
They said they went around the world and they did. They took a route across the Northern Hemisphere that allowed them, with the exception of oceans, to travel by land around the world. They even made the choice to arrive farther west to the US than they needed to. They also chose not to stay strictly to the rail system from Eastern Russia through Manchuria.

You also need to accept they will have some sort of support, and accepting they will have some level of support, it was refreshing to see that it was really only 2 Chase vehicles and a Camera-Man also on a bike. The chase vehicles were not super-duper mega prepped uber-vehicles, they were pretty much off the shelf SUVs that also proved their worth in the environment that these travellers undertook. If anyone has watched even one or two episodes of the current crop of reality automotive shows (overhaulin, biker build off, monster garage, american chopper, etc.) on TV, you will notice that those single 1 hour shows have WAY more technical support that these two guys had. They have a bazillion cameras, chase vehicles, and often a helicopter to boot.... all in the US, on pavement, sometimes when it rains, but often they trailer them when it gets to that point.
So give these two guys some props. Amatuers with little true MC experience, 2 chase vehicles, and a camera man.

People complain about sponsored vehicles. Petty.
Sure, they are rich, but rich does not always = willing to throw my own money down when someone else will pay. Otherwise they would = poor. Would any poster here choose to NOT accept corporate sponsorship?
ANYONE, would accept free rides over some they had to pay for themselves. They just had the clout to get it done. And while they wanted KTM, BMW was nice enough to pony up.

People get tired of the whining in the book...
I found it refreshing. they did not excerpt only the glossy, happy go lucky, make me appear loveable to promote my marketability, parts. They presented themselves as they were; uncomfortable, tired, haggard, testy, and a wee-bit irritable at times. They presented themselves as people, not glamour queens.
(an aside.. while I hate the show, I like that Paris Hilton and Nicole Ricthey are willing to try something embarrassing in "The Simple Life"... they certainly dont need the money either)

And I guess lastly in terms of critiques, people keep commenting they thought it was going to be like (insert name of previous marathon adventure MC stories here). Well, it wasn't. I/We appreciate that you did not find it to be like what you thought it might be, but that is not the fault of the book. that is YOUR fault for making an incorrect assumption. Dont reduce your rating on the book because you were wrong.

ok.. so what do I think?
- I think it was a great, fun, read.
- It was not a grass roots book, but as another responder listed there are a number of other resources online and in print that I will chase down now that my adventure interest is piqued.
- It was not perfectly written, but that lends some credibility to the fact that it is 'their' story, not some market media mock-up to enhance their saleability.
- I am looking to get back into local touring and BMW did a good thing in risking their reputation with their bikes. I'll be considering them a lot harder despite their extra cost.
- I can not wait for the American DVD release.. I ALMOST am willing to order the UK version, but not quite.

* If you like reading about people taking on a challenge that 99% of the rest of the riders in the world would never even attempt, let alone accomplish (even with support), then pick up the book and enjoy their adventure.
* If you are a true 1%'r who will scoff at their nice new bikes, their support, and their complaining, then please save your money for your own adventure and come back to link to YOUR adventure so we can all read it as well.

(side note.... RoadRunner Magazine [ http://www.rrmotorcycling.com/ ] is running a great storyline in their magazine about a couple who are solo'ing (supportless) around the southern hemisphere. It is also a great story to keep up on.)

[king biscuit]

I watched the DVDs and really liked the show. My wife, who doesn't even like bikes and would rather I sell mine, even liked the show. OK, they had support. They said that up front. How many of these type shows have you seen where they try to make you believe they didn't have support and you know damn well they did or they couldn't have filmed it from every angle. Are they rich guys? Yep, no doubt about it. Did they pay for the trip by selling it to TV and DVD? Yep...bet any one of us would do the same if we could. This is no different than the guys that are lucky enough to do bike tests for magazines or TV shows....albeit a long trip.

The only part I didn't like was the "Orange County Chopper" segment. These "Posers/Master Marketers/Clowns" seem able to get their face onto anything related to 2 wheels...and they suck! Did you notice that when they rode to NYC with the stars of the show, they didn't ride their own choppers, they rode Harleys! So much for their bikes being "Rideable".

I think some folks just read too much into this type of thing. Watch it, enjoy it, let it go at that.

For what it's worth,
Dan

[houndog]

Here Here King Bisquit. Ditto

[frozennorth]

Yeah, I agree with DSKYZD about getting the DVD to market. UK and PAL formats hit the overseas market before US and Canada . . . and they were the special edition 3 DVD not the standard 2 disc. I ordered the special edition from a local CD/DVD retailer and am pleased with the extras.

Thanks for the replies so far. I think I need to send my father-in-law a link to this thread.

[socalrob]

I thought the show & book were great. So what they're rich, if I were I would do it the same way. Are they as ballsy as 2 guys going into Mongolia & Siberia without support? No, but I doubt I'd have the nerve to go it alone either. I personally will probably never tour outside of the US, western Europe, Canada, Mexico or Australia/New Zeland.

My wife & kids watched add the episodes. Got me to thinking about riding up to Alaska in a few years with my son as pillion. So whats the harm?

I forgive them the Orange County Chopper thing, as they aren't Americans, from all the press OCC gets they probably figure its an American thing they should check out, not realizing its all hype, kind of like an American going to all the touristy Royal stuff in London, which I'm sure the Londoners on average think is pretty blase.

Reading the book I liked the buddy aspects of it. I'll criticize them when I do something more adventuresome. & like DJ says, I'll get their next trip too.

[rph802]

I just got my DVDs last week and watched them over the holidy w/e. This was a huge undertaking no matter how you slice and dice it. The book seemed more naturally written than professionally polished. When the shows were on bravo I had missed the episodes on the road of bones. DEAR GOD WHAT THE HELL WERE THEY THINKING??!??!! was all I could keep thinking. The support vehicles mostly seemed hours to days behind these guys all the time. What were they for but to carry paperwork, emergency gear and a very cranky a$$ doctor dissing them all the time. This was a huge undertaking and they were camping out in Mongolia and Kazakstahn, dealing with BROKEN FRAMES in the middle of freaking nowhere.

Would I compare it to say Neil Peart's tour as described in Ghost Rider?? While Neil was always in at least a developed country where gas and lodging might be scarce, it would be somewhere at least. But it was done completely alone crossing the far Northwest Territories and Baja and Belize. Personally rather take on Mexico than Mongolia but thats just me.

Craig

[jonothan]

It doesn't matter how much or how little support they took along with them. It was hard, and they were brave to do it at all - and how many other people have truly embarked on an epic adventure like this?

Moreover, they inspired me to take my bike test, they inspired me to buy a BMW, and they've inspired my wife to do the same.

Kudos to them, I say. Kudos to anyone famous who uses their celebrity status to improve the image of biking.

I loved the show, and I loved the book.

J

[Boxer]

I say kudos to them too for the UNICEF work they participated in during the ride. I bet most of the world never knew there were kids living in sewers like rats in Mongolia. At least I think it was Mongolia.

[wncbmw]

It might have been rich guys with support but lots of rich people spend there money on worse stuff! If it was rich, I'd been right there with them (if invited!)

And maybe it was a reality show but it was bound to be better than Survivor! (I can proudly claim to have never watched a reality show of any kind. BTW!)

[DJ Downunder]

Hey guys check this out...they are doing another one...here's the info. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 19,00.html

DJ

The Sunday Times - Britain



The Sunday Times November 13, 2005

McGregor revs up to cross Africa the long way
Gayle Ritchie



EWAN McGREGOR, the actor turned motorcycling globetrotter, is planning to embark on another epic bike ride, travelling from the northernmost tip of Scotland to the toe of Africa.
The Scottish actor, who shot to fame in the cult film Trainspotting in 1996, is expected to be accompanied on the 6,500-mile journey from John O’ Groats to Cape Town by his friend Charley Boorman, son of the film director John Boorman.



The pair teamed up for three months last year to ride through Europe, Russia, Mongolia, Alaska and North America, raising money for Unicef, the United Nations children’s fund.

During the 20,000-mile motorcycle journey they faced hardships and potential catastrophes, including a dangerous encounter with an armed gang in Ukraine.

Their experiences were recounted in Long Way Round, a six-part television documentary.

They also published a book, which became a bestseller. They are now making plans for a second challenge in 2007. A spokeswoman for McGregor, who is starring in the hit musical Guys and Dolls, said: “Ewan loves bikes and he had a great time with Charley on last year’s challenge.

“He’s very busy with Guys and Dolls but another trip is in the pipeline.”

McGregor has not abandoned cinema work. His forthcoming projects include films about Bonnie Prince Charlie and Beatrix Potter.

He said the inspiration behind his marathon ride last year came from a book, Jupiter’s Travels, by Ted Simon. He was struck by the idea while on a beach in Mauritius reading the book, which told the story of Simon’s four-year journey around the world on a Triumph motorcycle in the 1970s.

“We live in such a comfortable and easy time that it doesn’t do yourself any harm to go and test yourselves, and survive with just the bare essentials,” McGregor said.

Boorman, who became friends with McGregor, 34, after discovering their passion for motorbikes when they met on the set of the film Serpent’s Kiss in 1997, said another trip was a “great idea”.

He added: “Ewan and I are always talking about future trips and this one sounds like it would be amazing.”

Since completing Long Way Round, Boorman has begun practising for Dakar 2006, the gruelling and dangerous mountain and desert rally, scheduled to be screened on television next autumn.

Training for the race has been intense and on more than one occasion has given him cause for concern. He was badly injured in Dubai, and suffered a hairline fracture on his spine.

He has said he has cracked his ribs so many times they no longer heal properly.

[rivi7777]

Enjoyable dvd and book...

On page 233, second paragraph in the book, one of Ewan's warm and fuzzy moments: "I lay in my ger thinking that if the likes of President Bush, who might even struggle to find Mongolia on a map, had spent more time finding out what was happening outside their own countries, they whould recognise what all people of all nationalities and religions have in common, instead of focusing on the differences, and maybe the world wouldn't be in such a mess."

[chris]

I enjoyed the series and the book. It set me to thinking about new bikes and I have to admit, played a small part in my decision to try the roadster as I wanted to try something different.
Also checking out HC travel with a friend who wants to try Mongolia. The wives aren't interested so with luck, we'll have a 2 week men only trip (guided admittedly) on FS650's to look forward to next year.
I just wanted to see it for myself and camp in a ger. I'll pass on the goats nuts though...