Pensioner goes on four month trip… a decade later still hasn’t stopped!

[Bob]

When Ian Coates, 66, retired in 1999, he decided to celebrate with a four-month ride to South Africa. 10 years later, he is still riding!

Yorkshireman Coates has, to date, visited 70 countries and covered some 130,000 miles. Adventures have included being hit by a car in Mexico, becoming a victim of female pickpockets in Guatemala and motorbiking across the Andes on steep mountain paths.

However, his wife has finally called time and said he should begin to return home, to see the family “Who have started to forget what he looks like”. The return journey will include travelling across the Bering Straits to Siberia and Mongolia and riding overland to France from where Ian will head back to real life.

[fredie]

link please

[Bob]

link please

Link to what? That is the news item, neatly summarised. Don't you believe me? I DO this for a (part-time) living you know!

Je suis confuse... actually, found what looks like a blog of his journeys:

http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/news/news06/17.html

and this:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-advisories-safety-security-road/ian-coates-anybody-seen-him-3366

also come up with this, which has photos:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1191882/Pensioner-takes-year-Gap-Year-travel-world-motorbike.html

Trust that little lot will be sufficient! :scooter:

Bob

[kevfromcoro]

There is hope for us yet.
reading stories like that keep us going..
reminds me of my 1st wife.
she went down to wellyton for a two week holiday.
must be having a good time.
cause that was 1982

[Coldrider]

This is 'Ian the Pom' that was at the Brass Monkey 5 or 6 or more years ago.
Great to see he still has not made it home.

[davereid]

reminds me of my 1st wife.
she went down to wellyton for a two week holiday.
must be having a good time.
cause that was 1982

You must still be celebrating ... move house and change your name while you can..:laugh:

[skidMark]

There is hope for us yet.
reading stories like that keep us going..
reminds me of my 1st wife.
she went down to wellyton for a two week holiday.
must be having a good time.
cause that was 1982

Blessing in disguise?

u made me lol

[Taz]

There is hope for us yet.
reading stories like that keep us going..
reminds me of my 1st wife.
she went down to wellyton for a two week holiday.
must be having a good time.
cause that was 1982

I see you said 1st wife?? Don't tell me you made the same mistake twice?