TV2 The Long Way Round

[k14]

I missed it last week - why is the camera dude on that old thing..? Did his beemer break too? Was it from that shot near the beginning where his bike is down that embankment? Didn't sound too good when it started again. But didn't explain that tht broke his bike... Sucks his gear got stolen aswell. In the middle of nowhere, and his stuff gets taken

And that roll over was nasty for the support crew.
And love Charlie's comments on why he wants his own tent.. at least he's honest about it!
Still loving the series

Claudio's bike had a break in the frame (same as ewan's) from a fairly decent crash he had. They had it repaired by a guy in kazhastan (sp??) and when he arc welded it to fix it something happened to the abs braking system which screwed the brakes up. So they got it sent from wherever it was it got broken ahead to get fixed and bought a bike from the local markets (cost $1040usd) for that russian 2 stroke thingy. I don't know how they got his bike fixed though, one min he was still on the russian shitter and then he's back on his bmw. Was a bit confused, would have thought they would have said how they got it fixed.

[Postie]

its been said already, but WOW, seeing how people live in that country, its like a whole other species of human. We watch movies where aliens land in America normally, and the aliens are superior in intelligence and technology, i wonder how many of those people would have seen a camera or a motor bike? what do you think 3 guys with helmets on and silver bikes would look like to those people?? it must have been like a mini alien invasion for them. I don't think there tourism industry is booming.

[TwoSeven]

I missed it last week - why is the camera dude on that old thing..?

Thats not an old thing. Thats a brand new russian thing. Apart from a dodgy alternator, its prooved more reliable than the bmw's.

Anyone make out what it actually is. Cossack ?

[bugjuice]

Thats not an old thing. Thats a brand new russian thing. Apart from a dodgy alternator, its prooved more reliable than the bmw's.

Anyone make out what it actually is. Cossack ?

lol.. sorry, ma bad.. It looked in bloody good condition, so didn't know if it was just a new bike that's an old design, or just a well kept classic. I was hoping the former by the way the camera dude rides.. I so could have done a better job.. Ewan, are you listening?!?!!? damn it..

[Wolf]

Isn't it interesting to see how others live. Quite happily too with no cell phones or internet...

Gods! How do they survive?!?

[XP@]

Finally! they decided to dump a whole load of crap they have been carrying around... took them long enough though.

Breaking the frame makes for a good story... but isn't it a bit wiser to re-inforce your frame BEFORE you set off??? and note they have only repaired the frame, it dosent look like they added any braceing to it.

[Motu]

They put some plate over the butt welds,about all you can do really,unless you strip to bare frame and replace that section of frame rail....kinda extreme.The GS has been used for a lot of RTW trips,and the loading is pretty standard,I bet some banker on his RTW would take a few more luxuries than Ewan and Charlie,but it's the day after day pounding that takes the toll.

[dawnrazor]

Finally! they decided to dump a whole load of crap they have been carrying around... took them long enough though.

Breaking the frame makes for a good story... but isn't it a bit wiser to re-inforce your frame BEFORE you set off??? and note they have only repaired the frame, it dosent look like they added any braceing to it.

along with a host of other things that they would have done had they the benefit of any experience of doing anything like this before. So that said I reckon considering the logistical head fuck that putting together something like this is, a snapped sub-frame is pretty small change in the grand scheme of things.

[Wolf]

along with a host of other things that they would have done had they the benefit of any experience of doing anything like this before. So that said I reckon considering the logistical head fuck that putting together something like this is, a snapped sub-frame is pretty small change in the grand scheme of things.

So true. And even with experience of long tours or the specific motorbike involved, there would still be things you can't foresee. Ted Simon wound up having to bodge together a metal plate inside his pannier because the constant vibrations and jarring ripped the heads of the mounting bolts clean through the fibreglass wall of the pannier. In this day and age I would use one of the more resilient modern plastics - but I would not be surprised if something buggered up with them, too. Hell, I could clip a rock and smash the lock or the mounting bolts could shear.

You prepare as best you can and then be as ingenious as you can be on the road when the unprepared-for strikes. I wouldn't even begin to know what parts of a bike's frame would need reinforcing or where my load carrying gear would need to be strengthened or protected.

You could reinforce the whole frame (doubling the weight the engine has to move and you have to pick up) and mount reinforced paniers - only to drop the bike and put a hole in the side of your petrol tank thanks to a "conveniently located" (to whichever God has the wicked sense of humour, anyway) rock. Damn, didn't think to armour the tank or carry a spare, what with worrying about all the paperwork, medical supplies, camping gear, tools, snake-bite kits, water bottles, petrol cans, oil bottles, first aid gear, vaccinations....

When I go, it will be "well planned" - but I'm not putting any bets on it being uneventful...

[Motu]

I'm very impressed with how their Tourtech panniers are holding up to the pounding,I was having a look at them,and they appear almost undamaged.

Ahem....there is a mint set of Tourtech panniers and top box on TradeMe now,reserve met and at $500 now.What the hell do I need those for when all I do is day rides....tempting though....

[Oscar]

I'm very impressed with how their Tourtech panniers are holding up to the pounding,I was having a look at them,and they appear almost undamaged.

Ahem....there is a mint set of Tourtech panniers and top box on TradeMe now,reserve met and at $500 now.What the hell do I need those for when all I do is day rides....tempting though....

You have come close to getting abandoned at least once, and there was that time a led you miles of the track...

Perhaps you should take a tent.

[bugjuice]

on again tonight peeps.. apparently a good one..

[nudemetalz]

Well mostly great tonight,...but,...that scene with the wild bear being shot by the Ruskis was truly awful. Only killed so the Russian Truck Drivers could sell it's skin and gall bladder. Man, made me peeved off !!!!
Even Ewan McGregor commented on how bad it was.

[John]

Well mostly great tonight,...but,...that scene with the wild bear being shot by the Ruskis was truly awful. Only killed so the Russian Truck Drivers could sell it's skin and gall bladder. Man, made me peeved off !!!!
Even Ewan McGregor commented on how bad it was.

if you were in their position would you do it? I think somehow the worry of providing a meal to my family is more important than a bear sadly, if you have problems with bear furr take it up to the people that by it, its just like the 250 crisis.

[nudemetalz]

if you were in their position would you do it? I think somehow the worry of providing a meal to my family is more important than a bear sadly, if you have problems with bear furr take it up to the people that by it, its just like the 250 crisis.

Hey, Man, don't jump on me !! I was only expressing my opinion.
I can see your point, just that I hate seeing wild animals killed, that's all.