Adventure riding books and documentaries

[Wolf]

Just finished Charley Boorman's "Road to Dakar"
Suprisingly (I wasn't expecting a lot) I really enjoyed it, couldn't put it down. I have a whole new respect for anyone that completes the Paris Dakar, and the effort Charley put in beforehand.

I want to get that book as well as I've been interested in the Dakar Rally for years and it would be nice to read about what it is actually like and what the competitors go through to complete it, how they prepare beforehand etc.

[Wolf]

Well, as of last night my budding library includes both the book (autographed by Des Molloy) and DVD of "The Last Hurrah - Beijing to Arnhem 2005".

Watched the DVD twice already - once at the screening and again a couple of hours later at home with strayjuliet.

Definitely a "must own".

If you can't draw inspiration from the fact that a couple of old geezers rode their 1960's motorbikes through some of the roughest terrain on Earth then you're immune to any form of inspiration.

[magicfairy]

Now half way through watching the "Road to Dakar" DVD. I would recommend reading the book first, and then getting the DVD, which has been really good so far.

[Ghost Lemur]

http://www.matthewpower.net/kashmirfinal.pdf

I thought I was jealous of BigDave's job. This guy has him bet.

Matt Power is a freelance Journo who gets paid to go on adventure rides. Have only read this article so far, but have started his "Dirtbiking South Africa's Wild Coast" article now.

What a gig. Definitely sounds like a plan, go to India, buy an Indian Enfield, ride to a spot 800 ft higher than Mt Everests base camp, then ride all the way back again. Why? Why not.

The article got me thinking about something else too. We all know about those who take their bikes around the world. But how much cooler would it be to buy a local and ride that (Enfield in India, Chinese dualsport (or whatever is most common) in China. It'd have the added benefit of being assured that parts and local knowledge were available. Obviously it wouldn't matter in some parts of the world (US, Europe), but in places like India it'd be grand.

[Dutchee]

Just finished Charley Boorman's "Road to Dakar"
Suprisingly (I wasn't expecting a lot) I really enjoyed it, couldn't put it down. I have a whole new respect for anyone that completes the Paris Dakar, and the effort Charley put in beforehand.

Lol, that sounds like me. I bought the bike the day before the ISDE, finished it on day 3 (had to be at checks a couple of hours early to get a semi-decent staging area & get things ready for when the riders came in). Only bought the book as it was the last copy at Whitcoulls in Taupo.
Husband started reading it last night & probably finish it tonight or tomorrow.
Magicfairy - is the dvd worthwhile getting, too? How long is it? I might wait a while as with LWR I bought the 2 disc dvd, then about 8 months later had to buy the 3 disc. Whatever anyone says about LWR, it did open some eyes and get some addicted to a new way of riding.
www.whitehorsepress.com has some interesting looking books (need to wait till after xmas before I think about a bulk purchase).

[Wolf]

The article got me thinking about something else too. We all know about those who take their bikes around the world. But how much cooler would it be to buy a local and ride that (Enfield in India, Chinese dualsport (or whatever is most common) in China. It'd have the added benefit of being assured that parts and local knowledge were available. Obviously it wouldn't matter in some parts of the world (US, Europe), but in places like India it'd be grand.

There was mention on Horizon's Unlimited of a bloke who buys a cheap local bike (no more than US$500) and rides it until it falls to bits or he leaves the country whereupon he sells it for what he can get and gets a new one in the next country - no overseas freighting costs, the "local knowledge and parts you mentioned and it's cheap.

[magicfairy]

Husband started reading it last night & probably finish it tonight or tomorrow.
Magicfairy - is the dvd worthwhile getting, too? How long is it? I might wait a while as with LWR I bought the 2 disc dvd, then about 8 months later had to buy the 3 disc.

I am actually enjoying Race to Dakar DVD more than Long Way Round. Nearly finished it. Gives a great insight to all parts of the Dakar, from Riders, so support crew etc. Charley whines a bit too much though. But to see how tough it is - I don't know how they do it. If you like LWR you will like Race to Dakar. I coudn't find it in the shops to got it online via Realgroovy.co.nz.

[Wolf]

But how much cooler would it be to buy a local and ride that (Enfield in India, Chinese dualsport (or whatever is most common) in China. It'd have the added benefit of being assured that parts and local knowledge were available. Obviously it wouldn't matter in some parts of the world (US, Europe), but in places like India it'd be grand.

Another thought on this:
You'd be hard pressed to find a place where you couldn't find a motorbike. When McGregor and Boorman's cameraman had probs with his bike they had no problem finding a locally made bike which suited the area better than the Beemers. You'd get to try bikes that are not available here or are rare here, some places you might only be able to find old machines that have been kicking around for years.

Doubt I could do it - I'd want to freight them all home because they'd all have sentimental value to me. It'd end up costing at least as much as it would to freight my own bike around the world.

[Ghost Lemur]

Some others I've added to my list...

One Man Caravan. Think it's an adventure riding around the world now? Robert Fulton did it in 1932 on a Douglas Twin.

Chasing Che. Journalist Patrick Symmes retraces Che Guevera's journey of descovery, on his Bemmer GS.

Blood, Sweat & Gears: Ramblings on Motorcycling and Medicine. By Dr Flash Gordon (real name), it's supposed to be a great combination of wit and information.

[Dutchee]

I am actually enjoying Race to Dakar DVD more than Long Way Round. Nearly finished it. Gives a great insight to all parts of the Dakar, from Riders, so support crew etc. Charley whines a bit too much though. But to see how tough it is - I don't know how they do it. If you like LWR you will like Race to Dakar. I coudn't find it in the shops to got it online via Realgroovy.co.nz.

Have bought it online from Aus for $24.95 (plus another dvd & packaging) - should still be cheaper than from RG (saw it there for $44.95). No idea how long it'll take as the stupid season is nearly here.

[The Big J]

Hi there
Does anyone in Dunedin or Christchurch or Wellington have a Mondo Enduro dvd I could borrow for the night? Procrastinated too much to order off internet.
pm or txt me on 0275453515
cheers
Josh

[xwhatsit]

I happened to quite enjoy Zen and Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, despite your frustration with it ^_^...

Then again I did start reading it before I'd started biking myself. I got hold of it in an effort to improve my English (older books like this tend to have more complex grammar and vocabulary), but I enjoyed the book itself too. It's fascinating, so long as you don't read it expecting to learn much about motorcycle maintenance, or motorcycling. It's sort of an early pop-philosophy book; one of the best introductions to philosophy you can read. Of course, if that doesn't float your boat, then you would be well advised to burn it. Motorcyclists tend to be people of immediate gratification, rather than cognitive pleasures... there's something to be said for both.

Anyway, back on topic...

[Motu]

The Zen book was written at the height of the Hippy era...''Pop Philosophy''...is that what we were into? I thought we just did everything old people didn't like.But there was a certain type of hippy who rode motorcycles,the ''freedom'' thing y'know - the Hippy Bikers.I was one of those,and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a real disapointment.

[Wolf]

Rented "The Motorcycle Diaries" on DVD - will watch it tonight or tomorrow. I figure it should be interesting to watch and I've heard it was very well done for a dramatisation.

[Transalper]

good luck with that, the motorcycle bit only lasts 8 or 9 minutes (maybe a little more, but u get the idea) and it's all english subtitles. At least that's how it was on the big screen. However if you're not actually looking for a motorcycle movie, it's quite interesting.