BBC | LongWayDown | Road Log

Another truck turned over?

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:56:11 GMT

What are the odds? One on it's side in a ditch last trip and one on it's side in the desert. I wonder if you've seen any other similarities to this trip and the last, or is it completely and totally different? Hopefully, it's just as good as the last one. Hope you're all still enjoying it.

Good luck

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:14:42 GMT

Another fantastic trip for us to follow. Glad to see all the good stuff you are all doing.I know its all been said before but I wish you all the very best on your trip and hope it all goes safely.Keep up the good work. xxxx

No winscreen here ...

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:17:12 GMT

My current motorcycle is a naked SV650, meaning no fairings to speak of, and thus my "windscreen" is about 3" tall - really there just for looks. Earplugs are great, or earphones for long distance rides when a bit of music is nice. Anything to stop that ringing in your ears after 200+km of riding. Without any fairings, riding down the freeway (motorway) is quite something when the 100+kph wind is pushing you around like a rag-doll. However, if I wanted to be fully comfortable I would be in a car now wouldn't I? ------ Quetion for Claudio : How is the sand, wind and general muck treating your camera gear? Any difference between this and the Dakar? ------ Stay safe! Richard T.

Sore Bum

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:30:35 GMT

Try a pair of cycling shorts to relive the sore backside. The more padding the better. Good luck and stay safe boys.

Any tips for wild camping in Scotland?

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:46:28 GMT

Me and a friend are off wild camping in tyndrum,scotland. any tips? Many Thanks and good look Alan

Saddle Beads

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:49:28 GMT

Have you tried using the beaded saddle covers? I've heard that they can help with ventilation and circulation on long rides. Seems like maybe you could find some in Africa or find something that could be modified into a saddle cover! Good luck guys! You are in our thoughts! Patrick

Shift and Change!

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:18:56 GMT

Keep shifting your position if you can. If you're going on a long straight road with no gear changes, then shift your bum back onto the pillion seat, just for a change and to stop your muscles cramping up. It'll also simulate riding a big fat chopper! :-D

Communication sistem

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:51:19 GMT

I'd like to know how you can talk togheter meanwhile you're riding...specially if you're wearing earplugs. and how much is the distance between the bikes that make this possible? Thank you guys, you'ra fanteastic.

They think its funny!

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:56:09 GMT

Well fella's looks scarey. What got me was that they think the crash was funny. Watch yourselves and be more careful of the other idiots on the roads. Danksy

icomfortable

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:10:11 GMT

My iPod makes for a comfortable and enjoyable ride!
Cheers Guys!

Long Way Home

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:23:26 GMT

Rode my new KTM up from London to North East Scotland a couple of years ago. Not a great distance, but it was February and there was the worst weather - snow, hail, fog etc. Went service hopping all the way home: Hot drink..pee, hot drink...pee! I don't think there's such a thing as a totally comfortable long distance ride. If the thrill doesn't outweigh the discomfort ...then buy a car. Good to see your video message at 'Donny' MotoGP. Ride safe guys.

Exercise

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:42:46 GMT

Not many people do this, but streching before you sleep goes a long way to a better morning and preventing soar limbs.

Sore-butt.. and leg rock relief!

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:53:53 GMT

I've done some +600km day's on my KTM 640 (no disrespect!!)... when my legs feel like rocks I hang them straight down off the pegs. Keeps your ego in check too, mostly because you look like an imbecile! Although, it's not possible when you're riding in treacherous conditions.

Sore limbs??

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 22:12:48 GMT

Asprin.. It helps me lots with stiff and sore muscles - PLUS it's easy to find so you should have no trouble finding it in Ethiopia.

Road tunes

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 22:05:23 GMT

Eek! Let's hope that's the ONLY crash you see this entire trip. And speaking of road noise, are you guys hooked up with any way to have music with you? iPods or whatnot? If so, what tunes did you bring? Stay safe guys...you're all in our prayers!

Be CAREFUL!

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 22:20:54 GMT

Oh and by the way, be extra careful when riding. Be on your toes & expect the unexpected - don't always trust the traffic lights, signs and rules. ALWAYS drive defensively. Seeing that accident was... unh, unpleasant. At least no one got hurt though.. -Stay safe, OK?

Soreness

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:27:14 GMT

Ewan and Charley, please be careful on those roads. Stetching helps me and a heating pad, but it's so hot where you are a heating pad is out of the question. I use advil to reduce swelling in my joints. I bet a ice pack would feel good, but it wouldn't last long in the heat. Stay alert, take your time, and above all stay safe.

What's on your iPod?

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:54:37 GMT

What are the chances of Claudio reprising the aerodynamic 'nude nut' hairdo? and how are the 1200's holding up?

Gifts

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 01:03:04 GMT

Have you exchanged any gifts with the locals? (last time you both carried scotch/choc' bars to exchange) - what interesting things have you got in return? Best wishes, Paul.

Vision first

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 01:48:09 GMT

I'm still trying to figure out why my helmet fogs up so badly. Then I'll worry about the noise! But as long as you have some good riding music to listen to, then all will be well!

Doing it.

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 02:33:37 GMT

Good on you guys for having the opportunity to take a trip like this, and doing it! And for bring more awareness to UNICEF. I just made my first donation because of you guys.

He fell asleep?

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 03:03:58 GMT

Yikes!! Well, the thought of that crash happening anywhere near you ought to keep you from thinking about sore bums and tired limbs! I like to stretch out before and after riding. LOL, you guys could always get a massage. ;-) Stay upright and be safe!!

Pain Relief

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 03:39:07 GMT

Gday boys. Mate, know all about that monkey butt,{ex-postie and own a KTM-450,hard seats} Try some padded bike shorts, works great, and or a sheeps skin seat cover, they work well,a mate has one on his Husky-450.{don't ask, weird guy} There's always a big handfull of vasalein, but you end up thinking you've had a ? um, dumb in your shorts.? So boys, what do you think of my Aussie adventure idear.No flat tyres to fix Charley. Stay safe team, stay upright boys.

What are you craving?

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 05:13:40 GMT

Ewan and Charley, whenever I go backpacking in the wilderness, I often end up fixating on Mexican food and pizza. You're probably experiencing some impossible food and drink cravings of your own. What would taste AMAZING right about now? Please don't say that it's haggis! :-)

Carry On up The Kyber

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:48:38 GMT

Not sure who'd play Syd James, Kenneth Williams, Hatty Jackes or Barara Windsor?? Suggest replacing the tartan underpants with paddled cycling shorts - they're light weight, and soooo comfortable on long cycling rides, but you will look a bit like a red bottomed baboon from behind.

How to stay comfortable

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 07:32:03 GMT

Hey dudes! What I do with my 1200GS is I change the seat position sometimes during different riding areas. What I found is that making the seat a little higher in front than in the back is most comfortable for me!

What next?

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 08:23:45 GMT

Well, you've gone the Long Way Round and now the Long Way Down, what's next? How do you possibly top the experiences you have had and probably have yet still to encounter on your present trip. When you think of the places you have visited on either trip, which is the first one that comes into your mind and why? Kepp riding safe and have the time of your lives. I await with anticipation of seeing all about it when it is aired on TV. Good luck guys and if ever you are passing through our small little Breton Village, please pop in for a cuppa English Tea!!!

Missing the Kids?

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 09:33:45 GMT

Hi to you both, Just read an article calling Ewan a 'father of 3' - have you had another addition to the family?? We named our son after you!

How to uncrunch yourself

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 09:43:19 GMT

You might benefit from some pigeon pose and maybe some wheel/bridge posing to loosen up the hips and butt and reverse the strain on the back, respectively. Do you know these yoga poses? If not, look them up! Take Care and Cheers!

Catching up

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:35:56 GMT

Hi guys, i'm really late catching on to the Long way round!, just ordered it off Amazon (other sites are available!) and i'm reading Charleys book, Road to Dakar, great read so far Charley! Hope your having an amazing adventure! Live the dream and also raise awareness for UNICEF. Good on you boys, be safe and i'm really looking forward to seeing this!

change in the weather

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:47:54 GMT

Hi guys. Been following the trip and waiting for you here in South Africa. Just to fuel any fantasies of cooler weather, I wanted to tell you that it snowed here last night! Yup, kids were out making snow balls this morning. You are riding straight into winter. Hang in there!

Comfortable on bike

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:55:29 GMT

Antipersperant: but not where you think. Spread evenly in the southern region and you wont get "the Caffe" read it once and laughed. but does it work. good for 3 days. prevents sweaty bum Ewan....

the bikes

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:57:35 GMT

Hey guys hope all is going well on your trip of life time? god i wish i could get out of the office i work in and just head east or head down on a bike as you guys did. i love long way round watch the dvd all the time. just a quick question how are the bikes handling? did you do any off road training before you set of like before long way round? or did you feel prepared after the roads in mongolia? good luck guys can't wait for the dvd all the best Ash

Photos or autographs?

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:23:14 GMT

Hellow guys! Do they reconize you? Do they ask for autographs, photos and this kind of things? See you soon Good bless you

earplugs

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:18:06 GMT

Hey! It is a surprise to know that it is not only me that uses earplugs/ipod to cope with the noise of riding. my windscreen shifts the airflow towards the helmet only, which is ok for the shoulders but not nice for my ears...! That's why I rely on my ipod! And well... LOTS of position change while riding, it help yout butt!

crashed truck

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:16:44 GMT

dont worry about the bad driving there remember on the long way round when you could only takeover the lorries before you could see anything coming in the otheer direction surely this cant be any worse

Techniques for comfort ...

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:41:25 GMT

Don't the animal riders in that part of the world show some preference for sheep skins with the wool still on? I like the beaded seat covers one sees taxi drivers with sometimes. Bit of a massage and allows air to circulate. I've a gel seat on my bike and it�s the 'bee�s knees' for my climate. I think by the time you reach land's end in S. Africa it'd be cool if your bikes looked as if they'd gone totally native. John O' Groats = absolutely industrial world high tech to S. Africa = Lawrence of Arabia-esque in appearence. :-)

Sore bums

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:44:51 GMT

Hey you guys, I thought you used Airhawk comfort saddles. Or aren't they all they're cracked up to be? Good luck and take care.

Whole Way Round

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:02:42 GMT

Gday all, Hey Charley, just watched your "Race to Dakar" DVD. Awesome! You blokes should come back to Australia and do a Cape to Cape trip. There's heaps of challenging tracks the "Whole Way Round" There you go there's the title for the Aus trip. Just brought the Arai Tour-X helmet you blokes use for my big around Aus trip on my GS1200Adv in Oct. Yeah ear plugs do the trick. Anyway have fun, good luck to all the team and again looking forward to seeing the DVD. Oh Yeah Russ, I admire your patience mate and the way you calmly deal with problems :) Iron Side Up Tads

Great Job

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 20:21:37 GMT

I have followed your journeys on Long Way Round and Charlie`s Dakar adventure. I am looking foreward to see the show on your current trip. I also have suggestion for your next "holiday": "Long Way Down Under" - a trip through the red heart if Australia. I want to be your tour guide for that ;-). All the best from Germany and take care for the rest of your trip.

numb bum

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:26:04 GMT

great to see you guys out and about again. My numb bum was instantly cured by an Airhawk seat like you used on the long way round. Why didn't you use them this time?

front wheel

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:45:46 GMT

...i wonder that u DONT use the 21" front wheel?? its much better to drive offroad- ok its made by wunderlich not by touratech- so maybe thats the reason?? ;-) anyway think about it for the NEXT trip....:-)))) good luck and take care- cant wait for the dvd!!!!!!! peter

Cario to Cape

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:11:45 GMT

Hi Guys, been there done that, got the t-shirt. Cairo to Cape Town 24 February to 21 April 2007, 13500km. 5 Beemers and one Yamaha XT 660. If you think the roads are bad in Ethiopia, beware first 500km in Kenia, from Mojale to Marsabit. Worst road in the world. Don't fall for the "escort requirement" set by police. No bandits on that road that we know of. We did it on our own, just a effort to make money. We got away by offering the escort a lift on the back of one of the bikes. Advice, take it slow, 30-40 k/h. Pray it doesn't rain. From there roads are fine. Good luck, it's a hell of a trip. Enjoy the local food. Feel free to contact me if you need tips. South African greetings. Louis

What made you decide on Africa?

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:13:39 GMT

I followed Long Way Around and enjoyed every second of it! Even bought the DVD & book, fantastic! Really looking forward to seeing Long Way Down.After viewing the series, I emailed you asking whether you would consider touring Africa down to Cape Town (My home town by the way!)Although I can't be responsible for you taking my suggestion seriously as I'm sure 100s of other fans probably made the same suggestion! What made you both decide on this trip? Try and avoid the local 'bush beer' even though you'll have an enjoyable time drinking the stuff, it'll mess with your bowel system for a week after! Stay safe! Lisa

Inspired

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:40:55 GMT

Just watched the Long Way Roound again, and started reading this log. Can't wait til I retire already planning trips! Saving to buy GS1200 this year and do some of Europe. Cant wait yippeeee!!!!!

thank you

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:07:20 GMT

thankyou very much Ewan and Charlie you two have got me into motorbiking and i have read your books long way round and charley race to dakar congratulations on both of them especially charly dakar that was amazing to get that far well done. but yeah thankyou very much for the opening into motorbiking and realy wish you luck on your the long way down cant wait to read that as well or see it on tv cheers ben

Sure you know where you are...?

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:54:17 GMT

The clip of the overturned truck doesn't seem to be in Ethiopia; it certaily is not anywhere near Addis Ababa! I know because I'm originally from there. And the trucks have Arabic licence plates, not used in Ethiopia. Are you sure this is not in either Djibouti, the Sudan or even Egypt?

i like it

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:24:42 GMT

enjoy our country !!!!!!!!!!!!