El Khandaq, Sudan
Posted by: Claudio von Planta | Date posted: 13/06/2007
Pictures
No more smooth tarmac... ©
Ewan and Charley made a call to Chris Moyles again this morning to catch up. You can listen to the interview above, or if you'd like to download the interview as a podcast or hear the whole show again, head to the Chris Moyles site.
As the team enter Sudan, the road conditions are getting much worse. The sand is proving treacherous as ever. Read on for what happened…
Ewan takes control of the camera, zooming out to find Claudio. Concerned, he asks him, ‘How are you feeling? What happened?’
‘My first major crash,' explains Claudio. Then, pointing to his bike laying on its side in the road, ‘have you seen it?’
‘I only just got through it myself,’ answers Ewan, ‘I mean, Charley had a wobble, I was all over the place and then got through, and as I pulled up next to Charley he said ‘Claudio’s off’ and I thought, oh God!’
Kicking up the sand, Charley adds, ‘This stuff, you just don’t want to get into, you know, it just sucks you in, and it’s heavy’.
Charley helps Claudio to lift his bike upright. Claudio then surveys the damage, ‘This tank bag just ripped off. It’s amazing that this camera still works because it was in that tank bag, and it’s just ripped off. This is the helmet camera, ripped.’
A concerned Ewan asks, ‘How’s it made you feel, the crash?’ ‘I’m surprised it didn’t hurt me more because I was quite fast,’ explains Claudio. ‘That was a bit scary!’ exclaims Ewan. ‘You alright to carry on now?’ ‘Sure!’ replies Claudio.
Claudio sent us this message explaining the consequences of his crash…
‘Today we drove through some Sudanese deserts at 47 degrees Celsius and destroyed 2 rear shock absorbers. We had one spare which means we have only 2 functional bikes left. Tomorrow my bike should be shipped to Khartoum by truck. I will be in the car and hopefully will find time for some more editing - if it's not too bumpy! Today the road was like a washboard. That's why we killed the bikes!’
See below for the highlights from the Chris Moyles interview...
Hearing about the 47 degree heat in Sudan, Chris wanted to know how they're coping. Surely they're not still wearing their biking leathers? 'No, we're wearing kind of rally suits', explained Charley. 'It's a fabric which sort of lets the air in, but at the moment we've taken our jackets off and are just wearing the protective gear underneath, because it's just so hot…it's like a big sauna inside, all sweaty and everything, you can imagine!'
If Chris was riding in that heat, he'd be thinking about a cold beer. But what's going through Charley’s mind? 'The weirdest things pop into your head when you're riding along. Just today I was thinking about walking down the Kings Road, buy a shirt, sit down, have a coffee, watch the world go by!'
When it comes to falling off the bikes, Ewan classes himself as the 'Team Faller', as he explains. 'I had a few falls yesterday on some sand, going through some towns, and you're going down these walled streets with people everywhere, in deep sand, and I hated it. I hate riding in sand. It makes the front wheel wobble about and you think you're going to fall off. And when you put people and children into the equation it's just terrifying. It’s horrible.'
Reminiscing about the bikes they rode when they were kids, Ewan was reminded of a story. 'My brother had a Chopper, I had a Tomahawk, and then I fell off it and knocked myself unconscious. When I came to I was in Cottage Hospital and my mum's sitting next to me. And she looked at me and I said, 'I want my mum' and she said 'I'm here, son' and I said, 'No, I want my mum!' and she fainted! Ha ha!'
As Ewan and Charley struggled with the sand and the roads, we asked how you got through the tough times. See your replies below.
Comments
Comments 1 - 10 of 76
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At 03:25:48 PM on 13/06/2007, Karyn (Gladstone, OR) wrote:
This too shall pass!
I am glad everyone is all right. It looks like you are in for one hell of a workout. Even though you said the bikes have been modified they sure look heavy when Charley and Claudio were picking it up. Whenever things get tough I just kind of say to myself it isn't always going to be like this; this too shall pass! Most of the time it works. I usually alternate this mantra with a lot of swearing. I don't know if that's what you guys call it but as you guys put it on your video caption (strong language.)Sometimes just using strong language that makes me feel better. Visualize how happy you'll be when you conquered another continent!!!! Keep going guys. You rock!
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At 03:24:08 PM on 13/06/2007, april ulyatt (mansfield (nottingham)) wrote:
home sweet home
thinking of home is the best i think or somewhere that makes you happy! i ewan and charleys case they should think about getting to cape town alive i think!
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At 03:27:47 PM on 13/06/2007, Graeme (Tewin, England) wrote:
When the going gets tough!
Remember The Long Way Round? What were the highlights? The tough times in Mongolia & the tough times on the road of bones. – That’s what keeps you going – because that’s why you’re doing it. Keep safe though so's you can romance over the tough times when you get back.
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At 03:47:11 PM on 13/06/2007, Richard AW Tortorella (Langley, BC, Canada) wrote:
Thinking of work ...
When the going gets tough – the tough keep on riding. On the few occasions when the riding has been difficult, I always remind myself that I could be at work: peering out of my office window and wishing I were on my bike. It doesn't help ease the discomfort of the heat or of the pounding rain, but it always beats being at work hands down ... Take care of yourselves gentlemen, nothing like riding on a wing and a prayer! - Richard T. Take care of yourselves gentlemen, nothing like riding on a wing and a prayer! Richard T.
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At 03:48:23 PM on 13/06/2007, Marcus (Stevenage) wrote:
The thought of the end
When the going gets tough the thought of the goal can help and if not that some great music to take your mind off things and raise your spirits. Guys I hope its not bad for too long. I still remember the road of bones in Russia from your last trip and that was tough enough I reckon. Good luck with the rest of the journey.
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At 04:10:10 PM on 13/06/2007, Joe Mannion (warrington) wrote:
keep it up guys!
keep going guys, your both braver than me for sure, hope the bikes are holding up well for you all good luck for the rest of the journey!
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At 04:19:04 PM on 13/06/2007, Evil Puppy (Istanbul TURKEY) wrote:
As long as you're Healthy..
That's tough.. your bike broke down last week too right? But you're OK! When things get tough, remember that one day all of this will be a memory - maybe one that'll even be a source of humor, who knows :) ? I know it's hard to think of unfortunate events in such a positive way (I know I can't and I sometimes get cranky when people remind ME of it!). Life has ups and downs and with a trip like this, they are bound to be more extreme.. Also what you guys are up to is no small task! crossing continents with motorbikes! I don't even want to think about all the things that can go wrong... but as long as you're healthy, that's all that REALLY matters. Everything is just - well, - everything else, you know? It CAN be fixed. So don't let today get you down. Sleep it off. Anyway, until next time, STAY SAFE & HEALTHY!
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At 04:37:10 PM on 13/06/2007, Morgan (Waterloo, Ontario) wrote:
Adventuresome sayings
Neil Peart, motorcycle traveller, author and drummer for the legendary rock band Rush, has a saying about incidents like these: "Adventures suck when you're having them." Glad everyone's OK. Sure beats working in an office though, doesn't it? :-)
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At 04:48:34 PM on 13/06/2007, Joey (offroad training facility, northern Austria) wrote:
Keep smiling!
Crossing the Kalahari in a 4x4 a couple years back, I went almost a day and a half ahead of my mates for they'd been having some technical problems and I was a bit scared we'd run out of time - and promptly blew my front suspension. Being a white, blond woman alone with a broken-down car in the middle of Africa sure was a bit of an experience. It taught me one thing, though: Keep smiling, trust in the speed of the "bush-telegraphs", accept things the way they are and believe in yourself. Faith in yourself and your attitude towards strangers are the only things you really have when you get stuck at the end of the world. It barely took six hours until a couple really friendly local blokes had found a truck to tow my wreckage into the shade, and the drinks they brought sure were delicious. :) The best of luck for the team, believe in yourselves and keep smiling, guys - and when it gets too hot, try to get some fresh red bush tea, it's great!
At 03:14:21 PM on 13/06/2007, Daniella (Martha's Vineyard, MA, USA) wrote:
WOW
Never a dull moment! Take good care of yourself and be well. You men are truely modern day explorers, and we get to live vicariously through you! Take care
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