David Alexanian, United Kingdom
Posted by: David Alexanian | Date posted: 12/05/2007
Pictures
David Alexanian ©
First bike: I used to ride my best friend's YZ80 after school when I was 10. It felt like it was mine but my mother still has no idea. She was, and still is, scared of bikes and made me promise never to go near one. Whoops! But the first bike I bought was a Yamaha VMax after university. It was way too big to get started on but I loved the way it looked. I didn't ride it much when I lived in New York. I came off it once and was scared to death. After that, I didn't ride for ten years until I moved to California and bought a Ducati Monster. Now, especially after Long Way Round, I can't help but try to ride everyday and I can't stop buying motorcycles.
Greatest Long Way Round moment: There were literally a million moments. And the small things have stayed with me longer. But getting to Magadan without rolling the 4x4s into the river or being eaten by a bear, and then getting to New York a day early and seeing Ewan and Charley back with their wives safely were equally momentus for me.
Biking song? 'Today' by the Smashing Pumpkins
What kind of traveller? It sort of depends on where I'm travelling or who I'm with. Though I had done a little outward bound camping in my life nothing was as influential on how I travel as Long Way Round. I guess since then I've worked harder to keep it simple. The cliche 'when in Rome' also applies. You try to go with the local flow so you can blend in and get a good feel for what a place is truly like.
Ambition for Long Way Down: To get everyone to Cape Town with ten fingers and ten toes while shooting 1,000 hours of footage and being respectful of the countries and cultures we pass through, as well as maintaining the integrity of what the four of us who set up Long Way Round originally intended to do.
What will you be doing on Long Way Down? I shall be driving my 4X4, named Fiona, to Cape Town and making sure we film everything in between. Trying to inspire route decisions to make the most of the expedition, problem solving and shooting still pictures along the way. But most importantly trying to remind all of us, including myself, that it's a journey not a race. Then the whole thing starts again when we get back to London and I have to help cut 1,000 hours of footage into a 6-hour film. But it's only work if there's something you'd rather being doing!
See below for the comments left for David during the trip.
Comments
Comments 1 - 10 of 15
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At 09:13:42 AM on 17/05/2007, Helen Wraight (Irthlingborough, Northants) wrote:
Helen Wraight
So envious I'm not going on the trip with you guys! May good fortune and exciting but NON-life threatening adventure follow you. Can't wait to see your trip. When did you leave and where are you now? Was hoping to catch you somewhere on the M1 or offer for you to stop by for a cuppa! Bon voyage! xx
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At 12:56:31 PM on 17/05/2007, Alan March (London) wrote:
check this out
I know you guys are going to have fun, and I would love to do something like that one day. you should check out this website www.loisontheloose.com she (Lois Pryce) is a girl who rode across Africa on her own (really - no support at all!) and she has also ridden from Alaska to the bottome of South America solo. I hate to say it guys, but she puts you to shame! But don't let that put you off ;)
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At 03:55:54 PM on 17/05/2007, Tall Paul (Winchester) wrote:
Quotes
Thought what you said in LWR about the Cold War & the perception of Russians and Ewan's words about "...people's faces have changed..." etc were two of the best comments in the series and just right to add another dimension to the programme(s) without labouring any points.
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At 03:55:17 PM on 17/05/2007, Wobbly (Coventry) wrote:
Bow waves
More gung ho driving (at 45 across rivers) please!
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At 05:22:36 PM on 17/05/2007, Brenda A Estrella (Temecula, CA) wrote:
hello!
hope you fellas show us more than 6 hours of footage! loved your last adventure! take care!
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At 02:53:00 PM on 22/05/2007, Julie (Atlanta) wrote:
6 hours?
Please add more extended footage to the DVD. I watched the t.v. show for LWR, bought the companion book, and the 10-episode DVD from amazon.com-canada, because it wasn't available in the U.S. After putting up all those bucks, surely yall can accomodate my request for LOTS more previously unseen footage on the LWD DVD. I'm writing this on Day 11 of your journey, wishing everybody a good time, good luck, and especially a safe and healthy journey!
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At 11:07:50 PM on 23/05/2007, Jason (Auckland, New Zealand) wrote:
Good Luck boys!
All the best from your fan base in New Zealand. God Speed and safe travels!
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At 09:27:29 PM on 26/05/2007, kevin manning (essex) wrote:
road trips
good luck guys with the trip,i enjoyed ur last one so much it got out to do my bike test,been riding now for 2 years and loving in. taking a trips with a frenid to scotland at the end of july.also planing to do east coast to west coast off america,could do with some advise if possible,this is due to watching the long way round. what ur doing is great.bood luck and take care p.s. great filming claudio
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At 11:36:21 AM on 27/05/2007, Hilary (Queensland, Australia) wrote:
6 Hours!?
Only 6 hours?? I remember the only thing i was disapointed about with LWR was that i wanted more of it! Couldn't you maybe release a special edition with say, 8 hours or more footage?
At 02:24:40 AM on 17/05/2007, Alana (Colorado Springs) wrote:
More than 6 hours
I know I would personally love watching all 1000 hours of footage, and while,alas, I know that's not possible, I still think you shoudl do more than the 6 hours!!!
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