Long Way Around

The Harm · Post by **The Harm** » 25 Jan 2007 13:13

I just bought Long Way Around. Its the series that follows Ewan Mcgregore (Obiewan Kenobi) and Charlie Boorman on their trip arcoss Asia on Bmw GS1200. I enjoed it alot wish they would have shown more alittle more of them actually riding the motorcycle in the difficult spots. like the bogs and mud in Mongolia and river crossings in Siberia but it was a fun show to whatch. I'd recommend it. Its was especially nice to whatch this pass weekend while it was snowing. Has anyone else seen this show?

Post by **troy** » 25 Jan 2007 15:03

I got it off Netflix and watched it one weekend. I really enjoyed it. There are plenty of hard-core adventure riders who criticize various aspects of their travel choices, but I just enjoyed being along for their experience. I definitely walked away with a lot more respect for Ewan.

The funniest part for me was at one point the road was a rough dirt road and they were complaining about it---really whining about it. When it finally turned to pavement, they got down and kissed the tarmac. The whole time, I was thinking "that dirt road doesn't look that bad". In fact, to me, pavement is only a necessity to get to the dirt. Of course, they had big bikes that were WAY overloaded, so they were not well equipped to ride off-road.

I recommend Long Way Around for sure.
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safiri · Post by **safiri** » 25 Jan 2007 17:57

I enjoyed the series but was constantly amazed at all of the crap that they took that wasn't necessary. Especially considering the camera gear they needed to carry. Most of their problems were due to the load they were carrying. The blown ABS was due to welding on a bracket that broke due to overloading. That, and not a lot of experience riding off-tarmac. What a way to get that experience.

I downloaded the European version, which had one more episode than the US version. I wonder which version is on DVD?

They made it through some great areas that I would love to visit but doubt that I ever do. The bikes held up well considering the abuse they were given.

My favorite "this is how they are doing it wrong" moment was in Mongolia, sitting around filming. Ewan and Charlie have on cool-weather jackets that obviously are not their motorcycle jackets. Having backpacked (and later done a MC camping-in-the-woods trip), I just had to shake my head at the extra weight and space those jackets took up. Double/triple duty is the name-of-the-game when out in the woods. Add to that the relatively large tents that each of them carried ... I know space is tight, but double up in the tents. (Yeah, jackets don't weight much, but the over-abundance of stuff never ended.)

CuzinMike · Post by **CuzinMike** » 25 Jan 2007 18:31

I'd highly recommend "Mondo Enduro" as well. Same concept as "Long Way 'Round" except on a shoe-string budget, and on DR350s instead of GS's.

Post by **troy** » 25 Jan 2007 19:03

CuzinMike wrote:I'd highly recommend "Mondo Enduro" as well. Same concept as "Long Way 'Round" except on a shoe-string budget, and on DR350s instead of GS's.

Whoa! I've not heard of Mondo Enduro. Do you have the DVD that you'd loan to your best buddy, Troy? Netflix does not have it.
http://www.aimimage.com/shop.php?section=1

safiri · Post by **safiri** » 25 Jan 2007 22:00

Troy is in heaven! DR350s around the world! I watched the clip. Looks interesting. No small load on those bikes either.

The Harm · Post by **The Harm** » 26 Jan 2007 13:54

Oh yeah I've been trying to find Mondo Enduro and On Any Sunday. I did by Dust to Glory, about the Baja 1000 race. That was a pretty fun flick too. What other motorcycle movies are there??

The funny yet not really funny thing about Long Way around was how Ewan kept getting gas sprayed in his eye!!! The bikes were way too weighted down but I did enjoy whatching their journey. I just had to remind myself that these guys aren't pros. They make monay be pretending to do something that they don't do in their everyday life.

Post by **troy** » 26 Jan 2007 14:26

The Harm wrote:Oh yeah I've been trying to find Mondo Enduro and On Any Sunday. I did by Dust to Glory, about the Baja 1000 race. That was a pretty fun flick too. What other motorcycle movies are there??

The funny yet not really funny thing about Long Way around was how Ewan kept getting gas sprayed in his eye!!! The bikes were way too weighted down but I did enjoy whatching their journey. I just had to remind myself that these guys aren't pros. They make monay be pretending to do something that they don't do in their everyday life.

On Any Sunday captures WHY people ride and covers all the different styles of riding. Dust to Glory was a very good flick--watch it!

Regarding Ewan and acting--Everytime I try something new whether it be riding my motorcycle up a steeper hill than I've ever tried before or a new sport, I'm basically "pretending" that I am somebody who can do it until I really become a person who can do it. Make sense? I think the saying is "Fake it 'till you Make it"

CuzinMike · Post by **CuzinMike** » 26 Jan 2007 16:14

troy wrote:
CuzinMike wrote:I'd highly recommend "Mondo Enduro" as well. Same concept as "Long Way 'Round" except on a shoe-string budget, and on DR350s instead of GS's.
Whoa! I've not heard of Mondo Enduro. Do you have the DVD that you'd loan to your best buddy, Troy? Netflix does not have it.
http://www.aimimage.com/shop.php?section=1

I wish I did. I just got a chance to see it a while back, but I've never owned a copy. I do believe Aerostich carries it.

JaySoy · Post by **JaySoy** » 29 Jan 2007 10:17

Did you know that Dust to Glory was filmed by the son of the guy that made On Any Sunday (Bruce Brown - Dana Brown)?

Both sweet films. On Any Sunday if a freaking classic. Dust to Glory is beautifully shot. A lot of helmet cam and helicopter footage. Very well done.

I need to see the other two On Any Sunday films and I've heard about Mondo Enduro, but haven't got it yet.

As far as Long Way Around, it is really funny how they want to go on an RTW trip and the first thing they do is buy a London office.

The part that makes me sick is that idiot camera man who got to go with them and didn't even have a freaking motorcycle license. Can you imagine getting paid to do that? (well, I'm pretty sure Ewan and Charley did pretty good too).

But still, as far as the trip went, I think toward the end, they felt burdened by the overplanning. Especially how the "support crew" back home were arranging things along the way. That's why all of the town people felt like they had to have a festival in like every town. I think that they wanted to just relax and experience the culture.

It was a good show though, I own it just to loan to people (especially motorcyclists) who don't get the whole "dual sport" thing.

CuzinMike · Post by **CuzinMike** » 29 Jan 2007 18:30

I still think it was kind of funny that KTM refused to lend them bikes for the trip, especially after they were so set on riding them. The series originally aired right around the time the 950 Adventure was released in the US, and it probably would've generated some good press had the bikes lived. Those big BMW's came out looking like champs, other than some cracked subframes...

safiri · Post by **safiri** » 29 Jan 2007 20:43

CuzinMike wrote:I still think it was kind of funny that KTM refused to lend them bikes for the trip, ...

That was part of the problem IIRC, they didn't want bikes lent, they wanted bikes given to them. KTM had some doubts about their success ...

Having said that, KTM screwed the pooch ... whether Charlie and Ewan and Frenchy were successful or not, the bikes would have gotten good press.