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| '''Long Way Round''' is the title of the book, television series, and DVD (film) publicising the journey of ] and ] from ] to ] on ]s. | '''Long Way Round''' is the title of the book, television series, and DVD (film) publicising the journey of ] and ] from ] to ] on ]s. | ||
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| ==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Revision as of 01:47, 1 February 2006
Long Way Round is the title of the book, television series, and DVD (film) publicising the journey of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman from London to New York on motorcycles.
Overview
From mid-April to the end of July 2004, McGregor, Boorman, their motorcycle riding cameraman Claudio Von Planta and their support crew travelled from London to New York, via central Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Siberia and Canada, for a cumulative distance of 18,887 miles (30,395 km). The only sections of the trip not undertaken by motorcycle were 580 miles by train in Siberia, due to lack of roads, a 2505 mile flight from Magadan, Siberia to Anchorage, Alaska and an impossible section towards the end of their Russian journey. Upon encountering numerous swollen rivers and a serious lack of functioning bridges while travelling along the Road of Bones to Magadan, the riders got their motorbikes through some fairly deep rivers. However, the summer run-off from the Siberian winter was in full flow and after a valiant effort, the bikes eventually had to be loaded into the trucks of passing drivers and ferried across some of the worst rivers.
The journey visited twelve countries, starting in the UK, then passing through France, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, USA and Canada, before returning to USA and ending in New York. In early episodes of the series the narration incorrectly claims they will visit 13 countries, possibly because they enter Russia more than once or counted Alaska or Siberia as a separate country.
Support crew
In addition to McGregor, Boorman and von Planta, the LWR team also had a support crew which comprised producers David Alexanian and Russ Malkin, cameraman Jim Simak, Russian "fixer" Sergey and doctor Vassily. The support crew travelled in two Mitsubishi off-road vehicles - a red L200 Animal LWB 4WD Pick Up and a black Shogun Warrior DI-D Auto Estate - and followed some way behind the bikers, meeting up at border crossings and when circumstances dictated a greater degree of teamwork was necessary, such as at the aforementioned river crossings.
Prior to leaving London the boys also received specialist traning in First Aid, dealing with hostile and dangerous environments (e.g. illegal checkpoints and gun-toting locals), off-road riding, Russian language and motorbike maintenance. They also took practical advice from experts about the various countries they were to visit. During the First Aid training McGregor decided they would have to take a doctor with them on the trip.
Bikes
McGregor advocated riding BMW motorcycles, while Boorman preferred KTM, a specialist Austrian moto-cross and off-road bike manufacturer. After off-road tests on both machines and protracted arguments, McGregor acquiesed to Boorman's passion for the KTM. However, after one of their specialist terrain riders met with the LWR team and learned more about their intentions, KTM refused to provide them with their bikes, as the trip seemed too dangerous, or possibly just unlikely to generate the right PR for KTM. BMW then contributed three R1150GS Adventure all-terrain motorcycles. Charley Boorman took the news particularly badly as he had long been desperate to ride a KTM on such a journey. However, he changed his tune during the journey after seeing what the BMW's could deal with.
As well as being built to last, the bikes also featured a range of mod-cons to help the team achieve and document their mission. A customized GPS system with specially mapped points in Mongolia and Siberia was crucial in areas with no roads or signposting, while the bikes were also equipped with cameras, microphones and integrated mobile phone systems with display / viewfinder screens mounted on the dashboards.
Riding for UNICEF
During the journey the team took time out to see some of UNICEF's work in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. The projects included an orphanage housing children affected by the Chernobyl disaster and an outreach project working with street children who live in the heating systems of apartment blocks.
Bumps and bruises
The trip was inevitably not without accidents and incidents. McGregor suffered a severely swollen face after reacting badly to mosquito bites and had petrol sprayed into his (recently laser-corrected) eyes at filling stations on two occasions, one of which required a trip to the optometrist in Ukraine. Boorman badly strained the muscles in his left shoulder and was unable to ride for several days (fortunately this occurred while they were unable to cross the rivers and were largely riding on local trucks and with their support crew) and Russ Malkin and Vassily managed to roll their off-roader and were lucky to escape with minor injuries. McGregor was rear-ended by a very young driver outside Calgary and was lucky that his panniers took the brunt of what could have been a very serious incident had the car made direct contact with his rear wheel. The following day Boorman was also bumped by a Calgarian who reversed into him at slow speed, fortunately without causing injury or major damage.
The bikes also took their fair share of punishment. Cameraman Claudio broke his frame after a bad fall in Mongolia and only a great bodge* by Boorman enabled them to get the bike to the next town where the frame could be welded. However, the ABS brake system on the bike also turned out to be broken and it had to be shipped to Ulaanbaatar and a replacement bike purchased for $1000. McGregor suffered a similar problem in Siberia and they flagged down a passing truck who took them back to Tynda for more welding. Boorman suffered the only serious puncture of the trip and all the bikes suffered various other bumps, scrapes and cracks. However, some of the impacts the bikes survived would have been enough to destroy lesser bikes and the series became a great testament to the strength and durability of the BMWs.
- bodge = quick, improvised repair job
Music
The television series' title song was performed by Stereophonics. Ewan and Kelly Jones discussed ideas for the song via text message during the trip.
External links
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