Charley and Ewan’s trips are motivation and inspiration for us all. I am a huge fan of the Long Way series of films. Thanks for sharing this interview. Charley is awesome!!!
Hey Charlie can relate to your leg injuries my doctor told me he'd chop my leg off if I broke it again and I did and it was the most depressing trip in an ambulance back to hospital thinking I was going in for the chop. Still have my leg and that was in 1981. Still ride bikes. Love bikes. Good on you for your work on bikers rights
I met Charlie about 10 years ago on a press day at the NEC, and he was really nice to chat to, he spent time having a chat, really genuin guy. Good show Bike shed.
I can relate to nights being the worst after my bike accident, waking up in pain and replaying the crash over and over again. Nothing like the joy of getting back on two wheels again!! Charley and Ewan are one of the big reasons that I got my bike licence zero regrets
I crashed on the dirt a lot from 8 to 15 years old, and broke 2 ribs, a toe and 2 leg bones. At 16 I sold my Kawasaki 100cc 2-stroke to buy a $200 car. At 59 I have 2 street bikes and only ride about 30 to 50 miles on curvy country roads most Saturdays and Sundays, to just satisfy my motorcycle addiction, save money, and getting hurt at 59 years old hurts a lot more and takes longer to heal, compared to 15 years old. Long Way Around should have used the heavy BMWs for pavement, and much lighter dirt bikes for the bad roads. The camera guy had it much easier after the failed welding had him switch to a lighter bike that crashed less often and was easier to pick up. Thanks for putting your time into some great videos, and I hope you heal well and fast and avoid future injuries.
Thanks for this. Have been a great fan of Charley since LWR and have watched all of his DVDs and read most of his books. Would really love to see Long Way Up happen. And also, got to agree that having the same batteries available for electric bikes makes a lot of sense.
from the first time i watched Long way round, Charlie and Ewan they became great motivators for me. But it was only when i watched Charlie in by any means he became a true inspiration and a role model to me. It was him and Ewan that sparked my passion for travel and adventure.
It took me two years to learn to walk again. It was 7 years before I climbed back onto a bike, mostly as a promise to my mother to wait until she was gone. I understand the trial.
I needed me some more Charley Boorman and stumbled on this interview while making a pot of coffee and packing a bowl. It looks like BOTH a little nervous at the beginning, he gave a candid answer and was cut off! Definitely an opportunity to go of script a bit and warm him up. Looking forward to watching the entire interview and seeing how the guy who shaped my riding future is doing!
Hi just watching long way down didn’t know you are already famous . I was part of helping out with BMW riders of Oregon John day rally. I have episode 9 to watch next. I like it almost real. My inspiration just got a hit finding out you were already a crew that made this happen. I’m still starting out as a film maker with the help of my borrowed little camera and RU-vid to share. I love riding my next step is a starter bike so I can be the rider too Angela Jane 1/2 Scottish and an American girl raised.
Without him giving anything away, there are rumors that there will be a 3rd series called "Long Way Up" and if he is planning on going to South America, it could possibly be Ushuaia in Argentina to Alaska. Glad he picked the west coast of Scotland as a favourite road, so true Applecross and the Bealach na Bà are hard to beat.
Does Charley still hate KTM? Yes he does :-)!!! @ 21:50 he mentions the Africa Twin, Triumph Tiger, Beamers as the "cream on the milk (or whatever that expression is)"...no mention of the KTM 790 in that category! That just after discussing the Dakar, which KTM has now won 18 times in a row :-). KTM turned Charley and Erwin down based on what their Russian advisor told them. I'm quite sure they are sorry they did listen to the guy but then what do you get advisors for if you ignore them in the end? Yes I do ride a KTM but I love Charley's bike passion...true biker in every sense of the word!
My guess would be the contract situation regarding the guys, my understanding is they are both brand ambassadors... I think if you can find when either has a contract up then that would give the best guess to what time frame (if it will even go ahead) could be. For another trip to be viable they would need to be on the same machines... On a personal note I hope it does happen, the motorcycle industry just needs a kick up the ass with some inspiration, we are close to losing a generation that have no interest in bikes due to oppressive licencing structure and hideous insurance prices.. Regards
Great stuff as ever - Charley seems like a really nice bloke and I enjoyed reading his book (except some of the poo based references which troubled me).....thanks for posting!
Challenge, Old Colwyn to Colwyn Bay and back, balls out no holding back, last Bruv tried had to have shoulder put back in by a passer by fair play to him, And God Bless my Brother Pablo, RIP. Down to Cancer and a life to partying. Proper 1%.
Most people think that KTM's biggest mistake was refusing to give you KTM bikes , support etc! Do you think they will turn you down again? I doubt it ! I'm surprised they didn't contact you themselves this time!👍
Charlie your Tasmania video comments turned off, I just wanted to say you & I learned to ride at the same age, 6 me on a rigid frame minibike spring forks & only rear brake & a 50 cc Robin ec07 2 stroke pull start lawn mower motor it did 50mph.
Applecross route - utterly stunning, but bikers should not be prats towards motorists using the same route, as happened to me for no just reason. Although I know I can't blame all bikers for the arrogance of a few who think the road is theirs alone.
He does come across as a bit of a whinger. It seems to be a fairly common affliction amongst Poms . I still like him though, he seems like a good guy.👍 So glad he is recovering well. Been there too - his description brought a tear to my eye. Also cried in my helmet 1st time back on the bike. Well done Charley!
