Ted Simon - the GODFATHER of Motorcycle Overlanding with Sam Manicom 

April 30th 2021 as I tap this in. Just thought you guys might like to know that it's Ted's 90th Birthday tomorrow. And for anyone wondering, Ted still rides motorcycles! Wonderful.

The two humble, softspoken men, tougher than an entire gang of Hells Angels...

Despite loving motorbikes, I dont really think Jupiters Travels is just a motorcycle travel book, It's a bit more important than that. It's a literary attempt to describe the psychological impact of an enormous journey and actually grapples with the concept of travel itself. It was extraordinarily well written but also personally brave and ahead of its time culturally, that's why a book describing the world of the early 70s can seem so fresh today.

Most underrated video about motorcycle travel EVER.

I couldn't agree more with Ted on his hesitancy around the word "adventure." I LOVE the word "journey" as opposed to "adventure." You go on a journey to have adventures. The whole journey is not an adventure...much of a journey is tedious: dealing with visas/borders/officials, long stretches of straight road with little to observe, rain, maintenance, packing/unpacking/packing/unpacking. And, much of a journey is wonderful, but not an adventure: talking with fellow travelers, meeting new people in the country you're in, learning new words/phrases in a new language, going to historical places, learning the history and geography of a place...it's all wonderful, but it's not an adventure in my opinion. Fording an unknown stream, having someone shine a flashlight in your tent at 3 a.m. in a remote location, having to solve a mechanical problem with no help, camping in the middle of the Sahara Dessert and seeing the stars like you've never seen before and having a Bedouin stop and produce a wonderful pot of tea and a loaf of bread from a fire he made in the sand...these are all adventures, but they don't happen every day of a journey.

Mr. Simon inspired me to turn around and head back into town, while riding in Mongolia, to confront the man who had stolen some money from me. Didn't get the result I envisioned but the main thing was trying to do something about it. Ted wrote in his book how he lamented not confronting the man/men whom he though had found his lost wallet (I think) and instead kept on riding. That story really stuck with me. How a legend can influence someone like that, experiences being 40 years apart, is the power of good literature.

I'm so grateful to Mototrek for putting this on RU-vid. These guys were my early (Ted) and later (Sam) inspiration for long-distance motorcycling. These guys are the original, real deal and I'm in awe of them and their influence on our little world of adventure motorcycling.

The reference to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance has got me pining to read it once again.

Words fail me... A couple of legends interviewing each other, over tea... Inspirational! Well done :-)

Hats off to both men. Ted is an absolute legend and Sam is one of the nicest and most helpful guys around. These two have inspired thousands to actually get out there and explore the world.

This is a great video and if you cannot get fired up about taking a ride then you don’t understand where these two legends are coming from. I loved it and learned that life is an adventure and each and every day we need to learn something new every day and challenge ourselves to be great humans and ride for the fun and enjoyment of two wheels.

Wonderful listening to these two. I know there are numerous people on RU-vid doing this now, but to hear from the original adventure riders was an absolute pleasure.

Wonderful ! Thank you ! I read Jupiters Travels in the 90's in one sitting, stayed up all night! Incredible guy, got a reply from an email from him a couple of years back.

Had the pleasure of meeting both at an Overland Expo book signing a couple of years ago, and later a beer with Sam. Both are Tops in my book, the best advice Sam gave us was that it’s not just the journey or the destination, a lot of it is the people you meet wherever you go. Those words made a big difference in our outlook and made our rides much more enriching. Thank you both and thank you Mototrek

All I can say is thank you for letting us take a peak at two legends swapping stories. I’m ready to go on a journey of my own right now!

Marvellous to watch these two gentlemen talk about what constitutes an adventure and the benefits of travelling solo.

Thank you gentlemen for having this chat. Thank you Brett & the MotoTrek crew. I’m on a little moto journey right now. My “rubbish” riding skills are causing the odd little adventure -

I love this. When I was 16 years old walking out of the Mesa Az public library, my eye happened to catch on the new release shelf, Jupiters Travels. 16 days after I turned 18, I loaded my 1971 Suzuki T250 and, headed off on a 5 month journey. Ted Simson has been one of the most influential people of my life.

Ted Simon will be remembered as one of the giants of the 20th and 21st centuries. Epic adventurers set the tone for human endurance and excellence. Hillary, Shackleford, Simon!

This is an important document for several reasons. Thanks for doing it. There are others who come to mind as important to motorcycle travel and challenge. Who can think of others we'd like to hear from?

Thank you for this wonderful video! [...] „It might lead people to think they can only really have a serious adventure if they're on the back of an adventure motorcycle“... Absolutely priceless!

Wonderful interview. I read Jupiter’s Travels about 30 years ago and read Ted’s subsequent return journey . Amazing story telling and would recommend to anyone interested in travel and motorcycles!

I am so glad to have stumbled upon this interview. It was very humbling to know people from generation prior to mine have done so much with their bikes with so little resources. Makes me think twice before complaining about how my bike does not have cornering ABS. These are true adventurers !

Ted Simon is in good shape. I would never have guessed he was born in 1931!

Ever since I read Jupiter's Travels which hugely influenced me as a teenager in the '80s I have always wanted to take off on a journey by motorbike. Now in my 40s and the children are less dependant I am starting to plan such journeys. Small to start with, but with increasing confidence to bigger things. I'm fortunate to live not far from the museum where Ted's Triumph (& BMW) are kept and visited it recently (it's in Coventry, UK) and just a slightly naughty hold of the throttle grip felt like I could channel just a little bit of Ted and take me on my way. Thanks Ted. And thank you Sam, I shall be picking up one of your books next!

I read Jupiters travels at 16, and as BStar below says… it’s a revelation not just a motorcycle travel book… I got on my xj550 the next year with my best mate and we rode around Europe and down to Greece where he stayed with his future wife and I went to the islands….not quite his journey, but it’s stayed with me ever since. Thank you Ted.

These guys are both absolute legends. Have read them both over the years. Great to hear them talk about their adventures..

Wow two very down to earth riders. Done more than 99% of us and still very humble.

I think I could listen to these two legends chat all day. More digital film next time, please!

Both lovely gentlemen in the truest sense of the word. I have read all four of Sam's books and cannot recommend them highly enough. Well written, engaging, interesting. You ride with Sam and Birgit as a passenger on their travels ... at least that is what it feels like.

I really really enjoyed this. Thank you to these men for taking the time to share the stories. And thank you to MotoTrek for taking the time to organize and put this together. Truly wonderful.

Well that timing couldn’t have been any better. I finally picked up a copy of Into Africa yesterday and blew through the first three chapters while I should have been sleeping. Then I wake up today and open RU-vid for some moto videos over breakfast. And there are Sam and Ted staring back at me.

Extraordinary people, its an honour to watch this beautiful conversation.

Ted, the man who inspired me to really 'travel' on my motorbikes and I thank him for doing so.👌

Just splendid. Living legends and a fantastic video, thanks for the great distraction 👍

I have loved reading their books! Seeing these gentlemen together is really special.

Wonderful interview, many thanks!

Thanks for giving up the conversation.............well done

Count me as one. Jupiter's Travels opened my eyes to bike travel. Inspirational.

Wow absolutely fantastic. A glimpse into more simpler times and 2 down to earth gents encouraging anyone to have a go. Thanks Mototrek a really enjoyable video. Looking out for more.. Austin Vince, Edd March on his Honda C90Adventures and even the big famous boys Ewan McGregor and Charlie Borman.. 😉😉

Great interview. Have read Ted's books. Took a knee to touch his Tiger at Coventry Museum of Transport. About to set off on a 3,000km trip on my 1967 Triumph T100 500cc Daytona. Ted is a legend and inspiration.

Thank you for video taping these two great gentlemen.

I read Ted's book almost 30 years ago and have been inspired to keep motorcycling travelling ever since. Thank you Ted!

Very inspiring, I nearly emailed my resignation letter to work! Looking forward to chapter 2! Haha

Man these guys are the real deal. Hell, I bet they could grow a moustache overnight! Love how they called out the “ADV marketing.” Brilliant.

Brilliant footage of two wonderful Blokes!! Thanks for sharing this!

My great uncle told me he started off in 1949 on a Harley sleeping bag strapped on with everything else. We started in 1980 strapping gear all over the bikes hoping they are still there when you get to the camp spot,I used an old wire rack from moms freezer and stuffed all the oil jugs full of gas in that.....man the glory days of freedom crossing roaring rivers knowing you could be going from a bike trip to instantly becoming a back packer....it's just fun..

Tremendous. Two terrifically interesting, humble and incredibly influential souls. What a great interview and passing on of information to us.

Brillant. I am reading Sam's books right now. These guys got me looking beyond my own borders. Too right.

Met Ted 2005 in Duisburg, Germany, talking about Jupiter's travels. Very nice guy!

Wonderful talk between two people I never knew about before. Could have listened to them just talking about there stories for hours. Thank you so much for this video!

What a lovely chat to listen to. FEELGOOD!!

Great fun to watch and listen to these gentlemen. Tanks for sharing

Marvelous video! Said with my best English accent!

I enjoyed watching and listening to your conversation, wonderful insights! And what a true legend Mr. Simon is, humble yet knowledgable.

I wonder how many fillings Ted lost riding that 500cc buzz saw for 4 years, you could feel it from your soles of your feet to your eyeballs. Only 90, bless him. Guess I'll get his book, only 80 and still riding.

These two gentlmen are a real pleasure to listen! Thank you.

Great to see you again, Ted, even if only on RU-vid. You're looking well. Do you recall stayi8ng with Anne and I during a visit to Phoenix, AZ? I lost Anne to a heart attack two years back and I miss her every day, but life goes on. Best to you and yours, David R. Norton

Amazing insight to early motorcycle adventure travelling.

Outstanding people who can inspire ordinary ones like me to go and catch their dreams. Life’s too short, but it’s never too late. Awesome video!

Amazing. Thank you

"I had never used the word adventure at any point before or during the course of the journey, and since then adventure has become a kind of all-purpose description of anything to do with going anywhere on a bike. [...] I don't want to rob people of the idea that that that they're having an adventure [...] but I think at the same time people have got it confused with just making a journey. It's not the same thing at all! The adventure as I've always understood [...] implies risk. It implies something extraordinary happening. And in a way you don't know you're going to have an adventure until the adventure happened, and then it will happen very surprisingly! It may be painful! That's an adventure." - Ted Simon

Sam what great point about Ted’s influence; how his book encouraged so many to just get on your bike and travel.

Lovely to watch and listen to these guys, I’m starting to shake free of most of my shackles now and I’m seriously contemplating a Grandad Gap-Year trip!

This goes back several years. I was working in Antarctica, home only a few months of the year. The Honda Wing Ding (overweight folks in chaise lounger bikes) and I helped a friend at the Civic Center who had made a motorcycle map of the area. The gentleman beside us, a Brit, was selling his book. I recognized him immediately. Went back to my illegal loft (those were the days) and got my 1st Edition of "Jupiter's Travels". Ted write a beautiful quote in it and signed it. I've ridden the US, Canaga, New Zealand and OZ. Still much to go!

I just order the book and I am looking forward to reading it. I am an Adventure rider myself, but these two humble and brave men have my deepest respect for doing what they did at the time they did it. Thank you for the video. Kind regards from Germany

The book that got me into motorcycles. Thanks for the upload, that was super interesting.

I don't understand why anyone would give this video a "thumbs down," as some have. Have they not read their books, understood the challenges they've overcome and the influence they've had on others? Why does RU-vid give voice to those who don't think before they speak. Confusing to me. How we are better by giving voice to pessimists and malcontents? Certainly not the mantra that saw these two gentleman through their journeys.

A great vid interspersed with pics not seen before. And Sam reminds me a lot of Whispering Bob Harris the British radio DJ. Ted having been round again in old age is a subject worthy of more chat. You pick up a lot of health problems by that age usually (at least I have) and being a long way from good medical services is a risk. Ok it has got a lot easier with the growth in aviation and depends on the individual, but ... Also the risks of riding independently in remote places. To some extent I wince every time I watch video of someone off roading 50 miles into a desert. I fear for their safety should a breakdown or injury strand them far from phone coverage. Have their been 'disappearances'? Watching Long Way Round I was constantly aware that their were two of them, and a support crew with doctor. My hat is off to both these guys for doing it solo

The photo of Ted in front of the Hotel Westminster is very cool. I don't remember seeing it in Jupiter's Travels - but then it's been an awfully long time since I read it. It 's even been 10 years since I read his other epic tale, Dreaming of Jupiter (which I found to be quite melancholic). He definitely comes across better in writing than in speech and I don't think it's because of his age. I must confess, as much as I loved reading both books, I did feel that in Africa particularly, a continent that lives largely hand to mouth, it was difficult for him to travel entirely independently - and that anyone undertaking such an trip will to some degree be reliant on the benevolence of others.

Thanks Ted and Sam, for sharing a great conversation.

I never did travel around the world but in 1977 I left Toronto and drove to South America on a used Honda 550 four and a 19 dollar tent I believe. Now after over forty years I am enjoying just riding around Costa Rica on a motorcycle.

I was having a coffee and felt i was there with you... listening, thank you for sharing your experience.

That was wonderful. Thank you for bringing that to us.

Beautiful narration of their journey. I love it. 👍👍

Brilliant. Reading 'Jupiter's Travels' right now. About 2/3rd through it. Great stuff.

Lovely to see pics of Ted, never seen them !

Absolutely loved this so much

I really enjoyed that, thank you gentlemen. You have inspired me to get on my GS 650 this very afternoon and go for a bacon buttie and a cuppa at High Beach in Epping forest. I am 69 years old and I shall be travelling the 5 miles there alone. I may decide to come back by a slightly different route, as I was born to have ADVENTURE !! Book to follow...

Thank you both. At 51 I am going through a crossroads for which your wisdom provided many answers... just need to convince the wife.

Fantastic episode. My favorite ever. If there are more installments please consider including them on the channel. From the format to the setting to the questions to the “interviewer/interviewee” banter, there’s so much to love about this video and I am vexed to know it was ended because you simply ran out of “digital film”. Happy trails! Troop

This is FANTASTIC. Thank you

Phenomenal video. Truly two legends in motorcycle travel. I love their books. I hope Brett doesn’t mind me posting this, but there was a great Ted Simon interview on the July 18th Adventure Rider Radio podcast. Also, Sam Manicom is on about every episode of the Adventure Rider Radio RAW podcast with some other motorcycle travel legends (for example, Grant Johnson and Graham Fields). The RAW podcasts are really informative, entertaining and hilarious.

It was great to listen and see these two gentlemen have a talk !! And Ted did it with a normal bike , not an adventure bike á lá BMW GSA...shame on me then who drives a BMW GSA 🙋‍♂️😂

Absolutely loved this video

Absolutely great video! These should be required before heading off on holiday!

I know what my next books are going to be...

Second time watching this interview, first after finishing teds books, and now after finishing sams books.

Sam and Ted are two great icons of adventure motorcycle travel. I enjoyed this video and seeing/hearing Ted and Sam talk about their travels. Thanks, @mototrek for putting this together. For my "short" offroad adventure of riding the entire 5,000-mile Trans-America Trail, I was very much inspired and motivated by reading both Ted and Sam's books.

These guys are awesome for self and human discovery. I would love to hear Ian Shaws story as mentioned in Teds book. Thanks guys

This was wonderful to watch. You are both an inspiration. I'm buying a bike soon to travel around Europe. Thanks!

Love it. Thanks

Inspiring.

Very engaging chat....well done guys

Fantastic interview!

Very interesting, enlightening. A real pleasure ! Thumbs up !

So inspiring!!!

Inspirational

While on guard duty in the Swiss army I did read Junipers travel. To my surprise I higher up was standing next to me and after I while he asked me what I am doing . "Reading a great book " was my smarty answer . So so .. hmm what is it about ? About this English adventurer traveling around the world on his motorbike .. Aha that sound interesting , but do not forget your guard duty was his answer Never did write me up for failing task . Normally a big no no . A couble of years to my surprise I did see the motorbike in the transport museum in Coventry England it sure made my smile .

Two "Rubbish Riders" who inspired generations of folks. Mr. Simon is eloquent beyond words; his books so well describe the human condition, both his and those he meets. That is the true magic Jupiter's Travels.