Book & DVD Review- The Long Way Round
May 13th 2007 07:27
Hi everyone
Just finished reading the illustrated edition of The Long Way Round
Book Description
Poring over a map one day, Ewan McGregor—film star and bike nut—noticed it was possible to ride all the way around the world, with just one short hop across the Bering Strait. So he called Charley Boorman, his best friend, fellow actor, and bike nut. From London to New York, Ewan and Charley rode their BMWs through Europe, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia, across the Pacific to Alaska, then down through Canada and America. Exhaustion, injury, and accidents tested their strength, as did treacherous roads and weather. They were pursued by paparazzi in Kazakhstan, courted by men with guns in the Ukraine, and served bulls' testicles for supper by Mongolian nomads. Yet despite the many obstacles, they managed to ride over 20,000 miles in four months. As they traveled, they documented their trip, taking photos and writing diaries. (net sourced)
Now when I was back in the UK during 2004, I caught one of the episodes from this series on tv and was really intrigued by it, so when I saw the illustrated book in my local book shop for a good price, I just had to buy it. Also as I had only seen just one epsidoe whilst in the UK, my brother sent me the DVD set of the trip , so I was all sorted.
When I first started watching it, to be honest I thought 'Here we go, a couple of famous people just having a lark really and pretending it was all hard work etc. But once they both left the UK and headed into Eastern Europe, you started to see a different side to them both.
And the further they headed into Russia, the more interesting it became. I have to comment on both riders commitment to Unicef and it must have been so rewarding to have seen the smiles on the childrens faces at the childrens homes that they visited as goodwill ambassadors.
There were many funny bits with one that sticks in my mind, its when a Russian asks Charley and Ewan 'Are you those guys on the motorbikes?' Both of them are areally suprised and Ewan replies 'Yes but how did you know?' The Russian replies with a smile 'What am I stupid or something, I saw you both on tv'.
Other things were like spending a night in a possible mafia house, eating testicle soup and just how many times did they fall of their bikes?
This is well worth a read as in the beginning they both come over as indulged children but as they travel further away from their families, meet interesting people and experience the wilderness, they almost seem to grow, in their outlook and attitudes. The DVD is well worth a look too although a big word of warning: Reading this book or watching the DVD will start giving you ideas about travelling around.
In fact I will be honest and say that this trans-alpine cycle tour was partly inspired by watching this, the desire to get out into the great outdoors and see what happens. Also on my cycle route home there is a motorcycle hire shop called CityScooters, so one day I stopped in and asked about hiring a bike? I used to ride bikes in the UK and think they are great fun, but can't afford to own one over here at the moment, so weather permitting, this Sat coming I should be hiring a BMW off road bike for the day.
So keep your eyes open for an up and coming blog on that, oh this Tues I should be having my first diving lesson too. Not really on my to do list but sort of been talked into it, so expect to see that too.
Hal
Just finished reading the illustrated edition of The Long Way Round
Book Description
Poring over a map one day, Ewan McGregor—film star and bike nut—noticed it was possible to ride all the way around the world, with just one short hop across the Bering Strait. So he called Charley Boorman, his best friend, fellow actor, and bike nut. From London to New York, Ewan and Charley rode their BMWs through Europe, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia, across the Pacific to Alaska, then down through Canada and America. Exhaustion, injury, and accidents tested their strength, as did treacherous roads and weather. They were pursued by paparazzi in Kazakhstan, courted by men with guns in the Ukraine, and served bulls' testicles for supper by Mongolian nomads. Yet despite the many obstacles, they managed to ride over 20,000 miles in four months. As they traveled, they documented their trip, taking photos and writing diaries. (net sourced)
Now when I was back in the UK during 2004, I caught one of the episodes from this series on tv and was really intrigued by it, so when I saw the illustrated book in my local book shop for a good price, I just had to buy it. Also as I had only seen just one epsidoe whilst in the UK, my brother sent me the DVD set of the trip , so I was all sorted.
When I first started watching it, to be honest I thought 'Here we go, a couple of famous people just having a lark really and pretending it was all hard work etc. But once they both left the UK and headed into Eastern Europe, you started to see a different side to them both.
There were many funny bits with one that sticks in my mind, its when a Russian asks Charley and Ewan 'Are you those guys on the motorbikes?' Both of them are areally suprised and Ewan replies 'Yes but how did you know?' The Russian replies with a smile 'What am I stupid or something, I saw you both on tv'.
Other things were like spending a night in a possible mafia house, eating testicle soup and just how many times did they fall of their bikes?
This is well worth a read as in the beginning they both come over as indulged children but as they travel further away from their families, meet interesting people and experience the wilderness, they almost seem to grow, in their outlook and attitudes. The DVD is well worth a look too although a big word of warning: Reading this book or watching the DVD will start giving you ideas about travelling around.
In fact I will be honest and say that this trans-alpine cycle tour was partly inspired by watching this, the desire to get out into the great outdoors and see what happens. Also on my cycle route home there is a motorcycle hire shop called CityScooters, so one day I stopped in and asked about hiring a bike? I used to ride bikes in the UK and think they are great fun, but can't afford to own one over here at the moment, so weather permitting, this Sat coming I should be hiring a BMW off road bike for the day.
So keep your eyes open for an up and coming blog on that, oh this Tues I should be having my first diving lesson too. Not really on my to do list but sort of been talked into it, so expect to see that too.
Hal
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Comment by Paul
Surreal Short Stories
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
yes, strange and wonderful things happen when celebrities climb down off the stage and start acting like normal folk!
LOL
Good luck on your adventure...Will await more news and photos!
Great review!
Take care,
Nick
Comment by kiwiauthor
Currently working on an idea of putting together a photographic exhibtion with the view of selling limited editions of various photos , so watch this space for further details.
Ant advice from anyone in this field would be helpful as this direction I am taking is all new to me.
Cheers
Hal