Long Way Round

[Bounce]

+ 1 - Some people just don't get it!

I agree. Some don't get it. It was entertaining and it accomplished what it set out to do: give the guys a free adventure, made them tons of money, reduced their risk and kept them "civilized" with the appearance of loneliness. Pure Hollywood. I appreciated it for what it was while understanding it wasn't what it claimed it was.

But you're right. Some people don't get it.

As for not getting sick, it's a lot easier when you have an entourage packin in potable water and other consumables and you live off your food stores; only eating local fare when the cameras are rolling.

These guys had support vehicles as a safety net, not to help em out whenever they didn't feel like doing something.

Not according to the locals stories told to the Honda riders that came through the same areas within weeks of the Hollywood guys. The stories abounded of others riding the bikes into town when the stars were too tired to make it the rest of the way (and so forth). Like I said, I appreciate it for what it is but not for what it was supposed to be. I like a great trip report from a good writer. That's what this was. It wasn't 3 guys alone around the world. I personally know guys who DID JUST THAT and to try and raise the Hollywood production to that level is a disservice to everyone who really did it.

 

[TestPilot]

If you don't like the DVD, fine move on. But don't put down their achievement cause they're famous and had some support.

I think that mostly we are just putting The Long Way Round DVD into it's correct perspective, and if that's putting it down, then so be it. My point is that their achievement just isn't "up there" in the first place, so I don't feel I'm putting it down, just acknowledging where it belongs.

Compared to real biking adventures this is a well funded, 'hollywood' production, starring actors with full support crew, including medical support and 24 hr contact with 'the outside world' at their disposal. And, like all hollywood productions/actors, it does come accross that the primary outcome of the venture is to make the leading actors and production company a fistful of money.

 

[fjrchooser]

So what ? Wish I was one of the 'actors" and someone paid my way around to help them make this. I'd of been there in a flash ...true ?!

 

[vectervp1]

I just got my Canadian 10 episode copy in today and it says the approximate running time is 10 hours. How does this compare to the 7 episode US version? Is it truely more time, or does it sound like the episodes are just longer in the US version?

 

[zzkenoman]

Its now showing on DirectTV on "REAL" channel 250 on my box. Interesting to view and would like to see the whole series if someone can tell me where to buy the DVD. Now do we have any volunteers to do this type of ride on FJR's? So far I've only known BMW's, HD, Honda's and one guy on a R1 do a world trip, could someone share with us what other types of bikes have gone round the world?

 

[rickcorwn]

Well off the top of my head, Ted Simon on a Triumph, Greg Fraiser on a KLR.

Right now on a 'round the world trek there is a 63 YO deaf mute Russian named Vladimir Yarets who WAS riding a 350cc Jawa until he got creamed by a semi in Peoria. Now after his recovery, yes he lived, he's on a BMW 650 with junkyard Samsonite suitcases for saddle bags. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

 

[gypsy]

Its now showing on DirectTV on "REAL" channel 250 on my box. Interesting to view and would like to see the whole series if someone can tell me where to buy the DVD. Now do we have any volunteers to do this type of ride on FJR's? So far I've only known BMW's, HD, Honda's and one guy on a R1 do a world trip, could someone share with us what other types of bikes have gone round the world?

zzkenoman,

You can get the DVDs from Amazon.com. The 3 DVD set is listed on their site right now for $12.99. They may not have had the hardships of some riders who did this but I still thought the series was great fun to watch.

gypsy