When you watch on TV it’s never the same as being there. How did that experience differ from the first ride? You rode Long Way Down as a threesome with Ewan’s wife Evie. But I’ve always travelled ever since I was a kid, it’s my job so… I haven’t seen them for months and months. I’m going to spend a week in Kenya with my family before I set off on the next Africa tour. They always come out to meet me at the end of the trips I do. I’d love to take them around the world – all of us on bikes would be fantastic, because they all ride. Other than Ewan, who would you most like to take RTW? It’d be lovely to go up through Argentina, Chile and Panama, Mexico and maybe end up in California. If we do do another one it will be through South America, bottom to top. They take a lot of time and Ewan’s really busy at the moment, and I’m busy. It’s difficult to decide if we’ll do another one or not. One of the biggest things is to try and relax into your journey. We went open minded on LWR and LWD just to see what happens. Obviously, you’d always want more time but that’s something that nobody ever has, enough time. What would you change about the two trips, looking back? It’s a great way to make and record a journey, and I wouldn’t change that. Some days it was awful, but mostly it was wonderful.

How did making a documentary affect the ride?įilming had its complications, but it opened as many doors as it closed. If you’ve travelled a bit yourself, in a car, by bicycle or backpacking, there’s a lot of stuff you can relate to about the people we met and the ups and downs of the whole journey. People were ready to watch something like that. It was partly timing, and it was a good idea. What’s the appeal, even for people who aren’t into bikes? The Long Way series have enjoyed phenomenal success. To some, he’s an uber-cool explorer for the 21st Century and the inspiration for buying a bike for others, he’s that bloke off the telly with 50 back-up vehicles and a silly beard. Few ABRs divide opinion quite like Charley Boorman.

Charley boorman dakar bike