Boorman at last year's Chelsea Flower Show. Drifting apart from your mates can be a sad fact of life as you get older. And they just did. Re-watching By Any Means for the 20th time at the moment. I get in trouble with her for silly things - but I can't talk about them. I just find myself thinking about it a lot. YouTube channel where he posts videos on motorbikes. Ewan went on to talk of how it wasn't until Charley had a motorcycle accident in 2016 that he and Charley settled their differences. Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor spat: Charley nearly lost his leg after his motorbike accident in 2016. (Image: GETTY ) Dunno, I havent told em, he says cheerfully. Send him yor best. Its great to have both, weve had a lot of fun on petrol bikes as well but your every day going bike when you live in a city has got to be electric now. I found Africa's landscapes stunning to the eye, it's people vibrant and welcoming, it's food diverse and exotic, and it's history fascinating and complex. Every time we found somewhere to plug that bike in was like a little mini-triumph, said McGregor. Would be great to see more of this top female motorcycle adventurer. Long Way Down is a television series and book documenting a motorcycle journey undertaken in 2007 by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, from John o' Groats in Scotland through eighteen countries in Europe and Africa to Cape Town in South Africa. With Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman, David Alexanian, Russ Malkin. She likes riding (pillon passenger) too, after she start doing it, the first time with me. Id love to see the Dakar but I would just want to race it again, so I better stay away. And then we got to visit it., Sacred Valley of the Incas -- see Machu Picchu and so much more in Peru, When they arrived the UNESCO Heritage Site, recounts McGregor, it was shrouded in cloud. Disappointment set in, Wed come on a day where youre not going to see anything, McGregor says. Bikes, cars and trucks all race at the same time. EW: Well, that's never happened before. wBW providessubjective opinionsand information on hard-to-find and unique motorcycling products. He has worked in numerous Hollywood movies such as the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the Trainspotting series (1996, 2017), Christopher Robin (2018), Doctor Sleep (2019), Pinocchio (2022), and many more projects. Learn more about us. Here's what 'long way' series' stars Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman have been doing today. And so we found each other again and decided to do this trip.. Motorcycle adventurer Charley Boorman has bared all for Motorbike Writer readers, including his backside! It really is close now. So far, theres no word on when the new series will be released. The team anticipated problems at the various borders crossings, particularly in Africa. I just think it was about time, you know. CB: You can really talk to each other, like Ewan and I did because there is no engine noise, so you can really hear the people you ride with. But its definitely the way forward. Charley Boorman bares all for our readers, Custom Eye Candy: An Electric Zero SR-X Concept, 10 Electric Skateboard Brands That Are Killing It, Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Fast Figures: Piaggio Groups 2022 Sales Were Best Results Ever, Industry Insider: EU Ignores Licensing Revamp Pleas, UK Is Next, Luck of the Irish: Insurance Costs Cause Country-Wide Racing Closures, Powersports Podcasts: Ricky Carmichael & Ryan Villopotos Title 24, Harley-Davidson Screamin Eagle Engine Sets New Record, Husqvarna Releases Up-Specd Norden 901 Expedition, Armor, Airbag, Base Layer, & Underwear Reviews, Click here to read more about his African tours. Its been more than a decade since Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman rode triumphantly into Cape Town at the end of a journey that saw them travel the length of Africa on their BMW R 1200 GS Adventure motorcycles. I love them all. JAG: The crazy part was it wasnt only the bikes, you guys had the Rivian pickups too. I just love it as a way of life. McGregor and Boorman gave the adventure or ADV riding segment a huge boost in 2004 with their original series Long Way Round, in which the pair rode heavily loaded BMW GS adventure bikes around the world the long way from England through Russia, including Siberia, capturing their adventures on video using action cameras, and by including Swiss photographer (and rider), Claudio von Planta, who also rode a kitted BMW during the project. Boorman hit a wall and then bounced along the pavement three times. As an aside, I could watch Charley Boorman layer up (please put this on TikTok) all day. Portions of Boormans recovery from the horrific accident are shown in the first episode of Long Way Down. These snippets show how dedicated Boorman was to getting back on the bike and how important it was for him to do this third trip. [5] In March 2017, during a Reddit AMA, Ewan said there were "no plans at the moment" to do a third installment of the series. Forbes.com has reached out to Harley-Davidson for comment on the news. Can you change the seat? I broke both my legs, broke and dislocated my right ankle and smashed my left tibia and fibula. Its also a handy guide to the world of motorcycling, where everyone knows everyone, and they all obsess about cylinders and paint jobs and regard broken bones as part of the ride. Given their experiences on the Long Way Round, which included problems with Russian visas, a "fine" for a missing stamp in their carnet, and delays of up to twelve hours, major preparation and planning went into the transit between countries. Here are some facts about the 'Long Way' series and what Ewan and Charley are up to today. He then broke his hip riding a Vespa whilst still in recovery. It comes to its conclusion.. He grew up on an estate in the Wicklow mountains his dad had bought on a whim, and also on film sets, making his debut in his fathers brutal 1972 thriller Deliverance, aged six. He also has a penchant for all things F1, occasionally catching up on WRC. Let me just say that this trip exceeded every one of my expectations. We have a series of challenges throughout our lives. Ive ordered a nurses uniform always wanted one. In 2008, he did a show called 'By Any Means' where he traveled from County Wicklow, his hometown in Ireland, to Sydney, Australia using only appropriate public transport and flying whenever necessary. The first episode of Long Way Up is all preparation and planning, which was incredibly fun to follow. Thankfully because of Charley's accident, that meant he was housebound for some time, so whenever I was in London, that meant I was able to see him. EM: You just have to change your mindset. Billy writes on his Twitter account: CB had accident today in Portugal @ Global launch of Triumph Explorer. And for real adventure touring, EVs add a whole 'nother dimension to it. And thats when the real magic begins. Hopefully just riding dirt bikes with mates. McGregor and von Planta also came off and damaged their bikes' bodywork, with von Planta involved in the more serious incident on a motorway in South Africa. and the first time we read /hear about it. Ahead of that, The Drive had a chance to talk to McGregor and Boorman about their trip. It just seemed to be a better fit with what I was doing with The Bike Shed. WebWild at Heart Season 6 Episode 4. He smiled and nodded his head. The Mayor of London is not doing bikes any favours. An accident in Portugal left Charley Boorman fearing his leg would have to be amputated but now hes ready to ride again. When it's extremely cold, you know, the batteries don't perform as well. That was my therapy, to get back on the motorbike. Talking about the sights along the way, and what really stood out for them on this particular journey, McGregor sites the landscape of the Atacama Desert in Chile as spectacular, and he goes on to talk about getting to see Machu Picchu. Having ridden with Ewan McGregor all the way round the world, and on an extraordinary trip through Africa, he is now taking on Canada, South Africa and the USA. Dealing with things such as insane cold meant moving bikes indoors overnight and wearing all the clothes. ", "I remember Ewan and I were on the side of the road in Long Way Round (a TV series in which they rode 32,000km around the world) in the Ukraine or Kazakhstan and a white Lada stopped and these two big guys got out and started walking towards us. In Uganda, they met former child soldiers of the Lord's Resistance Army and saw the work being done to rehabilitate them. Can you do this, that and the other?" Jon Alain Guzik: Youve been around and down, why decide to go up this time? I really thought, 'S***, he's going to kill us'. A year ago, the 50-year-old who started out as a child actor in his father Johns films and gained a second bite at stardom on television as Ewan McGregors motorcycling partner in the Long Way adventure travel series suffered a horrific bike crash. The book abounds with bikes trashed and accidents endured, including the time Boorman rode 400km in the Dakar Rally with broken hands. Now, a decade after the Long Way Down entry, it looks like the third installment is underway with electric mobility at the core of the concept. ", "I remember taking a 4x4 up the Sani Pass in South Africa, which goes up into Lesotho. Charley Boorman suffered a serious injury after coming off his motorbike in Portugal It has now been over a year since the horror scene, which happened on his way to a media launch of the new Triumph Explorer. The 50-year-old added: It has been a long journey to get here. JAG: Why the long pause between the trips and the shows? And those beginning few weeks were super cold. Update 2moro. Details area bit vague at the momentandthere is no word on whether he was riding or driving. JAG: Charley, you were in quite a few different wrecks over the years. Well, that's easy, that's a no brainer. Apparently, after completing two epic motorbike adventures, the two felt they needed an additional challenge. A division of A07 Online Media, LLC. Charley Boorman is riding again after his major motorcycle crash in 2016 and ready for his big African adventure later this year. I was just coming out the hotel in the morning and was passing a car when the driver decided to turn down a lane. Is the Honda CRF300L the best beginner trail bike? I just love seeing Mother Nature like this, watching the land change as we go by. Motorcycle adventurer Charley Boorman has bared all for Motorbike Writer readers, including his backside! Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much He is also properly appreciative of Olivia, whom hes been with for 30 years and married to for 25. Another interesting development: It appears electric pickup truck maker Rivian may also be in on the epic adventure, according to a post on popular off-road riding site ADVPulse. I was overtaking a car on my motorbike when it clipped me, sending me careering into a wall. Id love to ride with (princes) Harry and William. And we had to do all of our training on a trip because our bikes were prototypes and they were delivered at the very last minute. 1 bestselling author is back! The son of renowned film director John Boorman, he grew up on a farm in Ireland and used to ride through the fields on his first motorbike and took part in schoolboy motor cross and Enduro races. When he came to rest, as he casually puts it, my leg was all flippy-floppy, bending in the wrong places and in the wrong direction. I just red the first time about the crash. I'd had a lot of surgeryboth my legs were smashed up, my right hand had broken bones. lovely story.. and Charile is an awesome guy! So I thought Im British and I would be promoting my Britishness. With equity release you could access a lump-sum of tax-free cash which can be used to enhance your retirement income, make home improvements, or even enjoy a memorable holiday. Boorman, who hit the road with Ewan McGregor in the Long Way Down and the Long Way Round, was left in a wheelchair after a horrific crash in Portugal in February last year. With the limited range of both the bikes and the Rivianapart from bringing backup generators like you guys did, how does the average motorcyclist enjoy a cross country trip on an electric motorcycle when the technology is still on the fringe? Discovery Company. As I approached I heard him say, So, Olivia, youre a beautiful girl, do you want to come to Australia with me?. I thought Id broken my hip just for the sake of going down the shops! They let us in and let us plug in our bikes as they showed us around and explained how everything worked. WebEwan McGregor, Charley Boorman, Robert Uhlig (co-author) It started as a daydream. Im self-employed so getting a job is my biggest challenge. Traversing through cities, mountains, deserts, and snow, they documented their trips using special helmet cameras whilst riding their bikes, had a cameraman ride on his own bike accompany them, and had a production crew that provided them with additional support and rendezvoused with them at border crossings. [7][8], On 27 May 2020, it was announced that the series Long Way Up would premiere on Apple TV+.[9]. ADVPulse also reported that a pair of Mercedes Sprinter vans may be providing support; both previous Long Way series had prodigious support for McGregor and Boorman, so they werent exactly roughing it. Did you encounter any technical issues? It appears he will be tagging along on this ride as well as he appears with McGregor in one Facebook image. Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor stop in Bolivia on their electric Harley- Davidson LiveWires. That was a one-off, because of Star Wars. I first met him in London at a restaurant. Although the American crew members were barred from entering Libya, this was anticipated ahead of their arrival. It's such fun to ride and they are so fast. I think its too difficult and expensive to get your licence now. You hear stories about the horror crashes of the Dakar Rally, which is a long 16-day race, and about people getting lost in the desert, and they're all true. However, the pair undertook the journey on fully electric motorcycles, something which had never been done before. WebCharley Boorman, adventurer, motorbike enthusiast and no. Didn't think you were that famous? Will EW: [Laughs] You just have to ride, people just have to have a go. It felt like my whole body had been jarred. The team took four days to ride from John o' Groats back to London, via the McGregor family home in Crieff and the Silverstone racetrack, where they camped in the middle of the circuit. I understand why they ride bikes: One, because they love it and two because it gives them anonymity. We were lucky, we had assistance from Rivian. Charley journeys in a circular route starting and finishing in Cape Town, experiencing the deeply rooted But they arrived in Ushuaia after we did. The final leg took them through Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and into South Africa. I have a crash there. CB: Certainly those first few weeks had a steep learning curve. It took 10 operations over two years and a year and a half to start walking again. there really isnt anywhere left to go but up, and a pair of Rivian RT1 electric pickup trucks. Because of congestion and over-population, scooters and motorbikes should be a big part of the solution but we just need to get people to be more aware and positive towards bikes. In Tunisia, McGregor and Boorman visited the set of Star Wars and then rode into Libya. "I did the Dakar Rally (10,000km from Lisbon to Dakar, Senegal) in 2006, which is one of the most dangerous off-road races in the world and broke both my hands. But now, some 18 months later, Charley is back in the saddle, pursuing adventure with more enthusiasm than ever before. Charley had a terrible accident and was very badly injured. The journey ended at Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the continent, from where they were accompanied to Cape Town by a phalanx of bikers, similar to their arrival in New York on the Long Way Round. If I'm at work or I'm sitting there between takes, or I am sitting in my trailer or whatever, I find myself daydreaming about a ribbon of road coming at me from somewhere. And then theres the charging. Im lucky enough to have a few. Couldnt think dont do it. . I ride full time now because of LWD and LWR. Somehow, we slid into a ditch and the car stopped. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Not just get on a bike again, but go basically 13,000 miles on an electric motorcycle? And after a bike trip in south England, we have to visit Wales, Scotland, Yorkshire. He underwent gruesome treatment in Portugal and then in London, and doctors feared he might lose the leg. Within the first three episodes of this series, the duo visit: Parque Pingino Rey in Tierra del Fuego, Chile, at the tip of South America. Personally, I got into a pretty bad wreck years ago, outside of Mugello on a Ducati and since then, I've kind of had the yips whenever I got on the bike. WATCH: Ewan McGregor in action on the Moto Guzzi V85 TT, but will he take it on the Long Way Up? Billy writes on his Twitter account: CB had accident today in Portugal @ Global launch of Triumph Explorer.In hospital but OK. You'd be doing 100km an hour on this dirt road on your bike and suddenly this truck would come past you at 130km an hour and leave you in the dust. She was cooking every meal, and bathing me, which would do my head in, Boorman says, but she is a saint, my wife, incredibly practical, and just gets on with it.. Boorman was involved in a serious accident whilst test riding a motorbike with journalists in Portugal in 2016. That was sort of a wake-up call to me that we mustn't let this friendshipthis very special relationship to medrift. I usually go back the way we came with them so they can experience it as well. Out in the country you would need a hybrid or something to get more range. From abseiling down Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain, to learning how to rodeo in Canada, prepare for a non Salta in northwest Argentina to take the Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) one of the highest in the world at almost 14,000 feet. It's a different way of thinking but it's totally doable in America. The television series began broadcast on BBC Two on 28 October 2007,[3] with clips also shown online. That was a dodgy one. With the right planning, of course. I mean, one time it was so cold outside that the batteries would just turn off and they wouldnt charge. During this time, he got an acting job on The Serpents Kiss in 1997, where he met McGregor, and they talked about bikes, because thats what bikers do, and cooked up the idea of a 19,000-mile, two-wheeled journey from London to New York that became 2004s Long Way Round a TV series, book and DVD. Scottish star Mr McGregor, 49, first rose to prominence in Danny Boyles cult classic Trainspotting and subsequently starred in blockbusters including Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker and DC In 2004, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman embarked on a journey to bike across 12 countries and 19 time zones in 115 days. WebEwan McGregor and Charley Boorman are getting back on their motorcycles for a new adventure in Apple TV+'s "Long Way Up". And our bikes were being charged directly by the sun., In the end, after three months on the road, both men were ready to end the trip, though Boorman says, You always talk about the possibility of another one, so youve got that in your head, so its not so bad that this ones finished., Theres an arc, these trips that weve done, says McGregor. The result is my recent book the Long Way Back. Riding a prototype electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire through the Calchaqu Valley in northwest Argentina, the actor and avid motorcyclist Ewan McGregor waxes poetic into a microphone inside his helmet. Id love to the do Simpson Desert. Argentinian news outlets report McGregor arrived in the country (apparently to considerable fanfare) in late August. Ive never really had any regrets. Boormans first thought when he was told he might lose his leg was: Well, at least I can still ride he knows an amputee stunt rider who uses a magnet to keep his artificial limb on his bikes foot peg, you see. It's the longest trip ever attempted on an electric motorcycle, one that required Rivian to install a new string of fast-chargers along the planned routea rural charging network that will now serve the people of the region, as McGregor pointed out to me. It's a dangerous hairpin trail on this treacherous road and I went up in winter. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, reading fiction books, watching movies, and spending time with his pet cats and dogs.