Comments on: Ewan McGregor Biking From Scotland to South Africa

By: Fubek

Fubek — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:46:11 +0000

I did this kind of trip on a motorbike in 2000 and I must tell you it was not “possibly one of the most significantly brutal trips a traveler could take”. It was hard at times, but come on! Africa is not the jungle you think it is. There are roads and lots of nice people that help you, and the time when they aren’t are few.

Just to give you a reality check. Sorry to burst your bubble

By: Megan C

Megan C — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:39:05 +0000

This is definitely worth watching! Long Way Round and Long Way Down are two of my favourite documentaries.

Both Ewan and Charley come across as very genuine, with a real passion for travel and commitment to raising Unicef’s profile along the way.

And in fact, Charley Boorman arrived here in Sydney a couple of weeks ago at the end of his latest trip (called By Any Means – http://byanymeans.bigearth.tv/), and I am sure that the series will be just as entertaining, even without Ewan McGregor’s star power.

By: Megan

Megan — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:45:56 +0000

They passed through my campground when I was rafting in Jinja, Uganda. I woke up late and saw the really nice SUVs decked out in sponsorship and realized who it was. They did a half day rafting trip (I had rafted the day before).

I didn’t see any motorcycles, I think they must leave them somewhere and go with their crew when they’re not “working.”

I have to say, driving in SUVs thorough Africa is a lot different than managing it on your own in public transport, especially the Ethiopia-Kenya leg which was horrible on my own. I imagine on a bike it would pretty hot an exhausting, but still easier than arranging everything without the support.

I second the Long Way Round, which was fascinating. I imagine the Long Way Down will be amazing as well, although having now been to a lot of the places on both of their trips I take it with a grain of salt.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:23:28 +0000

I think they use BMW bikes again for this trip.

The show is well worth watching – it was on the BBC here in the UK earlier this year and it was a great view from start to finish – it’s perfect travel TV, showcasing some beautiful places (Ethiopia in particular looked stunning), showing quite how much of a physical endeavour it was for them (even with their back-up team) and finally showing their interaction with all the fantastic people they met on the way.

By: Celine

Celine — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:02:32 +0000

He made another trip before this, riding from London to New York. He rode through Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia (and a few other countries). With Charley Boorman also. The series is called “Long Way Round”. The one you’re talking about, I believe, is called “Long Way Down”, which I haven’t seen yet.

It’s not clear in your post, but I thought it might be important to state that they’re doing it on motorbikes. I don’t know what motorbikes they’re using for the South Africa trip, but for the round the world trip they used BMW touring bikes.