Prelude to London to Sydney Motorcycle Adventure

Motorcycle Adventure Dirt Bike TV supported proudly by Adventure Spec in England, Rally Raid Products, Giant Loop in the United States, Adventure Moto in Australia, Adventure Rider Magazine, Pirelli, Boatool Oils and RK Motorcycle Chains. Welcome to Motorcycle Adventure Dirt Bike TV. This time we're reaching back into the video vault to answer some questions about our popular London to Sydney motorcycle adventure film that's attracted close to 3 million views. Riding from London to Sydney on KTM 690s didn't just happen, there's a history behind that epic ride and it's time to tell that story and to do it we've got to go back in time. For those that aren't familiar with the story click on the link at the end of this video. YouTube's been interesting for us. I started on YouTube posting videos about motorbikes. Darren saw one of the videos, made contact and said hey I'd like to ride with you guys in Australia and that's the kickoff if you like of how we've started riding together. I first met Dave two years ago in Sydney. I was doing a trip out there and I wanted to arrange a bike ride so I thought no better person than to contact him to see if I could arrange something and then through a few emails back and forwards actually made arranged to meet up personally and five of the guys went out in the bush on dirt bikes and it was a fantastic couple of days. We decided to take Darren on what we call the hill end loop which is a combination of spectacular scenery and some odd challenges. We decided to hire Darren a bike but he felt it was too small and he ended up with the Suzuki DR650, a great all-terrain vehicle. First impressions? First impressions is good. Well you're six and a half hours into the ride and you're on top of the world. Yeah it's a nice place. I'm starting to feel a little bit tired. I don't know whether I would do anyway but I can feel myself getting a little bit jaded but not necessarily worried about it. Well my friend we've got a bit to do yet. I'll be there mate at the end That's good. Darren's getting used to the sand but there's a couple of big cuts for him in a little while let's see how he goes. Some of these hills are just a bit steep. Yeah. Just have a look at them take your time that's the easiest way. Okay. F***ing hell. It's not f***ing worth it at all. Whoa. Hey four bikes in a go. Where's the camera? You alright Darren? I saw what was going to happen but then I caused it. Why did you stop so f***ing close to it? I said get out of the way. He pulled me off the bike. You alright? Yeah yeah. I saw you coming Darren and I said this is not going to look good. Let's get out of the way. And he pulled me off. Darren managed to survive his Australian adventure and headed back to England. And during a later discussion on Skype I suggested to Darren that maybe we should ride from his place London to my place Sydney. And it took us about 10 seconds to commit to the idea and we decided to have a practice ride around Europe. So in late 2010 I headed to London and this is where I met one of many enablers. People that make stuff happen or motivate others to do so. Hey how are you? Good to see you. Excellent. Have a go at the bike. It's just in immaculate condition. I'm glad I'm getting it back. Without helpful enthusiastic blokes like Jason behind the scene trips like this just don't happen. Now what could be missing from a perfectly prepared KTM? I know, a bit of Aussie pride. Now that's what we need. God help me Darren. How many bloody maps have you got? Enough mate. I was there a couple of years back. It's really great to meet up with Dave again. I haven't seen him for about 2 years. We're going to do a European trip where we're going to visit 12 countries. This is going to be great preparation for us for the bigger trip from London to Sydney in 2012. Are you going to get us there later or what? Don't worry Dave, I'm on it. The first part of the trip will be through southern England. We're going to go through some of the nice Cotswold countryside, get down to the coast. OK, listen up troops. We're going in. Starts June 1st, just below the Midlands, Milton Keynes. Down through the Cotswolds, through Taunton, into Exmoor, down to Biddeford. To the Austin Vince Adventure Travel Film Festival. We stay the weekend there with Austin and Lois and all the gang. Sunday afternoon, we head south to Plymouth. Get the Pont Nevant Ferry to Santander. That's great. Not that way. Down to Santander. Basically Dave, we get off the boat and we turn left. That's all you need to know. And keep on the right hand side of the road. Very important, that worries me. I'm really looking forward to this trip. The key bits to it for me are riding the Spanish Pyrenees. Into Andorra and meeting a long time friend from KTM Spain. And then moving through the French Alps. And then one of the big highlights, meeting my in-laws in Prestis in Czech Republic. Oh, that looked interesting. As a first time into England, it quickly became apparent that finding good off-road riding was as rare as rocking horse duty. So when I found this sandy lane, I made the most of it. And I even managed to get a local called Tom to film me having some fun. Well, Tom's been giving me a hand filming. Now mate, if you had to drive around the world, what sort of bike would you have? Definitely have to be the KTM, I think. They're all around good bike. Reliable. Good fun as well. And what do you think of those BMW 1200s? I think they're pretty rubbish, to be honest. Yeah, I agree with you. This ride through Europe is very much about getting to know each other in terms of how we film. But the big ride is London to Sydney in 2012. And that's what this is all about. It's commonly held belief that the Japanese motocross bikes in around the mid-80s were the first to have two-stroke and water-cooled. But in fact it was the Scott Squirrels that led the way. And here's one from 1937. Okay, so this is a beautiful honeycomb radiator. And these are the twin cylinders here. Now here's a four-cylinder. 50cc road racer. Now Darren, just show us these cylinders. Look at the size of them. They're tiny. I've got particularly large hands, I know. So, our practice trip is from England through Central Europe down through Marco Polo's Silk Route then down into China down into Java Darwin, through the Simpson Desert and to Sydney. That's there. Gotta be happy with that. I talked before about those special people that inspire and motivate you to push your way out of your comfort zone. And the importance of recognising these people I call lifters. Our next stop was the Adventure Travel Film Festival that was being held in Bidderford. A place where I would catch up with three of those major positive influences in my life. That whether they knew it or not were the foundation stones for the building of my passion for making motorcycle adventure films. What it's all about is Lois and I have a crusade where we want ordinary people to make more films than they do. And unfortunately, certainly in the motorcycle community which is sort of where I come from so far that's meant just buying a helmet cam and going for a ride and turning it on and then putting the entire half an hour of the B624 on YouTube and then you email a mate saying have you seen my latest film? And I have to break it to the news because that's not good enough. So we're trying to raise the bar and get amateurs making fabulous films. This entire weekend is all about basically amateurs who have made brilliant films. I would suggest better than the films that we're being offered on television. The Adventure Travel Film Festival is an opportunity to not only view amateur adventure films but also attend classes to improve skills in storytelling. It was also an opportunity to catch up with Austin Vince Jason Jones and Sam Manicom key motivators for my passion in film. So about three years ago I was given this t-shirt by KDM Spain and what had happened was I didn't know how to speak Spanish at all so I got on a program called Babelfish that translates English to Spanish or Spanish to English and I wrote on it I would love to ride the Pyrenees. I have ridden the snowy mountains in Australia but I would love to come and ride in Spain. And anyway I posted that off into KDM Spain website and it suddenly went viral and there were 10,000 hits and I couldn't understand why. And then someone wrote back to me and said oh you're very funny. He says I would like to mount you in the Pyrenees, I'd like to mount you in the snowy mountains and I'd like to mount you in Spain. And so out of that formed this great camaraderie between the KDM Spain guys and myself and I've still communicated to them with Babelfish. And now what happens is we're actually meeting some people in Spain during our European tour that Dave and I met 3 years ago via the internet. I've really only met Dave 4 or 5 weeks ago over the internet and I'm very pleased he's come and purchased a bike from me. Which means we're all really good. But during that 4 week period I also made an acquaintance of a guy who lives in Watford, a Spanish guy a true fan of KTM lives in Watford, been here for about 4 or 5 years and I sold him a brand new SMT absolutely over the moon with it, Carlos top man and we've become good friends. He comes in and sees me just in a short period and came in the showroom the other day quite dumbfounded and said I've heard that you've sold a bike to E.200, Davo and I've said yeah and how do you know that? He's going to meet my brother in Andorra Pedro in 2 weeks time and I'm just like I don't believe this. We've only just met and we've got mutual connections and this is just the power of the internet and motorcycling KTM motorcycles I should say. So there you go, 6 degrees of separation amazing isn't it? This is random. We love random. We do indeed. It's a small world but we want to paint it. At the end of one of the classes I shot and produced a short piece with Sam Sam's passion for motorcycle adventure is evident and his sage words have stuck with me my entire motorcycling life. Take your time really take it easy, don't ride too long days. If you do 250, 300 miles in a day that's a long day, doing any more than that you're doing too much. When you're on the road concentrate on what's happening at least 150 meters in front of you not what's happening immediately in front of you and this rule particularly for off-road and 3 it's really got to be enjoy the fact that the bike is going to be the biggest icebreaker that you'll ever make between you and the people that you meet along the way. You'll make a lot of friends because of your bike. I can give you a 4 as well and that is every time you do a rough road, take half an hour and just go around the bike and make sure that all your nuts and bolts are still tight. What's he got in here? He's like Santa Claus every time I see him. Now you can choose to use these or not They're proper graphically cut with your Devo my flag, different ones yeah and I thought they'd look quite nice on the top fairing you know. Excellent! We headed to Plymouth for a ferry ride to Santander, Spain My next goal was to ride the Smugglers Trail over the Pyrenees Mountains and into Andorra. I had dreamed of riding this trail for 3 years. The taste of adventure was in the air even if it was going to be wet. Hopefully when we arrived in Andorra I would catch up with Pedro of KTM Spain. Well my friend, have a look at this light showers and then kaboom! This my friend is Santander, somewhere around there and this is just covered in thunderstorms. We arrive in Santander in the morning and after a Le Mans start on the bikes we head south east to Jaca close to the foot of the Pyrenees As predicted, the weather conditions were not the best for bikes Welcome to Spain It's been absolutely pissing down rain for the last hour and a half and now we are in this massive thunderstorm The rain kept coming so we decided to stay in Jaca and start our Spanish diet chorizo sausage, locally made cheese and baguette There was also time to dry out our gear and look around this 11th century city There could be worse things than getting stuck in Jaca. This city has a wealth of history and architecture dating back to the 11th century The 16th century fort with it's highly effective pentagon design was the latest in terms of defensive technology for it's time Mind you, it was slightly disturbing to see an elderly tourist attempting to use a guard house for some rumpy pumpy Just a short time ago we were in the hustle and bustle of the cities and we left Jaca and we've been riding about an hour and a bit now and we've virtually got the Pyrenees to ourselves We were on our way to find the smugglers trail that wound over the Pyrenees mountains and linked Spain to the Principality of Andorra But with stunning gorges like this found along the way you've just got to slow down and take in the scenery The beauty was breathtaking and a picturesque entree of hopefully what was to come But after lunch this was a great place for siesta The influence of the Spanish people was rubbing off quickly and we were happy with that Who would have thought a chance encounter with Superman who just happened to be a trail bike rider would guide us to success in finding smugglers trail Let's go see some trail bikes It's Superman! I thought I recognised you I haven't got a telephone box out this way So basically as soon as you come to Allens when the town ends it's the very last turn in Thanks for it mate Have a safe day Have a safe journey OK we're just about to do the smugglers trail The dirt bike riders we met at the hotel earlier on this morning said there were some tricky sections of it The surface may be a little bit damp It's been quite heavy rain recently and I'm a little bit concerned about my choice of tyres They're very much road biased tyres so maybe a set of knobblies would help us But saying that, we've just filled up with gas We're going to go for it We haven't filled the bikes up to the top because my bike takes 35 litres of gas so it's pretty heavy if it's full up So I've half filled the tank So off to Andorra, let's go for it I first heard about this trail on KTM Spain website and they showed me some video of it and it was just beautiful and for three years I've wanted to do it and finally I've come halfway across the world and my dreams are going to be realised This is great stuff and the day just a spectacular sunny, still morning Couldn't be any luckier I've lost my flaming baguette It's been bumped and it slipped straight out So sausages and cheese for us What a way to start our European road trip Heading to the snow line on Smugglers Trail in the middle of the Pyrenees on the Spanish border It doesn't get any better than that for an Aussie In the valley below lay the independent principality of Andorra Tonight we would catch up with Pedro from the KTM Spain website Had it not been for Pedro and his mates and their encouragement I would have never ridden the Smugglers Trail They found your baguette I think they're going to give us my baguette back Hey, thank you very much Thank you, thank you my friend Thank you, hey Gracias We're back, we're back in business I got my baguette back Now this baguette is not getting away Look at that We turned back on the black top for an easy ride into Andorra Vella the capital of Andorra But reaching out to Pedro was a bit of a challenge that required perseverance I've got to try to find Pedrino now I've got a phone booth I've got some money I just need his number Let's see how we go There's a little thing there So just do that Get the operator, just say hola You ******* wanker You think I was going to fall for it Hola Is that you Pedrino? What numbers do I take off? 003 Hola, is that you? Pedrino How are you? OK I think we're going to stay I think we're going to stay in Andorra This is the way Pedrino has spelt Llamasana I think R is an A and that would make sense Llamasana So let's see how we go Meeting up with Pedro was important to me He and his KTM Spain buddies had not only motivated me but focused me on a goal that I had now achieved Smugglers Trail was now under my belt and it was great to close the circle and thank him personally Pedro was camera shy but that's OK We shared the love of motorcycles and if there's one thing that I've learnt from motorcycle adventure throughout the world is that the language of motorcycles is universal We're just out of Andorra and I'm doing my little boot dance again The baguette's looking a bit worse for wear Darren got a plastic bag for one end and this is the other end and it's been getting hit with the rain so that's Darren's end, this is my end I gave Dave one job to do yesterday and that was to look after one small loaf of bread and he failed to achieve the task A wet start as we entered France Our plan was to keep out of the cities and savour the simpler less frantic country life Camping amenities are great in France but one thing that was becoming apparent to me for our London to Sydney trip, Darren's tent was just too bloody big and bulky The season had been kind to the Provence region and the smell of lavender mixed with the sweet smell of growing grass. The weather was dry and warm, the roads were well paved, the twisties were great and to cap it off the French drivers are amazingly courteous to motorcycles Our next goal was to ride the length of the French Alps but first we needed to cruise the French countryside, absorb some French culture and cuisine visit the Gorge of Verdun and climb the highest mountain in Europe Mont Blanc The thought of all these activities was making me hungry and in Australia we'd probably pull over for hamburger and chips, but not here This was an opportunity to stop at an Aubergine and savour the best of French cuisine at a reasonable price If they had these in Australia I'd never eat takeaway again Good night dude Well we spied this Aubergine on the way to our canyon, just magnificent food and I feel like a siesta now but that's not going to happen we have work to do and distance to travel Au revoir Just 5km out from the Gorge of Verdun I'm really looking forward to this, one of the largest gorges in Europe, here we go Well it looks like we've joined the French underground but actually we're at a little village called Suspal just out of Monaco we've had a big day of riding and this is ideal accommodation Today we're off into the Alps I'm really pleased we're taking the day there because my most exciting riding is done there so I'm looking forward to the day Riding the full length of the Route des Grandes Alpes on a great motorcycle is a once in a lifetime experience The 684km beautifully tar sealed ribbon of twisties with stunning vistas and valleys is a motorcyclist's delight With bright sunshine and perfect conditions for riding, there was a temptation to crack open the throttle but as all motorcyclists who like keeping upright know hazards are always around the next corner How is this guy ever going to make this road with that, those logs My God My God, I wouldn't have believed if I saw it There's a good reason why you don't barrel into corners that are blinds here because you can meet something like that coming down the road enough to scare the pants off you and I'm not happy about this corner so let's go This legendary route has 20 mountain passes the highest being 2800m or 9200ft in the old money The top 3 passes are sometimes closed due to snow up until June Our day progresses by climbing and winding our way to the top of the next pass celebrating the spectacular view and then dropping down in the valley below and then press repeat and you just want to do it all over again the cool clear air the stunning scenery every turn reveals another postcard picture with billiard table smooth tar and good grip and beautiful curves I sense the engineers that built the road were motorcyclists Ok Dave, here's the rations for today there's lunch there's dinner Go easy on them Bon Appetit The afternoon was spent climbing some of the taller passes that kept snow during the summer 1770m and then we were back down into the valley for some great camping The riding's just been fantastic excellent twisty beautifully tar sealed roads right up to 2800m it's just been pristine a rider's paradise As you can see behind me there are no guests I'm stuck here with this geyser from Australia called Dave I hope his toilet habits are going to change because he's been shitting quite a lot I'm going to shit myself Good start to an interview Oh goodness me I nearly had a brownout We're lucky the camera was ready for that one The last thing I expected to find at the French-Italian border was a sign to Sydney and it's not that far, it's only about 18,000km So Darren, I think this is quite possible, you know I think we should just keep riding and get there I think you're right though, let's go for it The life of an adventurer Check the title out 4, 5, 6 That's a mighty good thunderstorm Dave, you're making some funny faces Some other parts of me are making some funny faces as well We're currently in the middle of this rainstorm but tomorrow we get a break from about 8am, we're about here Oh dear, dinner time Listen to me dude Well, we've got a Twix we could have a Twix each or we've got to get out of this tent or we can have those flies that have been flying around for the last 10 minutes Oh well, out the tent airs I think I think so, let's go The camping ground at Chamonix was without doubt the most beautiful campsite that I'd ever seen The storm had passed but it was likely more dodgy weather was on the way Catching up with my relatives in the Czech Republic was now our goal but first, we had to ride the Swiss Alps Right, we're about to leave Chamonix We've been following the forecast on the internet and today is supposed to be pissing down with rain Now, I suggest you don't make too many decisions based on a forecast you have to remember it is just a forecast and use the conditions that you can see in front of you Although, beware about going high with a forecast bad weather Riding through the Swiss Alps was yet another unforgettable experience but unfortunately I won't be able to share with you as intermittent rain hampered filming and kept our bums wet That said, my Pommie Geezer riding mate was always optimistic and his optimism was infectious One of the things I love about bikes is what I call helmet time Time to think and reflect about life and what's important to you As we approach the Czech Republic my emotions are rising to the surface I start to think about what might not have been if Sonja's parents hadn't escaped from the communist regime If it wasn't for Mr. and Mrs. Pribyk leaving Czechoslovakia leaving Prestige and making that dangerous border crossing in the dead of night and coming to Australia I would have never met Sonja and we would have never had our children Michael and Elena Feelings of trepidation were also emerging None of my in-laws speak English so it's going to be a real challenge to communicate It's a good challenge and I'm confident heartfelt emotion will transcend the barrier of language Yeah, I'm on the border of the Czech Republic nearly to Prestige 5km inside the Czech border and the rain's followed us it's followed us through Switzerland and Austria and now to the Czech Republic but our spirits are not dampened but Darren with his thumb up Stenny? Yeah, this is my friend Darren How are you doing? We're just packing up to leave Prestige we were treated royally by Dave's friends and family who live in the village and we're just on our way to Praha now so all's good We now headed for home and helmet time was spent thinking about seeing through a London to Sydney adventure Through this European trip we had learned a great deal about what gear worked and what gear didn't but more importantly Darren and I tested our partnership After all, if you're going to ride from London to Sydney you need a riding companion made of the right stuff to get the job done Darren had been a great riding partner and hopefully I had proved my worth to him We blasted through Germany, the Netherlands and back to France to ride the tunnel train home to England We would spend a couple of days reflecting on this ride but with our sights firmly set on the big one London to Sydney In late May 2012 18 months later I would fly from Sydney with a one-way ticket to London There was only one way back and that would be on a KTM 690 KTM 690