Hiking the Coast to Coast - May 2018
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Coast to Coast Hike – Lake District – Yorkshire Dales – Yorkshire Moors 2018
Hiking the Coast to Coast - May 2018
Route
The Best and Worst Awards
Riding Around The World - The Best & Worst Awards
Offa’s Dyke Hike – May 2017
Hiking along the entire Offas Dyke in one go was unfinished business for me. I attempted it from South to North a few years back and was defeated. As they say in certain circles, proper planning prevents piss poor performance, and I had not planned properly. Poor mental preparation, poor research, and very poor kit, … Continue reading Offa’s Dyke Hike – May 2017
Chapter 36 – USA – Utah & Colorado BDR
Rupert rides the Utah and Colorado BDR on a Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin motorcycle
Chapter 34 – Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin in Wales
With all our KTMs now sold, and perhaps a few expeditions on the horizon, we have been taking a serious look at the new Honda Africa Twin. https://youtu.be/VSR0NMpSrQM I briefly had a Honda Africa Twin in the early 1990s when I was in the Royal Hong Kong police, but I have to say … Continue reading Chapter 34 – Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin in Wales
Chapter 28 – The UK revisited – on a KTM 990 SMT
The Summer of 2013
The Brits dominating the world sporting scene with wins in the Tour de France, The Lion's rugby tour, Wimbledon, AND the Ashes..... and glorious weather!!
Can it last? Of course not, English sport will settle back to its usual disappointing form, and the weather is bound to change.
Chapter 27 – Back to South Africa
As the cold weather descended on Shanghai, and indeed the rest of the northern hemisphere, Fanny and I escaped our second successive winter by flying to South Africa. Last year the Arab Spring and fighting and disturbances in Libya and Syria had delayed our progress to Turkey and so we saw out the European winter … Continue reading Chapter 27 – Back to South Africa
Chapter 26 – 中国 Part 8 – Hubei, Anhui and onwards to Shanghai
The point at which we actually crossed from Chongqing into Hubei province was high up in the beautiful misty mountains of Huangshui (Yellow Water) National Park. We had thought of staying there for the night, but it was late autumn, getting quite cold and the locals told us that all the bingguan and hotel owners had … Continue reading Chapter 26 – 中国 Part 8 – Hubei, Anhui and onwards to Shanghai
Chapter 24 – 中国 Part 6 – Sichuan
As hard as one tries, it would be impossible to ride around the world on a motorcycle and completely avoid any bad weather. We had heavy rain in the Basque Country and its border with France, and later in England and Wales where it pretty much rained throughout the whole of the summer. In China … Continue reading Chapter 24 – 中国 Part 6 – Sichuan
Chapter 23 – China Part 5 – Gansu Province
Fanny had done an excellent job setting an interesting route along the quiet "S" roads of south east Qinghai into Gansu, and so we had a chance to relax, enjoy the scenery and take a break from worrying about being wiped out by black Audi A4s and tourist coaches. However, we were in China and … Continue reading Chapter 23 – China Part 5 – Gansu Province
Chapter 22 – 中国 Part 4 – Qinghai
I have often studied maps of the world and been fascinated by Earth's equivalent of Jupiter's Red Spot... The Chinese province of Qinghai (青海. It always looked like one of the most remote parts of the planet and was definitely on my "bucket list" of places to see and ride a motorcycle. We had been … Continue reading Chapter 22 – 中国 Part 4 – Qinghai
Chapter 19 – 中国 Part 2
Sometimes I feel like a dog in China, and this was particularly so during our motorcycle expedition across the "middle kingdom". I got fed once a day; complete strangers would come up to me and stroke the hairs on my arms; I had to pee against trees and lampposts; certain hotels and public places wouldn't let … Continue reading Chapter 19 – 中国 Part 2
Chapter 18 – 中国 Part 1
The planning for the China leg of our expedition was solely in the hands of Fanny （方怡. I had agreed that if she managed to arrange motorcycles and sponsorship to support us then I would fly out and be her wing-man and basically do as I'm told. A tall order granted. I still had a … Continue reading Chapter 18 – 中国 Part 1
Chapter 17 – The UK – its alright for ducks
The UK produces the best soldiers in the world; is a leader in innovation, creativity, art and design; has a unique sense of self effacing humour, and most importantly it produces Marstons Pedigree bitter and Marmite (both from Burton Upon Trent I might add).
Chapter 16 – Turkey to France
The relief of getting ourselves out of Egypt was matched by our excitement about seeing Turkey and eventually crossing the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. I remained nervous that we had left our precious KTMs in the hands of Egyptian officials in a scruffy and dusty customs warehouse in Alexandria and wondered whether we'd ever see them again. … Continue reading Chapter 16 – Turkey to France
Chapter 15 – He’s not the Messiah – he’s a very naughty boy.
So... did we do Turkey for Christmas? Alas No. Syria and Libya were descending into civil war and chaos, all the ferries from Egypt had been cancelled, and Fanny was not allowed to ride or drive a vehicle in Saudi Arabia (not for being Chinese, but because she's a woman!). Also, the prospects of motorcycling in Europe during the freezing … Continue reading Chapter 15 – He’s not the Messiah – he’s a very naughty boy.
The Best and Worst Awards
The best and worst awards for our motorcycle expedition across Africa, Europe and Asia. Whilst the two of us are in agreement, we realize that many may disagree and so we welcome any comments. MOST ENJOYABLE COUNTRY AWARD AFRICA - TANZANIA Tanzania just eclipses Kenya, Namibia and South Africa as our favourite country in Africa. Good … Continue reading The Best and Worst Awards
Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 2)
As we were now stuck in Egypt we thought we should make the most of it and see the country and take in its amazing culture and history. To do that we were going to have to extend our visas and also the permits for our South African registered KTM motorcycles, and that meant we … Continue reading Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 2)
Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 1)
The "Night Boat" up the River Nile to Aswan was anything but luxurious, but we were very pleased that everything had gone according to plan and we were on our way to Egypt. We camped for eighteen hours on the hard deck of the ferry and our carefully chosen spot was quickly hemmed in with … Continue reading Chapter 10 – Egypt – (Part 1)
Chapter 7 – Kenya
Kenya– Chapter 7 The first thing we noticed at the Kenyan border was an elderly couple being towed in a magnificent MGA sports car behind a Toyota pick-up. Whilst we were mingling with the crowds waiting to clear customs I remarked to the owners on what a splendid car it was and inquired why it … Continue reading Chapter 7 – Kenya
Chapter 2 – Botswana
We were now truly in Africa, so it seemed. The landscape had changed to classic bush colours and there were many signs warning of African animals that threatened to leap out onto the road. If that meant donkeys, goats, cows, dogs, human boys and yellow hornbills then that was true. We decided to stick as … Continue reading Chapter 2 – Botswana
Rupert & Fanny's Big Bike Trip 