The Long Whinge Down

[Ben_J85JTY]

Just finished watching the long way down - Is it me or did they seem to whinge throughout the first 3/4 of the episode before realizing that the schedule, which seems to be the main bone of contention, is entirely their doing?

Also, they have had 3 months full time to prepare and it didn't occur to them that the shocks on the bike may take a beating...hmmm

Lastly - How much gear do they want to put on the roof's of the Ni$$san's!!

Rant over, off soap box.:p

[Madoobri]

I`m starting to agree with you for all the reasons you mention ... the first series was a lot better I think ... I had started this (http://forum.landrovernet.com/showthread.php?t=99415)thread too!! :rolleyes:

[graham]

What's that all about then ?

[Airbrush]

Even a relative novice like me knew they should have turned their Safari's backwards.;)

Wifey was impressed when they did it after me shouting at the tv.:rolleyes::D

Andy.

[graham]

What channel was it on

[Airbrush]

What channel was it on

BBC 2. 9.pm

Andy.

[nobber]

isn't it wise practice not to drive at night?
just in case you drive into a big hole , like they did.

and why only three months? it takes most people at least six.
id much rather watch someone do it on a budget in a crappy old landy as i think would most people.

[Roger Whittle]

isn't it wise practice not to drive at night?
just in case you drive into a big hole , like they did.

and why only three months? it takes most people at least six.
id much rather watch someone do it on a budget in a crappy old landy as i think would most people.

There wouldn't be any problem waiting another week for the ferry to wherever then, would there? They'd be fixing the Landie while they waited. :D

Roger.

[graham]

BBC 2. 9.pm

Andy.Thanks I've missed this one :rolleyes:

[nobber]

There wouldn't be any problem waiting another week for the ferry to wherever then, would there? They'd be fixing the Landie while they waited. :D

Roger.

three episodes dedicated to a pair of legs sticking out from underneath a series 2 accompanied by a lot of clonking, banging and swearing.

[bvudzichena]

isn't it wise practice not to drive at night?
just in case you drive into a big hole , like they did.


Africa at night is not a good idea. I'm sure you've all seen my pics of what an S Class looks like after an altercation with a Kudu.

Even with extra lights / fancy lights, you sometimes just don't see the dangers.

Here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannes_v_rensburg/sets/72157602859193960/) are some pics of what a Defender looks like when it hits a pothole at speed in daylight and snaps it's back axle.



and why only three months? it takes most people at least six.


Kingsley Hotgate is something similar (http://www.kingsleyholgate.co.za/e_outsideedge.html) thing at the moment. Rushing his little legs off to circumnavigate Africa within 12 months.

Six is pushing it a bit. Nine months is a good timeframe for North South.

These (http://www.whitecottagewebsites.co.uk/africa/) two mates of mine did it properly.

For us, three months is a nice round trip from SA, through Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Mozambique with maybe a bit of Zimbabwe or Botswana thrown in.

By the way, attached are a pic of us "locals" riding with Ewan and Charlie when they arrived at Cape Agulhas, as well as a pic of one of the support trucks.

[Ben_J85JTY]

[quote=nobber;950725]

and why only three months? it takes most people at least six.
[quote]

Thing is Nobber,

They had 3 months full time, with a team of other people sorting out their visa's, carnets etc, and a huge warehouse in London to store and do everything in.

You would think in the months they would have worked the distances out, and perhaps done a test ride or 2 to see if they were happy travelling that much each day??

I think the vehicles was prepared by Trek Overland, an most of the stuff on the bikes seemed to be pre done.

[bvudzichena]

You would think in the months they would have worked the distances out, and perhaps done a test ride or 2 to see if they were happy travelling that much each day??




These two men have ridden through Siberia and Alaska they know that you should NEVER ride more than 300 - 400km a day. Ever.

I think it's the sponsors who were pushing them to be at specific places at specific times. When they arrived here it was at a set time and there were sponsor banners and staff all over the place.




I think the vehicles was prepared by Trek Overland, an most of the stuff on the bikes seemed to be pre done.

Some of the work yes, but other stuff looks like it was done by OEC.

The GS1200 is pretty basic when you get it. There were a LOT of accessories on those bikes.

Touratech (http://www.touratech.co.uk/) were one of their main sponsors.

[candpdoyle]

I've not seen any of the programs as i dont have a telly:eek: but started reading the first book:rolleyes: about half way through had to quit... i could not believe all the whinging whining and infighting:( I know it is a hard trip, but i thought the object was to enjoy not complain and whine all the way:D

Might try again sometime to get to the usa section

Chris

[Shox Dr]

I liked The Long way Round, but there are many lessons they clearly didnt take forward from the first trip. Like not taking Soooooooooooooooo much crap with them, but when you're given it all FOC, and have a fleet of "pickups" to collect whatever falls off your bike and give you a nice new one then...


I've traveled around europe on a road bike, with a mate, the first time we went for 3 weeks, not long I grant you but I could have fitted all my kit in one of his side bags. The next time we went, I do beleive his was smaller, that was until we stopped and the first camp site, and all became clear....



He'd forgot to pack his tent and sleeping bag. That was an expensive day for him.


But back to TLWD, It not like they cant do it all again next month, year. While the rest can only dream of such a trip.

Is good though

[alex]

The series itself.........Whitalaoadapish:D

Alex

[tony109]

[quote=nobber;950725]isn't it wise practice not to drive at night?
just in case you drive into a big hole..

It is very bad practice.. On my trip, while travelling through Turkey exactly the same point was made to me.. Other people travelling with me suggested they took over and kept driving instead of stopping the night.. The guys with me would have killed my LR in moments so no one else was going to be driving.. Second point, in the morning a bridge over the main road which we were driving had been washed away leaving a 10 foot section of main road missing and a 30 foot drop. Would have been nasty. So if your going to travel don't set yourself time limits. Those guys had all the back up they needed if things went really wrong, but they still didn't have to set crazy targets.

[bvudzichena]

In Africa, 400km is the MAXIMUM you should do in one day - and that's on good roads. It is normally much less than that in places like the DRC and Cameroon.

My policy is to only start the engine once I can see the sun and to switch it off once the sun starts setting. Short and sweet and simple. I can tell you way too many horror stories about things that have gone wrong while driving in the night.

To mention just one: Shortly after the incident, I posted pictures somewhere on these forums about what an almost new S Class looks like when it's tangled with a kudu in the middle of the night on a dirt road...