Ewan and Charley Ride again - Long Way up

Sonics2k · 10-09-2018 11:48am #1

Surprised at the lack of thread on this here.

I really enjoyed Long Way Round all those years ago, even if you can say they had it a bit easy.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2018/august/ewan-mcgregor-charley-boorman-long-way-up/

They have been around the world and down it, but now Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are planning a new adventure; riding up from the southern tip of South America to the northernmost point of Alaska and filming it for a new TV series set to be called The Long Way Up.

The big question of course is will they take a BMW GS again, or will Charley's commitments with Triumph overrule that.

Bluefoam · 10-09-2018 2:30pm

Sonics2k wrote: »

Surprised at the lack of thread on this here.

I really enjoyed Long Way Round all those years ago, even if you can say they had it a bit easy.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2018/august/ewan-mcgregor-charley-boorman-long-way-up/

The big question of course is will they take a BMW GS again, or will Charley's commitments with Triumph overrule that.

My guess is Charley on the new Triumph Scambler & Ewan on the Moto Guzzi V85. BMW ****ed Charley over, I'm sure they'd be reluctant to do business with them again. BMW made 10's of millions from the pair of them.

Sonics2k · 10-09-2018 3:07pm

Bluefoam wrote: »

My guess is Charley on the new Triumph Scambler & Ewan on the Moto Guzzi V85. BMW ****ed Charley over, I'm sure they'd be reluctant to do business with them again. BMW made 10's of millions from the pair of them.

Must have missed that, what did they to do Charley?

cantdecide · 10-09-2018 3:12pm

Watching the long way down back in 2008 inspired me to get on bikes having just appreciated from afar prior to that. I'm very pleased to see them back on the saddle.

Bluefoam wrote: »

BMW ****ed Charley over,/QUOTE]

What do you mean?

Bluefoam · 10-09-2018 3:21pm

Sonics2k wrote: »

Must have missed that, what did they to do Charley?

Having made millions from him, they cancelled his contract when he celebrity faded a little... now that he's involved with Ewan again I'm sure they'll be delighted the get involved again... but the pulled his contract & left him struggling with a young family. Triumph have supported him over the past few years without requiring the disproportionate returns...

Bluefoam · 10-09-2018 3:26pm

Shortly after the first series I had to get a car and sell the bike... I was very disappointed, but such is life. I was chatting to one of my clients about the series and a few days later he rocks up to a meeting on a brand new 1200GS with full aluminium top box/pannier set and wearing an orange Ewan McGregor outfit... He came riding up the street standing on the footpegs... All I could think was "what a dick". I've been off the bikes until now, but planning a new bike at some stage in the medium term... Soon, I will be that dickhead

terrydel · 10-09-2018 3:48pm

The second series was awful theyd a military operation behind them and it took any fun out of it.

Max Headroom · 10-09-2018 5:51pm

terrydel wrote: »

The second series was awful theyd a military operation behind them and it took any fun out of it.

Got bored with the "celebrity" of it all...was talking to Charley during the summer in Laragh...he was admiring my "build" and was telling me of a bike he was getting built in London....yawn....:rolleyes:

corks finest · 10-09-2018 5:54pm

Sonics2k wrote: »

Surprised at the lack of thread on this here.

I really enjoyed Long Way Round all those years ago, even if you can say they had it a bit easy.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2018/august/ewan-mcgregor-charley-boorman-long-way-up/

They have been around the world and down it, but now Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are planning a new adventure; riding up from the southern tip of South America to the northernmost point of Alaska and filming it for a new TV series set to be called The Long Way Up.

The big question of course is will they take a BMW GS again, or will Charley's commitments with Triumph overrule that.

Happy days outstanding show

arybvtcw0eolkf · 10-09-2018 6:46pm

Hopefully its nothing like the second series, that bored the tits off me.

But man did BMW do well from that show. Almost all non bikers I meet remark on my bike and ask if "thats the same kind of bike in The Long Way Around?".

It would be gas if they went with KTM lol ~ I wonder who got fired over that one from the first show lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63eWDd-Uj7c

terrydel · 10-09-2018 10:27pm

Max Headroom wrote: »

Got bored with the "celebrity" of it all...was talking to Charley during the summer in Laragh...he was admiring my "build" and was telling me of a bike he was getting built in London....yawn....:rolleyes:

Not a fan of his, he should be delighted with what he got out of it, not moaning about BMW (wankermobiles anyway) ditching him. You got lucky mate, in the back of your middle class Scottish mates fame. It was a clever show at the start but one series was more than enough.
He strikes me as the classic West brit type you find around laragh alright!

Bluefoam · 11-09-2018 6:23am

terrydel wrote: »

Max Headroom wrote: »

Got bored with the "celebrity" of it all...was talking to Charley during the summer in Laragh...he was admiring my "build" and was telling me of a bike he was getting built in London....yawn....:rolleyes:

Not a fan of his, he should be delighted with what he got out of it, not moaning about BMW (wankermobiles anyway) ditching him. You got lucky mate, in the back of your middle class Scottish mates fame. It was a clever show at the start but one series was more than enough.
He strikes me as the classic West brit type you find around laragh alright!

When did he moan about BMW wankermobiles? Don't confuse what I said with Carley Boorman... I'm not him.

mamax · 11-09-2018 1:05pm

Bluefoam wrote: »

My guess is Charley on the new Triumph Scambler & Ewan on the Moto Guzzi V85.

I'd watch that, I'd buy the guzzi v85 TT if I could afford it

http://discoverv85.motoguzzi.com/en/

Cienciano · 11-09-2018 1:18pm

KTM fúcked up big time over that one. Christ, I know a good few people who did that journey on bikes, not the America part, but to the far side of Russia. Sure a lad was on here a while ago and did it in a transit! Saying they won't make it is unbelievably bad marketing. BMW cleaned up over it.

mamax wrote: »

I'd watch that, I'd buy the guzzi v85 TT if I could afford it

http://discoverv85.motoguzzi.com/en/

Looks cool. Wonder if there'll be any colour options?

zubair · 12-09-2018 10:06pm

I'd watch it, there's shag all bike stuff on telly. Moto gp is the only thing worth watching.

In fact I might watch the long way round again now.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 13-09-2018 9:43am

zubair wrote: »

I'd watch it, there's shag all bike stuff on telly. Moto gp is the only thing worth watching.

In fact I might watch the long way round again now.

I've watched it a few times too, I love the show.

The two lads come across very decent. I like that Charlie is a bit nuts, and pulls the occasional wheelie

I think Ewan meeting his wife ruined the second series.

If you're interested in following someone on a BMW R1200GS travel I'd highly recommend Oisin Huges, another journey I've followed a number of times.

I can't get his channel to embed for some reason but all 52 of his video's are HERE

Sonics2k · 13-09-2018 10:19am

Zayden Petite Necktie wrote: »

I've watched it a few times too, I love the show.

The two lads come across very decent. I like that Charlie is a bit nuts, and pulls the occasional wheelie

I think Ewan meeting his wife ruined the second series.

If you're interested in following someone on a BMW R1200GS travel I'd highly recommend Oisin Huges, another journey I've followed a number of times.

I can't get his channel to embed for some reason but all 52 of his video's are HERE

I don't know why, but there were times in the show I just found Charley to be either patronising, or just a bit of a twat. Not enough to make me actively dislike him, but it certainly makes it all feel more real.

I watched it again with my daughter a few weeks back and it's still a good watch.

mamax · 13-09-2018 10:30am

Zayden Petite Necktie wrote: »

I think Ewan meeting his wife ruined the second series.

And now they are divorced......lads when ye go out on the bikes leave the women at home for gods sake :P

arybvtcw0eolkf · 13-09-2018 10:35am

mamax wrote: »

And now they are divorced......lads when ye go out on the bikes leave the women at home for gods sake other women alone and you'll still be happily married :P

Ewan and that bloody light saber, taking it out of his pants and rattling it about like that

Hotblack Desiato · 13-09-2018 2:42pm

Zayden Petite Necktie wrote: »

I think Ewan meeting his wife ruined the second series.

Yep it was pretty cringeworthy.

zubair · 14-09-2018 7:59am

Gas, that annoyed me about the second season too. I'm surprised the lads are still mates after he broke the code like that.

Hotblack Desiato · 14-09-2018 10:30am

Exactly. Charley should have decked him on-camera as soon as the idea was mentioned

very much doubt it was Ewan's idea though

TheShow · 14-09-2018 10:32am

Lesson learned, you don't bring apples to the orchard!
Was ridiculous. She had no riding experience and just held them up the whole time. Turned the show into a bit of a farce.

Hotblack Desiato · 14-09-2018 10:51am

TheShow wrote: »

Turned the show into a bit of a farce.

Made Ewan look completely whipped as well, which is some achievement. He's well shot of yer wan imho

Rory28 · 14-09-2018 11:59am

zubair wrote: »

I'd watch it, there's shag all bike stuff on telly. Moto gp is the only thing worth watching.

In fact I might watch the long way round again now.

There is a good channel on youtube called 44teeth. They do something similar to the top gear budget challenges but with bikes instead. Worth a look if you have not seen it yet.

zubair · 14-09-2018 4:08pm

Rory28 wrote: »

There is a good channel on youtube called 44teeth. They do something similar to the top gear budget challenges but with bikes instead. Worth a look if you have not seen it yet.

Ah the baron, I used to watch all his vids but now he grinds my gears a bit. I actually prefer the motorcyclist magazine vids now.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 14-09-2018 5:00pm

zubair wrote: »

Ah the baron, I used to watch all his vids but now he grinds my gears a bit. I actually prefer the motorcyclist magazine vids now.

Phew, I thought I was alone.

I can't stand the smarmy prick.

blade1 · 14-09-2018 5:47pm

mamax wrote: »

And now they are divorced.

May Di vorce be with you!!:D

prunudo · 15-09-2018 8:01am

Zayden Petite Necktie wrote: »

I've watched it a few times too, I love the show.

The two lads come across very decent. I like that Charlie is a bit nuts, and pulls the occasional wheelie

I think Ewan meeting his wife ruined the second series.

If you're interested in following someone on a BMW R1200GS travel I'd highly recommend Oisin Huges, another journey I've followed a number of times.

I can't get his channel to embed for some reason but all 52 of his video's are HERE

Agree that the second one wasn't as good and the wife appearing changed the dynamic of the show but I was impressed with some of the scenary as they travelled through parts of Africa.

Also Oisin's videos are good, a very enjoyable watch, he had a great manner behind the camera and really well edited.

fatbhoy · 16-09-2018 12:34pm

Zayden Petite Necktie wrote: »

...

If you're interested in following someone on a BMW R1200GS travel I'd highly recommend Oisin Huges, another journey I've followed a number of times.

I can't get his channel to embed for some reason but all 52 of his video's are HERE

Ah man, you're a legend, thanks for that link. I loved the first series of the McGregor thing. This is going to be great!

blade1 · 16-09-2018 12:53pm

fatbhoy wrote: »

This is going to be great!

It's really great!

4Ad · 16-09-2018 1:00pm

Zayden Petite Necktie wrote: »

Phew, I thought I was alone.

I can't stand the smarmy prick.

Jesus i just clicked on 44teeth.
20 secs in I had to turn it off, the accent on ya man...

Gonad · 16-09-2018 1:01pm

Loved the first series

Although it had a feel of a bit of a brokeback mountain on wheels if you know what I mean.

Charlie was like a scourned husband when the misses turned up in the 2nd series .

arybvtcw0eolkf · 16-09-2018 7:30pm

4Ad wrote: »

Jesus i just clicked on 44teeth.
20 secs in I had to turn it off, the accent on ya man...

His older stuff was really good but then his channel started to grow and got more and more commerical.

Their budget bike battles are worth following, but I still find 'The Barron a smarmy prick

Cienciano · 18-09-2018 1:26pm

Zayden Petite Necktie wrote: »

If you're interested in following someone on a BMW R1200GS travel I'd highly recommend Oisin Huges, another journey I've followed a number of times.

I can't get his channel to embed for some reason but all 52 of his video's are HERE

That's a brilliant series. I think he did one across America first but it was in book form. But his bike experience was, buy a bike, do a few hundred km, buy a GS, one practice weekend trip to wales then off to America. Ship the bike over, drive to the east coast in newfoundland, across to the west coast in Vancouver, up to the top of Alaska then down to the tip of argentina. Some trip.

GBX · 03-11-2020 12:26pm

Bump - giving this a watch now. Halfway through the series. Its enjoyable so far. Interesting to see the HD in action. They actually dont look too bad tbf. Anyone else watching/watched it yet?

TRANQUILLO · 03-11-2020 12:32pm

GBX wrote: »

Bump - giving this a watch now. Halfway through the series. Its enjoyable so far. Interesting to see the HD in action. They actually dont look too bad tbf. Anyone else watching/watched it yet?

Im loving it and at the same time its nostalgically making me feel old because 16 odd years have passed since the first one and I am now older than Ewan and Charlie were at the time. It felt like yesterday.

Ive realised ive done **** all of novelty with my life and lack a bit of adventure (covid probably exacerbating that feeling).

I am endeavouring to get my license now too.

TRANQUILLO · 03-11-2020 12:36pm

There is only one episode left but to me it feels like they have a lot of travel left to do. I fear it wont be given adequate time.

GBX · 03-11-2020 12:42pm

TRANQUILLO wrote: »

Im loving it and at the same time its nostalgically making me feel old because 16 odd years have passed since the first one and I am now older than Ewan and Charlie were at the time. It felt like yesterday.

Ive realised ive done **** all of novelty with my life and lack a bit of adventure (covid probably exacerbating that feeling).

I am endeavouring to get my license now too.

Get the license - you won't regret it!

The first ones were great tv. Like them or not, it certainly helped put more bikes on the road with the rush to get GS's. Can't be a bad thing.

So far its great in that they have the challenges with electric.

CJhaughey · 03-11-2020 5:56pm

I didn't mention the mega genset equipped truck/s as support vehicles for them?

iwillhtfu · 03-11-2020 8:31pm

GBX wrote: »

Bump - giving this a watch now. Halfway through the series. Its enjoyable so far. Interesting to see the HD in action. They actually dont look too bad tbf. Anyone else watching/watched it yet?

Where can you watch it?

Bluefoam · 03-11-2020 8:33pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Where can you watch it?

With a subscription to Apple TV or other suitable licenced provider, #cough

GBX · 03-11-2020 8:49pm

Bluefoam wrote: »

With a subscription to Apple TV or other suitable licenced provider, #cough

This is where I'm watching it. On a subscrIPTion based serVice.

johnk123 · 04-11-2020 1:48pm

Really enjoying it myself, around episode 6 or 7 i think. The scenery is spectacular and no doubt it should be on all our bucket lists to visit that part of the world.

I signed up for the Apple tv+ for a month to watch it, think it's a fiver for a month or something and possibly you get a week free. Well worth it in my opinion for fantastic video quality on the big screen. Will probably watch a few more bits on it within the month so not too fussed and happy to support the show for a very small cost.

I remember watching the long way down when i was younger and it was what really spurred on the motorcycle interest for me. The banter of Ewen and Charlie on this one is good, Ewen is fairly witty most of the time. I don't know anything about his exploits of late, but he has lots of time for people who recognise him along the way and ask for photos.

I can only comment on what i have seen so far but they are relatively open about the limitations of the electric bikes and discuss openly that the challenge for the trip is more about the careful balance between mileage and accessibility to charge points, rather than the nature of the journey itself. I'm quite interested in the whole EV sphere as a whole so I'm enjoying that part of the challenge for them. I also appreciate that it is a show for our enjoyment and to date they haven't shoved opinions down the viewers throat or pushed any sort of environmental agenda.

They seem like capable machines and other (mainly youtube) reviews of the bikes are certainly initially pretty positive. I think an electric motorcycle is potentially the first electric vehicle many of us on this forum could end up purchasing as a cost effective commuter option. I certainly could see myself shelling out for an electric bike to commute to work on a lot sooner than i would go all in on an electric family car.

GBX · 04-11-2020 2:04pm

Also watching Oisin Hughes - Not dead yet. Irish lad who did an epic trip on a GS as well.

steamsey · 05-11-2020 3:16pm

A rant:

I’ve only tomorrow’s episode left to watch. While it is great to see adventure motorbike travel, great scenery and all that but there are a few things I can’t get past in terms of really enjoying it:

• They seemed very surprised initially at how the cold affected battery life. Surely they should have been well prepared for that. They eventually learn to keep the bikes warm when charging – seems pretty remedial

• The diesel generator on the back of a van……..

• The first two episodes where they were actually travelling (probably episodes 2 & 3) they talked non-stop about the range, charging the bike etc. Absolute snore fest. They obviously realised this was crap TV and barely mention it again from about episode 4 onwards. Felt like a big u-turn. From episode 4 onwards, the bikes are magically charged all the time and range stops becoming an issue apparently

• The speed – they drive around at incredibly slow speeds. You can see the speedos. I get they are trying to maximise battery life but I’d fall asleep at 16mph on a bike – more so watching someone else drive that slow. McGregor mentions in a later episode that they hit 100mph at one point – so why the feck didn’t they show it? The entire series so far has had an average speed of about 30mph

• The soundtrack is bet on – it doesn’t fit and is trying to convey a sense a freedom and adventure that is absent from the actual content of the show

• At one point, some guy shows them a bottle of local moonshine. They sniff it. They don’t drink it. Bourdain would turn in his grave. Good travel is about throwing yourself into new things and rolling with the punches. But - maybe they're both off the drink and I'm being unfair

• The complete and absolute lack of adventure. The maddest thing that happens is an electric vehicle breaks down. These guys sleepwalk their way through some of the most exciting countries on earth and I think that’s my biggest problem with it – it’s a wasted opportunity. No one else could do a trip like they did – they have Harley and Rivian on speed dial, handlers helping them at border crossings. They had to figure precisely f*ck all out for themselves and I think that’s almost the best part of a trip like this one – getting yourself into and out of trouble

zubair · 05-11-2020 11:16pm

Agree with most of the above but I'm also taking it for what it is and that is a tame version of the first show. But I expected that since they're on electric bikes, they're 15 years older, Charlie is fragile, apple own it.

I actually expected the first episodes to be all electric bike limit BS because this is the same format of the previous series, oh ktm or BMW, oh no, ktm pulled out, claudio doesn't have a license oh no. And so on.

Pretty sure on the drinking bit they probably just edited it out, being a driving show I'd expect they were being careful.

The slow speeds is because now they have drones etc. And if you have seen episode 8, Ewan says to the 4th wall, you're probably watching episode 8, It's heavily directed I'd say, not as raw as the originals.

But as above, I'm able to accept this, it's a good show, in fact it's the best motorbike show right now. I'm able to enjoy it, I think every episode is better than the previous, pity about the poor start. The lads are as enjoyable to watch as much as they were back then and the places they visit are very interesting.

H_Lime · 06-11-2020 12:39pm

Wanted ep1 last night. Hard to compare or feel excited for or about the two of them, the trip and the appliances they're riding on. Still and all I'll watch on for now.

zubair · 06-11-2020 6:32pm

H_Lime wrote: »

Wanted ep1 last night. Hard to compare or feel excited for or about the two of them, the trip and the appliances they're riding on. Still and all I'll watch on for now.

I think it gets better as you progress, the first 2 episodes were slow and dull so that's not too difficult, but later episodes are much more interesting. I've re-watched the first 2 series over the years and always started on episode 3 for them so it's no different in that sense.

spiggotpaddy · 07-11-2020 9:29am

It's not giving me the goo for a lecky bike. They could've gone twice as far in half the time on CG 125's for a nano fraction of the cost. They original series showed us that there's a big world outside and we can have a piece of it, if we dare. Where as this one says were going electric so suck it up..
oops I'm running low, have to find my charger.

iwillhtfu · 07-11-2020 9:57am

spiggotpaddy wrote: »

It's not giving me the goo for a lecky bike. They could've gone twice as far in half the time on CG 125's for a nano fraction of the cost. They original series showed us that there's a big world outside and we can have a piece of it, if we dare. Where as this one says were going electric so suck it up..
oops I'm running low, have to find my charger.

Who needs a 125

100 times more adventure and a miniscule budget in comparison and what a cool little bike.

Many more channels like it on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/c/c90adventures/videos

Ewan and Charley Ride again - Long Way up

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