discovery


simonandlisa Escape from reality


By Simon Thomas #138988 YOU CAN’T


BUY ADVENTURE.


After all, where’s the fun in that? My wife Lisa and I came across our adventure some 78 countries, six con- tinents, 450,000 miles and 14 years ago, at the start of our journey around the planet by motorcycle. “So, what are you taking on this


world trip of yours?” “Well, err… two BMW motorbikes,


a tent, a really, really big map, a decent pair of boots and, oh yes, my wife.” “Yeah right! You’re going to ride


around the world with just your wife, 24-7? You must be completely mad!” “No,” I replied, “I’m just


really lucky.”


In The Beginning It had been a long time com- ing. For years we’d laughed off our comments of chuck- ing everything and riding off into the wild blue yonder, but wondered how we could do it. Though our careers were beginning to take off, we were plagued by the nag- ging sense that there was more to life, and we’d allow ourselves to consider the idea. Hell, why not? We’re capable, self reliant, deter- mined. Surely we could do it, but then the real world would flood in: what about work, the bond, pensions, career paths, insurance, blah, blah, bloody blah. More importantly, how could we afford it? Over the years, the topic of a big


trip raised its head with noteworthy frequency until finally, it became clear that this was more than just an idea. So we gave ourselves a month to seri- ously think about our fantasy journey before making a final decision. D-day


50 BMW OWNERS NEWS February 2017


arrived 30 days later on a cold, wet mid- summer Monday morning in the UK. With a few deep breaths, we agreed. We’d sell everything and make our dream a reality. Two people with a passion for travel and things two-wheeled and more curiosity than should be allowed. We would use two BMW bikes, a 1999 R 1100 GS for me and a purpose-bought 2002 F 650 GS for Lisa.


The Big Picture On paper, the plan was simple: circumnavi- gate the planet, raise funds and awareness


through the frozen north of the Arctic, the blistering heat of the Sahara and the jungles and passes of South America. Tinkerbell, my R 1100 GS, was first. We


Ready to begin our journey.


for three charities that held a place in our hearts and set or break a few world records for the hell of it. We excitedly told people of our idea. While we’d hoped for awe, admi- ration and enthusiasm, what we received from most of them was, “What do you want to do that for?” Those who really knew us didn’t seem surprised and just smiled and asked when we were planning to leave.


Bike Preperations Energized by our newfound direction, things began to move quickly. The bikes were going to need some major modifica- tions if they were to carry us safely across 122 countries on all seven continents,


replaced her standard tank with a long- range Touratech 10 gallon system and mounted two massive Touratech aluminum boxes for carrying our kit. Tarzan, Lisa’s F 650 GS, was fitted with the Touratech pan- niers and beefed up with two extra fuel tanks, giving her almost 10 gallons in total. Frames were welded and gusseted for extra strength; suspension was beefed up with heavy-duty rebuildable shocks. The standard exhaust and cata- lytic converter were slung in favor of something lighter and louder. Handlebars were raised; foot pegs widened and farkles were added, and in May 2003 the bikes looked ready to take on the world, so we did. We began our new adventure on the easy, undulating hills of Wales, Ireland and Scotland, a warm-up ride through the familiar and unde- manding landscape close to home. A month later, we were aboard a ferry and silently cruis- ing from The Shetland Isle’s


toward the Norwegian port town of Bergen. In Bergen we checked over our new gear,


kicked the tires, took a deep breath and looked north. Ahead of us was just over 1,500 miles of rugged coastline, prehistoric glaciers and a multitude of fjords to be crossed as we headed deep into the frozen Arctic. The relative comfort of Bergen soon


seemed a warm memory as we headed north for nine exhausting days, our first real test. It was on Lisa’s forty-first birthday that we stood astride the Arctic Circle for the first time at 66˚ 33’ 38” N and took a few rushed photos, grimacing rather than


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