We'd sort of slightly drifted apart just because Id moved to America, Charley was very busy and whenever I was in Britain, he seemed to be away on one of his bike trips and making another show and I kept missing him. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Boorman admitted he had been "putting on a show" for a roadside garage and braked sharply as part of a maneuver. I got clipped and the bad thing is I hit a wall. That was a dodgy one. We were lucky because we were right at the crest of that adventure travel wave. Co-director of photography Jimmy Simak also acted as music supervisor and soundtrack producer for the series. Weve joined selected affiliate programs which will allow us to place advertisements for select motorcycle and motorcycle-related product retailers on the site. Charley, besides being an avid motorcycle enthusiast, is an actor, TV presenter, and travel writer. On 6 August 2018, Boorman tweeted a tease that the Long Way Up, a trip from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska, would happen "if all goes well". I love to show people that they can have a great tour in Africa and there is some great food, great wine and the people are so lovely. Never did I think I would not ride again. The quality of road surfaces throughout east Africa were surprisingly smooth, but sections were rough, bumpy or had sandy terrain, with some travel through a small river and mud wallow. YouTube channel where he posts videos on motorbikes. And for real adventure touring, EVs add a whole 'nother dimension to it. To let that friendship dwindle or drift, I realized, was a mistake. Enjoy this party classic with an updated RT twist - fun for all the family! A bit of separation is not a bad thing and I always try to schedule trips while the kids are at school. They rode the BMW R1200GS Adventure, the successor to the R1150GS Adventure bikes in Long Way Round.[2]. Id love to see the Dakar but I would just want to race it again, so I better stay away. It took 10 operations over two years and a year and a half to start walking again. WebHome / Uncategorized / charley boorman accident south africa 2018. santos executive team. They went from there to Tanzania and then into Malawi, where they were joined by Ewan McGregor's wife Eve. They put in these charges all the way down our route with our partners at Enel. And because the Long Way Up route terminates in Los Angeles, where McGregor lives, his 13,000 mile journey ended on his own driveway. In Ethiopia, they visited a land mine awareness project and met children injured by mines. Updated The journey ended at Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the continent, from where they were accompanied to Cape Town by a phalanx of bikers, similar to their arrival in New York on the Long Way Round. CB: You can really talk to each other, like Ewan and I did because there is no engine noise, so you can really hear the people you ride with. In Tunisia, McGregor and Boorman visited the set of Star Wars and then rode into Libya. We've sort of lost touch with each other a little bit. We were lucky, we had assistance from Rivian. They last about four days each and we will do them over long weekends. In Malawi, they visited care centres for children orphaned by AIDS. We *truly* wish him all the best and are hoping for a full (!) But once you were able to charge the bikes with the Rivians, that seemed to be a total game-changer for the trip. [1] They were accompanied by the same key team members from Long Way Round, including cameraman and director of photography Claudio Von Planta and cameraman Jimmy Simak (who also oversaw music supervision and soundtrack production), and producers Russ Malkin and David Alexanian. I was overtaking a car on my motorbike when it clipped me, sending me careering into a wall. A Warner Bros. and the first time we read /hear about it. However, although delays of a few hours were common, there were few significant problems at crossing points as they travelled further south. Id also have loved to have ridden with Barry. It was assumed this would become a regular occurrence while travelling through Africa. The bikes had a 1,130cc engine and a six-speed gearbox that was good for 85 horsepower and 75 pound-feet of torque. I have a crash there. But after exploring in different directions for a time, the two reunited, and then the clouds parted to reveal Machu Picchu, says McGregor. Hopefully just riding dirt bikes with mates. Im one of the founding members here and ever since we started weve been trying to get people active about issues with We Ride London. (The places these two bunk overnight, at least in the first three episodes, are hardly five-star. What we hadn't realized is how much the weather actually affects these electric vehicles. However, Alice struggles running the vet clinic in his absence, and a traumatic, close encounter with a I wish you all the best, Charlie. Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor stop in Bolivia on their electric Harley- Davidson LiveWires. He did lose a lot of work: a planned TV show about a bike trip through the perilous Darien Gap in Central America that had taken a year to plan, and commercial tours with bike fans in Australia and Africa, a lucrative offshoot of his celebrity. In 2008, he did a show called 'By Any Means' where he traveled from County Wicklow, his hometown in Ireland, to Sydney, Australia using only appropriate public transport and flying whenever necessary. He underwent gruesome treatment in Portugal and then in London, and doctors feared he might lose the leg. I really thought, 'S***, he's going to kill us'. ADVPulse also reported that a pair of Mercedes Sprinter vans may be providing support; both previous Long Way series had prodigious support for McGregor and Boorman, so they werent exactly roughing it. For other uses, see, "Ewan McGregor secures sponsorship deal for South American road trip", "Long Way Up is go! The thing I remember most was flying through the air and seeing the pavement and wall and thinking, 'This is going to hurt'. Its what we've left that behind for other people to use, which is cool. Series 6, Episode 4. Electric bikes are brilliant. Another interesting development: It appears electric pickup truck maker Rivian may also be in on the epic adventure, according to a post on popular off-road riding site ADVPulse. I thought Id broken my hip just for the sake of going down the shops! Out in the country you would need a hybrid or something to get more range. I mean, one time it was so cold outside that the batteries would just turn off and they wouldnt charge. McGregor and Boorman gave the adventure or ADV riding segment a huge boost in 2004 with their original series Long Way Round, in which the pair rode heavily loaded BMW GS adventure bikes around the world the long way from England through Russia, including Siberia, capturing their adventures on video using action cameras, and by including Swiss photographer (and rider), Claudio von Planta, who also rode a kitted BMW during the project. Then this big truck came round the corner and it put them off. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. It comes to its conclusion.. For Long Way Up, which debuts globally on Apple TV+ on September 18 with the first three episodes, McGregor and Boorman reunite to ride 13,000 miles from Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, to Los Angeles, California. Three bikes were used in Long Way Down with Ewan, Charley and cameraman Claudio Von Plata each riding one, Long Way Up took about 100 days to complete as they rode from Ushuaia to Los Angeles, The crew traveled from their base in Shepherd's Bush, London to John o'Groats at the northern tip of Scotland to begin their journey. It is a follow-up to the Long Way Round of 2004, when the pair rode east from London to New York via Eurasia and North America. But, in February last year, Charley was involved in motorcycle accident while in Portugal for the launch of the Triumph Tiger Explorer so bad that he almost lost his left leg. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for Long Way Round - Complete TV Series DVD Ewan McGregor Charley Boorman at the best online prices at eBay! Didn't think you were that famous? He was in a wheelchair for a while You're looking at your GPS for the actual mileage left and you're looking at your bike which is telling you the projected mileage based on within the parameters that it's experiencing at that point in time and you're trying to keep those fingers together, so it adds a certain element of artistry to it. 1:41 PM EDT, Thu September 17, 2020, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman take on a 13,000-mile e-bike journey in the Apple TV+ series, "Long Way Up.". The following year, Charley and Ewan did another motorcycle adventure trip, this time known as Long Way Down, where they travelled from Scotland to Cape Town, The book and TV show enabled me to do the Dakar and the other tours and books and shows, so it really changed my life. Once youve been around the world and down its length on a motorcycle, there really isnt anywhere left to go but up. Let me just say that this trip exceeded every one of my expectations. You can unsubscribe at any time. All good. Its been more than a decade since Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman rode triumphantly into Cape Town at the end of a journey that saw them travel the length of Africa on their BMW R 1200 GS Adventure motorcycles. Here's What Ewan McGregor And Charley Boorman Are Up To Today, all 3 of which you can watch on Apple TV+, Youve Never Seen A Harley-Davidson LiveWire Like This, Charley met with a serious accident when test riding with motorbike journalists in Portugal. He also has a penchant for all things F1, occasionally catching up on WRC. [6] In June 2019, it was reported that Boorman confirmed that the filming of a third installment would begin "in a few months". Maybe when Im too old to do the adventures and TV shows Ill have these tours to keep me occupied. WebEwan McGregor and Charley Boorman are getting back on their motorcycles for a new adventure in Apple TV+'s "Long Way Up". Charley had a terrible accident and was very badly injured. He also did a follow-up to the show in 2009 called 'Right To The Edge: By Any Means' where he traveled from Sydney to Tokyo following the Pacific Rim. The wheels were spinning forward, but we were shooting backwards towards a cliff. Its very rare that you get that period of time to hang out with your best buddy and ride motorbikes. Im working away from home on average about five to seven months a year but my wife knows Ive always travelled, even when I was doing films. recovery, on all fronts!.. See our review policies for more information. During the trip, the pair visited three UNICEF facilities to promote the work done by the organisation. wBW providessubjective opinionsand information on hard-to-find and unique motorcycling products. So we had to bring them inside, where it wasn't actually that much warmer, so we also had to put blankets on top of the bikes to warm them up and get them charging again. And those beginning few weeks were super cold. The television series began broadcast on BBC Two on 28 October 2007,[3] with clips also shown online. The journey started on 12 May and finished on 4 August 2007. [7][8], On 27 May 2020, it was announced that the series Long Way Up would premiere on Apple TV+.[9]. It is a follow-up to the Long Way Round of 2004, when the pair rode east from London to New York via Eurasia and North America. . The Mayor of London is not doing bikes any favours. In the opener, he sees icebergs; tries screeching; visits the graves of Titanic victims; and encounters a tidal bore. I taped him on the shoulder and said, I dont think my wife wants to go to Australia with you but I do. He looked me up and down and simply said No and then walked off. Here are some facts about the 'Long Way' series and what Ewan and Charley are up to today. Can you raise it? Holiday? Web Charley Boorman Africa Touring Hear it from Charley During August to October Im leading a whole bunch of bikers on an incredible trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls and If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I've crashed a lot in the past. You know, helmet on and no one knows who you are. He is also properly appreciative of Olivia, whom hes been with for 30 years and married to for 25. I live in Los Angeles and I drive an EV with what seems like 90 percent of the people in here and range is something I think about all the time. EW: Well, that's never happened before. How the Rivian pickups are involved is unclear, but they would certainly jibe nicely with the EV theme of the new show. 1 bestselling author is back! The first one (Long Way Down) because it was all new. The shock absorbers bore the brunt, with both McGregor's and von Planta's bikes suffering broken springs. In fact, I borrowed (wife) Olivias scooter to go to the shops because I couldnt change gears with the cage around my leg. Then we got Russ and Dave our two producers and partners and then Russ floated the idea of maybe going electric and that was it really. In the DVD extras, while preparing the bikes for cargo, Ewan McGregor refers to a possible future trip in South America, perhaps called Long Way Up. Can you do this, that and the other?" John thought acting might help his dyslexic son to express himself. I broke both legs, which is why I ended up lying in bed for three months. We have just heard that well-known and loved motorcycle travellerCharley Boormanhas broken his leg ina collision with a car while attending the media launch of the new Triumph Explorer in Portugal. EW: [Laughs] You just have to ride, people just have to have a go. Charley is a much-loved and frequent visitor to Australia where he leads Outback tours with Compass Expeditions. With that one, I don't remember anything. A division of A07 Online Media, LLC. You'd be doing 100km an hour on this dirt road on your bike and suddenly this truck would come past you at 130km an hour and leave you in the dust. Ive pretty much broken everything but you cant fix your head. How did you persevere and decide, I'm going to do this? Last year, he was involved in a horrific accident in Portugal, in which he nearly lost his leg, when he was clipped on his motorbike by a car and ended up slamming into a wall. By all reports, the Triumph ambassador has had surgeryin hospital and isdoing OK. This path of chargers on the route still exists, and its our Long Way Up legacy. The soundtrack features music drawn substantially from the catalogue of Real World Records, which produced the accompanying album. Charley saw it as a means to hang out with interesting people and earn money to buy motorbikes, and doesnt miss it at all. Full Name Charley Boorman Occupation Actor and Television Personality Nationality British Birthplace Wimbledon, London, UK Birth Date Aug 23, 1966 Age 56 Years, 5 Months Co-creator of Documentary Series 'Long Way Round' with Ewan McGregor Charley Boorman | Biography Child Actor in Film 'Deliverance' document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. I had three big casts on three limbs of my body and I was feeling really, really, really very sorry for myself and thinking, if only I had this, or only I had done that. Drifting apart from your mates can be a sad fact of life as you get older. By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. It's all documented in Apple TVs new series, The Long Way Up, which debuts today, Sept. 18. You can plug the bike in and it's going to give you more than 100 miles in town and you just have a go. So I thought Im British and I would be promoting my Britishness. The title song was performed by Welsh group Stereophonics and is identical to the Long Way Round theme, with the lyric "round" replaced with "down". In 2016, Charley met with a serious accident when test riding with motorbike journalists in Portugal where he broke both his legs. I was just coming out the hotel in the morning and was passing a car when the driver decided to turn down a lane. When one of the crew gets an awful bout of altitude sickness, near Salta in Argentina on their way to ride Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds), McGregors concern is visceral. Given their experiences on the Long Way Round, which included problems with Russian visas, a "fine" for a missing stamp in their carnet, and delays of up to twelve hours, major preparation and planning went into the transit between countries. And they just did. WATCH: Ewan McGregor in action on the Moto Guzzi V85 TT, but will he take it on the Long Way Up? The scenery is breathtaking, and while the relationship between McGregor and Boorman is the predominant one, seeing how this group navigates the trip, together and separately, is also powerful stuff. The support team with the production crew followed them in custom-built Rivian R1S all-electric SUVs. They rode their BMWs through Belgium, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, a large portion of Mongolia and Russia, the Road of Bones, Alaska, Canada and finally, the U.S.A. I really hope Charley and Ewan do ride together soon in another adventure. From Kenya, they rode to Uganda and then Rwanda, where they had an audience with President Paul Kagame. Previous iterations of the episodic documentary series were Long Way Round, an eastward journey from London to New York City in 2004, and Long Way Down, a southward odyssey from John o Groats in Scotland to Cape Town in South Africa, in 2007. You might think the gods are trying to tell the Boormans something about hazardous pursuits, but when we meet, Charleys leg is nearly healed (he invites me to feel a screw that has worked loose beneath the skin) and hes planning to resume his bike safaris in Africa in August, go on a speaking tour to promote the book, then try to put the Darien Gap TV project back together. After being released without charge, he took a later flight to Inverness, and the journey began as scheduled. Their daughters - Doone and Kinvara, 21 and 20 are both at university, but Doone also had to be flown home last year after breaking her jaw on a skiing trip. So it goes with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman and their third globe-trotting adventure, a follow-up to the epic journeys documented in 2004s The Long Way Round and 2007s The Long Way Down. The road through the Calchaqu Valley in northwest Argentina. Theyre already talking about making it harder. His close friend and partner on the road Charley Boorman, a fellow actor turned journeyman writer and TV presenter is similarly moved by the scenery. GET THE LATEST ADVENTURE BIKE NEWS IN YOUR INBOX. I mean you could cross America back and forth on an electric motorcycle without any worries as there are so many fast chargers now. With Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman, David Alexanian, Russ Malkin. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, reading fiction books, watching movies, and spending time with his pet cats and dogs. The bone came out of my skin. "I did the Dakar Rally (10,000km from Lisbon to Dakar, Senegal) in 2006, which is one of the most dangerous off-road races in the world and broke both my hands. During this time, he got an acting job on The Serpents Kiss in 1997, where he met McGregor, and they talked about bikes, because thats what bikers do, and cooked up the idea of a 19,000-mile, two-wheeled journey from London to New York that became 2004s Long Way Round a TV series, book and DVD. Ewan McGregor: Really once you've experienced that sort of adventure travel like weve done, it's sort of in you. He is still close to his father, who is 84 and walks with sticks: when Charley was on crutches, they looked like twins, he says. Boorman, who hit the road with Ewan McGregor in the Long Way Down and the Long Way Round, was left in a wheelchair after a horrific crash in Portugal in February last year. South America. You really feel the ground because there's no mechanical vibration between you and the ground - there's no mechanical movement, other than this the electric engine which is spinning around and so you can really feel the road. John Boorman often cast his children in his films as well as Telsche, who became a writer, and Katrine, now an actor and producer, Charley has a twin sister, Daisy, and three stepsiblings from his fathers second marriage. When James isnt riding motorbikes, he can usually be found reading or writing about them. And if the photos trickling out of the southern reaches are accurate, theyre not sparing the whip, either. So, why has it taken more than a decade for the pair to reunite for a motorcycle adventure? Related: Youve Never Seen A Harley-Davidson LiveWire Like This. But once they start to put real mileage between themselves and Ushuaia, a relatively predictable rhythm sets in that propels the journey forward with fewer headaches and anxieties. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Oha! Click here to read more about his African tours. See our review policies for more information. I didnt do very well in school, but I got As in daydreaming, so I would spend a lot of time daydreaming about Machu Picchu, like it was this mythical place that Id never see. Our reviews are hands-on, detailed, and unbiased. It's the longest trip ever attempted on an electric motorcycle, one that required Rivian to install a new string of fast-chargers along the planned routea rural charging network that will now serve the people of the region, as McGregor pointed out to me. Send him yor best. In 2016, Charley met with a serious accident when test riding with motorbike journalists in Portugal where he broke both his legs. Im lucky enough to have a few. Ewan McGregor, besides being an actor, has been an activist and the ambassador for UNICEF UK since 2004. Bikes, cars and trucks all race at the same time. I remember being petrified. JAG: How do we get people more interested in motorcycles? Its to do with the freedom you have.. Is the Honda CRF300L the best beginner trail bike? That makes it very complicated and I dont understand how people are so tribal about it. He answered many of the questions posted in by you, our readers, including his next trip wth Star Wars star Ewan McGregor, his regrets, riding tips and more. He was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2013 for his outstanding contributions to the world of dramatics and his charity work. British adventurer Charley Boorman treks across Canada and discovers what makes the country amazing. It could generate 105 horsepower, 86 pound-feet of torque, and had a top speed of 110 mph. Both McGregor and Boorman had visited such centres in Africa previously. [Chuckles]. On a daily basis, just plugging the bike in at the end of the day was a highlight in itself. Riding a prototype electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire through the Calchaqu Valley in northwest Argentina, the actor and avid motorcyclist Ewan McGregor waxes poetic into a microphone inside his helmet. Charley and I talk a lot about it, about how you hear people who should really know better dismissing electric-powered vehicles.