Simon and
Lisa Thomas, the UK husband and wife team embarking on the epic ‘2 Ride The
World’ planet circumnavigation challenge will stop by the Australian Motorcycle
Expo Melbourne next month to share stories of their journey to date.
They
left their home base in May 2003, and have covered 382,000km through 77
countries of a planned 122 from the most northerly and southerly points on earth
possible on a motorcycle.
Their goals while in Australia are to add two
further Guinness World Records to their tally – the longest journey by
motorcycle in a single country, and the longest continuous journey by motorcycle
within a single country.
The mind-blowing adventure not only serves to
fulfill the Thomas’ lifelong dream; they are using their project as a catalyst
to raise urgently-needed funds for three charities – World Water Aid, The
British Heart Foundation and CancerBACUP.
Self-sufficiency has become a
way of life for Simon and Lisa, who have no backup crew or vehicles and no
financial support – it is simply them, their BMW R1150GS and F 650
GS motorcycles and a map.
They have survived a severe water crisis in
Africa and endured several bouts of Malaria while Simon faced almost a month
long battle to reach medical help after breaking and dislocating his neck when
he and his bike fell from a rotting bridge deep in the Amazon.
“This
journey so far has presented to us, both boundless and unimaginable
opportunities but also in equal measure dangers and pitfalls!” said
Simon.
“Ultimately our base-plan is to make it round the World together
whilst raising as much money as possible for our chosen charities and earning
our place in the Guinness Book of Records.”
Simon and Lisa will appear at
the BMW Motorrad and Touratech exhibits and speak to visitors on the QBE Stage
at the November 23-25 event to be held at the Melbourne Convention and
Exhibition Centre.
A number of motorcycle adventure tour operators will
feature at the Exhibition, offering the chance for enthusiasts to experience the
freedom of two wheels and taking them to some of the most beautiful, rugged and
remote locations accessible.
BMW GS and TS Safaris (by BMW
Australia), Compass Expeditions, Borneo Biking Adventures, Fair Dinkum Bike
Tours, GlobeBusters Motorcycle Expeditions and Timor Adventures tailor-make
affordable and unforgettable packages which are all-inclusive and are led by
experienced and knowledgeable guides.
The success of the touring book and
mini series ‘Long Way Round’, amongst others, are helping tour operators expand
their offerings.
Mick McDonald’s Compass Expeditions is the only
motorcycle tour company in the world to be include in the National Geographic’s
‘Top 50 Tours of a Lifetime’ list.
“With the international success of
‘Long Way Round’ with Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor, motorcycle touring has
been brought to the forefront of the travelling biker community, making it a
viable option to the more traditional forms of travel,” said
McDonald.
“We’re thrilled to have Charley guest lead two tours in
Australia in 2013 – huge interest has already been generated and we expect that
this tour will be fully subscribed.”
Visit
www.australianmotorcycleexpo.com.au for a full list of exhibitors and guest
appearances.