Guess what I'm doing in 4 days

[DEN MONKEY]

Yup that's right, I'm going for a ride with Charley Boorman

Well, kind of. Me, a mate and about 300 others as best i can tell.
He's at it again with his series 'By any means" and a friend spotted the press release below and let me know about it.
Luckily it's only about a 2 hour ride to get there from my place and heading back this way for the trip.
Also as luck would have it Monday is the first day on a week off work for me and 2 days before my birthday.
i remember him doing this about a year ago and missed out on the chance and was none too happy about it.....not this time though

Looking forward to it.

Below is the press release with the info

Press Release
Friday 8th May

PHOTOCALL NOTIFICATION!!

CHARLEY BOORMAN IS COMING BACK TO AUSTRALIA AND WILL TO BEGIN HIS NEW EPIC EXPEDITION FROM SYDNEY. HE WILL BE SETTING OFF FROM FRESHWATER RESERVE IN HARBORD AND HEADING UP TO THE CENTRAL COAST ON MONDAY 18TH MAY 2009 BY MOTORBIKE AND INVITES ALL MOTORBIKE ENTHUSIASTS TO JOIN HIM.

Last July, Celebrity Adventurer Charley Boorman (also known for his appearance in Long Way Round and Long Way Down with Ewan McGregor) finished his first solo expedition, ‘By Any Means’ (featured here on Nat Geo Adventure Channel) from Ireland to Sydney at the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain, having travelled through 24 different countries to reach his final destination. To add a dramatic end to his expedition, more than 300 bikers took part in the convoy from Wollongong to Sydney causing quite a sight as they all crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

A huge fan of Australia, Charley has opted to begin his new expedition from Sydney heading north and is calling again on all local motorcycle riders to join him in making the first stretch a similarly unforgettable one.

Key Timings for the morning of Monday 18th May 2009:

10:00 Charley will arrive at the Freshwater Reserve to meet fans and will be available for press interviews and some photos. (PUBLIC EVENT)
11:00 The Motorbike Convoy will depart Freshwater Reserve, Harbord.
12:30 The Motorbike Convoy will arrive at Frazer Beach in Munmorah State Conservation Area just north of The Entrance. Motorcycling Australia will be hosting a sausage sizzle for convoy participants. Additional photo call opportunity.

All riders wishing to participate must have their own motorbikes, be fully licensed, insured and adhere to current NSW traffic laws. The event will be supervised by the RTA and NSW Police.

By Any Means is another challenging expedition for Charley. In Australia he will travel northwards up the East Coast using a number of different forms of transport including a spitfire, vintage utes, a mustering chopper, Bundaberg delivery truck, and he has even been offered a lift with the Royal Flying Doctors in return for raising awareness of their need for charitable donations. After leaving Australia, Charley will travel through Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, The Philippines, Taiwan and Japan before reaching the final destination Japan.

The series will be shown globally and a DVD and book of the series will be retailed here.

Speaking ahead of his arrival into Sydney, Charley Boorman said:
“I’m calling on all fellow motorbike enthusiasts to come with us for the ride from Freshwater Reserve to the Central Coast to kick start my new expedition. This is the bit I look forward to the best, especially hearing all those bike engines roaring as we’re about to set off. It’s always such a buzz when all us bikee’s get together.”

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meh

[alone]

'Accidently' crash into him. Plleeeaasssee.
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Bikes; '06 Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (for sale) - '95 BMW R1100GS

[nowhere.elysium]

Well, I'm glad that you're doing something that you're excited about: a rideout that big looks to be fun.
I still reckon that Charley Boorman is a whiney twat of the highest order, though. When his bike's parked up, spray a shitload of expanding insulation foam down the exhaust. Watch him throw his toys out of the pram. Laugh.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[DEN MONKEY]

hmm not quite the responses I was expecting tbh

Not overly concerned about him being there as I don't care much for fame and all that which goes with it.
To me he's just another bloke on the ride.

I just see it as an opportunity to experience something a little out of the ordinary.

As for a ride out that big.

We have an annual toy run here which I never miss rain, hail or shine and last years effort saw over 7000 bikes attend and ride.
So a mere 300 is pittance really.

Crash into him ? If he touches my kwaka I'll snot him
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meh

[nowhere.elysium]

Well, he periodically appears on TV over here, and never ceases to irritate. I wasn't overly taken with his behaviour on Long Way Round/Down - while I'm not going to start raving about how awesome Ewan McGregor is, Boorman seemed to be doing the whole 'look at me, I'm the better rider here!' routine a bit too much. Nothing immediately obvious, but it's just how it came across to me.
I just have him mentally bracketed as a bit of a stroppy bitch, really.

Still, the rideout sounds like a laugh, and I desperately wish that there were some similarly big ones going on around here.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[Smooth]

It sounds as if it could be a laugh.

It does sounds a little scraping the barrel for him to be doing a "By any means 2" though.

There has been a bit of a backlash against Boorman and McGregor, which is probably a little unfair.

FWIW, I thought Charley was preferable to Mr McGregor on 'Long Way 'Round'.
I gave up on 'Long Way Down' after 2 episodes

I gave up on 'By Any Means' after the Iran episode.

His book on Dakar was an interesting account of the event and his background.
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TDM850

[Skudd]

Whether you like him or not, for an out of work actor/ kitchen fitter he is doing alright.
I can't see the problem with him if you take what he does in the context he does it. Yes he has help, yes the bikes break down and they get repaired, yes he stays in hotels and gets stuff paid for, but I wouldn't mind doing just half the riding he does, with or without the help.

The guy took time out to chat and have photos taken with my son, he gave his time and made my son feel really special. I know thats his job, but he did it in a genuine way.

I'm looking forward to his next adventure as they are entertaining.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[mistergixer]

I found this bit a tad confusing:

[G]

[DEN MONKEY]

[G]

Oops, I read what I wanted to read .

[pyx_e]

Give him a kiss from me.


Ask if he is going to the "I am carrying a bomb." thing at the airport again, that cracked me up.
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Shiney!
Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.

[mistergixer]

Is this the best description of Boorman ever?

[G]

Caitlin Moran for Times Online
I've never met her and her times profile suggests she's a tad older than those I would usually pursue, but I want to marry her .

[Smooth]

[nowhere.elysium]

However old/young she may be, she's a fucking genius. Definitely got the measure of Boorman there...
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[G]

29, I suppose that'd work too, then!