I’m a trainwreck fan of reality television, which is to say that I don’t actively seek any show imparticular, but I do find myself rubbernecking while channel surfing if I happen across a show. I suppose I could get on that reality show hating bandwagon, but that’s not the point of my post. I have found a reality show that actually is reality. No scripts, no hidden agendas, merely one goal. Two best friends are riding their motorcycles from England to New York, but they’re going East through Europe, Ukraine, various other Soviet countries I don’t know, Mongolia, up to the Northern area of Asia where they’ll fly to Alaska, continue through Canada, through the US, and into New York.
They’ve got cameras on their bikes and their helmets along with a camera man on a bike behind them. They have two support vehicles following with the production staff, some more cameras, a doctor, and typically someone they’ve hired part time to help them with the customs of whatever country/region they happen to be in. They drive through some of the most beautiful areas you’ve ever seen. The people they come across are warm, hospitable, and gracious hosts. They stopped in Mongolia in a more recent episode and were treated to a testicle soup made from the balls of goats, sheep, and bulls.
Did I mention that the two guys are Ewan McGregor and his best friend? That’s right, it’s not just two random guys but Ewan and his best mate. Two Scots going around the world on their BMW motorcycles. It’s often funny, heartfelt, and enlightening.
Milca and I love this show and try to catch it whenever it’s on. It’s on Bravo, so check your local listings.
Yes. Obi-Wan and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
I heard about this a year or two ago. I didn’t know they were planning to air it though. I just thought he was doing it for the hell of it.
Seriously though, every time I’ve seen an episode something is breaking on one of the bikes, and the natives of whatever country they’re in know how to fix it. They were in Mongolia less than an hour when they found someone to weld one of the frames back into place.
And that’s odd? Just because it’s Mongolia doesn’t mean they don’t have welders. :)
I view less developed countries much like the current South. A bunch of tractor mechanics that watch more NASCAR than 3 times the recommended dosage.
I didn’t find it odd that they found someone to fix it, I was just shocked at how quickly their problems were solved. Everyone they’ve come across has been extremely helpful and sought no compensation or fame. They were just humans helping other humans. Less developed… not at all.