Get your Coates.... Ian is back

[Road2Manchester]

After 250,000 miles and 14 years wandering around the globe on his Africa Twin, Ian Coates the intrepid pensioner is back in the UK on Friday 11th Jan heading for the Manchester Motorcycle Show on his route home.

Staying with yours truly for the weekend, we have managed to get Ians bike into the event, as lets face it, we would all like to see a bike that has managed such and epic trip.

Despite being married, Ian has still got family waiting (not sure my missus would wait 14 days), but he hasn't finished yet.

Plans for a trip to Portugal to collect a Landrover he bought there some time ago, will pospone further riding, and I am sure his old faithfull HAT will need some TLC.

facebook/iancoates

Pensioner takes ten-year Gap Year to travel the world by motorbike | Mail Online

[mika]

Thank you Road2Manchester for the news about Ian Coates. So he is nearly back home after 14 years. Wau, it was difficult to impossible for me after 6.5 years to settle, it will be very hard for Ian.

I met Ian in 2001 in Cairns Australia. In 2003 we travelled together in Brazil. In 2012 he came to visit me in Switzerland, he was healthier than in 2001.

Yes he has the plan to pick up the car that he bought in Portugal and than with another bike (of course an Honda Africa Twin) to go to Vladivostok. His bike will go to a museum somewhere in the UK, as he told me.

Hope I am going to meet him on the road again in 2014 in China or Russia or Central Asia or ... who knows.

dear HUBBer, if you read this, go to the motorshow and talk to Ian you will not regret it.

Saludos de Bolivia
Mika

[steved57]

Thanks for the update on Ian. I always enjoy seeing news about him as I am sure everyone else does too

[wickerman]

[McCrankpin]

Originally Posted by steved57

Thanks for the update on Ian. I always enjoy seeing news about him as I am sure everyone else does too

Yep, me too. What a traveller!!

Hope the flags are out in Hebden Bridge....

[winnie]

What a legend, can only guess what Ian has seen and experianced over the past 14 years, well done on his wife for supporting Ian and his adventures, I can only one day dream to do a fraction of what Ian has achieved in his journey

[Road2Manchester]

Ian came over to my place and left Monday. What a gent and a laugh a minute. TV and Radio interest was great, and those that arrived to see him from all over the north west were met with a smile and his usual funny quips.

One guy asked quite seriously "what should I ride if I want to go over the Saraha"?
Ian relpied " A camel ".

Classic.

Travel safe Ian, and have a bit of a rest in the snow and cold of Hebden Bridge,

Pete Johnson

Anyone can follow Ian at facebook/iancoates

[mika]

One guy asked quite seriously "what should I ride if I want to go over the Saraha"?
Ian relpied " A camel ".

Classic.

good one !

:inn ocent:

[Tiffany]

Bloody Hell, it means that Ian and I might finally meet, we have criss-crossed continents several times just missing each other and I know about a year ago we were both in Bulgaria at the same time but still didn't manage to meet!

Ian, I look forward to meeting you face to face after 10 years of emails and being asked "Is that your Dad?"