Thanks John, I checked and these will work on standard DVD players in the US? So I'll order them up.
Mike[/B]</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>



[This message has been edited by motorbikewithmike.com (edited 10 February 2006).]

Holy Shite guys.

I'm with Dan... Motorcycle travel is not 'The Next Big Thing'. This is not pilates. This is not kabbalah. This is about getting away from the bluffers and wankers that clog up modern capitalist society. This is about escape. This is about self-sufficiency. This is about seeing how and who we are away from the safety nets of sat phones and breakdown trucks and travel guides.

I´ve been on the road from Alaska nearly 9 months now and it's not been enough, and the best days are probably the ones when i don't even think about the camera. When I feel the road, smell the land. I think if you organise a trip south in 40 days you will loose completely the essence of the journey that you are seeking. Perhaps an option is to allow more time, take the cameras without any preconceived ideas and just see what drops out at the end, or perhaps that's just wishful thinking.

If you film a trip, you film a film trip, if you ride your bike south.... you ride your bike south.... if you know what I mean, they are two different experiences..... I threw my video camera away in the first 4 weeks because I felt it was ´ruining´ my experience....

That's my cents worth....

www.oneworld-twowheels.com

One more thought.

I am not so sure a competition is the way to go however, because anyone who has all the REAL info you need is either on the road or has done the trip. They may want to do the trip with you, but they are not the ones you want to do the trip with you. They will know the way, know the tricks, know the language and know what to expect, a boring combination for a good film. Perhaps the cameraman should have done it before, and keep his mouth shut, so he can ride 5 miles ahead of you and get the really good shot of you in the air when you hit that almighty pothole in Costa Rica......etc....... Ewan and co messed up because they were too prepared... and even when they weren´t they had Mummy at the end of the sat phone.

Keep it green if you know what I mean. After all, it's just a day out on the bikes, except at the end of each day you stay somewhere different.

[This message has been edited by Revolucion (edited 10 February 2006).]

hello all,

I am with Dan, he spoke out of my heart after reading the b.. s... from Mike.

Mike, go and make a movie about life consultants.

You want to create a 40 days adventure hero in your movie, this is the wrong place to search for an actor, go to Hollywood.

You could give me all the money you own and I would not ride with you.

Mika Kuhn
around the world 1999 - 2005
on a yamaha tenere
www.weltreise-motorrad.de

------------------

I thought motorcycle travellers and posters on the HUBB were supposed to be a tolerant bunch?

Ever since the Long Way Round came out bikers who have done the solo trip without cameras / back-up teams /life consultants etc have started looking down on anyone who does it differently. I personally prefer to travel solo and have spent the last two years of my life having the most fantastic experience riding by myself. But I also know other people prefer to do it differently, either with other riders / 4WDS or maybe even camera crews.

I went through a period of several months in southern Africa where at every camp ground I would meet commercial overland trucks, carrying groups of passengers. They did bugger all towards appreciating the local culture and at the time I looked down on them and thought of myself as a superior traveller. It was only afterwards that I realised what a dickhead I was becoming, because the whole point about travel is to make you happy, not to impress others.

So who really cares if someone elses form of travel is different to yours - it doesn't make it any more or less valid than your own trip. Sure, doing a solo trip is significantly more demanding and in my view ultimately more rewarding. But that doesn't make Ewen & Charlie's trip or Mike's plans any less valid.

And if Mike wants to make a buck out of it, good luck to him. How many people on the road have you seen with some minor forms of sponsorship, whether it be free kit or consultancy fees from publishing articles etc. If I could afford to fund a lifestyle of permenant travel on a motorbike, I would be tempted to do it too.....

Lets just all remember why we travel in the first place and keep things tolerant.

I can sense with my wonder wand that Dan lives. He has moved on from international correspondent for emap, but is yet move onto the greener pastures of life running a bar by a beach in belize, or taken to writing ads for 60's repo fords in Buenos Aries.

Obe One feels for Dan and thinks people are trying to imitate the blessed one, but deep down in wookie world Obe knows they dont have his famous pull, nor his witty comentary.

Obe feels a bit dumb especially when his first border guard tells him stick his photocopied documents somewhere dark, but bleeting mate just puts it down to a cultural phopa and has him name drop to the embassy.

These special qualities are what makes our movie so cool.

Mike the death star is full.

Mike,

You did a very good job of "shooting down" Dan's comment. Congratulations.

What did you gain by it?

Nothing! You just lost the little bit of "faith" (I should call it hope) I had that you actually would make a real movie (and not a piece of theatrical shit).

I know you can also brake down my comment for the simpel reason that english is not my "home language" so it is easy to win a discusion.... But that does not make you right or good.

Lets put it this way, if you kill some one... and get released on a technicality, you won..... but you are still a murderer.

Please let me know when you go through Colombia en what route you will take. I have some friends that would enjoy meeting you.

Maarten


------------------
- www.maartensworld.com -

All of this is so amusing. . . what do all of OUR negative responses hope to do. Stop a dangerous threat to bike travel? Prevent some unknowing "actor/travelor"from wasting 40 days? I don't think it really matters.

As someone with film making experience, I'm just puzzled by the whole thing. I believe one could expect to film this adventure with little expectation by oneself. Add a director who theoretically has ideas and the time it takes to create the piece will increase greatly.

Good luck Mike, enjoy your trip.

Bob
(p.s why don't you at least put your "complete profile" on your web site)

The Navaho people of southwest USA have a way with dealing with people. If someone says something offensive or completely off base for whatever reason...... they just look down and go do something else.

Mike,

Sometimes people get so caught up in their dream that they fail to remeber what their dream is. It seems to me that this is one of those situations.

People go on about freedom to be and do what they want, freedom to have and be blissful with their wonderful travelling life. And then a few of them get a little defensive when others start 'infringing' on the territory that was once only theirs'.

My advise is not to pay attention to that negativity that most of the people on this website do not promote or appreciate. If you want to travel, then travel. Do it on a bike! Film it! And have a great time doing it!

Buen Viaje.
-K

Hi Mike

Sounds great but you really can't be surprised there's a touch of mirth greeting your post. All expenses paid trip minus "motorcycle, riding gear, shots, passport, and air travel & transportation to the departure point -- everything else will be provided (maybe a free bike depending on sponsership!)". So you're supplying 35 free plates of beans?? Plus the prize of possibly getting your head on tv?? I expect most people reading your message for the first time were thinking "great, I'd eat dirt for a free ride thru South America", but then it's not really free, is it? I couldn't really give a rats if its a sell-out or whatever, I haven't had a whole lot of existential angst since puberty, but if it's all a load of rubbish then Bogart's line "when you're slapped...you'll take it and you'll like it" probably applies.

If you are serious about this whole thing, I would suggest you spend a bit of time looking around this board and get to know the types. Then, change your name and re-post, asking for companions for the journey you propose. The main reason the LWR was a good watch was that the main players were *professional actors* (this is an important point - no, I mean really). If you want a couple of wankers with nice hair to do the trip with you this is probably the way to go about it. If you want a couple of unique personalities with those quirks of character that make them want to get dirty in the rain on motorcycles for weeks at a time in strange places, it might be better to promise payment in beer.

By the way, don't let this diatribe disqualify me from the contest - a few minutes before dusk, in a heavy fog, I can look pretty good on my left side. (I'll still need the beer incentive though...)

cheers
Brett

Matt,
1. I have Zero, zip, nada experience with film. But yes, I thought it to be a natural step to film the adventure. I am gaining a lot of information from the posts and emails that I have received.

Email Example: "Get one nice prosumer camera, like the top line Panasonic PV-GS for the stuff that you film off the bikes or that is shot from a stationary position. You want to look like an enthusiast, not a film crew, so you don’t get bothered (read-have to pay a bribe) by the police for working without permission."

These types of comments are real helping shape the way I would like to make this movie. I’m now leaning toward scaling down and making the adventure less like a Hollywood production. I also originally thought I had to have one of the new BMW GSA 1200's or couldn't do the trip. But know that there are a lot of options. This is a major redirect from were I started only four weeks ago. But the credit goes to all of you.

2. It does seem to be a suspicious kind of crowd. But that will change as things progress. I am real, and not just here to bash others. My response to Dan Walsh was only a bit of verbal sparring, but it ended up being to philosophical. Oh well, live and learn.

3. I've ordered both of these DVD's and wait with anticipation to view them. Actually preparing my response to Dan Walsh gave me a lot of new insights. I still have a ways to go, but am starting to understand what everyone is talking about when referring to not wanting another shite movie. So I've cancelled my Hair Transplant and liposuction appointments. But believe me; I really need the personal trainer, as my cardiovascular and physical fitness still needs major help!!

4. Maybe Dan would consider agreeing to a truce if I offering to send a free t-shirt?
Mike

[This message has been edited by motorbikewithmike.com (edited 10 February 2006).]

Bob[/B][/QUOTE]

Please be Patience Forsellini, I won't have the website finished for at least a month. I know my blob is just a reprint of this opening post. The response to my post has been extraordinary and I am trying to keep up with all the emails and posts.

Your right. It was rude of me not to introduce myself first. I got so caught up in planning the trip and ecstasy of making a movie that I missed the point. It’s like someone just opened up the door to the odd house with me sitting there with a stupid grin on my face. I am working on a bio and will post it very soon.

Here is a little background on me which highlights my lack of experience:

I don't have any riding partner yet, no photographer, no bike, no sponsors, my website and blog are not functional, don't even have a riding suit. I have never made a movie or directed one, and don’t real care to. I'm NOT a director, just an average motorcycle enthusiast. I can’t claim to have much discipline, and like creature comforts (that will have to change!!) I don't have any route chosen, and don't even know what bike to take.

I don't have all the answers but I do have the initiative and bulldog tenacity to go with it. When I decide to do something, I always follow it through. I'm 41 years old. My dad was first generation from Lithuania. I live in the Detroit MI area. I have a Mechanical Engineering degree and have worked in the Automotive Industry in Quality Management for 13 years. I am a very loyal person and look out for my friends.

As a boy I worked on anything with a motor and a seat. I have been driving and working on motorcycles for 32 years. The last bike ride I took over 100 miles was on a 1983 Honda V45 Sabre from Ithaca, New York to Goshen, Indiana in March 1985. It was a cold wet trip, my hands got so cold that I couldn’t work the throttle and had to stop to warm them up. Otherwise, I haven’t gone over 100 miles on a bike in one setting. I have no overland experience. I’m a Newbie, a Green Horn. My riding abilities are very good. I have experience in most types of terrain. I am not affiliated with any groups or clubs. I have no sponsorships or financial backing, just my own monies.

If you send me your address and I will send you a free t-shirt, that is one thing that I have finished! It's nothing special, but gesture of kindness non-the-less!
Mike

JSherm,

1. Didn't think I would make money, but willing to invest anyway!

2. No. I have never traveled overland. That's why I thought it would be a great movie. Can you think of anyone else you'd rather be lauging at?

3. It was definately a grand announcement, and over the top. I don't want to sound like a recording, but I would appreciate your patience. I am a work in progress and learning a lot. I put my post out there to get feedback and it has been effective in that regard.

Mike


[This message has been edited by motorbikewithmike.com (edited 10 February 2006).]

Revolucion,

1. I am also thinking that "Contest" is NOT the way to go. Besides I'm not some movie star or something, so why would anybody enter a contest to ride with me. But I don't think that a couple of green horns would make the best movie, as we would be lucky to even complete the trip!

2. Taking too much time to prepare is starting to make more sense. It's starting to sink in. My list of potential posts is shrinking daily....like I now know: "Taking a Satellite phone" equals Shite Movie! I think I'm getting it. Keep the faith.

Maybe I will look back on all this and laugh some day.
Mike