How many have ridden around the world?
 

Having completed my RWT, I wondered if anyone knows how many riders have ridden "Round The World"? Am I in an exclusive club of 10,000 or 100,000?

Take care,
Chris.
BMW Motorcycle Tours, Trips and Gear :funmeterno::clap:

Elitism at it's most brazen and an unfortunate characteristic of the HuBB compared to, say, Adv Rider.

Who fcuking cares?:D

Well, that's gotta be worth another infraction from a passing mod.....

You probably did it for charity as well, did ya?:rolleyes2:

TFIC before you get a strop on.

There's a similar thread at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...done-rtw-72349 that didn't get beyond 12 replies. Draw your own conclusions from that. People on the HUBB tend not to "allegedly boast"/ be "allegedly elitist".

In answer to your question, probably in the high hundreds or even over a thousand. Dunno.

Thanks for your balanced, well argued answer. You're a credit to this HU community.

thru the grape vine
 

At the east-coast US riders meeting 2012 Chris Stewart mentioned taking to someone who was said to have tallied the known RTW riders/trips and claimed the number was in the area of 2000. Dunno how long ago the list was made or if entertainment/movie workers Ian and Charley were included in the count.

Is there a defined RTW trip? Is it crossing land starting in the eastern Atlantic to western Pacific, then doing the same from land on the western Pacific to the eastern Atlantic? Does it have to be one continuous trip? Do you have to ride Australia? Certainly it would be a better RTW if you ride Australia. Or is like one of the old arguments when trying to define pornography, I know an RTW when I see one?

Congratulations on completing your adventure. However many there are, you are in good company. Maybe one day I can claim the same feat.

@chris...
 

....every community needs a black sheep.

I remember some teachers at school making similar comments; one told me I would end up in jail..... glad to see the guards at the sausage factories don't ever change.

Talking to another ex-pat yesterday on a flight we were lamenting the sense of humor failure of some in our adopted country and a somewhat prevalent inability for a proportion of the population to be straightforward thinking that was diplomatic, that avoiding any kind of conflict at any price and then stabbing someone in the back was a quality.....

I generally call BS when I see it; you should try it some time - it's therapeutic.

I prefer this kind of bs:

http://www.blacksheepbrewery.com/doc...ackground).jpg

Visit Masham, North Yorkshire on your (RTW?) travels and take a tour around the brewery. An added bonus: Great bike riding, rather than sniding. (My teachers never told me I'd become a poet :confused1:).

I'll stop now with this :offtopic:stuff before I'm forced to move it to the (HU)Bar.

Thanks for the intelligent replies to what I thought was an intelligent question.

To the one (vulgarity removed by Mod) I have a great life, obviously something is lacking in yours. Sorry, but I am not for sale and don't ride for charity.

It was a boring question, but I suppose it could be intelligent for you.

Perhaps PM me with personal abuse as you'll score an infraction otherwise and I wouldn't want the community to miss out on your valuable contributions to the site.

Come on chaps- please play nice.

Perhaps we pursue this from the opposite direction as well? I for one have not been RTW for the simple reason I prefer the Black Sheep over anything with fruit shoved down the neck of the bottle. (and also time, money, family stuff, the prison sentence...).

So that's a plus one and a minus one, only a couple of million more responses required :thumbup1:

Andy

I thought calling him a "*************" was a fair, measured response not worthy of censorship. By the same token, the sentiment behind the "*********" comments also carry some weight.

Loads of people have.... And loads of people will...

And no one really cares.....


But don't let that refrain your from boasting about it. We all boast about our achievements from time to time. It's bragging rights. And the world wouldn't go round without them.

As far as I'm concerned, a RTW can't really be defined anyway. And if was easily defined then it would be boring. It would be like being proud of driving the whole distance of the M1 Motorway.

I've never seen a sticker.

"I beat the M1" or "M25 circuit club" doh

Sailing through the HUBB STORM ?
 

Gentlemen, having had the honor and pleasure of meeting the aussie Chris Cowper and two of his aussie friends in person, those who respond to him should know the facts. He is a quiet, helpful, well meaning man, who is not boastful but really rather shy and reserved.

He is a qualified over lander and a certified ocean going ship's captain and has circled the world by sea, commanding his own ship, as well as by land. Having actually met him and having had the opportunity to judge his character:

I state here with great certainty his question of "how many" was one of innocent intellectual curiosity, rather than a boast. Please read his blog and you will, begin to know the man.

Perhaps he is due an apology - but - I am sure he does not need one, as he has easily weathered the Hubb storm he unwittingly sailed through, without delay or remorse. He is one tough hombre too.

The HUBB STORM, not experienced because of his lack of judgement, but by the lack of perception of others, which of course is not his problem nor mine, but being a gentleman myself , I will continue.

For Chris Cowper, traveling around the world is normal. I am sure he has done it several times, and matter of fact is doing it again right now.. you get it - it is no big deal to him....

As an after thought, Chris may have been in his cups when creating this thread, a place all of us, most of us, have been and understand and so, please gentle up a little because he is an accomplished sailor and a good man, who would always be there for a friend in need and as a result of his good nature has many friends in many countries - those who have actually met him. I am one.

Eat Drink and go three sheets to the wind - once and a while

Sail on Chris

xfiltrate

@chriscowper
 

Chris,

I wholeheartedly and unreservedly apologize for my posts which were not meant to offend you, but meant as a p***take, which I suppose never really comes across on the internet. They weren't actually directed at you personally (as I don't know you).

Genuine sentiment - OK?

One thing I have learned after way too many years on the internet and running HU, is that it takes GREAT care to properly "take the piss" without getting everyone pissed off!

Without the careful, thought out use of emoticons, careful phrasing etc, it's extremely easy to be taken "wrong" - in other words as an angry little man probably deep in his cups and trying to be offensive.

Docsherlock, your apology was appreciated, the original post was certainly not, in fact it was deeply rude and offensive, and I think you need to be very careful how you "take the piss" in future.

To anyone and everyone:
Whether someone cares or not about whether or not he's done a world trip and how many others have is a perfectly good wintertime intellectual question, and of interest to many. Are we here so elitist that we have to shoot down anyone asking such a question?

I sure hope not - ALL points of view, ideas, questions, dumb or ignorant, or clueless, all bikes, sizes, budgets, styles of travel ARE WELCOME here. That does NOT mean that you can be rude and offensive. We are strong believers in freedom of speech - so long as it doesn't cause a problem or offend others. If you have a problem with that and if someone's ideas don't fit in with yours and you feel the need to shoot them down, then you need to rethink whether this is the right place for you.

Forums that do not moderate trolls tend to disappear. We've been here for a very long time, and we intend to be here for a very long time more. So, we will continue to moderate rude and offensive behaviour vigorously. I will NOT allow trolls to kill the free and open sharing and sense of community that we have worked so hard to build. I hope you will all agree with that sentiment and be welcoming to all, whatever their points of view or ideas.

As someone once said, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything." Or, to paraphrase, "if you can't say something useful and constructive or encouraging and instructive, don't say anything."

What is round the world? I was thinking of the group of people at the explored station on one of the pole's a brisk ten min walk will qualifier you as round the world walker. But as some one said I'll know one when I see one.
John933

My vague idea of a RTW is heading east and arriving back from the west....

I'm not into box ticking.... It brings me no pleasure. And I've tried it.

docsherlock i find your reply very rude and negative, did your mother never teach you if you have nothing nice to say then don't say it :nono:

I don't think the dude is boasting about his trip but more curios as to how many people actually crack such a trip hence why posting on a travelers overland website forum.....

When Guinness used to record such things there were also criteria about crossing the equator and covering so many miles. Walking a hundred yard circle round a pole didn't count. There is also a definition (which may just cover circumnavigation) that requires directly opposed points on the globe to be reached and thus makes it nigh on impossible overland.


Andy

I would think the number is in the neighborhood of a few thousand. Not that rare, but certainly not very common.

I think it _is_ a bit of an elite club, and I hope some day that I can be a member! bier

I just find the whole idea of the RTW a bit silly...

And I've met plenty of people who gloat about their AWESOME Round the World trip. Like they've just flown to the moon on a home made rocket ship or something...

How was the huge continent of Africa some ask..... "Oh I didn't go there"

What about the endless countries of South America ??? "Oh that was too far south"

What about the glorious Asia Sub continent ?? " Errrrrr noooo"

Australia ?? "Too many Kangaroos on the road.. Didn't want to dent my Touratech Mud guard"


You see, one can do a RTW and sound quite heroic to those who are easily impressed.. It can be done with barely going anywhere.. And most of it is done on a plane.. :innocent:

In the same respect, I've met so many people who are obsessed with 'bagging' countries on trips too. They never even see where they are. They fly through on the motorway to the next one. They just want the stamp in the passport and the opportunity to post a new country sign picture on Facebook..

This isn't aimed at ANYONE... But Instead of obsessing on titles and tick boxes, just enjoy the travel, adventure and new experiences. It's FAR more rewarding.. Even If you never make it out of your own continent..

bier

Food for Thought
 

Could it be that it is not about the number of miles per experience but the number of experiences per mile?

The next time you are in a beautiful spot, quiet and away from the chaos of modern life, sit beside a small fire and look into the flames... allow your heart to open and your eyes to really look - not just see... than reflect upon your skills and knowledge and consider how you can personally and positively engage to help those less fortunate then yourself on your journey.

'walk-THE-Walk' - And if ever you do, the one/s you reached for may well give you a hug, a smile, a knowing look or a handshake and possibly all four.

Then, and only then, will you experience and discover the most amazing 'sticker' to attach to the touring cases containing the memories of your life.

Think you've hit the nail on the head there mate...

:oops2:Let us prey that not too many 'nails' are going to be offended Ted!
typo intended! :smiliex:

I think it's important to remember that EVERYONE has a different idea on just about anything!

If someone wants to "ride around the world" in 15 years and hit every country as the Forwoods did, or around the world as Nick Sanders did in 21? days and as FEW countries as possible, or spend three years (on their second rtw) on their second time in South America as the Duvals did, it DOESN'T MATTER.

They're all insanely happy with THEIR choice.

So any opinion on the "right" way to do it is PERSONAL. If it makes YOU happy, go for it, and I'll support you all the way. We have room here for any and every way of travelling, and my opinion or your opinion on the right way is irrelevant - for anyone else.

So long as we all get that, feel free to express YOUR THOUGHTS on how YOU would do it - and therefore what's right for you! :)

FWIW - I can see myself doing all three of the above - at different times in my life - and with different budgets. From one extreme - crazy all out racer in my early twenties - to slow old fart in my sixties - it's all good. And when I'm eighty I'll probably be even slower!

I think it's important to SUPPORT anyone in THEIR goal, whether it's fast way round or slowest possible. After all, that's what we're here for isn't it - to HELP each other, and to learn for ourselves. And there's always some new and interesting ideas, and the day I stop learning about new ways of doing things is the day they put me in the ground. Or it's time to put me in the ground!

I was under the impression that a RTW trip was 20,000+ miles and passed a point 180 degrees opposite to were you start/Finnish ????

I wounder how the guy that collected info and came up with the number of 2000 people ??? He never asked me so it must be at least 2001 haha

I wouldn't mind riding RTW I think it would be a great laugh to do with some good friends and make some fantastic memories.

Not forgetting ...
 

a real Pioneer woman called Clara Eleonore Stinnes (known as Clärenore) who RTW'ed in an Adler Standard 6!
She left on 25 May 1927 from Frankfurt, drove through 23 countries and arrived back in Berlin on 24 June 1929.

No GPS...
No Titanium multi fuel cooker...
No Wilber's suspension...
No testosterone... nada!

Awesome achievement:thumbup1: What a Woman! They sure don't build them like that anymore!

Oh my Ted- 19 minutes-to the 'Like' !! you are getting slow in your old age mate!:rofl:
( I gave you 10!)

Tapatalk amigo..... No rest for the wicked ;)

Some Keystone Cops style footage of the trip on YouTube - Fräulein Stinnes fährt um die Welt - YouTube

I fully agree with xfiltrate and Grant. It is a shame that you have to think twice if you should post a question or info, whatever reasons you have to do so. I get the impression that too many people here have too much time or are jealous.
I hope that these people can hold their ironic, useless and sometimes aggressive comments for themselves or meet in another kind of group where this is the main idea.
A sidenote: please take to account that not everyone here has English as mother-language which can cause further problems or misunderstandings!

Congratulations Chris! I also had the pleasure to meet you and your friend (in Lima) and will take your warning seriously that you beat me up if I travel through your country without stopping and having a beer with you : )
Safe ride everyone!

Well, we didn't go RTW.

That plan was there a few years ago but we found out that some places were really not appealing to us and others a lot more, so we go to the places that we want to see, and then we go back to those places over and over again instead of continuing or doing a RTW.
We have the time and the money and the opportunity to do it, but we choose not to as for us the experiences are what we're after and not ticking the boxes (anymore). Going RTW is easy if you have money. But one can't buy genuine experiences and being able to tell incredible stories.

It just depends on what you want, and I do agree, what is RTW?
Everybody has a different point of view in this matter. For the one it is done in 4 months without having done half of the continents or not even 1/3rd of the countries. For a another it's ALL the countries, big difference but the same word... RTW...

Hey Seb
It's usually troll-like behaviour to highlight people's spelling errors, particularly if they're not native speakers (and writers). In the spirit of goodwill and fun however, I think you want the word appealing instead of "appalling". It helps with the meaning of your message :smartass: ;) :innocent:

PS. We drank and ate together in Irkutsk in summer 2013

yeah yeah I know (about Irkutsk).

pffff.... what's in a word... hahahaha
Thanks for pointing it out!
This happens when you speak 5 languages, sometimes you invent new words or misuse existing ones!