Riding & Bike Stats

Riding Stats

Many riders think that this record is about speed - after all it is called the Fastest Circumnavigation of the World by Motorbike. But this is a misnomer. This is about an international endurance ride. Endurance riding is about safe long distance riding. This was how we approached the world record. Our motto was "less is more" and "go slower to go further". Our belief about the key to the record was how long we could stay in the saddle doing a constant speed. High speeds are more exhausting, increase the risk of accident, put more strain on the bike and more strain on us.

Our preparation was geared to this philosophy. Our own mental and physical fitness were important. Training to last on only 4 hours sleep a night, whilst still remaining alert during the day was also vital. We worked our way up to being able to ride 1,000 mile days by practising Calais to Madrid and back in a week-end. Diet and eating right are also an important factor.

Part of the preparation was the planning. Route planning was vital and for both of us to agree the strategy of the ride and the roles that we played. Kevin, of course, had to ride the bike the whole time (one of Guinness rules); Julia dealt with paperwork, photography, video, navigation and acted as Mrs Motivator! Our success was teamwork and the agreement beforehand that no matter how tough it got and how much we were stressed, irritated, and shouted at each other, it was the ride and not us!

We like to think that our riding statistics speak for themselves. We managed to average 1,000 miles per day.

FIRST LEG:FRANCE & ITALY

CALAIS TO BRINDISI

Miles - 1,671

Time - 27hrs, 20mins

Our first section was planned to be one big hit with no stops. The strategy was to get as many miles as possible under our belt as quickly as possible before getting the ferry from Brindisi to Igoumenitsa. We rode on motorway all the way, so not exactly inspiring riding, but it gave us the start we wanted.

SECOND LEG: GREECE, TURKEY, IRAN, UAE

IGOUMENITSA TO DUBAI

Miles - 3,519

4 days, 11hrs, 40mins

This was going to be the hardest leg. We had only ridden as far as the Iranian border in our practice and so riding in Iran itself would be new to us. It ended up being hotter than we had imagined, with more stops for water and rest. Overall Iran felt very safe and everyone was extremely hospitable.

THIRD LEG:AUSTRALIA

PERTH TO SYDNEY VIA ALICE SPRINGS

Miles - 5,080

Time - 4 days, 15hrs, 21mins

Australia was the best country for endurance riding. No traffic, and long stretches of empty roads. It was so unbelievably vast. We did a lot of night riding to keep the miles up and the roadhouses were placed about right to time with our riding sections. Australia gave us the best riding stats of the world record.

FOURTH LEG:NEW ZEALAND

CHRISTCHURCH TO AUCKLAND

Miles - 650

Time - 14hrs, 59mins

We had to ride New Zealand as Wellington was an anti-podal point. It was winter and the road was slow. In fact it was slower than riding in Iran - many small towns along the main route and lots of traffic police.

FIFTH LEG:ALASKA, CANADA, USA, MEXICO

ANCHORAGE TO MIAMI (VIA TORREON, MEXICO)

Miles - 6,777

Time - 7days, 3hrs, 55mins

After the long flight from Auckland, jet lag and problems with the bike coming in to the USA, we were already drained starting this major leg. Not only that, the Alaskan Highway was so beautiful the temptation just to stop in a pine cabin for a few days was huge! Keeping the miles up now became a real mind game.

FINAL LEG: SPAIN & FRANCE

MADRID TO CALAIS (VIA GRANADA)

Miles - 1,764

Time - 30hrs, 10mins

The adrenalin was really pumping for this final leg. Already 11 days ahead of the record, it was a huge effort to keep focused on riding big, big miles, but by the time we reached Paris, the buzz is not just from the noise of the ride, but the excitement of a finish which is only a matter of hours away!

TOTAL MILES & TIME

19,461Miles - 19 days, 8hrs, 25mins

Bike Stats

Frequently asked questions about the ride often focus on the performance of the standard BMW R1150GS. Here are some key bike stats:

• We bought the bike second hand with around 4,000 miles on the clock. When we started the record, one year later, it had around 24,000 miles on the clock (we had been doing lots of practice!).
• The bike covered 19,461 miles in total, carrying two people and fully laden, using the standard BMW side panniers and top box. It was modified with a 40 litre Touratech gas tank, Ohlins front and rear shocks, Remus exhaust, Touratech bash plate, handguards, steering stop and headlight protector.
• Small adaptations included higher wind shield, side stand adaptor and handlebar raisers.
• The bike had three services in total. It had a major service and a special going over by BMW Balderston immediately prior to leaving. The next minor service was in Perth, Australia at Munich Motorcycles and the final one in Christchurch, New Zealand at European Motorcycles. We omitted the service in the USA because it was against the clock and we wanted to break the 20 day barrier.
• There was no problem with the bike at any stage of the ride; no breakdown or additional repairs necessary beyond the standard servicing.
• We used three front tyres and five back tyres. The back tyres presented the only problem on the trip because with the weight and heat, they did not last as long as anticipated. We did not have any punctures.
• On average we achieved around 10 miles to the litre. Our cheapest petrol was in Iran at 3p per litre; the most expensive was in Europe at around 70p per litre.
• The bike was air freighted four times; with Cathay Pacific to Perth, with Quantas to New Zealand, with Quantas and Delta to Anchorage and with Iberia to Spain. The bike was slightly damaged in the air freight to Anchorage; the handle bar unit was twisted, but still useable.