Motorcycle Explorer November 2016 Issue 14 | Page 125

Like many wannabe adventure bikers, I wanted to
ride my own extended Round the World motorcycle
adventure, following in the shoes of the historical
greats such as Ted Simon and Elspeth Beard in the
1970’s and 1980’s respectively. Times have
however moved on and we live in an age of social
media, with instantaneous global communication
for any destination with internet access. The set of
skills required and expectations put upon a solo,
long distance, overland traveller have changed
massively. The idea of disappearing unheard from
for months are for most a guilty pleasure from the
past. It is now normal, even expected for an
individual to announce their forthcoming adventure
through social media, soliciting followers, who then
offer encouragement and advice from their
armchair, tablet in hand, while the traveller rewards
them with photos and video of their unfolding
adventure. Regular traveller updates of progress
need to be posted using snappy “sound bite”
comments and quirky photos illustrating the highs
and lows of life on the road. Furthermore if your
taking the trip seriously and doing your “best” for
your awaiting public even greater personal
commitment is required, you must document your
progress through “moving images”, editing video
and then present them on global platforms such as
Youtube and Vimeo.
Clearly, you don’t pick up a budget camera, learn
how to edit your video in low cost hotels and upload
amazing videos to