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Here we go again. The wanderlust and call of the road has been building up since our last big adventure. Our trip in 2003-4 was a life changing experience. Foreign cultures, ancient sites, and snapshots of past civilisations whetted our appetite for more. Unfortunately, like everyone else, over the last seven years we’ve had to work to put a roof over our heads and food on the table.
So what’s changed – RETIREMENT that’s what!
We’ve put in the hard yards but Shirl and I have decided that before time slows us down too much, it’s time to retire from our ‘normal’ work , get out there and experience what the big wide world has to offer. Sure there’s an element of danger riding a motorcycle around the world. Those of us that do know the risks, but we also know the immense pleasures that await the intrepid motorcycle traveller.
We are in our mid 50s and want to show our peers that if you really want to do something you can. I see too many people our age too frightened to tackle such an adventure. When you talk to them, they say “I wish I could to that” or “I can’t do that because I have the garden to look after” or other similar lame excuse. Then they start talking about how “lucky” we are.
If you really want to achieve something, in this day and age you can if you have the right level of commitment – that’s all it takes.
We’ve had to find someone to look after the house, the dog and the cat – thanks Sonia – we’ve had to sell off cars and other non-essentials , organise our finances, insurances, medical evacuation insurance, inoculations, motorcycle freight, carnet de passage, Visa application (USA only at this stage) and close down a business. So be it – We want to do this journey.
We are going to miss our children, Stephen and Gavan, their wives Alana and Nikki, and our wonderful grandchildren Austin, Beau, Valentino (Nikki and Gavan’s boys) and Lila and Molly (Alana and Stephen’s girls) along with the rest of our family but we both know we go with their blessing. With the computer and Skype we’ll still be able to see and talk to them every now and then.
Okay where are we going this time? I have read other travellers’ tales of South America and it is a continent we both really want to experience so that is our starting point. We’ll ship into Chile, head South to Ushuaia, take a ship out to Antarctica then head north through Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Columbia before heading into central America then North America, Canada and Alaska. Then we’ll head back through Canada and North 
America to New York the ship to Europe, most probably London and head home via France, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt then South through Africa. The plan is to make our way to Durban in South Africa before shipping to Perth then riding home via Australia’s iconic Nullarbor Plain and back to Melbourne.
We have no time constraints so we will be governed by the weather more than anything else. The best time to see Antarctica is from December on. The only time we can travel above the Arctic Circle in Alaska is July/August. We want to avoid winter in Europe so we’ll re-prep the bike and head south towards the Equator as soon as we can.
We estimate this adventure will take up to 18 months.
So let’s go.
Hey guys, just wanted to say hi. Gave the Bryant’s your website address so that they can also follow your journey! We are at the local races today with a hospitality package so thought would touch base early on. Will definitely think about Morocco. Will speak on Skype soon. Xxxx
Shirley and Brian -
I heard you on the wirelss – it was wonderful. I am so envious. Enjoy! The crooks in Melbourne are having a wonderful time not that Brian’s not chasing them.
Love to you both
RR
Don’t like reading all this….
You are having too good a time.
Thanks guys for making it hard to convince CMcP 4WD trip with me would be the best way to travel.
Em
Howdo from Kiwiland. Great to keep up with your travels. Heard from Bernd & Heidi and to know you hooked up with them. hope all still goes well as it does here. Happy New Year anyway,
Love Mac.T.
Brian and Shirl, Hope you had a great and enlightening Christmas and New Year experience over there in SA. Stay safe and “ride with pride”.
Brian and Shirley, You can get the tyres in Rio Gallegos. If you enter the town from ushuaia and drive straight into the town on the left side there are two shops. Both of the same company. They do Honda yamaha. Good Shop. Have a nice ride.
Greatings Ton Zuidema
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Brian & Shirl, Good to see the trip is going well. We all miss you here in Melb.
Thinking of you
Mike & Rosslyn
Looks as though you guys are having a wonderful time. Happy Christmas and hope your travels are good in 201 xx
If you come through Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island be sure to look me up and I will take you for a ride through some nice areas here….
Brian and Shirley
I’m the girl you met in Punta Arenas in the tour to the pingüineras!
, Cynthia.
Now I’m home in Guadalajara, México.
I was studying in Santiago the last semester and I fell in love with Chile. It was for me the last trip before I had to come back and I had the best time.
Now I can say that just when you think that you are traveling alone, it’s when you end up not alone at all. That the people that you meet while you travel are the ones that mark your trip somehow. Your story and dreams that you are making true are inspiring, I’m sure that you will have the best time and you will spread your commitment and courage to many people.
Good luck, I’ll be checking how your trip it’s going.
A big hug from Mexico
Hey Brian and Shirley,
finally some news from the two Germans Klaus and Tim … We made it to Ushuaia and are now already back home after some days in beautiful Santiago. You must have reached the end of the world by now, I suppose, and get ready for Christmas and New Years.
We wish you save travels and always a piece of good salmon on the way (as good as the one in La Junta were we had the pleasure to spend a wonderful evening with you).
Hope to meet you gain some time!
Happy holidays!
Klaus & Tim
good to hear you on radio with Darren yesterday Brian sounds like an awesome holiday love to shirley
Glad I had to pleasure of knowing you both from the old Roy Boy days
looking forward to more updates with Darren
Great hearing you Brian on radio yesterday with Darren good to hear all is well have a awesome time glad I had the pleasure of knowing you both from the old Roy Boy days love to shirley
Hi Guys
Great to hear everything is ticking along – it sounds almost as exciting as life here in Toolamba. Maybe catch you in Texas. Keep safe.
cj
hey guys
have a great adventure, look forward to hearing all about it on your return, just like last time at rotary,
just rode the harley across the nullabor , pert to melbourne, very iconic, did not realise that australia was so big!
regards
dennis
camberwell rotary club
Hi Brian and Shirl
Our sons (Brad and Aaron) are also on motorbikes travelling through Sth America. Last we heard, they were travelling north, heading for San Pedro in Chile. If you see them, say hi. You never know – the world is not such a big place.
Safe travels.
Hey there Brian & Shirl – love the on-going tales of the “motor cycle diaries”, very much enjoyed the tales in TPA monthly rag a couple of years back when we were in the same occupation Brian. Good on you guys, stay safe and enjoy the ride just as we will enjoy the updates of your adventures on this web site and on the radio. Rgds John
Hi Brian,
Is this the correct place to post you a message?
There is a petrol station in El Chalten across from the bus station.
I saw a car filling up but no idea what the supply is like.
How were the flamingos?
Steve
Hi Guys
I have been lstening to your calls through on AW. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure.
Helen
HI Guys
hope all is well. Just Thinking of you both. Looks like an amazing experience.
Sonia and Peter Villani
Pompeos
Hi Brian, getting together the the WA guys from this years Wall to Wall on Friday night. We have planned another little trip for 40 in June, (on top of the ride to Canberra), we are riding from Derby to Kununurra on Postie Bikes. I should be an adventure, but not quite in your league!! Stay safe. Regards Vic Hussey WAPOL
Good luck guys! Take care and have lots of fun.
All the best from Jo and Dan
Great to hear your story today and updates on 3aw Darren James You are now living your Dream and retired I am still part of the 9 to 5 and I am 65 Keep those stories rolling in I have a 2006 Harley and I wish I was travelling along
Brian and Shirls,
Hope you are travelling well.
Just want to thank you for your support over the years.
Looking forward to checking in every so often to seee where you are at.
Hi Shirley
Love hearing about your travels through Brian and Darren James on 693 (3AW). Frank would be so proud of you, telling your story and doing what you want to do (“bugger the rest of them”). Have a great time and come back safey.
Best regards
Sandra (“Who shot George Kirkland” in Carringbush 1981-1983)
Hi Shirley, Frank would be so proud of you, as you’re doing what you want to do and telling everyone about it. Hope you come back safely. Love listening to Darren James on 693.
Kind regards
Sandra (Carringbush 1981-1983)
Great to hear the regular updates on 3AW with Darren James. Makes me want to fire up the single cyclinder GS and get out and about.
Can’t believe you guys are well on the way. Pics and stories are great. I am jealous and so is my missus. Love to do it myself but think my Road King will need to be changed for something more practical. Enjoy the trip.
Wish I was there riding with you guys.
Stay safe and enjoy!
Spike.
I’m green with envy. Hope this trip is as successful as the last one. Can’t wait for the book. Hey Shirley, how’s the navigation going?
Hope you have another happy and safe adventure Brian, and we will see you in the west as you come through next time.
Dear shirley and brian, Fantastic to hear you on Red’s program on 774 early this morning. I will be following with great interest your long journey and in the future look forward to another great book on all your adventures. Will catch up with you when you both return.
Great to see your on way guys.
The boys love hearing about your trip.
We’ve got your map in the toilet.
hey, good on’ya!
Can’t you take Nic Watson along. He NEEDS a tree-change!
Gday Brian and Shirl,
Looking fwd to following the journey, cant wait until my mid fifties…. not long to go…..
Well done guys. Watch out for Orange Penguins.
Good to hear the update this morning with darren on 3AW.
Looking forward to reading your tales tall over the next 18 months, keep living the dream.
Take care
Birchy
G’day Brian & Shirl, Simone and I wish you the best in your travels. Gone down the path of a GSA now and its time to take time.
Good luck
Glen & Simone
Good to hear an update on 3AW this morning with Darren James.
Heard you this morning talking with Darren on 3AW. Your planned journey over the mountain that has exploded into a volcano gives new meaning to the saying “go with the flow”.
Loved your first book, look forward to following this one, then hopefully read about it.
Travel safely.
Louise
Hope all’s going well so far and we’ll be keeping constant tabs on you! Had a great trip to Menindee Lakes in van. Stay safe and ENJOY!
Kerry and Chopper, Gus and Maggie xx
Hi Brian and Shirley, its Ness, (Frank Banghams sister) I will be following your trip, its a great thing to do.Hope everything goes well for you. Good luck.
Hey guys, heard you today on 3aw. Hope you get your bike soon but sounds like you are in a nice part of the world anyway. It’s great Darren is supporting your adventure and we look forward to following your amazing trip. Stay safe. We’ll keep in touch. Smurf and Lisa.
Heard you this morning talking to Darren James on 3AW.
Ocean Grove Victoria Australia
I can see that I am going to get addicted to this website. I am already looking forward to reading about your journey every day. Take care and safe travels. I think you will be in trouble from the “retired” graffic designer on your return, so take your time and enjoy “Living the Dream”