The Library of All Knowledge
The Video List
(AKA: The Reading Guide for those too lazy to read.)
Austin Vince et al
- Mondo Enduro
- Terra Circa
If you can only watch one motorcycle travel video, watch Mondo. Forget Ewan and Charley's vid. These guys did it first and did it better. No support team, this do it youself affair proves that you can travel around the world if you just have fun and keep your wits about you. Terra Circa tracks the team as they try to conquer the Zilov Gap in Russia, and obstacle that stopped them in Mondo and that sent Ewan and Charley crying in Long Way Round.
Also if you get a chance to see either Austin Vince or Lois Pryce, do NOT pass it up. They are absolutely awesome presenters.
Austin Vince
- Salt and Gold 2009
Grant & Susan Johnston
- The Acheivable Dream
This started out as a single DVD on how to ride around the world. It has morphed into a slick and informative 6 DVD set. It features information on almost every aspect of riding around the world from not only Grant and Susan, but other experienced riders as well, making it entertaining as well as informative. Well worth the money.
- Road Heroes
Need more inspiration? Grant and Susan are at it again with a collection of traveller's tales. Rene Cormier, Peter and Kay Forwood, Greg Frazier and Tiffany Coates all present their tales of travel around the world.
Robert Fulton
- Twice Upon a Caravan
This one is a bit dry, but I like since it's narrated by the man himself. Fulton goes through the film that he shot of his epic travel around the world in 1936.
Guarav Jani
- Riding Solo at the Top of the World
This one follows Jani as he tries to ride the highest motorable plateau in India, the Changtrang. Jani rides Luna, his beloved Enfield to the plateau beneath the Himalayas. He also takes a look at the nomads and their lifestyle
- One Crazy Ride
Sterling Noren & Helge Pedersen
- Silk Road
- Eurasian Odyssey
- Iceland
- Indochina
Ewan MacGregor & Charley Boorman
- Long Way Round
This one opened many eyes to adventure riding, including mine. While non-riders may drool and seasoned riders snicker, it brought motorcycle touring to the attention of the world.
- Long Way Down
Not bad, but rushed. The pacing is horrible, with the documentary skipping whole sections and Ewan rushing to get to South Africa.
Charley Boorman
- Race to Dakar
Charley tries to take on the world's toughest race. It's an excellent behind the scenes of a massive undertaking. And Charley may not have finished the race, he does tag along and finish the documentary.
- By Any Means: London to Sydney
Charley Boorman tries to fill Michael Palin's shoes and travel from London to Sydney by any means available. There is some motorcycling, but some of the means are quite cool.
- By Any Means II: Sydney to Tokyo
Finally Boorman is getting better at it. Follow him as he travels through Asia to Tokyo.
Ray Mears
- Bushcraft
- Extreme Survival
- Real Heroes of Telemark (Norway)
- Ray Mears goes Walkabout (Australia)
- Northern Wilderness (Canada)
OK anything by Mears is great, but the first two above series cover outdoor survival in a practical manner. Well worth watching. The following three cover Ray's travels to the country and tells the tales of exploration and survival.
Les Stroud
- Survivorman
Three seasons of the man himself going into the wilderness to film his story of survival. Gritty, real and free of BS.
Michael Palin
- Around the World in 80 Days
- Pole to Pole
- Full Circle
- Hemmingway Adventure
- Himalaya
- Sahara
- New Europe
While Palin has probably never touched a motorcycle, his tales of travel are excellent for their sense of exploration, wonder and humor. Great for either entertainment or inspiration.