News - Jan 2008  World record presentation at the Velmez Gymnazium School
We are absolutely delighted to accept a second invitation to attend and present our world record presentation to the Senior Students and teachers of Gymnázium Františka Palackého Valašské Meziříčí Husova.  We look forward to meeting everybody and a special thank you to Miss Zuzana Podešvová and Karel Adamec for your enthusiasm, Kindness and liaison.







Dear Monika and Simon

Let us thank you for your wonderful presentation you gave us in two parts. We are extremely happy to have been able to share your fantastic experiences from your BMW Enduro Guiness World Tour started in 2002. We usually invite all kinds of great people who have made remarkable achievements, but you have been something special. You were describing adventures, natural beauties and hospitality of people in many countries of the world. We really appreciate the way you gave your presentation with a little bit of acting at the beginning and commenting hundreds of pictures in several shows. Our students are in their final year taking their finals in a few months. As they told me and we could see it in their faces – they were amazed by your passion for travelling and getting to know new people and cultures.  All of us were impressed when you were speaking about Russia, Mongolia, Mexico, Cuba, USA or Turkey. Even if it looked romantic to travel from country to country, we knew there was a lot of effort hidden in the background and you had to face all kinds of trouble during your BMW Enduro Guinness World Tour. We learned you got excellent help and support from Bike Clubs and BMW firms all around the world. We could trace lots of optimism in your performance and you have opened horizons of our students who will graduate from our school and go on with their studies at universities and colleges next year. You have encouraged our students to be less suspicious and more courageous and open-minded. On top of it you have shown them how to get self-confidence and struggle for success.  Thanks for your words that we should always offer a smile and a friendly hand when meeting new people. Thanks for your words telling us our world is a pleasant place to live and you can find friendly people everywhere. We really should not trust trust the media that our modern society is full of crime, theft and violence. You, Monika and Simon, have contributed to the fact that after your World Record Guinness presentation we feel stronger, more optimistic and we understand that life is a big challenge. We are convinced that our students have learned a lot from your powerful and informative presentation. 

Best regards  
Mgr. Jan Trčka  -  Headmaster    (Download Picture - Gymnázium School)
Mgr. Karel Adamec - English teacher



Dear Simon and Monika

It is a pity that your presentation ended. You and Monika are excellent speakers. We saw interesting and exciting places in the world, we also practiced our English but the most important thing is that we have spent nice time with you. After your presentation I felt full of energy and I have feeling now that I could do "everything and anything" that I want too, inspiring presentation for me and my friends " Lucy Mohylová "Student"



Dear Monika and Simon

I just want to THANK YOU!!!!!! one more time. You prepared an excellent day for our students and they just LOVE  YOU! I spent the following lesson talking not only about you and your wife but also about the students` dreams and challenges and the atmosphere was fantastic.  Thank you thank you thank you, I hope they absorbed your positive thinking as I did. C U soon Yours Kindly Zuzana Podešvová (English Teacher)


Dear Simon and Monika

Simply put, it was the best presentation we have had at this school in the last eleven years and its the first time ever we have asked somebody to return the following week. May I please keep you presentation text it was inspiring. What an amazing endorsement of BMW, Life and Adventure. Karel Adamec (Senior English Teacher).




Dedication:

We dedicate our world record to all the Ladies and Men of the British Forces
who serve our country with pride, honor, bravery and vigour. The ladies and men who
make us proud and thankful for their dedication, determination, professionalism,
resilience and Never Die Spirit, we salute you, God Save our Queen.

CHARITY DONATIONS

If you find our video clips, pictures and journal entertaining then why not send a donation to our charity "Ward 15" . Simon  and Monika are donating both Guinness World Record Breaking bikes to our charity. This could be your chance to sample the BMW dream exactly like we did. Simply Contact the hospital if you would like our Guinness World Record Breaking bikes and Very soon you could be living out your "lifetimes dream in South America or Africa".

                   "Ward 15" Charities Department - Spirits of adventure,
                     Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Hospital Road,
                     Manchester, England M27 4HA.

 
Should I stay or should I go?

So why start a journey in the first place? The answer is easy. After more than 1000 days riding our motorcycles around the world we can confidently say to experience riding two BMW GS motorcycles around the world is a life changing experience. It makes you a better person and enriches your mind, body and soul. The culture, history and hospitality from the people we have met in the places we have visited is a unique education of life that you could never hope capture from a computer, television or magazine.

When people see us coming on BMW  motorcycles covered in country stickers and fitted with auxiliary equipment including, Ohlins, Autocom sound systems, Touratech Petrol Tank, Jesse panniers, Gamin GPS units, Bill Mayer Saddles, Terra Nova Tents and Motolight aux lights and a massive World of BMW Logo, it usually brings out the best in them, it makes them smile, dream, and want to help in what ever way they can. In our opinion and through our experiences we can confidently say the majority of the world is safe (not withstanding the obvious), vibrant, exciting and adventurous and it is out there waiting to be discovered. If you are in the opinion I could never go on an adventure riding a motorcycle because of the planning or lack of mechanical experience then think us who started this journey riding two BMWs with no mechanical experience at all. This is Monika’s first adventure which she started after only four days of motorcycle lessons and now she is well on her way to completing her second circumnavigation of the world. If the international news that you see on the TV or read in the National papers is putting you off experiencing the pleasure and excitement of riding a BMW motorcycle across the border of your neighbouring country then maybe first we should look at what's happening on our own door step by watching the local TV News or reading the local newspapers and then add up all the negative stories for say three months, and then compare it to the negative experiences that you have personally encountered. We have little doubt the statistics will tell you the stories of theft, robbery or assault from the local media will be in the hundreds and yet for the majority of us, we will be unable to recall one solitary negative incident. Well the same statistics apply abroad. The facts are, you could easily travel for years as many thousands do and visit almost every country on the planet  (not withstanding the obvious) and not have a single negative encounter. Don’t let the stories that you see or read in the media stop you experiencing the world’s rich diversity of culture. Foreign countries do not have a monopoly on crime. Before you go Consult the experts, purchase a Lonely Planet Guide book, consult your foreign office, consult other riders who have visited the countries you would like to see, consult clubs and associations. Be vigilant and security conscious. Use common sense and trust your gut instincts, if it does not feel right move on, Just try it, rent a motorcycle, or buy a BMW, go an a two week adventure, Visit England, Visit Czech Republic, visit Germany, visit Turkey, visit Mexico visit the Balkans, visit  the USA visit Portugal and Spain and when you meet somebody new offer them “a BIG SMILE, FIRM HANDSHAKE and a confident HELLO. From our experiences, we have little doubt what ever the location, their reaction will be equal, instant and positively receptive, you never know but this simplistic gesture could have just made you a new friend for life. This is not a promotion for BMW rather an endorsement of life as we know it, exciting, captivating and adventurous. As we like to say, If we can do it, with know prior experience of motorbikes or adventure then anybody can do it, go live your dream -  Consult the Experts  !
 

TV Interview Czech Republic






Simon Desert Riding






Next exciting leg Africa






Paul Switzerland





Wild Horses Kazakhstan






Wild Camels Mongolia








Lady GS - Monika in Desert.
 

Independent Lady versus Pillion Passenger

Interview Monika "How does she compare riding her BMW 650GS to travelling as a pinion?"
"Monika" The most obvious and immediate difference is that you certainly have more fun riding your own bike!" Its not that I didn't enjoy being pillion on Simons bike but I knew this was something I would not like to do for any length of time or great distances for that matter" 

Simon - Why choose the BMW F650GS
Monika - When i discovered BMW Manufacture a special addition of the BMW F650GS (LADY-GS) that has been designed especially for ladies I new in a instant that is what I wanted and that would be my choice of bike for the world record quest.

Simon What sort of reaction do you receive around the world when they see you take of your helmet?
Monika Firstly before I remove my helmet they always expect me to be a man and when I do eventually take it off they are usually amazed to see my heavily laden bike being piloted by a women. In countries like the former Soviet Union were checkpoints are common place I have no doubt our passage was eased because I was a women rider. Officials, Police, Border Guards and Customs Officers always seem to be amazed when they realise I am a Lady biker and consequently 99 times out of a 100 they make a special effort to assist me.

Simon: How do other Women respond to you?
Monika: Women Bikers are always nice to me, we have a joint respect for each others achievements and I don't just mean women riders who have simply travelled long distances or visited many countries. I mean any lady who has taken the plunge and purchased a bike for pleasure and independence.  I sense and feel they are willing me on. They usually stand and stare at my bike then review all the country stickers then look at me and smile. I sense they are thinking "Good for you! Go for it Girl?"

Simon: What do you feel has been the major change in you since you commenced your journey 30 months ago?
Monika: I am certainly more confident and outgoing. I am more independent and decisive now compared to how I was in May 2002. Riding a bike everyday forces you to think on your feet or should I say wheels,  snap decisions are common place. The large amount of people we meet every day and the wonderful experiences I have had encountered could do nothing more except vitalise ones mind and soul.

Simon If you had to summarise what its like to be a Female Motorbike rider what would you say?
Monika: When people see a female motorbike rider it brings out the best in them. It makes them smile, its like a magnet as you meet and interact with all sorts of interesting people that I know I would never have met if I was not riding. Personally I enjoy the freedom and independence motor biking gives me it has changed my life and the way I feel about other people.

Simon: If you wanted to offer just one piece of advice to other ladies thinking about purchasing a bike what would it be?
Monika: Go for it,  because after 36 months on the road I can almost guarantee 99.9% of everybody that you will meet in any given location or country will be kind, enthusiastic and supportive. I call my bike "Dream-maker" and who would disagree!

Inspiration:  We have been asked many times what inspired us to travel the world and challenge two of the worlds most demanding world records. The answer is National Geographic magazine. My parents always subscribed to National Geographic and before the trip so did we. A few years ago Monika and I saw a feature on motorcycle legend Helga Pederson who was riding a BMW motorbike around Namibia Africa. Ever since we saw that feature Simon never stopped talking about embarking on a similier adventure. Our journey has also given us the opportunity to raise some money for our charity.  It is our dream to have a small picture and article published in the very magazine that inspired us  The National Geographic - (we all have dreams). Chris Scott (king of the Sahara) can also take credit for the success of the world record challenge as his book The Adventure Motorcycling Handbook provided Monika and I with with a great resource whilst planning for the two Guinness World Records