‘Don’t get old and regret not having done stuff’
Shaun Merrick, 61 . Takes 1 2 months off work at least once a year to explore the world by bike. Day job: runs Speed Couriers, Manchester…
How do motorcycles fit into your life now?
I still ride most days, commuting to work, and take regular breaks of a month or more to ride all over the world – the only places I haven’t ridden in are South America and Australia. I’m riding round the world in bite-sized chunks and there’s half left to do.
How did the dream of riding round the world take a hold of you?
I started doing this in the early 1980s when I was despatching in London – I’d work for nine months then take three months off to ride round Europe. I did that for five years, then decided to set up my own courier company in Manchester. There were a couple of years of no holidays as I set up the business, but as soon as I had a good team with me I could take a couple of months off and disappear. I’ve been running the business for 34 years now and the team know what I’m like – I’ll just pack up and fuck off.
Give us a real example of your current life at its best. What makes it all worthwhile… Riding over the top of the Wahkan valley in Tajikistan, looking at the border with China and thinking, ‘wow, I’m the luckiest man alive’. I was on my KTM 690 and I was five weeks in to a two month trip. I rode 10,500 miles from Manchester through 21 countries finishing in Mongolia.
It was fabulous – the culture, the scenery, the adventure, everything. There were so many fantastic moments – like riding 150 miles across a desert that used to be the Aral sea, past the rusting hulks of sunken ships. Eating the world’s best kebabs in Uzbekistan was pretty special too.
What makes you question whether or not you’ve made the right decision?
I struggle to think of anything. I do miss my family when I’m away on my travels, so after two months I’m definitely a bit lonely and desperate to get back. But I honestly think that I am one of the luckiest people on planet Earth.
What’s your current state of wellbeing?
I think life’s fabulous at the moment – particularly when I think where I came from. My mum was a widow and I grew up on a council estate and went everywhere on the bus. Bikes have given me the opportunity to widen my horizons, business wise and travel wise.
How do you make it all work financially? I’m not stinking rich, but I’ve got enough to indulge myself and do stuff like this. I’ve got a brilliant team at work and they make it possible for me to clear off. With modern technology I’m always available on the phone and email, so I can run through the management accounts from wherever. Even in Siberia and Mongolia you can get wifi and 4G.
How does all this work with family?
It’s all about getting the balance right. I’ve got a great family. My wife is very tolerant, and she knows that I’ve always been like this. I think for the first week or two I’m away she enjoys the peace and quiet. After that, the situation changes. When I came back from Mongolia after two months she said she didn’t want me going for longer than a month, which is fair enough. It’s hardly like a pair of handcuffs is it? She’s understanding and very supportive, so I don’t want to take the piss.
What are your current priorities in life? Having fun. That sounds glib, but it’s true. I’ve had friends die from illness and accidents and it makes you think. I don’t want to get old and regret not having done stuff. Life’s too short.