Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ROUND THE WORLD IN A DIY SIDECAR
Back in 2015, Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes were sitting in their rather dingy flat in London, and despairing about some of the horrible stuff that goes on in the world. Then they wondered how they could make a difference.
The answer was obvious – buy a Honda SH300 scooter, get a bloke in a shed to build a sidecar for it, and ride it 31,000 miles around the world.
“And how is that going to improve anything?” I hear you ask. Well, along the way, the pair are raising awareness about modern slavery while also raising money and visiting NGOS and charities.
These include Unseen UK, which runs this country’s Modern Slavery Helpline. It’s worth noting that when they first had the idea, neither of the lads had even ridden bikes before.
Now, however, they have scootered across five continents, visited 28 countries and been on the road for 445 days.
And, if all goes to plan, the pair will ride into London’s famous Ace Cafe this Saturday to complete their marathon journey.
They’ve battled -40C temperatures in Siberia, hitched rides from the police in Mexico, and overcome mechanical setbacks in Ethiopia.
The Honda, they say, has coped remarkably well, although they have managed to get through four clutches. They have broken the record for the longest journey by scooter and sidecar, and for circumnavigating the globe on such a combo.
And Matt, 27, and Reece, 26, say it’s all been worth it to hear inspiring tales first-hand from those who have experienced modern-day slavery.
Matt told the Mirror: “With each visit, we learn of a new and awful way this issue still exists, but we always leave inspired by the resourcefulness and the tenacity of the people fighting it.”
One such story came from Click, a Zimbabwean girl who found herself fighting as a guerrilla soldier. She walked away from that, even though it meant prison.
A talented artist, Click then moved to Athens, only to be trapped as a slave for two years. This incredible woman achieved her dream and escaped imprisonment against all the odds, becoming an inspiring artist and Ted talker. Valiant Click has gone on to free five other girls living in slavery – simply turning up in a taxi to rescue them before driving off!
To learn more about Matt and Reece’s expedition or to donate, visit asseenfrom thesidecar.org.