R5K members go the extra mile
Over the last year, MCN has showcased normal people doing abnormal things. Here are five of our favourites
1 ‘We’re riding a scooter and sidecar around the world!’ Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes, Honda SH300
Best mates Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes are currently 22,000 miles and 10 months into riding a scooter and sidecar around the world. “We’re halfway round now and have been through 26 countries, which is further than we thought we would get,” Matt told MCN from America. “Before this trip neither of us had really ridden a motorcycle so it has been a huge adventure and took 18 months of planning,” he added. The pair have ridden through Europe and Africa before shipping the bike to South America and riding their way up to Texas.
“Riding a normal bike around the world has been done loads,” explained Matt. “We wanted to be different. We bought a Honda SH300 and then a bloke in a shed made us a sidecar and off we went. We think the bike rides well, but it has been hammered and fixed by us and the handling has certainly deteriorated as the miles have racked up, but you just get used to it. We have been through four clutches so far, the most memorable breakdown was in Ethiopia when one failed in the middle of a carnival.”
The pair are also using the trip to increase awareness about modern slavery and are visiting charities and raising money while en route, not to mention setting a few records. “There is a record for distance ridden on a scooter fitted with a sidecar, which is 5000 miles, so we’ve already smashed that one,” added Matt. “And no-one has circumnavigated the world on one before, so if we finish that’s two records at least.”
And the two adventurers have simple advice for fellow members looking at taking on a big trip. “Don’t plan it, just do it! The fun is in winging it and seeing where you end up,” said Matt.
You can follow their progress and leave a donation at www. asseenfromthesidecar.org