REST IN PEACE JOHN PULLAN, MY FELLOW ADVENTURER.
Back in 2012, on our quest to ride from London to Sydney, the unreliability of our chosen steed, the KTM690, ensured we were always making new friends. Russia is a big country, and when you break down, things turn to custard really quickly. John Pullan (far left in the top photograph) reached out his hand to help, knowing that decision would be to his detriment. With that knowledge, he hitched up his already overloaded Yamaha Tenere 660 with ten meters of parachute cord to tow my KTM to the next city, Samara, 400 kilometers away. It was equivalent to towing my bike from London to Paris but with freeways replaced by a two-lane motocross track jammed with overloaded trucks, lurching precariously from side to side.
The tow lasted two days, and although we didn't talk, I got to know how John rode a motorcycle intimately. We had two near-death experiences. In both cases, I was a reluctant participant. In the first, John had a brain fade in the early evening, forgetting that I had no headlight on, and overtook a truck with another barreling down towards us. I spent that whole overtaking maneuver between the two trucks, neither driver knowing I was there. My protestations were loud, my words unseemly, but futile. After finally arriving in Samara and heading to a mechanic, John turned hard right across tram lines with an oncoming tram bearing down on him. The weight of my bike pulled him quickly to the ground, trapping his leg under his bike. For a fleeting moment, I thought he and his Tenere were going to the wreckers in the sky.
In the pictures below, you can see John helping his riding companion, John Midgley, by riding his bike through a flooded, washed-out road. There's also John blasting down an empty freeway near Kashgar and getting directions from some helpful Kyrgyzstan elders.
It's fitting that the top photograph featuring John with a thumbs up was taken at Mount Kailash, a symbol of spiritual significance revered by millions worldwide.
Years later, the two Johns would visit Sonia and me in Sydney, and over a beer at the Steyne Hotel by Manly Beach, we reflected on our once-in-a-lifetime adventure that changed the way we saw the world.
I was very chuffed to hear John Midgley raised the towing incident while presenting John's eulogy.
The bikes for the trip. Very different approaches to adventure.
Planning for an outback adventure in September with friends. What bike do I take.
For subscribers I'm trying to work out the best time to go live for a chat, hence the question, What part of the world are you from?
The BMW F 900 GS Enduro review is complete and currently being uploaded and will be available to members in 2 hours.
Thank you once again for your support.
Currently testing the 2024 BMW F 900 GS Enduro. I have one week left with it, any questions about the bike please post here and I will try to answer them during production of the video.
Bare with me, I'm trying to tease this out for an up coming video
What is more important to you in your new bike purchase decision
OK I'm going to try again and not give an example.
What is more important to you in your new bike purchase decision
Welcome to Motorcycle Adventure Dirtbike TV (MADTV), your go-to for the most detailed motorcycle reviews and content on YouTube to help you select the best adventure bike, thrilling motorcycle adventures, and epic adventure bike builds! Meet Dave Darcy, the shooter-producer and Editor at Large at Australian Adventure Bike Magazine. With a passion for cinematic Motorcycle Adventure documentaries, Dave has captivated millions worldwide.
Join Dave on global journeys, from the iconic London to Sydney ride to exploring the mystic trails of Nepal, tackling challenging terrains like the Road of Bones in Siberia, North Western India, Australia, and New Zealand.
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