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PRESENTERS
Our Presenter list for 2023 is building. watch this space for announcements - there'll be some surprises!
(click each image for more information)
Heather Sinclair
We're delighted that Heather will be joining us in 2023, and thankful to her bike, which has failed catastrophically in Colombia, making it possible for her to be in the UK and not still riding the Americas! Her excellent book, about riding solo from Indonesia to the UK, is just brilliant and you'll be able to meet her and grab a copy, but she'll be talking about riding Trans America Trail at this year's Event. And maybe India too!
Supported by Dunlop Tyres
No matter how you like to ride, there’s a Dunlop tyre that’s perfect for you and your bike. Ever since John Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre in 1888, Dunlop have been at the forefront of tyre technology. They never stop trying to improve riders’ grip, control and safety. Continually developing new technologies they have an incredible range of tyres to suit every kind of adventure and touring machine. All new technologies are thoroughly tried and tested in racing conditions so you can concentrate on nothing but the road ahead. And just ride.
Ted Simon
We're delighted that he has confirmed his attendance again in 2023! He's Ted. He’s Jupiter. He really needs no introduction, but he and his Triumph are the reason thousands have saddled-up and set off to explore the world.
If you haven't read 'Jupiter's Travels' or 'Riding High' about his 4-year RTW ride in the 1970s, you really should...
Despite having just celebrated his 92nd birthdayTed is determined to join us again at this year’s Overland Event. He calls it his favourite travel event of all and we usually ensure he's accompanied by both of his round-the-world motorcycles.
If you haven't read 'Jupiter's Travels' or 'Riding High' about his 4-year RTW ride in the 1970s, you really should...
Despite having just celebrated his 92nd birthdayTed is determined to join us again at this year’s Overland Event. He calls it his favourite travel event of all and we usually ensure he's accompanied by both of his round-the-world motorcycles.
Stergios & Alexandra
At this year´s Overland Event, Stergios & Alexandra are back to share with us their stories from what was supposed to be the second leg of their RTW ride on their Vespa scooter. They're flying in from Greece and will tell us everything about the changes of plans, routes and moods due to engine breakdowns, border closures, harsh climates, an unexpected pandemic(!). Even tasty food and good company altered their plans! They will also answer any questions (Q&A) about how life on the road, how it is to travel on a budget (a really tight one), how it is to wait two years for borders to re-open and how to remain optimistic and how is to keep on travelling RTW without breaking any records. If you haven't read their book about the Africa leg of their journey, you really should: it's called Rice and Dirt.
Markus Mayer
Round the world on a scooter? You betcha! Markus Mayer has a massive following as 'La Vida Vespa' and although recently returned to his native Germany he's saddling up again to come to Oxford and tell us all about his marathon trip on 10" wheels. Infact, he's decided to ride to Oxford via Nord Kapp on his 75cc two stroke scoot...
Walter Colebatch
A pioneer of overland routes in Siberia, Walter Colebatch takes extreme overlanding to another level. He's perhaps most famous for the 2012 Sibirsky Extreme Project, which became a DVD and book. Having spent much of 2011 researching and mapping an off-road route from Eastern Europe to the Pacific, his team of 3 set off to ride it. Into the unknown...
Mark Ball and Richard Hall
These guys went down a storm last year and shouldn't be missed! Somewhat awed by the presenters they were going to see at the 2018 Overland Event, Mark & Richard felt it a bit of a cop-out to drive to Oxford up the M4 in an hour and a half.
Instead they plotted an “Overland” route, avoiding tarmac whenever possible. Travelling the many and varied green roads our beautiful country has to offer, getting to the event became an event itself.
Since then they have plotted routes to various events and locations and extended them into multi day trips. If a year off work and crossing the Sahara is proving difficult to fit into your schedule, then think smaller. Learn how, using phone friendly GPS route-planning and navigation apps, online resources and other easily available info, they piece together a route picking up as many of the UK’s “green roads” as possible to create a “mini adventure” you could complete in a day, a weekend, or even longer!
Instead they plotted an “Overland” route, avoiding tarmac whenever possible. Travelling the many and varied green roads our beautiful country has to offer, getting to the event became an event itself.
Since then they have plotted routes to various events and locations and extended them into multi day trips. If a year off work and crossing the Sahara is proving difficult to fit into your schedule, then think smaller. Learn how, using phone friendly GPS route-planning and navigation apps, online resources and other easily available info, they piece together a route picking up as many of the UK’s “green roads” as possible to create a “mini adventure” you could complete in a day, a weekend, or even longer!
Ken McGreevy
We first met Ken about 12 years ago in his native Ireland when he was about to set off east on a GT550 Kawasaki, because it’s the bike he had at the time. He consequently wrecked that machine in the Kazakhstan desert while racing to make a presentation to the UN. Yes really… Since then he’s travelled where and when he can and as we write this he's on his current bike, an Africa Twin, and heading north through the Americas on a very important and touching mission. With luck he'll tell you about it and celebrate his friendships from the road. Ken is a copper and what you’ll realise during his presentation is that it's a career that teaches you many things, like knowing how to get un-arrested from the most bizarre situations. On almost every continent it seems. Sure what’s travel if it’s not a bit of craic?
Dr Sasha Carter
Sasha is an Intensive Care Doctor who has spent many years in A&E, but has also travelled alot, whether by bike or not. We are delighted that she's going to be joining us, running a workshop on how to prepare for a road trip, what to take in terms of first aid kit and how to deal with common ailments on the road. She'll look at dealing with some trauma too, using stories from Sam Manicom, Geoff Hill, Nick Sanders and many others to cover the important topics. But before you ask, no, this isn't a first aid course like BikerDown.
James and Chloe
Having been couped up during the Covid years, Chloe and James set off in 2022 with the mission to visit every country in Europe accessible by land, on two Royal Enfield Himalayans. With limited experience and even less money, they (more or less) completed the goal in four months visiting 35 countries and riding 15,000 miles in the process.
Two former chefs, they set out looking for adventure and they certainly found it. Whilst James had been riding for a few years, Chloe only obtained her A2 licence 3 months before departure! It was a steep learning curve but the two settled in well to life on the road and are already planning the next big trip. Their focus is on what is possible with sufficient willpower and teamwork. If these guys can do it, anyone can.
Two former chefs, they set out looking for adventure and they certainly found it. Whilst James had been riding for a few years, Chloe only obtained her A2 licence 3 months before departure! It was a steep learning curve but the two settled in well to life on the road and are already planning the next big trip. Their focus is on what is possible with sufficient willpower and teamwork. If these guys can do it, anyone can.
Supported by Dunlop Tyres
No matter how you like to ride, there’s a Dunlop tyre that’s perfect for you and your bike. Ever since John Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre in 1888, Dunlop have been at the forefront of tyre technology. They never stop trying to improve riders’ grip, control and safety. Continually developing new technologies they have an incredible range of tyres to suit every kind of adventure and touring machine. All new technologies are thoroughly tried and tested in racing conditions so you can concentrate on nothing but the road ahead. And just ride.
Richard Georgiou
Richard and his trusty Transalp have created the 'One Man on a Bike' serries of books, from his first in 2014 about heading south to the Sahara, to his most recent, published in 2021. Riding all over Europe and North Africa, he readily admits to being something of a hapless traveller...
Despite not having ‘much upstairs’ and not being able to touch the ground (even on tippy toes - his words) he gets out and does it anyway. Come and hear him rambling on about getting it wrong, getting lost, big bike little legs, and his latest book, Morocco Bound.
Despite not having ‘much upstairs’ and not being able to touch the ground (even on tippy toes - his words) he gets out and does it anyway. Come and hear him rambling on about getting it wrong, getting lost, big bike little legs, and his latest book, Morocco Bound.
Lisa and Simon Thomas
Since 2003 when they first left the UK on a BMW R1150GSA and an F650GS, Simon and Lisa Thomas have ridden something like half a million miles through 78 countries, breaking records and more than a few bones along the way.
In 2016 their original bikes were upgraded to a BMW R1200GSA LC for Simon and an F800GS for Lisa, which they’ve been riding around Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and the USA. But Covid brought them back to the UK where they are temporarily stationed, preparing to get back out there and continue their quest to ride through 122 countries and on all seven continents.
We’re thrilled that they are to be part of the Overland Event this year. We hope they'll tell some remarkable stories, while they'll also be running some photography sessions and Lisa will be cooking up something really special: an on-the-road cookery workshop!
Find out more about their mammoth trip here
In 2016 their original bikes were upgraded to a BMW R1200GSA LC for Simon and an F800GS for Lisa, which they’ve been riding around Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and the USA. But Covid brought them back to the UK where they are temporarily stationed, preparing to get back out there and continue their quest to ride through 122 countries and on all seven continents.
We’re thrilled that they are to be part of the Overland Event this year. We hope they'll tell some remarkable stories, while they'll also be running some photography sessions and Lisa will be cooking up something really special: an on-the-road cookery workshop!
Find out more about their mammoth trip here
Richard and Mopsa English
A remarkable couple, Richard and Mopsa English rode their Triumph sidecar outfit around the world in the 1980s and did their utmost to remain patriotic throughout, but times were changing. The factory they bought their bike from went bust while they were on the road and parts became increasingly difficult to get. Wars ensued and empires shrank still further, but their story is a brilliant one and the book it produced – Full Circle – is superb.
As well as having some great tales to tell, they will be accompanied by Tommy, their poor abused Triumph. Come and meet all three!
As well as having some great tales to tell, they will be accompanied by Tommy, their poor abused Triumph. Come and meet all three!
Esa Aldegheri
When Esa and her husband left their home in Orkney, she didn't know that their eighteen-month motorbike adventure would take them through twenty international frontiers – between Europe and the Middle East, through Pakistan, China and India – many of which are now impassable. Charting a story of shrinking and expanding liberties and horizons, of motherhood, xenophobia and changing geopolitical situations, her book Free to Go examines the challenges of navigating a world where many assume that women ride pillion, on motorbikes and in relationships.
Esa Aldegheri is a multilingual poet, writer and academic, who has a PhD in Migration Studies. Her poetry has been read on Radio 4 and Radio Scotland and features in several anthologies. She speaks Italian, French, Spanish and Arabic as well as English and we are delighted she’ll be with us at this year’s Event.
Esa Aldegheri is a multilingual poet, writer and academic, who has a PhD in Migration Studies. Her poetry has been read on Radio 4 and Radio Scotland and features in several anthologies. She speaks Italian, French, Spanish and Arabic as well as English and we are delighted she’ll be with us at this year’s Event.
Fern Hume
Although Fern's epic global ride aboard her DRZ400 began back in 2011, now that she's back in the UK she hasn't stopped travelling. Now though, she's been exploring the world on micro adventures, setting a £1000 budget and seeing where in the world she can get to, hire a bike and ride until the money runs out. You'll be amazed at what's possible! It's a 'grand idea'.
Chris Donaldson
Chris set off from Belfast in 1979 to get away from The Troubles and ride to Australia. He went the wrong way. Instead, serendipity took him and his Moto Guzzi Le Mans (yes really!) down Africa overland, back up to Europe oversea, and then down the Americas overland again until his health and money was exhausted. Setting off just after Ted Simon got back, the world was a rapidly changing place and he had one hell of an experience. You can hear all about his youthful exuberance and grab his book ‘Going the Wrong Way’. He was always determined to 'Go the Right Way' so set off from The Event in 2021 to ride to Australia as he'd already planned, on the same bike. He has made it, but his bike is still in Melbourne, so come along and hear how it went!
Sam Manicom
Sam’s first solo trip was by bicycle into Europe when he was 16. Many backpacking, hiking, cycling, sailing and hitch-hiking journeys later, he wanted to do something completely different, so set off to travel the length of Africa on ‘Libby’, his BMW R80 GS, only a few weeks after first learning to ride a motorcycle.
What he’d planned as a one-year trip turned into an eight-year, 200,000 mile, 55-country adventure around the world. 4 years into the trip he met Birgit and they began to ride together, she with only 600 motorcycling miles under her belt!
His four books Into Africa, Under Asian Skies, Distant Suns and Tortillas to Totems vividly describe that epic journey.
He’s also a contributor and an editor of The Moment Collectors: Twenty Travellers Tales from Around the World. You’ll find several of the overlanding nuts who are contributing authors, at the Overland Event this year, where Sam will be presenting and running a workshop on what’s involved with getting sponsorship for your trip.
What he’d planned as a one-year trip turned into an eight-year, 200,000 mile, 55-country adventure around the world. 4 years into the trip he met Birgit and they began to ride together, she with only 600 motorcycling miles under her belt!
His four books Into Africa, Under Asian Skies, Distant Suns and Tortillas to Totems vividly describe that epic journey.
He’s also a contributor and an editor of The Moment Collectors: Twenty Travellers Tales from Around the World. You’ll find several of the overlanding nuts who are contributing authors, at the Overland Event this year, where Sam will be presenting and running a workshop on what’s involved with getting sponsorship for your trip.
Max Jowett
If you managed to see Max last year you'll have heard about his ride down West Africa and why he was home without his bike... Well he's been back out there and now we're ready for CRF in Africa; the sequel! Max is probably known to you as the guy who used to run TravelDri outdoor equipment, but he's incredibly widely travelled and has led mountaineering expeditions to the Annapurna region of Nepal among other things. He enjoys winter mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, and 23 years ago set up a charity called Wheels 2 Work in the South West.
It’s a motorcycle loan programme for disadvantaged people, that stretched over five counties and had nearly 300 motorcycles on the road helping isolated people access work and education. He also ran two motorcycle dealerships investing all of the profits back into local communities through Wheels 2 Work.
It’s a motorcycle loan programme for disadvantaged people, that stretched over five counties and had nearly 300 motorcycles on the road helping isolated people access work and education. He also ran two motorcycle dealerships investing all of the profits back into local communities through Wheels 2 Work.
In association with Dunlop Tyres
No matter how you like to ride, there’s a Dunlop tyre that’s perfect for you and your bike. Ever since John Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre in 1888, Dunlop have been at the forefront of tyre technology. They never stop trying to improve riders’ grip, control and safety. Continually developing new technologies they have an incredible range of tyres to suit every kind of adventure and touring machine. All new technologies are thoroughly tried and tested in racing conditions so you can concentrate on nothing but the road ahead. And just ride.
Lisa Morris and Jason Spafford
Longtime regular contributors to Overland Magazine, Lisa and Jason are back in the country and coming back to The Event!
Having hung up their scuba diving fins after a decade, they motorcycled 80,000 miles from Antarctica to the Arctic taking almost five years. Jason is a photographer and filmmaker. Lisa tells tales from the trails, inspiring people to preserve the wild places left in the world and get out there.
They've been HiLuxing round Europe since 2018 but are now preparing to get back on two wheels in the autumn with a couple of KTMs, heading back down the Americas before riding back up Africa.
Their short film of 5 years in the Americas will be shown at The Event!
Having hung up their scuba diving fins after a decade, they motorcycled 80,000 miles from Antarctica to the Arctic taking almost five years. Jason is a photographer and filmmaker. Lisa tells tales from the trails, inspiring people to preserve the wild places left in the world and get out there.
They've been HiLuxing round Europe since 2018 but are now preparing to get back on two wheels in the autumn with a couple of KTMs, heading back down the Americas before riding back up Africa.
Their short film of 5 years in the Americas will be shown at The Event!
Billy Ward
We featured Billy in Overland Magazine back in 2018 and have been trying to get him to The Event for years, but he's always on the road!
He's travelled just about everywhere, making films and working with Charley Boorman to lead trips in Africa and Australia. He's a helluva storyteller and will be talking about his amazing ride through Iraq a few years ago.
You can read our article about him here
He's travelled just about everywhere, making films and working with Charley Boorman to lead trips in Africa and Australia. He's a helluva storyteller and will be talking about his amazing ride through Iraq a few years ago.
You can read our article about him here
Glynn Roberts
At the age of 21 Glynn broke down on his first trip abroad in Italy. No return ticket, next to no money (not even for a prized sticker for the bike), he rode the 1,500 miles back in four days at 30mph to save fuel money, living on 30 pears and a homemade loaf of bread!
The experience didn’t deter him, but rather it gave him the confidence to take on more adventurous challenges and trips, culminating in a 3 year round the world ride 6 years later.
In 2018 he made an impromptu trip to visit his niece in Mongolia on his 37 year-old BMW R80 G/S.
He’s continued the breakdown theme over the years, breaking down on every continent, narrowly making the trip home from Mongolia last year.
Glynn’s presentation is not an A to Z on how to do anything. But he does have some photos and a bunch of slightly bonkers stories from his trip to Mongolia and back.
The experience didn’t deter him, but rather it gave him the confidence to take on more adventurous challenges and trips, culminating in a 3 year round the world ride 6 years later.
In 2018 he made an impromptu trip to visit his niece in Mongolia on his 37 year-old BMW R80 G/S.
He’s continued the breakdown theme over the years, breaking down on every continent, narrowly making the trip home from Mongolia last year.
Glynn’s presentation is not an A to Z on how to do anything. But he does have some photos and a bunch of slightly bonkers stories from his trip to Mongolia and back.
Jocke Selin
At The Overland Event this year Jocke will be sharing his knowledge about maintenance, emergency repairs, tools and other tidbits, because he believes that everyone is capable of servicing and maintaining their vehicles.
He’ll cover situations you need to expect (puncture, fall, water ingestion), how to prop your bike up on the trail as well as servicing on the road and how to build the right toolkit. But he might include some other packing tips-n-tricks at the end.
Jocke has been tinkering with mechanical things all his life, be it bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles or cars. He loves sharing his knowledge and has been writing several online pieces about motorbikes, kit, tips and travel. He’s also a regular contributor to Overland Magazine!
The best thing he knows is just getting on his motorbike to head wherever the curves take him. He’s been skulking around Europe for 20 years, be it Nürburgring, Portugal, The Alps, Eastern Europe or the Nordic countries. The feeling is even better when Caz, his fiancé, is riding nearby.
He’ll cover situations you need to expect (puncture, fall, water ingestion), how to prop your bike up on the trail as well as servicing on the road and how to build the right toolkit. But he might include some other packing tips-n-tricks at the end.
Jocke has been tinkering with mechanical things all his life, be it bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles or cars. He loves sharing his knowledge and has been writing several online pieces about motorbikes, kit, tips and travel. He’s also a regular contributor to Overland Magazine!
The best thing he knows is just getting on his motorbike to head wherever the curves take him. He’s been skulking around Europe for 20 years, be it Nürburgring, Portugal, The Alps, Eastern Europe or the Nordic countries. The feeling is even better when Caz, his fiancé, is riding nearby.
Matt Booth
Matt didn't have a proper motorbike licence when he decided to ride from New Zealand to the UK. Some would argue he still doesn't.
Leaving a comfortable life in Middle Earth to join the great unwashed on the road was supposed to be the culmination of a long-held dream. The reality was a mismanaged farce that illustrated the best way not to travel.
He'll tell the story, but be warned, he can do things with a flip-flop that you wouldn't imagine...
Leaving a comfortable life in Middle Earth to join the great unwashed on the road was supposed to be the culmination of a long-held dream. The reality was a mismanaged farce that illustrated the best way not to travel.
He'll tell the story, but be warned, he can do things with a flip-flop that you wouldn't imagine...
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