Long Way Round
This documentary series follows actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on a motorcycle trip around the world. The two friends will travel through such places as Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Alaska, before finally ending the journey in New York. The filming will be done by on board cameras and one ride along cameraman.
- 2004-2010
- 1 season
- Goldhil Entertainment
- Documentary, Action & Adventure
- TV-PG
This documentary series follows actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on a motorcycle trip around the world. The two friends will travel through such places as Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Alaska, before finally ending the journey in New York. The filming will be done by on board cameras and one ride along cameraman.
Season 1 Episode Guide
10 Episodes 2004
Episode 1
Preparation
44 mins
Ewan and Charley prepare for their adventure around the globe starting from London. Training courses are in place for a treacherous journey ahead of them.
Episode 2
Shoving Off
50 mins
The guys continue making preparations for their trip, heading to Wales for off-road motorcycle training and making last-minute plans.
Episode 3
London to Volgograd
45 mins
Further preparations for the trip as the pair settle on which motorbikes to take. The journey begins for the boys here.
Episode 4
Kazakhstan
44 mins
A twelve hour nightmare for the two as they have their first visa problems in Prague.
Episode 5
Barnaul to Western Mongolia
44 mins
Cutting through part of Russia en route to Mongolia, Ewan and Charley are happy to be on tarmac roads all the way up to Barnaul. The stunning landscape of the Altai region is a pleasant surprise. Once across the Mongolian border they quickly realize how much they will need the good-luck sacred scarf they have been presented with, when they discover Mongolia's distinct 'lack of roads'. Ewan and Charley reach a wide and bridge-less river, uncrossable by bike. The result is that they have to take a major detour round a large lake. Conditions worsen in the barren landscape; where petrol must be hand-cranked, but the children they meet along the way keep them upbeat. Ewan and his bike are helped out of mud by some locals. The challenge of sticky mud gives way to deep and unstable sand and they all keep falling off. Mixed fortunes occur in Ulaangom, where a local welder is able to mend Claudio's bike but in doing so fries the ABS. Without brakes, Claudio's bike is out of action. A US government worker helps them ship the bike to Ulaan Baatar for repair. They decide to buy a replacement bike for Claudio and settle on a Russian one. They meet up with the support crew and all stay with local family in a traditional ger. Dinner provides much amusement for the hosts as each guest in turn is given the chance to try boiled animal testicles. The next day, Claudio's new bike breaks down but good fortune has come with the better weather, some locals appear to help him. Meanwhile a hundred miles away, one of the support vehicles finds the other one lying on its side the victim of an accident. The accident and days of horrendous roads behind and in front of them cause Ewan and Charley to review the map and consider other possible routes. Both Ewan and Charley are scared and unsure and the decision to push on or give up is left unmade.
Episode 6
Western Mongolia to Yakutsk
45 mins
Pushing on despite many setbacks, they immerse themselves in the rich culture and their spirits are lifted by the kind people of Mongolia. They know that the Road of Bones lies ahead and will surely test them further.
Episode 7
Yakutsk to Magadan: The Road of Bones
45 mins
Pushing on despite many setbacks, they immerse themselves in the rich culture and their spirits are lifted by the kind people of Mongolia. They know that the Road of Bones lies ahead and will surely test them further.
Episode 8
Anchorage to Calgary
43 mins
Floods wreak havoc as the pair spend their time team working with their support team to get through the remaining few miles of Russia.
Episode 9
Calgary to New York
44 mins
On the way to Calgary, Ewan nearly loses his life as a teenager hits him from behind causing Ewan's bike to rise up uncontrollably. Ewan and Charley meet a member from the Canadian Chaos Display Team who demonstrates an array of very impressive bike stunts. The boys cross the border into the final country of their trip - the USA. Ewan and Charley visit McGinnin Meadows Ranch and enjoy an afternoon of playing at cowboys and riding horses. Moving on to Illinois, the guys stop by the Harley-Davidson factory to see some of the best bikes from the past, as well as see how the bikes of today are manufactured. The guys motor their way across to New York State, where they stop by the shop of American Chopper. It's the last night on the road, and the guys find themselves at a motel. Charley's wife and two daughters, along with Ewan's wife, sneak up on the guys. Hugs and tears follow, as they are all reunited after a gruelling 3 ½ months on the road. With the reunions and a pack of American Chopper riders behind them, Ewan and Charley drive the last leg of their incredible journey. The duo reaches Battery Park, welcomed by the Long Way Round London crew, as well as a throng of reporters and television cameramen from around the world. The end is finally here--Ewan and Charley have travelled 12,000 miles around the world. It's party time, as Ewan, Charley and the rest of the Long Way Round team celebrate at a big NYC bash. To make the journey a truly round-the-world event the guys need to get back to London. With the bikes loaded on the plane, they fly back to London and drive to the production office on Bulwer Street, where it all began in April.
Episode 10
One Year Later
50 mins
A year after their trip Ewan and Charlie take a look back at their adventure.