Fans know Ewan McGregor for his acting career spanning over 25 years with such films as “Moulin Rouge” and the “Star Wars” prequels. McGregor is also known in the travel and motorcycle world for his incredible bike collection and his international motorcycle road trips. Ewan McGregor’s love for motorcycles began while he was a child growing up in Crieff, Scotland. His interest only increased when he could legally ride one. While filming the “Serpent’s Kiss” in 1997, Ewan met Charley Boorman, a fellow actor and co-star that shared Ewan’s love of bikes. It started as a crazy idea as they discussed how one could travel across the world from London to the US through the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Alaska, and Canada on motorcycles. The 20,000-mile trip could be taken with only a few deviations by train and plane.
McGregor could not let the idea go, but there were many obstacles to be considered. He needed to clear his filming schedule. For an actor that averages about 2 film projects each year, this was no easy task. Adding to the complications, McGregor was not allowed to ride a bike while working on a film due to insurance issues, a rule he often criticized during interviews. As a result, he would be coming into the project without a lot of long-distance trip experience. They also needed to find sponsorships, bikes, gear, trip coordinators, and support crews. In 2004, they overcame all of these obstacles, got on their BMW Motorcycles, and embarked on their 4-month journey, the “Long Way Round.” The trip was filmed in part through helmet cameras and included video diaries documenting their struggles and accomplishments throughout the 4-month trip.
Once home, they planned the release of the documentary series, and Boorman and McGregor wrote a book about the experience. The series and book were well received by travel and motorcycle enthusiasts as well as those drawn to the project because of McGregor’s involvement. It was a winning formula, and fans hoped they might see more adventures from the duo. They did not disappoint. In 2007, they went the “Long Way Down” and traveled from Scotland to South Africa, ending their trip in Cape Town.
Fans of the series were clamoring for more adventures but after 12 years it seemed McGregor was done traveling the world. However, he and Charley were looking for one last trip. And, of course, they needed to round out their adventures by going the “Long Way Up.” This time they traveled 7,000 miles from Argentina to California on electric Harley Davidson Livewire bikes. Unlike the two previous trips, “Long Way Up” was kept relatively quiet. One particular challenge they faced on their latest trip was where to charge their Harleys. McGregor noted in an interview with Jimmy Fallon earlier this year that they relied on the kindness of strangers that let them into their homes to charge the bikes. While little else is known about the specific challenges they faced in this most recent trip, it is certain to be entertaining. Last week fans waiting for the documentary series finally got some good news as it was announced that Apple TV+ would carry it. A release date is expected soon.
The adventure series may be just what is needed for home entertainment right now as travel is limited due to COVID-19. We can share in their adventures as they explore native customs, cuisine (including sheep testicles), landmarks, and wildlife. All the while they visit strangers’ homes and often sleep in tents along the way. During these trips, McGregor, a Good Will Ambassador for UNICEF, visits their outposts where he meets with staff and discusses the health and political problems the native people face. McGregor and Boorman face their own political and safety issues traveling in areas where travel visas were hard to obtain and where political unrest and crime still plague the population. Along the way, McGregor signs the occasional autograph when he was recognized, but mostly he is able to blend in with the people they meet. We see Boorman and McGregor unscripted with emotional moments, hilarity, and struggles. To name a few, bikes break down, McGregor is hit by a car and bit by a dangerous insect, they deal with extreme weather conditions and dangerous terrain, Boorman gets ill, and their crew has a car accident. Yet they persisted.
McGregor and Boorman’s adventures make the world feel larger and provide a greater appreciation for the global community in which we live. They do so in an accessible and entertaining style that has generated cult followers and fans around the globe.
Both books, “Long Way Round” and “Long Way Down”, are available on Amazon. Currently, the series is not streaming on Prime. The 1st trip documentary, “Long Way Round,” is available for free on Daily Motion.com. The Ewan McGregor Fan Event Appearances and Projects Watch is screening both seasons over the course of 3 weeks. Screenings will be held in 4 parts on July 28, 30th and August 11th and 13th. For more information visit the Ewan McGregor Project Watch Facebook page or email.
Written by Michelle Haab
