Actor & adventurer Charley Boorman visited Watsonian-Squire, the longest established sidecar manufacturer in the world, for an intensive training session to learn how to drive a sidecar outfit, in preparation for his forthcoming expedition.
Driving a sidecar outfit is very different to riding a motorcycle as it needs to be steered using the handlebars rather than by leaning into corners, and Watsonian have used 96 years of experience to develop an induction course for novices.
“Usually experienced motorcyclists have trouble adapting to driving and outfit, but Charley took to it like a duck to water,” comments Ben Matthews, Watsonian’s Sales Director.
Charley will be using a sidecar outfit to journey through Russia as part of his latest adventure, “By Any Means”, for which he plans to travel from Dublin in Ireland to Sydney, Australia, by any means of transport.
Located near the Cotswold market town of Moreton-in-Marsh in the Heart of England, Watsonian Squire has been manufacturing sidecars since 1912 and is one of only a dozen remaining major manufacturers, yet has a full order book for its range of classic styles and modern designs from customers around the world.
Watsonian provided Charley with a 500cc Royal Enfield paired with a GP Manx sidecar, which is an ideal combination to develop the skills required to pilot an outfit.
The team will set off on their journey in April and return in August and “By Any Means” be shown on BBC2 this autumn.
TO find out more, you can contact Watsonian-Squire by calling
01386 700907 or by looking on their site
www.watsonian-squire.com.
