After an amazing journey of more than 40,000 miles, long-distance biker Mike With has today arrived in Istambul, Turkey. His epic journey began more than two years ago in Murmansk, Russia, on the most northern boundary of Europe where he was, of course, promptly arrested for spying on the nuclear submarine base.Mike and his Triumph Bonneville have had only one rule to follow - always take the road nearest to the sea. This means that he has followed the entire coastline of mainland Europe, from inside the Arctic circle to the toe of Italy and now Asia Minor.
Along the way he has fought forest fires, had offers from the real Mafia, grooved with legendary rock gods and frolicked with hippies.
His modesty about his own riding abilities (well, he is on a Bonnie, after all …) is entirely misplaced, as I can attest having joined him for a couple of days earlier this year.
You can read a diary of his journey at www.besidetheseaside.eu and I hope you may join me in leaving messages of congratulation on the completion of a most astonishing ride all, of course, done without support.
Kathy x
