For the motorbike enthusiast, Long Way Round is a must-watch. It relates the experiences of two friends who bike from London to New York through the width of Western Europe, Central and Eastern Asia, and North America. By means of this journey, the show also serves as a travelogue by featuring the diversity in natural relief and societal culture across the land while also stressing the virtuous commonalities in all humanity. Very real emotional moments and doubts about their endeavour's success are captured on film along with various funny and memorable encounters with the local populace. The multiple cameras and the protagonists' daily diaries give the audience a true sense of the magnitude of their task, the frustrations and challenges the pair face, as well as their ultimately optimistic outlook despite all their trials and tribulations. And this is all accomplished without losing that sense of it being just two friends who like biking and wanted to have a grand adventure!
That said, Long Way Round does have a few shortcomings that should be pointed out. Much of the journey through Western Europe is glossed over, and the North American jaunt reduces the general touristic appeal in a favour of a zoom in on the biking hobby. Important aspects like Charley's injury are never alluded to after an initial mention. There are some poor decisions made during the preparation phase, like not giving adequate thought as to how to best load the bikes, a failing which could have proved catastrophic to their venture. The final retrospective episode doesn't add much value to the series, being mostly comprised of shots from previous episodes. Also, while I don't fully agree, more critical observers may contend that the presence of a full support team in constant close contact with the bikers reduces the charm of the depicted undertaking and takes the show into more reality TV territory, especially considering that the duo are treated as celebrities rather than ordinary individuals.
But those criticisms notwithstanding, Long Way Round is a charming show that can appeal to both bikers and travel lovers. Its production and release was a big reason for the boom in adventure biking at the time of airing and it continues to inspire people today.
That said, Long Way Round does have a few shortcomings that should be pointed out. Much of the journey through Western Europe is glossed over, and the North American jaunt reduces the general touristic appeal in a favour of a zoom in on the biking hobby. Important aspects like Charley's injury are never alluded to after an initial mention. There are some poor decisions made during the preparation phase, like not giving adequate thought as to how to best load the bikes, a failing which could have proved catastrophic to their venture. The final retrospective episode doesn't add much value to the series, being mostly comprised of shots from previous episodes. Also, while I don't fully agree, more critical observers may contend that the presence of a full support team in constant close contact with the bikers reduces the charm of the depicted undertaking and takes the show into more reality TV territory, especially considering that the duo are treated as celebrities rather than ordinary individuals.
But those criticisms notwithstanding, Long Way Round is a charming show that can appeal to both bikers and travel lovers. Its production and release was a big reason for the boom in adventure biking at the time of airing and it continues to inspire people today.