Following in their tyre tracks

• 0 Stars.

Since Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman set off on their Long Way Round motorbike trip, literally thousands of people have followed in their tyre tracks. Many have braved it and gone it alone, while most have opted for the guided tour option. This has been great for the guided motorcycle tour industry, with tours varying from basic road riding around UK and Europe, to the more extreme with such trips as UK to China via Mongolia etc. But, has there been a little too much bravado or too little preparation? Customers of these guided tours have varied greatly in riding experience but the majority have relied totally on their guide, with no consideration for what would happen if the guide had an accident or was somehow unable to continue with the tour. It's all well and good saying that the tour would be aborted and refunds given, but the customers still need to either get to their next destination, or get home. Ewan and Charlie didn't just jump on their bikes and go. They went through a rigourous training program before they set off. They had training in first aid, security, map reading etc. They also had a support team and a large pot of money to bale themselves out whenever they may have needed it. So, why should anyone go on a long distance tour unprepared? It's not possible to offer the pots of money, but EXtra MILe Bike Tours are now not only offering Guided Bike Tours which include instruction in these skills, but are also running bespoke courses in Survival Skills, Map Reading and First Aid for Motorcyclists. Basic courses are being run in Wales and Scotland, whilst the advanced courses are run in France, Spain and Germany. EXtra MILe are seemingly filling a gap in the market preparing people for these long distance tours but also and just as importantly, whether you are planning to ride further afield or stay closer to home, either as a group or on your own, the skills learn't here will be invaluable.www.extramilebiketours.com