Nick Laing

My first overland journey was from London to Singapore in 1975 by Range Rover which gradually shook itself to bits, regurgitating the last piece of gear box in a pool of oil just across The Causeway. In 2005, by coincidence the 30th anniversary, I completed an 8,500 mile journey by a motorbike from London to Vladivostok (www.northcrownriders.com) with Johnny Raymond. The idea of circum riding the Mediterranean has been festering ever since but the real thanks go to my wife Katya for indulging my spirit of travel beyond the ordinary. When not in Russia or riding motorbikes, I can be found at Steppes Travel which I co-founded in 1989. We specialise in tailor made travel to many of the countries we will visit on this journey.

If any visitor is interested in replicating this journey and would like it set up for them, you can contact me at: nick@steppestravel.co.uk

Myles Sandys

Having educated five children, married off one daughter and paid for the wife's Moroccan residence, an impoverished Cumbrian bumpkin felt a mid life crisis coming on and needed an adventure with similar like minded old farts. To really cheese off one's family, the purchase of a motorbike, some tattoos and a beard is sure to do it.

Nick Hanbury-Williams

The gears of the world are being thrown into mesh. Naturally the grinding is loud and long, a grinding in the medium of economic depressions, dictatorships, strikes, and readjustments. Not until we get to understand the other fellow's point of view, his picture, and his problems, will the grinding cease.

Robert Fulton, One Man Caravan, a motorcycle trip around the world, 1932

Tim von Halle

Tim von Halle is 53 years old and has been a biker since the age of sixteen.

He went to Harrow, then attended the University of Madrid and has spent the last 30 years as a banker, working in the City. Nearly four years ago he was part of the White Nights team which rode BMWs from Vladivostok to St Petersburg and on to London, about 10,000 miles, a similar distance to this Mediterranean trip (and raising nearly one million US Dollars for charities).

Tim is raising money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Vic Norman

I like to describe myself as a modern day BARNSTORMER and entertainer, I fly 450 h.p Stearman Biplanes with young ladies standing on the top wing.

I started flying in 1965 and have completed over 2000 public air displays. Motor cycling is another passion but up to know I have only been on Vintage and Veteran Motorcycles,my favourite bike is a 1913 FLYING MERKEL it has one speed, no brakes to speak off and will do over 70 M.P.H. It was found in New Mexico in an Emerald mine with the back wheel off and use to run the generater to provide lighting. It was discovered by the late BUD EKINS who did the jump for Steve McQueen in the GREAT ESCAPE.

Vic's married to Anne and has 3 children and 7 grand children and they all love flying. With 4 other pilots in the family a trip in an Biplane is nothing special, but it sure beats working.

Charlie Brocket

Lord Brocket, more commonly known as Charlie Brocket, was educated at Eton, trained as an architect and then served five years in the 14th/20th King’s Hussars, serving in Northern Ireland, the Middle East and Far East. He inherited the semi-derelict forty-six bedroomed family seat, Brocket Hall, in 1971 and turned it into the premier high-level conference and golfing venue in Europe. Charlie has been rallying, racing and writing about cars since 1980 but his legendary collection of over forty historic Ferraris and Maseratis led to some unexpected events and a spell in some of Her Majesty’s less salubrious hotels, leaving the final one on a Harley Fatboy to escape the paparazzi. Active in the House of Lords for thirty years, Charlie’s subsequent autobiography was a best seller. He founded Brocket Hall Foods in 2007 and is now best known for his candid TV appearances and his writing. Always a keen biker, Charlie will this time be riding the new Harley Ultra-Glide.