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PRESENTERS
Our Presenter list for 2023 is building. watch this space as more confirm; there'll be some surprises!
(click each image for more information)
Mary Sievier
Mary Sievier (aka "Mary Motorcycle") bought a BSA Bantam to ride to Russia, but they wouldn't give her a visa, so in 1967 she decided to ride to India instead. Off she set across Europe with £80, stopping to work in Istanbul to accumulate more funds, before heading on to Afghanistan, where she remained for two years. Having carried on from India across to East Africa, down to South Africa before shipping to Australia to complete a 'rounder' of Highway No.1 years before it was paved. After visiting all of New Zealand she shipped to Singapore and rode all over Malaysia, Thailand, into and out of Laos and thence to Hong Kong. She finished the world trip by riding across the States, arriving back in the UK in 1976. Because of limited funds, Mary also worked in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Last year you gave Mary a standing ovation and she hadn't even told half of her incredible story. As well as hearing her remarkable tale you'll be able to see the little restored Bantam that she rode, which will be gracing the Bike Show this year.
Supported by Dunlop Tyres
No matter how you like to ride, there’s a Dunlop tyre that’s perfect for you and your bike. Ever since John Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre in 1888, Dunlop have been at the forefront of tyre technology. They never stop trying to improve riders’ grip, control and safety. Continually developing new technologies they have an incredible range of tyres to suit every kind of adventure and touring machine. All new technologies are thoroughly tried and tested in racing conditions so you can concentrate on nothing but the road ahead. And just ride.
James and Chloe
Having been couped up during the Covid years, Chloe and James set off in 2022 with the mission to visit every country in Europe accessible by land, on two Royal Enfield Himalayans. With limited experience and even less money, they (more or less) completed the goal in four months visiting 35 countries and riding 15,000 miles in the process.
Two former chefs, they set out looking for adventure and they certainly found it. Whilst James had been riding for a few years, Chloe only obtained her A2 licence 3 months before departure! It was a steep learning curve but the two settled in well to life on the road and are already planning the next big trip. Their focus is on what is possible with sufficient willpower and teamwork. If these guys can do it, anyone can.
Two former chefs, they set out looking for adventure and they certainly found it. Whilst James had been riding for a few years, Chloe only obtained her A2 licence 3 months before departure! It was a steep learning curve but the two settled in well to life on the road and are already planning the next big trip. Their focus is on what is possible with sufficient willpower and teamwork. If these guys can do it, anyone can.
Ted Simon
We're delighted that he has confirmed his attendance again in 2023! He's Ted. He’s Jupiter. He really needs no introduction, but he and his Triumph are the reason thousands have saddled-up and set off to explore the world.
If you haven't read 'Jupiter's Travels' or 'Riding High' about his 4-year RTW ride in the 1970s, you really should...
Despite having just celebrated his 92nd birthdayTed is determined to join us again at this year’s Overland Event. He calls it his favourite travel event of all and we usually ensure he's accompanied by both of his round-the-world motorcycles.
If you haven't read 'Jupiter's Travels' or 'Riding High' about his 4-year RTW ride in the 1970s, you really should...
Despite having just celebrated his 92nd birthdayTed is determined to join us again at this year’s Overland Event. He calls it his favourite travel event of all and we usually ensure he's accompanied by both of his round-the-world motorcycles.
Steph Jeavons
Since her big send-off from the Ace Cafe in London five years ago, Steph Jeavons has travelled around the world on her Honda called Rhonda and ridden on all seven continents.
Steph will be telling the story of that incredible adventure at this year’s Overland Event.
With any luck her amazing book about the whole experience will be available too. An inspirational, and incredibly entertaining, presenter you won't want to miss.
Steph will be telling the story of that incredible adventure at this year’s Overland Event.
With any luck her amazing book about the whole experience will be available too. An inspirational, and incredibly entertaining, presenter you won't want to miss.
Mark Ball and Richard Hall
These guys went down a storm last year and shouldn't be missed! Somewhat awed by the presenters they were going to see at the 2018 Overland Event, Mark & Richard felt it a bit of a cop-out to drive to Oxford up the M4 in an hour and a half.
Instead they plotted an “Overland” route, avoiding tarmac whenever possible. Travelling the many and varied green roads our beautiful country has to offer, getting to the event became an event itself.
Since then they have plotted routes to various events and locations and extended them into multi day trips. If a year off work and crossing the Sahara is proving difficult to fit into your schedule, then think smaller. Learn how, using phone friendly GPS route-planning and navigation apps, online resources and other easily available info, they piece together a route picking up as many of the UK’s “green roads” as possible to create a “mini adventure” you could complete in a day, a weekend, or even longer!
Instead they plotted an “Overland” route, avoiding tarmac whenever possible. Travelling the many and varied green roads our beautiful country has to offer, getting to the event became an event itself.
Since then they have plotted routes to various events and locations and extended them into multi day trips. If a year off work and crossing the Sahara is proving difficult to fit into your schedule, then think smaller. Learn how, using phone friendly GPS route-planning and navigation apps, online resources and other easily available info, they piece together a route picking up as many of the UK’s “green roads” as possible to create a “mini adventure” you could complete in a day, a weekend, or even longer!
Ken McGreevy
We first met Ken about 12 years ago in his native Ireland when he was about to set off east on a GT550 Kawasaki, because it’s the bike he had at the time. He consequently wrecked that machine in the Kazakhstan desert while racing to make a presentation to the UN. Yes really… Since then he’s travelled where and when he can and as we write this he's on his current bike, an Africa Twin, and heading north through the Americas on a very important and touching mission. With luck he'll tell you about it and celebrate his friendships from the road. Ken is a copper and what you’ll realise during his presentation is that it's a career that teaches you many things, like knowing how to get un-arrested from the most bizarre situations. On almost every continent it seems. Sure what’s travel if it’s not a bit of craic?
Supported by Dunlop Tyres
No matter how you like to ride, there’s a Dunlop tyre that’s perfect for you and your bike. Ever since John Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre in 1888, Dunlop have been at the forefront of tyre technology. They never stop trying to improve riders’ grip, control and safety. Continually developing new technologies they have an incredible range of tyres to suit every kind of adventure and touring machine. All new technologies are thoroughly tried and tested in racing conditions so you can concentrate on nothing but the road ahead. And just ride.
Claire Elsdon
Claire Elsdon is a recovering banker who, in 2012, quit her City stock-broking job to ride her Suzuki DRZ solo the length of Africa. You could say it changed her life…
Having lived for the best part of a decade immersed in the highly competitive, often brutal world of the trading floor, Claire was keen to re-examine her beliefs about how the world really worked and what her role is within it should be.
She ended up in Malawi on a voluntary placement and was confronted by the shockingly high casualty rate of motorcycle taxi-riders and their passengers. This led to her running motorcycle maintenance and road safety classes for a microloan charity which had a fleet of 80 knackered Yamaha DTs. By the end of that the running costs of the charity had been reduced by 60%.
Ultimately she moved to Tanzania and established the Pikilily movement, a community-based organisation empowering and training local women to ride motorcycles and earn an income by serving their communities as safe motorcycle taxi riders. In addition, these women voluntarily run training sessions for the community in safe motorcycling, reducing crash rates and gently challenging gender stereotypes.
Although Claire moved back to the UK in 2019 the fine women of MJ Piki (which stands for “brave motorcycling woman” in Kiswahili) continue their work and to date have trained over 3000 men, women and children in motorcycle safety. It's the charity we are all supporting with this year's Event.
Even though she has just given birth to a beautiful baby daughter, Claire will be talking about riding Africa solo, and will doubtless mention the importance of good motorcycle maintenance…
Having lived for the best part of a decade immersed in the highly competitive, often brutal world of the trading floor, Claire was keen to re-examine her beliefs about how the world really worked and what her role is within it should be.
She ended up in Malawi on a voluntary placement and was confronted by the shockingly high casualty rate of motorcycle taxi-riders and their passengers. This led to her running motorcycle maintenance and road safety classes for a microloan charity which had a fleet of 80 knackered Yamaha DTs. By the end of that the running costs of the charity had been reduced by 60%.
Ultimately she moved to Tanzania and established the Pikilily movement, a community-based organisation empowering and training local women to ride motorcycles and earn an income by serving their communities as safe motorcycle taxi riders. In addition, these women voluntarily run training sessions for the community in safe motorcycling, reducing crash rates and gently challenging gender stereotypes.
Although Claire moved back to the UK in 2019 the fine women of MJ Piki (which stands for “brave motorcycling woman” in Kiswahili) continue their work and to date have trained over 3000 men, women and children in motorcycle safety. It's the charity we are all supporting with this year's Event.
Even though she has just given birth to a beautiful baby daughter, Claire will be talking about riding Africa solo, and will doubtless mention the importance of good motorcycle maintenance…
Heather Sinclair
We're delighted that Heather will be joining us in 2022, and thankful to her bike, which has failed catastrophically in Colombia, making it possible for her to be in the UK. Her new book, about riding solo from Indonesia to the UK, is just brilliant and you'll be able to meet her and grab a copy in the Motofreight Authors' Tent
Markus Mayer
Round the world on a scooter? You betcha! Markus Mayer has a massive following as 'La Vida Vespa' and although recently returned to his native Germany he's saddling up again to come to Oxford and tell us all about his marathon trip on 10" wheels.
Lisa and Simon Thomas
Since 2003 when they first left the UK on a BMW R1150GSA and an F650GS, Simon and Lisa Thomas have ridden something like half a million miles through 78 countries, breaking records and more than a few bones along the way.
In 2016 their original bikes were upgraded to a BMW R1200GSA LC for Simon and an F800GS for Lisa, which they’ve been riding around Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and the USA. But Covid brought them back to the UK where they are preparing to get back out there and continue their quest to ride through 122 countries and on all seven continents.
We’re thrilled that they are to be part of the Overland Event this year. Simon will be running some photography sessions and Lisa will be cooking up something really special: an on-the-road cookery workshop!
Find out more about their mammoth trip here
In 2016 their original bikes were upgraded to a BMW R1200GSA LC for Simon and an F800GS for Lisa, which they’ve been riding around Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and the USA. But Covid brought them back to the UK where they are preparing to get back out there and continue their quest to ride through 122 countries and on all seven continents.
We’re thrilled that they are to be part of the Overland Event this year. Simon will be running some photography sessions and Lisa will be cooking up something really special: an on-the-road cookery workshop!
Find out more about their mammoth trip here
Max Jowett
If you managed to see Max last year you'll have heard about his ride down West Africa and why he was home without his bike... Well he's been back out there and now we're ready for CRF in Africa; the sequel! Max is probably known to you as the guy who used to run TravelDri outdoor equipment, but he's incredibly widely travelled and has led mountaineering expeditions to the Annapurna region of Nepal among other things. He enjoys winter mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, and 23 years ago set up a charity called Wheels 2 Work in the South West.
It’s a motorcycle loan programme for disadvantaged people, that stretched over five counties and had nearly 300 motorcycles on the road helping isolated people access work and education. He also ran two motorcycle dealerships investing all of the profits back into local communities through Wheels 2 Work.
It’s a motorcycle loan programme for disadvantaged people, that stretched over five counties and had nearly 300 motorcycles on the road helping isolated people access work and education. He also ran two motorcycle dealerships investing all of the profits back into local communities through Wheels 2 Work.
Richard and Mopsa English
A remarkable couple, Richard and Mopsa English rode their Triumph sidecar outfit around the world in the 1980s and did their utmost to remain patriotic throughout, but times were changing. The factory they bought their bike from went bust while they were on the road and parts became increasingly difficult to get. Wars ensued and empires shrank still further, but their story is a brilliant one and the book it produced – Full Circle – is superb.
As well as having some great tales to tell, they will be accompanied by Tommy, their poor abused Triumph. Come and meet all three!
As well as having some great tales to tell, they will be accompanied by Tommy, their poor abused Triumph. Come and meet all three!
Jocke Selin
At The Overland Event this year Jocke will be sharing his knowledge about maintenance, emergency repairs, tools and other tidbits, because he believes that everyone is capable of servicing and maintaining their vehicles.
He’ll cover situations you need to expect (puncture, fall, water ingestion), how to prop your bike up on the trail as well as servicing on the road and how to build the right toolkit. But he might include some other packing tips-n-tricks at the end.
Jocke has been tinkering with mechanical things all his life, be it bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles or cars. He loves sharing his knowledge and has been writing several online pieces about motorbikes, kit, tips and travel. He’s also a regular contributor to Overland Magazine!
The best thing he knows is just getting on his motorbike to head wherever the curves take him. He’s been skulking around Europe for 20 years, be it Nürburgring, Portugal, The Alps, Eastern Europe or the Nordic countries. The feeling is even better when Caz, his fiancé, is riding nearby.
He’ll cover situations you need to expect (puncture, fall, water ingestion), how to prop your bike up on the trail as well as servicing on the road and how to build the right toolkit. But he might include some other packing tips-n-tricks at the end.
Jocke has been tinkering with mechanical things all his life, be it bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles or cars. He loves sharing his knowledge and has been writing several online pieces about motorbikes, kit, tips and travel. He’s also a regular contributor to Overland Magazine!
The best thing he knows is just getting on his motorbike to head wherever the curves take him. He’s been skulking around Europe for 20 years, be it Nürburgring, Portugal, The Alps, Eastern Europe or the Nordic countries. The feeling is even better when Caz, his fiancé, is riding nearby.
Glynn Roberts
At the age of 21 Glynn broke down on his first trip abroad in Italy. No return ticket, next to no money (not even for a prized sticker for the bike), he rode the 1,500 miles back in four days at 30mph to save fuel money, living on 30 pears and a homemade loaf of bread!
The experience didn’t deter him, but rather it gave him the confidence to take on more adventurous challenges and trips, culminating in a 3 year round the world ride 6 years later.
In 2018 he made an impromptu trip to visit his niece in Mongolia on his 37 year-old BMW R80 G/S.
He’s continued the breakdown theme over the years, breaking down on every continent, narrowly making the trip home from Mongolia last year.
Glynn’s presentation is not an A to Z on how to do anything. But he does have some photos and a bunch of slightly bonkers stories from his trip to Mongolia and back.
The experience didn’t deter him, but rather it gave him the confidence to take on more adventurous challenges and trips, culminating in a 3 year round the world ride 6 years later.
In 2018 he made an impromptu trip to visit his niece in Mongolia on his 37 year-old BMW R80 G/S.
He’s continued the breakdown theme over the years, breaking down on every continent, narrowly making the trip home from Mongolia last year.
Glynn’s presentation is not an A to Z on how to do anything. But he does have some photos and a bunch of slightly bonkers stories from his trip to Mongolia and back.
In association with Dunlop Tyres
No matter how you like to ride, there’s a Dunlop tyre that’s perfect for you and your bike. Ever since John Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre in 1888, Dunlop have been at the forefront of tyre technology. They never stop trying to improve riders’ grip, control and safety. Continually developing new technologies they have an incredible range of tyres to suit every kind of adventure and touring machine. All new technologies are thoroughly tried and tested in racing conditions so you can concentrate on nothing but the road ahead. And just ride.
Fern Hume
Although Fern's epic global ride aboard her DRZ400 began back in 2011, now that she's back in the UK she hasn't stopped travelling. Now though, she's been exploring the world on micro adventures, setting a £1000 budget and seeing where in the world she can get to, hire a bike and ride until the money runs out. You'll be amazed at what's possible! It's a 'grand idea'.
Matt Booth
Matt didn't have a proper motorbike licence when he decided to ride from New Zealand to the UK. Some would argue he still doesn't.
Leaving a comfortable life in Middle Earth to join the great unwashed on the road was supposed to be the culmination of a long-held dream. The reality was a mismanaged farce that illustrated the best way not to travel.
He'll tell the story, but be warned, he can do things with a flip-flop that you wouldn't imagine...
Leaving a comfortable life in Middle Earth to join the great unwashed on the road was supposed to be the culmination of a long-held dream. The reality was a mismanaged farce that illustrated the best way not to travel.
He'll tell the story, but be warned, he can do things with a flip-flop that you wouldn't imagine...
Sam Manicom
Richard Georgiou
Derek Mansfield & Natalie Rastabarova
Derek Mansfield never fails to surprise. He’s a man of many talents and has an abiding interest in the former Soviet Union, especially Ukraine, which he has visited many times on his Moto Guzzis. His two books ‘Notes from the Road Volume 4’ and ‘Volume 3’ are observational classics, his acerbic wit pin sharp, but this year he's presenting with his work colleague Natalie, who has recently fled Ukraine.
They'll be discussing the last 30 years of Ukrainian development and the current situation on the ground following the invasion by Russia. History, politics and geography and interspersed with tales of riding the mighty 'steppe'.
They'll be discussing the last 30 years of Ukrainian development and the current situation on the ground following the invasion by Russia. History, politics and geography and interspersed with tales of riding the mighty 'steppe'.
In association with Dunlop Tyres
No matter how you like to ride, there’s a Dunlop tyre that’s perfect for you and your bike. Ever since John Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre in 1888, Dunlop have been at the forefront of tyre technology. They never stop trying to improve riders’ grip, control and safety. Continually developing new technologies they have an incredible range of tyres to suit every kind of adventure and touring machine. All new technologies are thoroughly tried and tested in racing conditions so you can concentrate on nothing but the road ahead. And just ride.
Paddy Tyson
Paddy is the editor of Overland Magazine and founder of the Overland Events. Born amid the incessant rain of County Fermanagh in north west Ireland, he has been travelling in search of sunshine ever since, which is odd given his pale complexion.
His first road trip took place during the hot dry summer of 1976, across North America as a 6 year old, with his mum and big sister. He first combined motorcycles with travel while at university in England and set off on a woefully unprepared CG125cc Honda in 1993 to try and see as much of Europe as he could in 4 weeks. Being arrested just seemed to add to the adventure, and the whole thing sowed the seeds of a plan for a two-wheeled global assault, which has been undertaken in sections ever since.
He has been a columnist and feature writer for publications on both sides of the Atlantic, an English teacher and University lecturer and remains an advisor to the Ted Simon Foundation nurturing new writing talent. Paddy is an author, editor and proof-reader and will be running various publishing and writing workshops at this year’s Overland Event.
His first road trip took place during the hot dry summer of 1976, across North America as a 6 year old, with his mum and big sister. He first combined motorcycles with travel while at university in England and set off on a woefully unprepared CG125cc Honda in 1993 to try and see as much of Europe as he could in 4 weeks. Being arrested just seemed to add to the adventure, and the whole thing sowed the seeds of a plan for a two-wheeled global assault, which has been undertaken in sections ever since.
He has been a columnist and feature writer for publications on both sides of the Atlantic, an English teacher and University lecturer and remains an advisor to the Ted Simon Foundation nurturing new writing talent. Paddy is an author, editor and proof-reader and will be running various publishing and writing workshops at this year’s Overland Event.
Mike Vitkovitch
A proper engineer and motorcyclist who only reads one kind of book; a bike manual. Well that was the case, but he's now learning to enjoy writing, especially about his travels, and was second in the Rev'It Overland adventure writing challenge in 2015. He rides whenever and wherever he has an opportunity and particularly loves the desert... still unable to resist a good challenge. He'll be talking about Riding a Line in the Sand (Mauritania) and surviving incredible flash floods in Morocco.
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