PRESENTERS
Below is the list of Presenters for this year, but it's not definitive as more overseas authors and travellers continue to confirm their appearance. No adventure travel event has as many!
(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.
Jack Groves
Jack Groves is a Britonabike and now the holder of the record as the youngest person to ride round the world (perhaps!). He used an Enfield Himalayan and managed to complete his trip even with multiple Covid lockdowns. It's a great story and with luck he'll actually make to The Event this year to tell it! Last year he was stuck in France on the wrong side of Le Tunnel and didn't arrive until the Sunday lunchtinme!
Heather Ellis
Presenting in the UK for the first time, we are delighted that Heather Ellis is flying in from Australia to join us at the Overland Event 2022!
She's written 2 absolutely brilliant books: 'Ubuntu', about the 15 months she spent riding around Africa back in the early nineties, and 'Timeless on the Silk Road' which is so much more that an overland journey from the UK back to her native Oz. Overland's Nich Brown was in Australia for the launch of 'Timeless' a few years ago and we've been trying to coax her back to the UK since then, so this is great news! Sadly, although her trusty Yamaha TT600 is still alive and well, she won't be able to bring it with her, but you can hear all about what is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable life experiences.
She's written 2 absolutely brilliant books: 'Ubuntu', about the 15 months she spent riding around Africa back in the early nineties, and 'Timeless on the Silk Road' which is so much more that an overland journey from the UK back to her native Oz. Overland's Nich Brown was in Australia for the launch of 'Timeless' a few years ago and we've been trying to coax her back to the UK since then, so this is great news! Sadly, although her trusty Yamaha TT600 is still alive and well, she won't be able to bring it with her, but you can hear all about what is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable life experiences.
Ted Simon
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 90th 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, which take pride of place in the spot-lit Bike Show. For 2021 we are very grateful to Coventry Transport Museum who have again agreed to release his bikes for the weekend.
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 90th 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, which take pride of place in the spot-lit Bike Show. For 2021 we are very grateful to Coventry Transport Museum who have again agreed to release his bikes for the weekend.
Tiffany Coates
Tiffany Coates is the world’s foremost female motorcycle adventurer, having travelled over 300,000 miles crossing every continent, some of them several times. Each year she heads off on new adventures. She discovered motorbike travel by accident after several years of backpacking. Her initial two-wheeled adventure involved riding overland to India when she set off two-up on a BMW R80GS alongside her best friend, with just two months riding experience between them. Overland Magazine has featured some of her stories from those early journeys and she'll be talking about 22 Years of Travel: The Trials & Tribulations – Scary Moments as A Motorbike Traveller. In other words all the risky episodes that she doesn’t tell her parents about: stuff from every continent.
Remote riding adventures remain her passion, something she now shares with others in her role as freelance motorcycle guide, working with the biggest names in the industry.
Remote riding adventures remain her passion, something she now shares with others in her role as freelance motorcycle guide, working with the biggest names in the industry.
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?
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.
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…
Elspeth Beard
Elspeth Beard was the first British woman to ride solo around the world on a journey that began in 1982 when she was just 23.
Her 35,000-mile adventure on a 1974 BMW R60/6 covered North America, New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Europe. The BMW will be on display in the Bike Show at this year’s Event.
In an age before email, the Internet, mobile phones, satnavs and, in some parts of the world, readily available and reliable maps, Elspeth achieved something that would still seem remarkable today. Told with honesty and wit, Lone Rider is the extraordinary and moving story of a unique and life-changing adventure. Elspeth will be signing copies in the Authors’ Tent at the Event and will be engaged in a Q&A on the main stage.
Her 35,000-mile adventure on a 1974 BMW R60/6 covered North America, New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Europe. The BMW will be on display in the Bike Show at this year’s Event.
In an age before email, the Internet, mobile phones, satnavs and, in some parts of the world, readily available and reliable maps, Elspeth achieved something that would still seem remarkable today. Told with honesty and wit, Lone Rider is the extraordinary and moving story of a unique and life-changing adventure. Elspeth will be signing copies in the Authors’ Tent at the Event and will be engaged in a Q&A on the main stage.
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.
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!
Will Brix
Frequent traveller and long-distance enduro rider Will Brix took a more prolonged 1-year trip across Africa and Asia recently, completing 30k miles, through 33 countries, on his trusty XT660Z Tenere. He will be talking specifically about his time in Asia and the fact that he had to travel with group tours to achieve some elements of his trip ie Myanmar and China.
Some of the psychological difficulties he faced riding solo through Africa are chronicled in his first book ‘The Unseen Walls’. Employing a style of writing which is more about the mental journey, less the physical one, he chronicles the road of the mind – the highs, lows, confusion, doubt and the fear – which most overlanders choose not to elaborate on.
He's currently in the Caribbean so we just hope he'll make it back on time!
Some of the psychological difficulties he faced riding solo through Africa are chronicled in his first book ‘The Unseen Walls’. Employing a style of writing which is more about the mental journey, less the physical one, he chronicles the road of the mind – the highs, lows, confusion, doubt and the fear – which most overlanders choose not to elaborate on.
He's currently in the Caribbean so we just hope he'll make it back on time!
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
Max is probably known to you as the owner of TravelDri, selling camping equipment and motorcycle gear at The Overland Event and many other shows across the country. But he's incredibly widely travelled himself and has led mountaineering expeditions to the Annapurna region of Nepal among other things. He enjoys winter mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, and 21 years ago set up a charity called Wheels 2 Work in the South West, which is still going strong.
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.
At The Event this year he'll be talking about his recent CRF250 ride through West Africa and explaining why the bike is still there. Somewhere...
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.
At The Event this year he'll be talking about his recent CRF250 ride through West Africa and explaining why the bike is still there. Somewhere...
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.
Linda Bootherstone-Bick
Originally from the south of England, Linda got her bike licence in 1963, and it seems hasn't stopped riding since! She attended rallies all across Europe, including the FIM rally in Moscow in 1967.
Aged 23, Linda emigrated to Australia as a Ten Pound Pom, and from 1969-1971 along with Angie Griffin she explored her new homeland. Then in 1974, she rode down Africa to Capetown, on a trip that took 15 months and a lot of repairs. Big trips never really stopped and among many other travels, she celebrated her 60th birthday in the Himalayas while spending two years travelling overland from her then home in Spain back to Australia, while for her 70th birthday, she spent three months riding in Chile and Bolivia. She's an absolute legend and we're delighted she's flying in to join us!
Aged 23, Linda emigrated to Australia as a Ten Pound Pom, and from 1969-1971 along with Angie Griffin she explored her new homeland. Then in 1974, she rode down Africa to Capetown, on a trip that took 15 months and a lot of repairs. Big trips never really stopped and among many other travels, she celebrated her 60th birthday in the Himalayas while spending two years travelling overland from her then home in Spain back to Australia, while for her 70th birthday, she spent three months riding in Chile and Bolivia. She's an absolute legend and we're delighted she's flying in to join us!
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.
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'.
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.
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...
Paul and Francoise Nuttall
Paul and Francoise decided that they should really go and see their son in Sydney and take six months off work to do so. Paul balked at the 30 hours flight time and proposed to go overland on one of the bikes instead. Françoise agreed on the proviso that she could take photos along the way. And if Sydney was achievable, why not zip across to America to say that they had been round the world?
So, Paul, Francoise and a 2009 Harley Electraglide, with no real pedigree in such matters, set off to go round the world – and not everything went immediately to plan…
So, Paul, Francoise and a 2009 Harley Electraglide, with no real pedigree in such matters, set off to go round the world – and not everything went immediately to plan…
Dave Lee
Between 1955 and 1975 the Ho Chi Minh Trail was used by the North Vietnamese Army to transport supplies, troops and munitions from north to south Vietnam and Dave has been discovering abandoned sections of the trail for years. Listen to Dave’s account of how he took his 250cc motorcycle and unearthed more than he bargained for as the forgotten trail got the better of him.
He’s become so attached to Vietnam and has now visited so many times it’s like a second home. There are few people that sing its praises so highly, or know so much about riding there!
In fact Overland has teamed up with Dave and his company RAMS Adventures and he'll be leading an 'Overland Explore Vietnam' tour in November 2020
He’s become so attached to Vietnam and has now visited so many times it’s like a second home. There are few people that sing its praises so highly, or know so much about riding there!
In fact Overland has teamed up with Dave and his company RAMS Adventures and he'll be leading an 'Overland Explore Vietnam' tour in November 2020
Derek Mansfield
Derek Mansfield never fails to surprise. He’s a man of many talents with a remarkable history and a thirst for the completely irrational; he travels with a Moto Guzzi. An experienced traveller throughout the former USSR and beyond, he is the ultimate aesthete, shunning weather-resistant riding gear for comfortable jeans and a stylish leather jacket, worn with the quiet confidence of one who is ever the optimist. His two recent books ‘Notes from the Road Volume 4’ and ‘Volume 3’ are observational classics, his acerbic wit pin sharp. He’s an integral and highly prized part of the Overland team and yet we cannot pretend that we know exactly what it is he shall be talking about, but come along to hear just what can happen when you climb aboard a Moto Guzzi and head for Mongolia. And if you want to know anything about visiting the Ukraine, he’s definitely your man.
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.