In keeping with the spirit of adventure, the celebration of motorcycling and the acknowledgment of its legends, Legend of the Motorcycle has announced a limited engagement photo exhibit of the epic motorcycle journey the Long Way Down, by friends Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, created exclusively for display at the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours d’Elegance by renowned celebrity photographer Timothy White.
Scottish actor Ewan McGregor (Star Wars: Episodes I, II & III, Moulin Rouge, Trainspotting and The Island) and English actor Charley Boorman (Deliverance, The Emerald Forest and Excalibur), both die-hard motorcyclists, first undertook a 19,000-mile around-the-world ride known as the Long Way Round in 2004. Then, this past summer, they completed another grueling three month-long adventure, the Long Way Down, riding from the northernmost point of Scotland to southernmost point of South Africa. Traveling off the beaten path through dozens of countries, the daring partnership experienced the countless hardships and wonders of Africa, all documented by live and still footage.
Photos from this incredible journey, provided by Long Way Down producers David Alexanian of Elixir Films and Russ Malkin of Big Earth, are being curated by celebrated New York City-based photographer and motorcyclist Timothy White (recipient of numerous awards including 2004 International Photographer of the Year) into a special exhibit exclusively for Legend of the Motorcycle. Of his collaboration in the project, White says “My interest in motorcycling combined with photography, traveling, and my fascination with the art of the exhibition has attracted me to this work. Charley and Ewan’s trek has inspired many of us and these pictures will reach even more like-minded people. Motorcycling is such a sensory experience, and this photography has a visual impact that makes the viewer feel like we were along for the ride. You cannot look at these pictures without feeling like you were there…or want to go”. The photo exhibit will be accompanied by video footage as well as Boorman’s actual expedition motorcycle, a BMW R1200 GS.
All three men – McGregor, Boorman and White – have been past participants in Legend of the Motorcycle. McGregor presented the Steve McQueen Award along with Peter Fonda in 2006, Boorman presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Willie G. Davidson of Harley-Davidson in 2007, and White showcased a special exhibit of portraits from his book Indian Larry last year.
Says Boorman, “Both Ewan and I really enjoyed our time at Legend of the Motorcycle and I think it’s great they have organized this exhibition of our Long Way Down expedition. We had an incredible adventure through Africa and, as much as people think it’s a potentially dangerous place, it is a beautiful and safe continent and these pictures show that.”
Sponsored by Davidoff Adventure and BMW Motorrad, the Legend of the Motorcycle’s Long Way Down Exhibit will be open to attendees of the Saturday, May 3rd event, which takes place at the ocean-side Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California (just south of San Francisco). For tickets and more information on this world affair, go to www.LegendoftheMotorcycle.com.
