Simon and Monika Newbound
Encyclopedia
Simon and Monika Newbound are long distance
motorcyclists
from the United Kingdom.
In May 2002, husband and wife Simon and Monika Newbound departed from Dublin, Ireland with the goal of riding two BMW motorcycles
continuously until they had exceeded the existing Guinness World Record
of 99600 kilometres (61,888.7 mi).
On 25 October 2003 the Newbounds completed a full circumnavigation
of the Earth. Their route went eastward from Sligo
, Ireland to St. John's, Newfoundland
, via Norway, Moscow
, Siberia
, Tokyo
and Toronto
, Canada. During the Newbound's world record challenge they crossed 54 countries. They rode their BMW F650GS
and R1150GS bikes above the Arctic Circle
three times. They visited every state and province in United States and Canada, which included crossing the North American continent five times.
In October 2005 Guinness World Records formally acknowledged that the Newbounds had not only broken the existing world record, but extended it by almost 84000 km (52,195.3 mi) taking the new world record to 183000 km (113,711.2 mi).
Neither had any experience of motorcycle mechanics, and Monika had never undertaken a long distance trip before. They achieved the world record without a support team or support vehicles.
Long Distance Riding
Long-distance riding is the pastime of riding motorcycles over long distances in defined times, with a popular target being to cover 1,000 miles in a day....
motorcyclists
Motorcycling
Motorcycling is the act of riding a motorcycle. A variety of subcultures and lifestyles have been built up around motorcycling.-Benefits:Robert M. Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a paean celebrating motorcycling...
from the United Kingdom.
In May 2002, husband and wife Simon and Monika Newbound departed from Dublin, Ireland with the goal of riding two BMW motorcycles
BMW motorcycles
BMW's motorcycle history began in 1921 when the company commenced manufacturing engines for other companies. Motorcycle manufacturing now operates under the BMW Motorrad brand...
continuously until they had exceeded the existing Guinness World Record
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
of 99600 kilometres (61,888.7 mi).
On 25 October 2003 the Newbounds completed a full circumnavigation
Circumnavigation
Circumnavigation – literally, "navigation of a circumference" – refers to travelling all the way around an island, a continent, or the entire planet Earth.- Global circumnavigation :...
of the Earth. Their route went eastward from Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
, Ireland to St. John's, Newfoundland
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, via Norway, Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada. During the Newbound's world record challenge they crossed 54 countries. They rode their BMW F650GS
BMW F650 single
The BMW F650 is a family of single-cylinder motorcycles that was produced by BMW Motorrad beginning in 1993. Models include the F650ST Strada, F650 Funduro, F650GS, F650GS Dakar and latterly the G650GS...
and R1150GS bikes above the Arctic Circle
Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. For Epoch 2011, it is the parallel of latitude that runs north of the Equator....
three times. They visited every state and province in United States and Canada, which included crossing the North American continent five times.
In October 2005 Guinness World Records formally acknowledged that the Newbounds had not only broken the existing world record, but extended it by almost 84000 km (52,195.3 mi) taking the new world record to 183000 km (113,711.2 mi).
Neither had any experience of motorcycle mechanics, and Monika had never undertaken a long distance trip before. They achieved the world record without a support team or support vehicles.