2002-05-08

Arriving in Shanghai

Does the adventure begin now? We are ready!

Pictured are Jim Hay, Jim Harding and myself fresh off the airplane in Shanghai. There are thirteen of us on the Globeriders World Tour including Helge Pedersen, our leader, and Sterling Noren, the cameraman who is documenting our trip on film.

Helge is the author of 10 Years on 2 Wheels: 77 Countries, 250,000 Miles. He is not only an accomplished motorcycle traveller, having spent a decade circling the globe, but he is also a talented professional photographer. This is his second Globeriders World Tour. Helge is documenting our trip on BMW's web site here.

Sterling Noren is the only one without a motorcycle. His job is to capture our adventures and misadventures on film and to be a backup rider should the need arise.

The 2002 Globeriders are:

Bryan Clague from Hastings Victoria, Australia
Roy Cox from Arlington, Texas
Jim Harding from Kenmore, Washington
Jim Hay from Suwanee, Georgia
Mike Mathews from Simpsonville, South Carolina
Sterling Noren from Seattle, Washington
Mike Paull from Seattle, Washington
Helge Pedersen from Seattle, Washington
John Shelton from Waukeham, Illinois
David Stafford from Renton, Washington
Rick Wetzel from Dexter, Oregon
David Wilde from Samarinda, Indonesia
Ian Wood from Clear Mountain, Brisbane, Australia

Helge Pedersen, Jim Harding, Jim Hay, Sterling Noren and I were on the same plane from Seattle. Our motorcycles shipped much earlier by sea and should be waiting for us in customs when we arrive. Most of us were up all night doing last-minute packing. I expected to catch some shuteye on the plane but the excitement and anticipation were too much to permit sleep. This is going to be great!