Two wheels on the road to freedom

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Some people hit the library (open up Wikipedia) to learn about a country and its people. Self-confessed “adventurer, travel writer, and dedicated biker” Charley Boorman prefers to do his research aboard two wheels.

Freedom Riders Asia follows host Boorman’s six-week exploits through six Asian countries, namely (in order of airing): Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Selected media from the six featured countries converged in the city to witness the premiere screening of the episode in Malaysia. Developed by FOX One Stop Media in collaboration with Shell Advance Motorcycle Oil, Freedom Riders Asia, said Boorman, “(Seeks) to show the flavor of what goes around in Asia. Motorcycles are so important here. In Thailand alone, Honda has sold 20 million motorcycles.” He added that Vietnam, another large motorcycle market, sold 2.7 million last year alone – surpassing the 33-million mark that the government originally expected to reach by 2020.

A child of Hollywood film director John Boorman, Charley was born in 1966, and spent much of his childhood on two wheels — the motocross variety. Charley first appeared in front of the camera in 1972 for Deliverance (starring Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds), which his dad megged and produced.

The younger Boorman has traveled the world to tell its myriad of stories, while putting his love for motorcycles to good use. He also supports a number of charities such as UNICEF, Movember, Help for Heroes, and Dyslexia Action.

But even as the show features the affable Boorman, Shell Advance Motorcycle Oil global brand manager Kar Tai asserted that the aim of Freedom Riders Asia is to reach out to “normal, everyday bikers” in the aforementioned countries – all of which belong to Shell Advance’s top 10 global markets. Rounding the list out are (in no particular order) Brazil, Pakistan, Colombia, and China.

As accurately depicted in the show, Asians have an abiding fascination with two-wheeled transportation, and Charley Boorman had a unique opportunity to experience what he termed an “amazing motorcycle culture.”

“From picking tea leaves on the hillside plantation of India, to surfing the legendary waves of Bali’s black-sand beaches, Charley meets local biking communities and incredible personalities along the way who show him the delights of each city and the way of life from the back of a motorcycle. In each episode, Charley immerses himself in each country’s unique biking culture, quite often with surprising results,” declared the event’s release.

Boorman, in case you’re wondering, headed to Puerto Princesa in Palawan for his Philippine jaunt. The producers intentionally steered clear of Manila in search of a unique experience, aside from logistical limitations. His adventures included being a tricycle driver for a day, and sampling some huge worms that inhabited the region’s lush mango groves. “You have to work damn hard to get your money,” he said, smiling, at the launch.

The Londoner admitted he had been to Manila before (for another show, where he was asked to drive a bus, of all things). When asked by STAR Motoring whether he agrees about our Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s implementation of a motorcycle lane, he answered enthusiastically: “Yes. By any means, motorcycles and buses shouldn’t share lanes.”

Additionally, Boorman observed that riding safety, while crucial, is a relative concept. “In the countryside, it’s about making a living first – then safety,” he said.

Shell Advance’s Kar Tai insisted that Freedom Riders Asia marks a “first in our industry (where a) travel show used to promote our product.”

Tai gamely added: “I want to assure you that you won’t see a Shell product every five seconds. This program is about Charley Boorman going to six countries to really know the local biking culture, and get to see what people do with their bikes, how they earn a living with the bike, and get to make many friends.”

While, of course, to enjoying the road and its freedom.

Freedom Riders Asia (featuring the Philippines) airs May 25, 9:30 p.m. on STAR Sports, and continues weekly at 9 p.m. (except on June 9, when it airs at 8 p.m.). Visit http://tv.foxsportsasia.com or www.youtube/user/shelladvance.