Long Way Down (2 Discs)

Very poor, charlie and ewan do it again, thay get a crew of over twenty to organise everything for them and then they just jump on a bike and ride...oh and because they have done so little organising they moan a lot. And they have a lot to moan about, loads of back up, visas and paper work sorted, technical experts, bikes, kit and training donated.
Its a shame because this really goes against the spirit of adventure, of overcoming obstacles, getting the local community to help you, getting advice and tips of other travellers and their recomendations of where to visit. Having mechanics, security, fixers all to do things for you is very lazy and diminshes the experience. To be fair anyone could turn up jump on a bike and ride the pre planned route in a convoy.
Its a shame as the premise of the idea is great its just the execution is poor.
As for the ego's, well they can become a dull pair, "oh, i'm and actor" and "oh i did the dakar" ( thats probably the reason for the twenty man crew, to get some people on how are not so boring and know what they are doing).
So, if they do this again, I'd like to see a real adventure, just a start and an end point and countries to vist so you can arrange the visas and then off you go......by yourselves and a camara, minus the convoy.
Hell, if any bike manufacturer donates me a bike and kit I'll do it. It would be a dam site more interesting than these two fluffy boys.

Watched first 4 episodes and first 2 are hard work but once in Africa things calm down and is as good as first season. Think should have been 8 episodes instead of 6 as would be great to see more of Africa.

Recommend if you liked the first Series

I watch Long Way Round every time it is repeated on TV and think it is a great bit of entertainment.
Long Way Down started off a bit dissapointing, the reason? All Charlie & Ewan want to do is ride but due to the fact they want to do this for Unicef and in less than 3 months it has to be organised. The support crew is infact mainly for Camera equipment etc and if you watch the first one you will realise that Charlie and Ewan do carry out repairs themselves and infact in one episode buy a bike for about £250 for the camera man.
Luckily the Long Way Down is now improving as the boys are now being left alone which is all they wanted anyway. Great program and Great guys

Problem is Long Way Round set the bar so high. I don't think I'm watching the same series as those awarding 4 or 5 stars. The magic of LWR is missing - remember all those challenging water crossings and Claudio's amusing & full involvement as the lone camera man. Now it's just a big glossy tour with a huge entourage. I'm giving it 3 stars because I like the guys and it's still better than most of the cack on the tv.

I like the idea behind not only Long Way Down but Long Way Round, as a biker I have had a dream of doing the run from the UK to Cape Town but have never got off my round saddle sore bum to do it, now I dont have to! Seriously though, great series so far, a few more time constraints on their journey through Europe, but I think once they get into their stride across Africa we will be treated to some great biking moments.
I was not surprised the Americans couldnt get into Lybia, but do feel for them, I guess thats the fall out from your elected officials foreign policy.

My copy is on my christmas list....is yours?