Posted by: Russ Malkin

Career highlight Having produced many other events and programs, including feature films, powerboat racing, motor racing, and fashion shows, Long Way Round stood out as being a career highlight simply because of the friendships that were born and some of the most amazing adventures you could ever have.

No one could have predicted it would be as globally successful as it was, but it was still the human element that made it for me. I think it’s really important that everyone gets to see the earth that we live on, and doing it with friends makes it that much more special.

First bike A CB250 Honda when I was 17 years old

Greatest Long Way Round moment Battling through the rivers on the Road of Bones

Biking song? Resurrection Shuffle, written by Ashton, Gardner and Dyke, 1971 and I also like the more recent version by Jimmy Barnes and the Living End

Ambition for Long Way Down To survive ... Long Way Down for me is really a group of friends on a tremendous adventure, and I’m looking forward to spending time with the guys as we have so much fun. Clearly I’m hoping everyone can stay healthy, which will keep the trip fun.

What kind of traveller? I don’t want to wish my life away, but it would be lovely to think we could all roll into Cape Town having had another trip of a lifetime. Having said all that, there’s also quite a big business commitment behind Long Way Down, so I’m also looking forward to the challenge of directing and putting together all the media elements necessary to share this trip with all the people who fell in love with Long Way Round.

I have a beautiful daughter of my own, Emily, and we’ve always been driven to try and do some good for children on our expeditions. Our relationship with Unicef is something we’ve all treasured, and helping them highlight issues in Africa and raise much needed funds is also a high priority for us.