Bear Grylls , who cheated death in a parachuting accident just 18 months before his Everest ascent, didn’t hesitate when the opportunity to work with Triumph and ride the new Tiger XC came about.
He said: “I love Triumph’s heritage and Englishness, and that’s why it’s always my Tiger or Trophy that I go to first. The Tiger is built for adventure but it’s versatile too, whereas for longer road journeys the Trophy is in a class of its own.
Bikes have always played a big part in my life. I have always loved the feeling of being alone and riding. When you’re on an adventure, there are enough other things to worry about, so I need to know that the gear I have is going to work. You get that assurance with a Triumph.”
Adventure bikes, like the XC, that devour off-road terrain and soak up the miles on a long trip match Bear’s wish list: “I like riding something that allows me to tickle the underbelly of danger without necessarily doing back somersaults through hoops! On big adventures I look for a bike that’s trustworthy and that I feel a connection with.”
The former SAS man’s love affair with bikes began as a 16-year-old with a 50cc moped, but he quickly progressed to a 125 and then a 1200cc as a reward to himself for passing selection to the British military elite. One of his first TV programmes was 1994’s Ridge Riders, a documentary about a group of riders who toured England’s historic sites by bike.
His eyes sparkle when he reveals one of his greatest pleasures, aside from eating scorpions and other unmentionable bodily excretions:
“When I’m out filming with the crew and we use all these different all-terrain vehicles and bikes to access places, I’m always first to go for the bikes, riding ahead to scout the route. It is always my favourite time, off camera, alone and pushing into new terrain and new adventures, with great friends beside me.”
We can all say we fully understand what he means when he says:
“You don’t need to go to the Himalayas for adventure. It’s right there in front of you every time you climb on a bike. Riding gives me that personal space away from the cameras and all that work stuff. It gives me a chance to rediscover what really matters in life.”
(Via: fortheride)
