The GlobeBusters Team

The team has expanded somewhat since the very first Trans Americas Expedition. GlobeBusters' guides are the best in the business. They are experienced travellers and motorcyclists and have spent many miles on the road through the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australasia.

This is our core GlobeBusters team and we are proud to share our credentials with you. Our core team is supported by other handpicked crew whose backgrounds are equally impeccable, drawn from the best of the motorcycle travel world and Rally communities.

Kevin Sanders: Co-Founder - Expedition Leader

kevinsandersKevin has ridden bikes since he was seventeen and got his on road experience at the deep end by doing dispatch riding in London.  Not the most glamorous of jobs, but you'll probably get no better experience for coping with crazy rush hour traffic in Latin American cities!

When not travelling around the world, Kevin's other role is as the Chief Instructor & Director for BMW Rider Training. He has taught biking to thousands of riders over the past 16 years or more, and holds the highest qualifications for advanced motorcycling available to civilians - RoSPA Gold & Diploma in Advanced Motorcycle Tuition.

kevinsanders2The Guinness World Records. have brought many fantastic opportunities - Kevin has been consulted about planning other long distance rides, worked with the Long Way Round team and in 2005 also guided a team of BMW sponsored riders along the Trans Siberian Highway, Russia.

Kevin is the leader at the helm of GlobeBusters and with all his countless miles in different countries around the world, no other overland company can boast such an experienced person at the top. He is the "ideas" man behind all the expeditions - it's his crazy plans that we turn into fantastic rides for bikers. Never far away from a bike, Kevin is always happiest when leading a group on the spectacular roads we ride on our expeditions and sharing his unstinting enthusiasm and drive for the areas we travel in.

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Julia Sanders: Co Founder - Expedition Operations

juliasandersBy profession Julia is a qualified Chartered Accountant, with a Law degree and insolvency qualification thrown in for good measure. Until 1997, life was very much City based, with long commutes and even longer hours at the office.

On her first overland trip to South America, Julia met Kevin and since then, her lifestyle has dramatically changed. Julia has had her bike licence since 1998, but it was only after the two Guinness World Record. "Super Pillion" efforts that she finally rode her own bike on a 22,000 mile journey from Vancouver, Canada to Ushuaia, Argentina in 2004.

juliasanders2"I had relatively little riding miles under my belt when I did this ride, only about 2,000 miles in total, but I desperately wanted the challenge of riding the journey myself. What it taught me was that in fact these huge overland journeys are not simply the playground for the very experienced rider, with the right attitude, even a relative novice can enjoy the adventure."

There is no more back seat now - Julia currently rides a BMW R1200GS and supports Kevin on many of the GlobeBusters Expeditions as an Expedition Guide. Julia's business admin and accountancy skills, also means that the "back office" side of GlobeBusters and all the planning for the expedition hotels, route and other activities are under her control (although she would much rather be riding!)

Richard Millington: Expedition Operations - Expedition Leader

Richard has been on bikes since the age of 16.  Starting with the almost obligatory FS1E at 16, within 12 months he graduated straight to the first of many Suzuki’s with a GS550.  With over 25 years riding experience he has ridden 100,000's of miles on a wide variety of bikes.   The journey from Suzuki GS to BMW GS, took in stops for ZX12R’s and a Buell S1 Lightening amongst others.   Richard’s travels on a bike had taken him as far a field as Morocco and South Africa and Thailand as well as to the Americas.  Without a Bike then include Cuba, Hong Kong, Turkey, Brazil and lots more.

Richard

Before joining GlobeBusters he spent his career working for BMW UK and various BMW Dealers most recently as Operations Director for the Jacksons Motor Group in the Channel Islands.   After 20 years in the motor trade he jacked it all in to ride the Trans Americas with his partner Karen.  The 23,000 mile adventure was to prove a turning point.

“Kevin and Julia always said that the Trans Am would be life changing.  Little did I know the change would be to end up working with them in South Wales!”    Richard joined the team to provide vital back up to the growing GlobeBusters operation.  Combining his business skills and motorcycling background he can fill many roles.  Running GlobeBusters HQ while Kevin and Julia are on the road or leading an expedition, he takes it all in his large stride. 

Jeff Condon: Expedition Support Driver

jeffcondonJeff is from New Zealand and is an experienced overlander, both on bikes and by 4x4. To date he has travelled by bike in over 60 countries on every continent, except Antarctica, including a challenging eight month Trans Africa journey travelling solo. Jeff has supported many GlobeBusters expeditions including three Trans Americas in 2005, 2007 and 2009, the First Dakar South America in 2009, London to Beijing in 2009 & 2010 and the Discover our Earth Expedition in 2011.

A maintenance technician by trade, normally working in the oil, gas, mining and petrochemical industries, he has worked on numerous large projects from Outback Australia to the world's largest producing offshore oilfield near Kuwait. jeffcondon2Jeff's talents are versatile and depending on the expedition, he either acts as our expedition motorcycle guide or the support driver.

If there is any crazy stunt to be tried out, Jeff is at the front of the queue, whether it is abseiling, windsurfing, paragliding, kayaking, bungee jumping. Not only that, he is pretty dan useful on the road, not just because of his unlimitless amounts of energy, but also because of his mechanical knowledge.

When not on tour with GlobeBusters, Jeff can be found somewhere in South America driving his bright yellow Citroen 3CV "Cristina" and flying his paraglider in the many pristine mountain ranges whilst being careful not to annoy the condors!

Craig Carey-Clinch & Barbara Alam: Expedition Leaders

craigcareyclinchAn active motorcyclist, Craig is well known in UK biking circles. Since 1990 he has been heavily involved in defending and promoting motorcycling in the UK and in Europe, firstly through the Motorcycle Action Group and latterly as Head of Policy, Campaigns and PR at the Motor Cycle Industry Association.

His wife, Barbara Alam, who had been riding since the age of 17, is as equally involved in the world of motorcycling. In 2000, she founded the City Action Riders Group to fight for motorcycle parking in London, and is currently the Secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Motorcycling and the National Motorcycle Council.

Craig and Barbara closely work with motorcycling charity, Motorcycle Outreach, set up in memory of world motorcycle traveller, Simon Milward.barbaraalam

Over the past 18 years, Craig has travelled extensively by motorcycle in Europe, the United States and Africa. More recently, both Craig and Barbara have explored the Atlantic countries of North and West Africa at length. In 2008, they were Expedition leaders for the first GlobeBusters North & West Africa Expedition.

Craig & Barbara continue to provide publicity and marketing support for GlobeBusters, through their own company, Rowan Public Affairs.

 

Mark Hamilton: Expedition Leader

Mark is a Trans America rider who's passion for Motorcycling and Overlanding developed late in life.   In his other life he runs a successful building company in the UK.  However now the overlanding bug has bitten he has already ridden the Trans Americas with GlobeBusters, returned to South America in the following year to ride Patagonia independently and then road to Beijing with Kevin and Julia on the Silk Road reconnaissance ride.   In 2010 Kevin and Mark led the first group of customers on the Silk Road East Expedition from London to Beijing. 

Mark is definitely a man to have in your corner when times are tough.   Calm, collected, quietly spoken and twice the size of Kevin, he has the character to deal with all eventualities. 

You should be able to work out which of the two people in this photo is Mark, but if you need help Mark doesn't have a beard. 

 

Tiffany Coates: Expedition Guide

lying on dune

Tiffany was first bitten by the bike travel bug thirteen years ago, setting off on a BMW R80GS having sold everything including her hair and with just two months riding experience under her belt. A simple trip to India turned into an epic two and a half years on the road and an eventual return to England with a full head of hair and a burning desire to see more countries on two Tajik bestwheels.

Tiffany is now the world’s foremost solo female bike adventurer with further travels including Australia, Timbuctoo, East Africa, northern Alaska, Labrador, Tierra Del Fuego, the Silk Road, Siberia and Outer Mongolia- often with a pillion rider in the form of various friends who have volunteered to join her in her rough camping, tea-drinking, tyre changing trans-continental exploits.

The highs and lows have included being chased by not only wolves but various police forces, the Nicaraguan Mafia and stampeding elephants. She has fled from volcanoes and hurricanes, whilst also mastering the skills of river crossings, battling with snow, and desert journeys on a quarter tonne bike with no GPS but a good sense of direction. To every expedition she brings the support of an understanding boyfriend, a wealth of global experience, a smattering of many languages and an uncanny ability to track down a cup of tea in every town.

Alan Routledge: Expedition Support Driver

Alan is a highly experienced support driver and independent overlander.   He has operated as support crew on a number of rallies since the nineties including the Atlas Rally Morocco, the 1999 Granada Dakar, Rally Tunisia and the Trans Danubia.

Alan’s own travels have taken him across the Sahara to the Gambia and Timbuktu as well as an epic journey from Europe to Cape Town.   If this wasn’t enough he then turned round and came back up the East Coast of Africa to Egypt.    Alan has excellent Spanish skills (he needs them as he lives there half the year) and extensive mechanical experience. 

With GlobeBusters Alan has already supported two South American Expeditions and has more in the diary, including Africa and Asia.   If you have never heard Spanish with a Geordie accent then it’s worth travelling with him just to hear it.

Michael Tabone: Expedition Guide

Mick in Sydney

Mick has been riding bikes since he was 14 and has grown up with bikes all his life! His first experience on a Yamaha 175 trail bike riding in and round the island of Malta where he spend 4 years of his teenage life growing up and schooling. Leaving Malta and joining the British Army took Mick away fromMick trip to Malta bikes for a short while but with his exploits as an ex Army Bomb Disposal Engineer behind him, he settled down to more biking and some serious travel.

Mick spent many months in the late eighties riding around North America on a Yamaha XT600 before he moved onto his first BMW, a F650 Dakar. This was followed by a R1150 GSA and now a BMW R1200GSA. This is the bike he uses every day, as a self employed motorbike intercom fitter.

Mick over-landed round the world, travelling by car, train, ship, and bike on an 18 month adventure taking in North & Central Americas, Europe, Iceland, North Africa, Fiji and every territory/state in Australia. Mick has trained as a First Aid Instructor, Manual Handling Instructor and is a Scuba Diving Instructor. He also keeps bees to keep him busy!

 

Jairo Ruiz: Expedition Support Driver

Jairo

When we fly bikes from Panama to Colombia (or vice versa) the support vehicle goes by sea which takes a little longer. As a result in Colombia and Ecuador we transfer the essential equipment to our local Support Driver and Vehicle. Rest assured the level of support remains the same and we retain the same capacity for bikes and riders in the support vehicle.

Jairo is an experienced field mechanic and works extensively supporting Autogermana BMW in Colombia.Jairo has supported GlobeBusters in Colombia and Ecuador on Discover our Earth and Trans Americas expeditions, and has more in the diary for us. His “other” job is as an Insurance Agent and can organise the vital insurance for Colombia that the authorities require prior to allowing your bike to enter. His local knowledge and skills are great. He can also salsa with the best of them so beware!

 

 

Rhys Lawrey: I.T & Marketing

Rhys Lawrey in Peru

Rhys, spent a year in the UK with the GlobeBusters team in South Wales, and learnt all there is to the "behind the scenes" work. Rhys continues to work for GlobeBusters on all the I.T./social media side of things back where he grew up, in New Zealand. Rhys 'however' is not just an employee of GlobeBusters, he is Kevin Sanders' son.

Rhys has had great fortune in travelling at a young age. Ever since he was 10 years old being a pillion on the back of Kevin’s bike going around New Zealand, to travelling down to Garmisch, Germany for the BMW Motorrad show in 2007, then advancing to do thRhys in Parise High Andes route with his Dad. He has also travelled to places such as Turkey, Greece, Serbia and many other European countries, as well as travelling to Thailand, Australia and the United States.

Rhys works on the I.T and marketing side. He brings a very modern upgrade to GlobeBusters, with a focus on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter. However, he is hoping one day to move to a position like his father, an Expedition Leader!

The GlobeBusters Team

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Our riders have their say...

Mike Jewell: Trans Am 2005

"It is the ultimate adventure.  A trip of a lifetime.  Still cannot name one thing to criticise about the whole trip.  It is a credit to Kevin and Julia how well the whole trip is run"

Alex & Ann Frick: Africa 2008, Silk Road East 2010

On Africa 2008 alex-and-ann-frick"What an experience! We met fantastic people along the way, dipped into local culture, were awe struck by the scenery. When the planned itinerary had to be changed because of political turmoil, the Expedition Leaders, Craig and Barbara, put together a replacement route on the spot that was truly memorable. We enjoyed it so much we immediately signed up for the next one!"

David Ward: North America 2007

david-ward"Passion close to obsession! [GlobeBusters has] a passion for the journey; an obsession for the detail! Why? So that the trip you take with them becomes truly unforgettable! There's not a week that goes by when at some point I find myself thinking or talking of my trip with them and I look forward to repeating it again."

Chris Sutton: Trans Am 2009

Chris Sutton"The Trans Am expedition was for me, 50% fabulous and utterly ejoyable touring holiday, 40% an incredible motorcycle adventure, 9% of testing times, 1% total adrenaline rush and terrifying "oh shit" moments where you thought that you were really beyond your limits, suddenly converted to total joy when you discovered that you were not beyond them after all.  

Nothing can compare with this; The ultimate in motorcycling adventure touring, the ride of a lifetime"

Peter Allt: High Andes 2006, North West Africa 2008, Patagonia 2009

Peter Allt

About patagonia 2009 "Another excellent trip proving you get what you pay for.  Highly recommendable.  Go with GlobeBusters,You won't regret it"

Tony McIntyre: High Andes 2008, Southern Trans Am 2009

On High Andes 2008 tony-mcintyre"I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure. GlobeBusters say to "expect the unexpected". Unfortunately, my tangle with a wild animal meant that my trip came to a premature end. GlobeBusters support following my accident was excellent - GlobeBusters arrangements are well organised and supportive. The fact that I then booked another two trips with GlobeBusters - says it all."

Matt Bailey: Trans Am 2007

matt-bailey"I love the exposure of being on a motorcycle, not only to the elements, but also to the cultures. On a motorcycle you have a full panorama... nothing stands between you and the people... bikes seem to make their own introductions. I've been lucky enough to see a lot of the world in this way, and much of that is due to GlobeBusters, and I really am profoundly grateful."

Nigel Richardson: Trans Am 2009

Nigel RichardsonHaving booked the trip and informing others, most comments were about the cost…”Surely it’s cheaper on a self ride basis?”   Such comments do raise doubts…  There is therefore a “leap of faith” hoping GlobeBusters will deliver.  So was it value for money?

From me the answer is an unequivocal yes…. It is worth it for the opportunity to ride almost unridden routes, have time to savour unique regions of the world and above all know that the team will employ all means to ensure you complete your unforgettable trip. 

Well done GlobeBusters!  A well planned and executed biking experience and a great way for novice adventurers to see areas of the world by motorbike without the worries and hassles of doing it unsupported.

Jonathan Clifford: Trans Am 2005

Jonathan Clifford"What can I say it was great and I absolutely loved it.  A fantastic trip, superbly organised by an enthusiastic, helpful and friendly couple.  It was an experience I will never forget. 

Stop fannying around and sign up now - Its brilliant!"

Matt Bailey: Trans Americas 2007

matt-bailey"I love the exposure of being on a motorcycle, not only to the elements, but also to the cultures. On a motorcycle you have a full panorama... nothing stands between you and the people... bikes seem to make their own introductions. I've been lucky enough to see a lot of the world in this way, and much of that is due to GlobeBusters, and I really am profoundly grateful."

Greg Bennett: Trans Am 2007

greg-bennett"I only signed up for North America but ended up riding the whole Trans-Am! So many countries and amazing experiences, it's changed the way I look at the world and has given me the desire and confidence to explore more of it independently. Will I ever convince GlobeBusters to employ me?!"