German scooter adventurer, Markus Mayer is currently on day 18 of his ‘Around the world on a Vespa – in 80 days’ trip. Markus is following in the wheel tracks of two Spanish adventurers, Antonio Veciana and Satiago Guillen who completed the feat two up on a Vespa in 79 days back in 1962. SLUK readers can be a small part of this trip by helping out with fuel for his scooter, read on…
A changing world
Markus had already covered over 60,000km and ridden through 35 countries between 2014 and 2017 but started planning this big trip back in 2015. When asked why it’s taken three years to plan and make a start he said “The world constantly changed which makes it complicated to realise the trip – and my funding to finance this trip was difficult as well.” A few weeks ago he quit his truck driving job, gave up his apartment and moved into a van as temporary accommodation until he could set off on the adventure of a lifetime.
Ride, eat, sleep, repeat
Markus lives by the motto ‘Ride, eat, sleep, repeat’ and told us “I hope to accomplish this dream and continue a story of 2 brave men traveling the world in 79 Days in 1962 and show that with persistence and a dream one can move mountains! An ordinary man can achieve an extraordinary life. And I do not just ride for myself. I ride for charity and I ride for all that have a dream!”
New York
An important part of the planning for this trip started last year when Markus rode a Vespa from the East Coast of the USA to San Diego on the West Coast. He left that particular Vespa there and will use that as his tour takes him across the USA, heading to New York. This will come after flying in from Seoul to San Diego after his European, Middle-East and Asian stages.
Turkey
In total Markus will ride over 24,000kms and cross approximately 17 countries, including some less than friendly ones during his adventure. Speaking to us from the Black Sea earlier today Markus told us “People all the way have been friendly, helpful and very hospitable. All together great.” He knows there are tough times to come though and aside from losing a couple of days earlier this week waiting for a new cylinder to arrive (some problems with PayPal transactions in Turkey meant the parts didn’t arrive when they should) he says things are going to plan.
Because the spares didn’t arrive Markus is currently riding on a 125cc cylinder with a main jet 15 numbers too high but the new parts should arrive to his hotel in Trabzon from SIP tomorrow.
Spare parts and kit needed so far
- 2 CDIs
- 2 spark plugs
- 2 clutches
- 1 cylinder
- 1 riding jacket
- 1 powerbank
Donate a tank of fuel
As you can probably imagine, an around the world scooter trip is a huge commitment, it’s already cost Markus his home and his job, not to mention the thousands and thousands of pounds he’ll spend during the trip just to keep himself and the scooter going.
Paypal fuel fund
Markus has gained a few sponsors and has also been helped out by the generosity of various scooterists and individuals along the way. If you can help out by sending him a few pounds for a tank of fuel, or can help out in any other way you can donate using his PayPal address: Lavidavespa@yahoo.de
Let Markus know that SLUK and scooterists around the world are behind him. If you can send him some cash as a gift he’ll really appreciate it. Your one tank of fuel may just help him complete his trip. If not, just a few words of encouragement in a comment on this post will help to keep him going as he faces the hostile terrain of Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia.
We’ll be getting updates from Markus during the trip as and when he manages to find enough time off the saddle.
New products always in development…
Good luck Markus on your epic journey