Military Bikers Aim To Conquer World’s Longest Road

Six servicemen are attempting to become the first motorcyclists to ride the world’s longest road in one continuous journey.

The "British Army Trans Americas Expedition" team left Tierra del Fuego, the southern tip of South America, on the 13th March and embarked on a 20,000 mile journey across the continent, all the way to Alaska. 

The itinerary is known as the Pan-American Highway and will involve travelling through 15 countries, including crossing the infamous Darien Gap.

This area has defied many attempts to cross its interior as it consists of virgin rainforest, swamp and mountains.

Major Nick Foulerton SCOTS DG, the expedition leader, said:

“This fantastic opportunity presents a very diverse and extreme set of challenges throughout this extensive ride, where our leadership and skills will be tested in some truly harsh and demanding environments.”

The six men, each on a motorbike and with no support team, aim to ride the length of the Americas in just three months.

Each member of the expedition has brought a certain skill set, from medical and mechanical expertise to core skills such as patrol planning, navigation, survival and administration.

In 1971, a similar military expedition under the leadership of Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE took on the route.

A team of over 100 men and women took three months to force their two Range Rovers through the 300 mile wide Darien Gap. To this day, no one has repeated the feat.

The mission aims to demonstrate that the British Military remains capable of conducting such audacious adventures at the forefront of overland exploration and to raise funds for veterans mental health charity Combat Stress.