Video: The Ride - A simpler take on the Long way down

If you got fed with certain Hollywood stars whinging their way down Africa, another take on the motorcycle travel show is set to air next week.

The Ride is a new series on the National Geographic channel, which started on Sunday and follows 11 ordinary British bikers on their travels down the Pan American Highway, going from Alaska to Patagonia.

Unlike the massively-backed adventures of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, these riders – who come from all walks of life, from builders to IT consultants – have just a one-man camera crew following their journey.

The riders are led by Guinness world record holders Kevin and Julia Sanders, and their experience of covering massive distances is the only back-up the team has got.

The journey takes the 11 riders no less than 20,000 miles, in all conditions from the freezing north through to baking temperatures, and will be shown in six episodes. 

Check out the video below for a short preview of the show and get more on 9 December and 16 December on National Geographic.

You can also pick up the DVD of the adventure from the shows website.