You have to have a lot of love for two wheels to get on one. Honda SS50 in Romford, Essex (UK) and cross the whole of Europe towards Istanbul. However, there are guys like Phil Ranson who live with great enthusiasm an adventure of this magnitude. The same one that has been taking place since last August 20th.
Just before leaving he met with his MCN colleagues to tell them in detail what his intentions are for this long journey and above all how he intends to carry it out without dying in the attempt. More precisely, how the small Honda SS50 will be able to withstand a journey of more than 3,000 kilometers during a estimated time 6 to 7 weeks.
Honda SS50 “with you to the end of the world”
Do you remember the 80s commercial that Peugeot used to advertise its everlasting 205? Well, this same slogan could be applied to this Honda SS50. A single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled moped, with which Ranson intends to complete this long journey. It belongs to his incredible collection of 51 motorcycles, but perhaps it represents something special in his life for him to have chosen it as a faithful companion for this adventure.
As he explains, he restored it in 2019 using two other Honda SS50s that he had as donors. Now it’s time to put his work to the test and see if this little moped will be able to reach its intended destination. The reason for going to Istanbul, as the protagonist explains: “I went out for lunch with my daughter and we had some beers and wines. I thought Istanbul was a lovely place; I will go there.”
About the trip he comments that: “The trip will take as long as it takes. It will go at 65 km/h, but the cruising speed is between 45 and 50 km/h. On the climbs, the speed drops dramatically. I can do 160 km in one day; maybe 80 the next day. I don’t have a concrete plan, other than a route I’ve mapped out.”
The route to complete this trip will take him through countries such as France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Greece, until he reaches the capital of Turkey. Undoubtedly, there are many kilometers and days on board the Honda SS50, so Phil is prepared for almost any unforeseen event:
“I have a side saddlebag full of spare carburetors, spare cables, chains, brake pads, condensers, points and spark plugs. But, if the worst comes to the worst, I would stop and buy a box, take the engine out of the frame and fly home. Then I would have my friend rebuild it and fly it back. I’m sure I can manage it. It’s very basic and I think I can repair most things found on the side of the road.”
His daughter will fly to Istanbul to meet him at the finish line and immortalize the moment. She also comments: “I’m really looking forward to going to Albania, it looks amazing. I’m going to take a short detour to a road called SH20, which sounds like a dream motorbike trip!”If you want to know all the details about this interesting adventure and find out about the places that its protagonist visits, you can follow him on his Instagram profile.
