Sydney to London on a Honda CT110. Fancy it?

Intrepid explorer Nathan Millward and his trusty Honda ‘Postie Bike’ have made it all the way home, through the dusty outback, the war torn far east and the lengths of Europe.

Setting off from Darwin in Australia towards the end of 2008, Nathan acquired his 110cc steed whilst down under, and lovingly nicknamed her Dorothy.

Since then, they have tackled the highest of hills, terrible tracks, rickety bridges and rough weather conditions.

Nathan and Dot came to visit us today, and we were even lucky enough to watch Dot speed around our car park like the spritely Postie bike that she is (after a jump start from the MD!).

Home and dry, Nathan and Dot would surely like a long rest now…right?

Not so. They’re already planning their next trip from Alaska to Argentina.

I knew Nathan was joking when he said she was up for sale for £200!

From all the staff at Two Wheel Centre (Mansfield) Ltd, congratulations to Nathan and Dot, and we wish you well on your next journey.

It’s been a while since we caught up with Nathan and Dot.

Where in the world have they been, and indeed, where in the world have Dot’s little rubber rings carried Nathan now?

Well, since Bangkok (which Nathan disliked for the weather!), they rode for 25 hours to Pai where Nathan, as impatient as ever, decided to ride straight on to Chiang Mai. Poor little Honda. A long rest was ahead though, as a matter of days later the humble CT110 Postie motorcycle was disassembled, boxed up into a crate and flown to Nepal. Expensive, yes, but with there being no road through Burma (and not fancying the trek through China) it seemed that Dot has no choice but to get in the crate.

But, zipping through this story and missing out so much vibrant detail, we know there is but one enduring detail which will never fade and will never waver…

Where in the world are Nathan and Dot?

They’re battling through Bangkok, vying for a Visa and outsmarting officers. It’s tough, the life of a touring twenty-something and his humble Honda.

For a quick update, Nathan and Dot are cruising through Bangkok after successfully returning to the border to buy the compulsory third party insurance - a journey which cost more in fuel than the actual insurance he bought.

As for outsmarting officers, on Tuesday, Nathan was riding over a rather large three lane flyover when he was pulled by a copper. It turned out no motorcycles were allowed on the flyover, and wham bam, Nathan was caught red handed. Instantly curling into a smile, the officer’s mouth uttered some words that resembled ‘money’ which Nathan knew all too well meant he was going to have to buy his way out of this one.

So out comes his wallet and with it, a tumbleweed. His wallet is empty. Nothing. Nada. Somewhat flummoxed, the officer doesn’t quite know what to make of the jittery English man with no money in his wallet, and suprisingly, he waves him on his way. Much to Nathan’s suprise, and even more to his enjoyment because of the wad of money sat in his bum bag, Nathan hops back onto his bike and weaves back out into the traffic. Score.

We haven’t heard from Nathan for a while. That’s because he has been frantically searching Malaysia for the keys to Dot’s heart - and her engine. Yes, Nathan lost his keys for a couple of days and then, even more unbelievably, found them taking refuge in his socks and pants on the hostel room floor. Nice.

Without the pressure of Visa expirations, Nathan and Dot seem a little bit undecided and unhurried as to deciding where to go next. Should they take on the roads to the North, or the roads to the South? Do a bit more exploring in Malaysia or hop the border to Thailand and zip around Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam before heading onto Bangkok? It is said that in Vietnam private motorcycles aren’t allowed past the border so smuggling Dot in might be a little harder than first thought.

The next day, the decision is made and off to Thailand Nathan and Dot go…but they don’t get far before Dot’s back tyre goes flat. Puncture number 5 for the trip. Balancing Dot on an upright brick whilst he removed the wheel and changed the tube, Nathan accepted the help of a few locals who took great pride in helping re-inflate Dot’s back end. They bid farewell, shook dirty hands and left Nathan to press on. No sooner did Nathan get ready to press on, Dot’s tyre was down again. And it was raining. Lovely. Out came the back wheel, off came the tyre and there was the perpertrating nail which had gone unnoticed in the first change. With no more tubes to hand, it was a case of sticking a plaster on the leak and making a run for the border.

Fed up and soaking from the waves of passing lorries in the tropical rain storm, Nathan and Dot scuttled through the border with minimal delay. They just wanted to press on. Riding through the night to Phuket with a sense of relief that there was finally no need to rush, Nathan and Dot took the next day off to follow the tourist trail of a four island cruise. Everything is just lovely.

Until it becomes apparent that Nathan is actually riding illegally. Passing through the border in a hurry, Nathan had missed the Thai requirements that every motorist must have third party insurance cover. So, there goes the relaxation. Re-tracing their tyre tracks back to the border on a 600km round trip, Nathan and Dot ride for 12 hours before they are ready to press on back to north Thailand, this time legally….

Nathan managed to grab the ferry to Malaysia on Tuesday and was re-united with Dot at the other end. But everything comes at a price, especially around Indonesia, so Nathan wasn’t suprised when the chap at the port demanded an additional £60 to take Dot out of quarantine and hand her back to her rightful owner.

Well, he wasn’t going to go far without Dot so he swallowed his pride and paid up.

But no sooner had Nathan got back out on the open road, Dot started to splutter and wheeze. She needs a doctor, or a mechanic, fast.

Enter Mr. Hong Chye, mechanic extraodinaire and the saviour of the trip.

Contrary to the hassle and heckling of Indonesia, Malaysian Mr. Chye seemed to take a shine to Dot. He took a glance at her 110cc engine, tickled her valves and tinkered with her poorly bits, until she was back to her normal self.

And it seems Mr. Chye was so taken with Dot that he didn’t want a penny for the pleasure of stroking her engine parts. What a pleasant suprise, thank you Mr. Chye.

So with her engine roaring to go, Nathan and Dot carry on into Malaysia. To the unknown and beyond…