Friday, November 3, 2006 - BMW Press Release - worldofbmw.com
Californian Frank Baughman didn't start riding motorcycles until he was 50-years-old. Now at 72-years-old he is an experienced motorcycle traveller, having completed some of the world's most renowned long-distance journeys and recently also had the 'honour' of being the oldest member of Helge Pedersen's GlobeRiders Beijing to Garmisch-Partenkirchen tour.
"I'm sure there's no better way to see the world than from the seat of my BMW," admitted Frank. "It's the best mode of transport to see different countries, meet new people, and experience diverse cultures and geography."
In the summer of 2006 Frank set out on his most adventurous journey so far as part of Helge Pedersen's GlobeRiders tour, which saw a group of BMW riders spend 65 days riding 16,000 kilometres across China, Inner Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, The Czech Republic, and Slovakia, before arriving in Germany.
The Dentist from Springville, California was one of 24 people who Helge guided from Beijing to the BMW International Biker Meeting in Garmisch-Partenkirchen this summer.
"It was a simply incredible trip," explained Frank. "I really can't pick out one point that stood out as my favourite. Amazing sights such as Lake Baikal, the Crimean Peninsula and the vast openness of Siberia were just a few of the highlights over the 65 days we spent on the road. It really did surpass all my expectations."
Despite Frank's advancing years and the lateness with which he turned to motorcycling, this isn't his first long distance trip. Last year he rode with Helge on the GlobeRiders Silk Road Tour from Istanbul in Turkey to Xian, China on the very same R 1200 GS he rode across Asia and Europe earlier this year.
"I've always enjoyed long-distance riding," confirmed Frank. "A few years ago I attempted to visit all 48 mainland States in the USA in 10 days but I missed out by just one hour. Then in 1997 I rode from Santiago in Chile to the tip of Argentina.
"Riding with Helge is a fantastic experience in itself," continued Frank. "As well as being a great rider and fantastic mechanic he is a born leader and constantly strives to make sure you get the most out of your trip."
However there was one thing that Frank left behind in China - his beard! "I've had a beard since I was 50-years-old," he explained. "At the start I shaved it off knowing that I had two months to grow it back before my wife saw me again. Once it had come off I rapidly decided I didn't like what was underneath and grew it back."
This isn't the end of the road for Frank either; he's already planning his own journey from Nordkap in Norway to the southern most point of Europe. Then there are rumours that Helge is planning an overland trip though Vietnam and Cambodia which Frank has already registered his interest for.
"I'm lucky," confirmed Frank. "My wife understands that it is my passion in life and she's very supportive as are my three daughters."
With a BMW R 1200 GS and K 1200 LT in Frank's garage, and the numerous possibilities that world travel presents we're sure that Frank won't be retiring just yet - quite the opposite if his future plans are anything to go by.