This post in memory of Douglas John Ell and Vanessa Margaret Beare
Dear Friends/Supporters
You have probably noticed that not much info has been forthcoming in the past few days. I apologize for that but there is a very good reason. We did make the south coast of Turkey at Fenike two days ago but since then there have been some major changes. I have been waiting until now to tell you all as I didn’t quite know what to say.
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that The Jayco Ultimate ride has been called off. There are a number of reasons for this and in no particular order they are:
1. Even though Seadoo are still the best PWC brand in the world, they are not designed to take the continuous punishment that we have subjected them to with our hectic schedule and the modifications that we made to them. We found that we were continually losing time for maintenance and struggling to get spare parts in out of the way places. As a result we were getting further and further behind. When a fuel leak developed in my long range tank, effectively ruling out long open water crossings, we knew we couldn’t make Australia in the time I have available. The sponsored money from Jayco was always conditional on us reaching Australia as Jayco is an Australian Company with nothing to gain from exposure outside Australia and NZ so we offered it back on this basis and the offer was accepted. We have always struggled financially with the ride and this situation became unacceptable as a result. We are all in too much debt already.
2. Due to a rise in tentions in Yemen the NZ department of Foregn Affairs has strenuously warned us not to proceed south of Egypt unattended. The risk of terrorist and pirate attacks in Yemen has risen to an unacceptable level and we would be a prime target.
We all have families and it woul be unfair to put their futures at risk for an adventure, even with such a good cause.
So friends, I am sorry if you feel we have let you down. I and my team have worked hard on this ride for three years now and we are absolutely beside ourselves with disappointment.
Keep spreading the healthy living message and early detection of cancer message. I will be. Even if we have saved only one life with it, all of this will have been worthwhile.
We are now in Rhodos in Greece riding north to Croatia where Ivan lives so that the skis can be returned to BRP. By the time we get there we will have covered some 8000km.
Regards
Jeremy
8 responses so far ↓
1 dominomarie // Aug 30, 2010 at 3:59 am
Jeremy… you gave it your all and more and it’s with the utmost distress that I read your blog but nevertheless applaud you for making this decision. The security concerns were always there and sadly, never went away. Quite an accomplishment, whichever way to look at it.
2 colliwob // Aug 30, 2010 at 9:10 am
Tough luck mate. You are definitely a modern day hero in my book. I need a good image of you for my Mentors and Hero’s page in my winners diary (ref. Kerry Spackman). I’m just glad you’re safe. Touch base when you get home. Col
3 btk // Aug 30, 2010 at 9:31 am
Jeremy and team, I can only imagine how bad you feel at having to pull the plug. Take spirit from the fact that few are ever motivated enough to embark on such a journey, even for a highly worthwhile cause like cancer awareness. You’ve tested the mettle of equipment, thieves, border guards and pirates, and its they that have been found wanting. I’ve no doubt that with a little more time, more funding and less unfriendlies, you’d have made it. Any one of your sponsors would be happy with your efforts and bloggings. Its been a great adventure to watch from the comfort of home. Best wishes. Brett
4 Matt // Aug 30, 2010 at 10:10 am
Dissapointing mate, but outstanding effort all the same. Catch you for a beer soon.
5 Steve Sobot // Aug 30, 2010 at 11:09 am
Well done Jeremy & Team, excellent achievement. Of course it’s disappointing that the “Ultimate Ride” had to be prematurely curtailed in this way, but sometimes discretion is indeed the better part of valour!
And let’s hope that Jayco receive sufficient marketing feedback from the global marketplace and mediaplace we all now populate to enable them to positively reassess their support.
6 Sue Baggaley // Aug 30, 2010 at 10:18 pm
What an amazing achievement – 8000k. Enjoy the experiences and the successes you have had and know that many people have heard your message. I know you must feel cheated – but we don’t!
7 PaulG // Aug 31, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Better to have tried and failed than never have tried at all… you’ve all done so well and it has been a pleasure to follow your epic! journey.
After reading your book ‘The Ultimate Ride’ I’ve been in awe of your achievments and would have dearly loved to have been involved (as a mad keen SeaDoo fan and rider for many years).
8000km’s is no small achievment, and one you all should be extremely proud of, as are many folk back here in NZ.
You gave it a crack and you deserve all the praise to get.
Wishing you safe final trip. Look forward to the DVD!
Paul Gardham, North Shore, NZ.
8 Scott Kennedy // Sep 1, 2010 at 12:10 pm
You guys are awesome. I have just finished reading your book from your NZ adventure and totally loved it.
I am sorry that you could not continue this adventure but you had to weigh up the risks and I believe you made the right call.
Maybe the next adventure could be Auckland to the Bay of Islands and get hundreds of people on their skis to do the journey with you. I would be in! As long as you allow Yamaha’s too
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