Johnny P and Lina head east

By Johnny Parsons

Johnny P and Lina head east, embarking on an adventure to new horizons.

AK. So Johnny, you've been getting excited about the Rally for plenty of months and I'm sure you're reaching fever pitch by now. How did you fall into this endeavour?

JP. In winter 2011, I was crocked with a bad back (slipped on black ice when running) & was moping around, feeling sorry for myself. Then Kenny told me of a fantastic film festival, The Hope Valley Adventure Film Festival, so I went along. The line-up was superb & it had a great atmosphere. The Compere announced the final film entitled “The Mongol Rally”, something I never even knew existed. He said along the lines of “I won’t tell you anything about this film, I’ll let you make your own minds up, but I think it’s very good!”
Lina & I were absolutely gripped, it was an awesome film. Afterwards, as we were discussing all the films & I said “What did you reckon to “The Mongol Rally” film?”
Lina said “Let’s do it!”
So that’s where it started, the seed was planted 18 months ago & now, I’m surrounded by gear, in a house that looks like it’s been ransacked (twice) & we set off tomorrow.
Plus, our car is in the garage with a broken shocker!

AK I believe the Mongol Rally is reasonably well known, but what's the main attraction?

JP.10,000 miles of pure adventure over mountains, deserts and some of the most remote terrain on the planet, in a car designed for the weekly shop!The Mongol Rally is the World’s biggest amateur car rally, with no back-up, no support & no set route.

On July 14th 200 teams will set forth from Goodwood, to join another 200 European teams in the Czech Republic. We will be crossing Western & Eastern Europe, then Russia, Kazakhstan, Siberia and finally Mongolia in our 998cc Nissan Micra “The Silver Streak”.

All teams are raising money for various charities and we aim to raise as much money as possible for two: Martin House Children’s Hospice and The Lotus Children’s Centre.
You can donate to these two very worthy causes via the direct link on their website.

AK. Have you been up to much getting into the spirit of the thing and preparation wise?

JP. Well we got to show off the Silver Streak at the Keswick Mountain Festival (which you kindly invited me along to). I was also fortunate to come along to “Big Shakeout” last October where I was given a slot to do a bit of a public chat (so to speak) about our Mongol Rally plans, where I was grilled by the Grimester, Niall Grimes, and quizzed by Captain Kirk, Andy Kirkpatrick. All being well, team Mongoliando.com will be back there this October. We've also done some longish trips up to John O'Groats amongst others.

AK. Do you have one thing during the trip that you are most excited about?

JP.We're both looking forward to camping in the middle of the middle of nowhere.Deserts, steppe, mountains. Also shopping in little Kazakh markets, struggling with my (severely limited) Russian & not knowing what we're actually eating at times.

AK. There's a lot of adventure and unpredictability involved by the looks of things. Is there anything in particular that you are overly worried about coping with on the journey?

JP.Fears, doubts & worries?

Our biggest single fear would be a terminal injury to the Silver Streak. It's in effect a year of driving in 4 weeks. A big ask for a Micra with 94000 miles on the clock.We've tried to go as light as possible (& failed !) We've got to be self-sufficient, but neither of us are mechanics!

AK. One day to go. What will you be up to on Friday night?

JP.Until the bar closes!Will have plenty to chinwag about with other excited ralliers!

Oh and. if you get a chance!Follow our epic adventure and sponsor us here: mongoliando.com

Also on twitter: ladfromtadand facebook too: mongoliando.com

Books & Magazines

  • Save 10%

Coffee First, Then The World Coffee First, Then The World

Coffee First, Then The World

In 2018, over the course of 18,000 miles, Scottish cyclist Jenny Graham smashed the round-the-world...
£15.29 £16.99
  • Save 10%

Oat To Joy Oat To Joy

Oat To Joy

Emma Pooleys oat-based recipes
£24.99
  • Save 10%

BOMS-WLDSW-01-wild_swim BOMS-WLDSW_wildswim2_1200

Wild Swim

River, lake, lido and sea: the best places to swim outdoors in Britain
£13.49 £14.99
  • Save 10%

The Outdoor Swimmers' Handbook The Outdoor Swimmers' Handbook

The Outdoor Swimmers' Handbook

Kate Rew's joyful and comprehensive guide to outdoor swimming
£19.79 £21.99
  • Save 10%

Swimming Wild in the Lake District Swimming Wild in the Lake District

Swimming Wild in the Lake District

The most beautiful wild swimming spots in the larger lakes
£16.19 £17.99
  • Save 10%

BOMS-1001CT-01-1001_climbing_tips BOMS-1001CT-01-1001_climbing_tips

1001 Climbing Tips

An irregular instruction manual for anyone who hangs off stuff or just hangs around in the mountains
£22.49 £24.99
  • Save 10%

Shining Mountain, The Shining Mountain, The

Shining Mountain, The

The first ascent of the West Wall of Changabang
£8.99 £9.99
  • Save 10%

22000 Miles 22000 Miles

22000 Miles

A Father and Son's Cycling Adventures by Richard Seipp
£13.49 £14.99
  • Save 10%

Lake District Trail Running Lake District Trail Running

Lake District Trail Running

Helen Mort's compilation of 20 off-road routes for trail and fell runners from 5 to 17 km
£11.69 £12.99
  • Save 10%

BOMS-BON-01-chris_bonington_mountaineer BOMS-BON-01-chris_bonington_mountaineer

Chris Bonington Mountaineer

This books breaks down 30 years of Chris Bonnington's climbing with pages of wonderful photographs - an inspiration to any mountaineer
£17.99 £19.99
  • Save 10%

Stand-up Paddleboarding In Great Britain Stand-up Paddleboarding In Great Britain

Stand-up Paddleboarding In Great Britain

Providing details on how to get started in stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in a safe environment.
£21.99
  • Save 10%

Brecon Beacons Trail Running Brecon Beacons Trail Running

Brecon Beacons Trail Running

20 Off-road routes for trail and fell runners
£11.69 £12.99

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

=