A HARLEY Davidson fan from a village near Oswestry has recently completed an epic 27,000 miles trip on his 20-year-old motorbike, Bertha.

Steve Jones, who lives in St Martins, took the trip of a lifetime, traveling for a year through countries such as Russia, Spain, Norway, Siberia, Turkey and more.

The Harley Davidson Riders Club member planned the excursion for his 60th birthday, but with the outbreak of Covid, he was forced to postpone it, so he instead spent the time preparing it.

Steve explained that he had embarked on a big trip before, when he was in his 20s, but he wanted to do it again.

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The 65-year-old said: “I always wanted to another one before I turned 60, but Covid delayed those plans.

“So now, retired, I decided it’s the best time to do it – you’re never too old.”

Steve and Bertha visited all the places he had dreamed of as a kid, and said he was always fascinated with the history of those places.

He decided that the best way to get through this trip was to camp and stay in hostels, which he explained to be an incredible way to meet new people.

At the beginning of the trip, in June 2022, Steve, and some of his friends first visited Europe’s northernmost point, North Cape (Nordkapp) in Norway.

Border Counties Advertizer: Steve and his friends at North Cape, NorwaySteve and his friends at North Cape, Norway (Image: Steve Jones)

After his friends went home, he continued his trip to Russia where he got stopped at the border.

“I got to the Finnish border with Russia, and the first thing the guard asked me was why wasn’t I worried,” Steve said. “I then told him what I believe: the Russian people have almost nothing to do with the war.”

According to Steve, the guard just chucked his passport back at him and said ‘Good luck’.

Steve then continued his trip for a while until he reached Turkey after the earthquake, when he stopped and helped the Turkish Red Cross with gathering and distributing supplies.

He continued: “I was just in Turkey before it happened, took pictures and all, but seeing it after was really touching.

“I decided to help them for two weeks, the best I could.”

Border Counties Advertizer: Steve, together with volunteer, helping with donations after the Turkey earthquakeSteve, together with volunteer, helping with donations after the Turkey earthquake (Image: Steve Jones)

Steve, who is also half Egyptian, didn’t have a fully smooth ride, as when on a Greek mountain, he broke five bones in his foot.

“I had to take a break for a little bit,” he said, “But I was back on track, against medical advice, very soon after the incident.”

In Tajikistan, the biker also stopped due to Bertha overheating, when he met a kind soul.

Steve added: “It was about 40 degrees outside, and both me and Bertha were overheating so I decided to stop wherever I saw some shade, and I was exhausted.

“In the distance, I saw a little lad, about six years old, and in that moment, I wanted to give up for the night and camp.

“Next thing I know he appeared in front of me with an apple, but I was so shocked I couldn’t even say thank you.

“That was hands-down the most moving moment of the trip.”

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Steve finished his journey in June 2023, and he is so grateful that Bertha was strong enough to carry him through the journey, albeit with some fixing along the way.

Now he plans to take on South America in two years’ time, but she will not join him on that trip.

In the meantime, Steve is writing a book about his adventures.