MEET THE TEAM
OUR TEAM
Kevin Williamson
- He’s a confirmed petrol head and bike mad (his dad was too!)
- He’s been riding bikes for 46 years, including several seasons of production bike racing back in the ‘80s
- He has 2 bikes but would like more (because he’s just greedy)
- Current bikes Yamaha XJR1300 & BMW R1200 GSA, on his shopping list … RD500LC, BMW S1000RR, Ducati Multistrada V4RS. TBH it’s a very long and hopeful shopping list, so we won’t list any more, if you ask him I’m sure he’ll go through the full list (careful what you wish for!).
- His first bike back in ’78 was a Honda SS50, a moped with actual pedals that could pedal the thing along – apparently, he tried it once, it was so much hard work, he just made sure he never ran out of fuel after that!
- He set up Great Escape Motorcycling (GEM) to enable motorcycle enthusiasts to ride their bikes to places they may not have thought about. His ethos is, “yes it’s a motorcycle tour, but it should feel like it’s a Ride Out with your mates – friends you haven’t met yet” “a stress-free safe environment to ride your bike without peer pressure no matter what your level of experience”
Owner, Lead Rider & Route developer.
Paul Williamson
- Kev’s brother from another mother – well cousin anyway.
- He’s a confirmed petrol head and bike mad – “Riding is the love of my life (but don’t tell the wife)”.
- He got his first bike when he was 16 because all of his friends were getting them - so, why not? And it gave him his freedom.
- He moved to Canada in 1999 which allowed him the opportunity to ride extensively in both Canada and the USA. It was some of the best riding of his life at that time.
- In the months leading up to May 2019, he reconnected with Kev after around 40 years. When he and his son joined a ride out to the Le Mans MotoGP. They had an immediate connection through their love of riding and motorcycles.
- He & his wife joined another ‘Kev’ Ride Out to Northern Ireland in June 2022 - around the time that Kev shared his plans with Paul about starting GEM (Great Escape Motorcycling).
- When Kev asked him to become his lead rider … “My answer was an immediate and loud YES”
- On May 26, 2023, Paul’s wife, (the one who doesn’t know she is his second love) and Paul jumped on their motorcycles and left Vancouver, British Columbia and rode 9500 kms across Canada to Halifax, Nova Scotia. EPIC!!
- They then shipped the bikes over to the UK, where, with Kev & the crew, Paul is ready to guide you on your next EPIC ride out.
Lead Rider & Route developer.
- Unlike the boys, Em has to do some proper work as well!
- Total Hodophile (if you don’t know what that is, look it up – I had to!).
- Travelling is her biggest passion - there is always a trip ready to go.
- Coffee is her second passion, so there will ALWAYS be plenty of coffee stops along the way.
- The staple pillion passenger of the crew, she can usually be found napping on the back of Kev’s bike.
- Her favourite trip of the year is still the Le Mans MotoGP. Nothing beats the buzz of race day.
- Photographer for the crew, even from the back of the bike, she loves documenting our journeys.
- London 2012 Games Maker, she was invited to drinks with the King for her achievements. Ok, so he was only a Prince then, but she’s still been to his house.
Co-owner, Travel & Reservations Specialist