Simon Milward's amazing adventure ends, or maybe it just took a celestial detour

March 4, 2005

News came to us that Simon Milward died on March 4, 2005, due to a road accident while traveling through Africa.
 
 Simon Milward left his home of Exeter, in southwest England, on January 1, 2000, to fulfill his dream of riding his motorcycle around the world. This was his amazing adventure. But it wasn't a young man searching for an escape from the mundane or facing a mid-life crisis. This was a man on a mission. His mission was to raise money for two international charities, Health for All and Doctors Without Borders. Health for All delivers medical aid to remote places in Asia, and Doctors Without Borders does the same worldwide. What's unique is that they utilize motorcycles to reach these far places with essential medical supplies and medicines
 
  Simon began his motorcycle odyssey when he was the General Secretary of the Federation of European Motorcyclists Association (FEMA) from 1992-99. In that capacity, he lobbied for reasonable regulations in Europe on behalf of a half-million riders. Simon later joked, "Spending seven years with politicians and bureaucrats is enough to drive anyone around the world." In 1998, Simon was in a motorcycle accident in Brussels, Belgium. He never forgot how the doctors worked to save his life and wanted to do something to repay them. Simon never did anything in a small way. He decided that his debt would have to be repaid on a worldwide scale.
  
He left his work with FEMA behind, took his life savings and began his amazing adventure. As special as Simon and his mission were, so was his bike. It was a handmade motorcycle with an Austrian 600cc single cylinder engine. It had an Italian 11.5 gallon gas tank and parts from eight other countries to start, with many additions and donations along this 5-year trip. Besides the generous donations to the two charities, Simon was able to appropriate motorcycles for use to reach the villages in need.

In order to educate prospective donors in an entertaining way, Milward presented a PowerPoint program of his virtual world tour in order to secure donations for this cause. This wonderful program allowed viewers to share Simon's experiences on the road, which included visiting the smuggler's market on the Pakistan-Afghan border, two civil wars in Southeast Asia, an audience with the Dali Lama and his near drowning in Siberia. The vibrant colors and views made one feel they were right there along side him on this journey.
 
 In August, 2002, Simon visited Wisconsin, staying at the home of ABATE of Wisconsin member Karen Aigamaua of Muskego. There, he presented his PowerPoint presentation once again for a group of ABATE members, including founder, Tony "Pan" Sanfelipo, and Waukesha Regional Rep. "Big Roy" Bergsholm. While in the Milwaukee area, Tony "Pan" accompanied Simon to the Harley-Davidson Corporate offices on Juneau Avenue.


Simon Milward and Tony Pan,
 Sturgis, South Dakota, 2002
 
 After meeting with company executives, Pan took pictures of Simon, posed on his one-of-a-kind motorcycle, in front of the famous company entrance. Pan also rode with Simon in South Dakota and attended the PowerPoint presentation yet again, this time at the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce.
 
  Never forgetting his roots, Simon was ever vigilant of the impact of globalization on motorcycling. Borrowing on his experience as General Secretary of FEMA, he made observations of the restrictions on motorcycling from one country to another and never missed an opportunity to speak to authorities and motorcycle groups. In Malaysia, Viet Nam and the Philippines, he learned of restrictions and access problems. He spoke to industry leaders in Japan about noise restrictions and decibel levels. He spoke to bike club members about bans on travel, all the while promoting his humanitarian cause for Health for All and Doctors Without Borders.
  The medical community as well as the motorcycle community worldwide lost a true champion. A hero among men, yet Simon would be the last to claim that distinction. He was as modest as he was larger than life. He will be deeply missed by everyone he met, and all the lives he touched through his work.
  
I was extremely humbled by this gentle man, and privileged to have known him personally.

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