What happens when the journey you carefully planned goes completely wrong?

In 1979, at 21, Chris Donaldson left Belfast on a Moto Guzzi café racer intending to ride to Australia. Political upheaval closed his planned route almost immediately — so Chris simply went somewhere else.

And somewhere else.

His journey eventually took him through Africa, across the Atlantic by yacht, through North and Central America and into South America. Australia would have to wait more than 40 years.

Chris and Agnes talk about growing up amid the Troubles in Northern Ireland, crossing the Sahara on a motorcycle never designed for it, travelling alone through unfamiliar countries, trusting strangers, getting yourself out of trouble when there’s nobody to call — and discovering that people are often far kinder than we’re led to expect.

But this isn’t simply a motorcycle story.

Looking back decades later, Chris realized that Going the Wrong Way described more than his route around the world. Some of the unexpected turns in his life became the most important ones.

And in his 60s, rather than treating retirement as the end of adventure, Chris got back on a motorcycle and finally headed for Australia.

It’s a conversation about curiosity, resilience, aging, adventure and the possibilities that remain when we’re willing to take another road.

Listen now and then Share this conversation.

On his return from South America, Chris joined the family furniture shop in Belfast, which over the years he expanded into London and Dublin. He was UK Master Franchisor for a fitness company, developed a Health & Fitness Franchise, and a Mobile App company in Dubai; where he lived for eight years with his family on a 47ft yacht.

His hobbies include sailing and flying. Following his quest to do things his own way, he built his own aeroplane. He still rides his Moto Guzzi Le Mans, SOI 222, and some years ago rode it to Moscow and St Petersburg with his wife, Julie.

The journey still impacts his life to this day where he continues to go the wrong way whenever he can; The journey started in 1979 finally completed in March 2023 when Chris finally arrived in Australia with the same Moto Guzzi Le Mans after riding to Nepal and flying from Katmandu to Brisbane. Burma was closed in 1979 and still is, although he finally made it through Iran! The bike is currently in the Moto Guzzi Cathedral in Yea, near Melbourne.

Chris now works with Ed’s son, Jeff Arditti from North Carolina. He sells their furniture in Europe, Russia and Australia.

He now lives in Belfast and is the father of two beautiful girls.

Belfast cemetery has recently noticed some paranormal disturbances at the grave of his old English teacher. Rumours of him writing a book have apparently reached the afterlife

If you can find Chris on Social Media, let me know!

Check out Chris’ Book: Going The Wrong Way