Bike-mad collector sets off on seven-week riding epic to Istanbul aboard a Honda SS50 moped

A motorcycle mad collector from Romford in Essex has set off on an estimated six- to seven-week riding adventure to Istanbul, Turkey, aboard an air-cooled, four-stroke Honda SS50 moped.

Phil Ranson, who owns 51 motorcycles, set off from his home on Tuesday, August 20. He has previously ridden the bike to Spain, and restored it back in 2019 from two donor bikes.

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Now retired, the plan is to take each day of this adventure as it comes – stopping as an when he feels like it on the day.

“I was out for a meal with my daughter, and we had a few beers and wines,” Ranson explained. “I thought Istanbul sounds lovely; I’ll go there.

“The trip will take as long as it takes. It will do 40mph, but it cruises at around 28 to 30mph. Up hills this then drastically drops,” he continued. “I might do 100 miles in a day; I might do 50 the next. There’s no real plan, besides a route I’ve made.”

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The journey will take Phil through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and eventually Turkey. Despite the challenge, he’s also confident in the reliability and has a backup plan, should anything major occur.

“I’ve got a side pannier full of spare carbs, spare cables, chains, brake pads, condensers, points, and spark plugs,” Phil explained. “But, if the worst comes to the worst, I’d stop and buy a case, take the engine out of the frame and fly it home. I’d then get my mate to rebuild it and fly it back.

“I’m quite confident it’s going to make it. It’s very basic, and I think I can repair most things at the side of the road.”

According to Ranson, the plan is for his daughter to fly out to Istanbul and meet him at the finish line, too, and he’s also looking forward to experiencing new riding locations and cultures along the way.

“I’m looking forward to Albania, it seems quite amazing,” he said. “I’m going to take a bit of a detour to a road called the SH20, which looks like a motorcycle dream ride!” To follow Phil’s adventure, visit @midlifecrisisrider on Instagram.