Mark Thake
Tour Guide
Hi, my name’s Mark. I was born in the East End of London into a family of greengrocers and market traders. I joined the Army as a boy soldier at 16 and never looked back. I served, on and off, for around 24 years in various roles, finishing my career as a military paramedic and specialist trainer.
It was during my Army career that I took up rally co-driving, competing at all levels, including numerous outings on the Network Q RAC Rally – then the UK’s round of the World Rally Championship. I was also fortunate to manage the Army Rally Team, competing in the British Open Championship series. This experience, along with my medical and mechanical background, led to my selection as part of the support crew for the 1997 Peking to Paris Classic Rally, followed by the Classic African Safari Rally, and ultimately the jewel in the crown: the 2000 Around the World Rally, circumnavigating the globe east to west.
Although four wheels dominated that chapter, I’ve always had a love for two wheels too. That’s led to numerous on- and off-road adventures – including a stint as motorhome driver for the late, great Nicky Hayden, 2006 MotoGP World Champion, and time as a race engineer in BSB for ‘True Heroes Racing’, a team set up to support injured servicemen in the sport.
Further escapades include riding to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin wearing lederhosen and to Rick’s Café in Casablanca dressed in a white tuxedo – both stories probably best shared over a pint!
More recently, I’ve travelled globally, training, advising, and sometimes accompanying media and TV crews in austere and hostile environments. When I’m not travelling, I spend my time fettling bikes for easy big-bike off-roading. I currently have a Triumph Tiger 800XC and my pride and joy – a recently acquired KTM 790 Adventure. It seems that, with Magellan, my world is now orange.
Away from two wheels, I also have a love of sailing and a passion for cooking. I’ve returned to my roots in the East End with my wonderful (and long-suffering!) fiancée, who keeps me on the straight and narrow. I have two grown-up daughters – one of whom, along with my grandson, has recently caught the motorcycling bug. The younger is a work in progress!
Check out Mark's three favourite trips