Ed March Crosses Iran on Honda C90, Rebuffs Western Hostility Claims

c90adventures

Western governments and media intentionally demonize Iran to condition public support for foreign military intervention, obscuring pervasive grassroots hospitality.

AI-assisted summary of Riding through Iran on a small motorcycle as British person. — original source. Check the original for full context.

Source published: 2012-06-05

Key ideas

Riding overland on a Honda C90 from Malaysia to the UK, Ed March entered Iran via ferry from the Persian Gulf, directly challenging mainstream Western travel warnings and media portrayals. (0:01)
Everyday Iranian hospitality repeatedly defied expectations, with locals refusing payment for meals and petrol, handing fresh fruit to moving vehicles, and offering tea at police checkpoints. (3:42)
March argues that lightweight, low-displacement bikes like the C90 outmatch heavy adventure tourers such as the BMW GS in dense urban traffic, maneuverability, and field recovery. (10:26)
Concluding his transit toward the Turkish border, March declared Iran his favorite destination of the journey, calling it the friendliest and safest country to find oneself stranded without resources. (16:15)

Detailed notes

## Background Published on YouTube by c90adventures on June 5, 2012, this video documents rider Ed March traveling across Iran on a Honda C90 during an overland journey from Malaysia to the UK. The channel's description notes that the update aims to showcase how awesome the country truly is, encouraging viewers not to avoid it based on newspaper and government warnings.

## TL;DR Embarking on the journey with deep apprehension due to negative Western portrayals, Ed crosses into Iran and discovers an astonishing standard of generosity and warmth from nearly everyone he encounters. Riding his small Honda C90 alongside German companions and later solo, he receives free meals, tea, fruit, motorcycle fuel, and endless gifts from strangers, while marveling at cultural treasures like Persepolis and vibrant desert-to-mountain landscapes. Along the way, he humorously champions the virtues of lightweight commuter bikes over expensive adventure motorcycles like the BMW GS, especially when navigating dense traffic. As he approaches the Turkish border, he concludes that Iran is the friendliest country on earth, starkly contrasting lived reality with geopolitical media propaganda.

## Atmosphere & style The presentation carries a charmingly irreverent, self-deprecating British humor blended with earnest, wide-eyed wonder. It feels like an intimate, gritty home movie made by an adventurous mate who relies on slapstick wit—such as setting up a folding drum kit on a mountain roadside or deadpan cutaways—to ground the awe of his encounters. What begins with lingering dread swiftly transforms into an affectionate, joyous celebration of human kindness, leaving the viewer with an overwhelming sense of warmth, relief, and infectious wanderlust.

## Bulletin - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=1s) Riding overland on a Honda C90 from Malaysia to the UK, Ed March entered Iran via ferry from the Persian Gulf, directly challenging mainstream Western travel warnings and media portrayals. - [03:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=222s) Everyday Iranian hospitality repeatedly defied expectations, with locals refusing payment for meals and petrol, handing fresh fruit to moving vehicles, and offering tea at police checkpoints. - [10:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=626s) March argues that lightweight, low-displacement bikes like the C90 outmatch heavy adventure tourers such as the BMW GS in dense urban traffic, maneuverability, and field recovery. - [16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) Concluding his transit toward the Turkish border, March declared Iran his favorite destination of the journey, calling it the friendliest and safest country to find oneself stranded without resources.

## Key takeaways - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=1s) A stark divide existed between non-travelers who viewed Iran as hostile and experienced overlanders who universally praised it as safe and welcoming. - [00:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=45s) Navigating initial language barriers required nonverbal methods such as hand-drawn sketches to communicate with local taxi drivers. - [01:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=90s) Local motorcyclists routinely formed welcoming escorts to practice English and show off street riding stunts alongside arriving travelers. - [02:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=136s) Roadside fuel in rural areas was often dispensed from plastic containers at small shacks rather than formal petrol stations. - [03:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=222s) Spontaneous hospitality frequently resulted in hosts refusing payment for food, drinks, and motorcycle fuel provided to travelers. - [05:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=334s) Persepolis left a profound impression on March, surpassing major European monuments like Stonehenge in masonry detail and architectural grandeur. - [07:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=428s) Urban Iranian bazaars and boutique windows revealed striking contrasts between public dress codes and private, vibrant fashion choices. - [08:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=510s) Polite street culture was exemplified by local motorists pausing and waiting patiently to avoid ruining outdoor video shots. - [09:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=558s) Iran's domestic motorcycle fleet relies overwhelmingly on Honda C100 and CG125 clones, making spare parts widely available and cheap. - [10:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=626s) Spontaneous kindness extended to open highways, including a transport lorry driver handing an orange directly to March at cruising speed. - [14:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=859s) Lightweight commuter bikes proved superior to oversized adventure tourers when filtering through gridlocked traffic or maneuvering tight doorways. - [14:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=859s) The sole unfriendly interaction during the entire trip was with a foreign tourist on a BMW adventure bike rather than an Iranian local. - [16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) Military and police checkpoint officers regularly transformed routine passport checks into relaxed social visits involving hot tea and cigarettes. - [16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) March compared the warmth of the Iranian population to an attentive grandmother constantly fussing over a guest's comfort and well-being. - [17:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=1020s) March criticized Western media narratives, alleging they deliberately demonize Iranian society to lessen public resistance to geopolitical conflicts.

## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=1s) Preconceptions and Arriving by Sea

Iran was the destination that inspired the greatest dread before the journey began, purely because of the stark divide between those who had visited and those who had not. While mainstream media coverage and people who had never set foot in the country painted it as hostile and dangerous, every single traveler who had actually been there insisted it was wonderful. Deciding to lean into risk, the journey pushed forward across the Persian Gulf to document the reality without prejudice. As the author notes: “Iran was the country I was most apprehensive about before getting there because everybody who hadn't been there said it was bad and everybody who had been there said it was good so I didn't know who to believe so I decided that the risk-taking part of me said okay we'll go through there see what happens and hopefully we'll make it out the other end um and this is my attempt at showing you guys what it was like you know it's factual it's unbiased and if a country is bad then I will show it as being bad.”

The arrival happened by ferry, accompanied by two German motorcyclists riding Suzuki DR350s all the way from Dubai back to Germany. The language barrier became an immediate hurdle, as local taxi drivers spoke no English whatsoever, forcing the travelers to communicate through quick hand-drawn sketches to navigate back to the ferry port. In exchange for translating broken English, the German riders let him crash on their hotel room floor for free. Stepping out onto the street, the travelers were greeted by friendly crowds eager to chat and practice English, with local youths quickly assembling miniature motorcycle posses to show off wheelies, burnouts, and street-stunt prowess alongside the travelers.

- **Companions:** Two German riders traveling overland from Dubai to Germany on Suzuki DR350s. - **Communication:** Navigating towns and taxi rides through hand-drawn sketches due to the absence of English-speaking drivers. - **Reception:** Instant, impromptu welcoming committees of local motorcyclists performing riding tricks in the street.

---

[02:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=136s) Entering the Desert, Roadside Fuel, and Unexpected Red Bull

Leaving the coastal settlements behind, the ride pushed out into the vast Iranian desert, winding through isolated desert settlements for two hours before encountering the first taste of local generosity. While stopping to grab an energy drink, the German companions were suddenly gifted a massive haul of fresh fruit by a friendly roadside vendor who wanted nothing in return. From there, the barren sandscapes gradually gave way to rugged mountain ranges, surprisingly linked by immaculate, velvety tarmac roads that defied expectations.

Fuel stops along these rural stretches were reminiscent of rural Cambodia, where riders had to pull up to simple roadside shacks to see if fuel was stored inside plastic containers. As the route wound further north, arid slopes transformed into lush, rolling green hillsides. Despite extensive international trade embargoes and strict economic sanctions, global commerce still found a way: one dusty shack far out in the countryside was somehow fully stocked with English-imported Red Bull, complete with a mystery red-flavored can suspected to be strawberry.

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Roadside Encounters Across Iran accDescr: Flowchart illustrating the recurring hospitality and generous encounters during the motorcycle journey across Iran.

subgraph Route["Desert to Mountains"] A["Arrive via Persian Gulf Ferry"] --> B["Ride into Arid Desert & Mountains"] B --> C["Roadside Huts for Bottle Fuel"] end

subgraph Encounters["Everyday Hospitality"] C --> D["Invited into Hut for Lunch"] D --> E["Offered Doogh, Food & Cigarettes"] E --> F["Host Refuses Payment for Gas & Meal"] end

subgraph EncountersOnTheRoad["Highway Interactions"] F --> G["Lorry Driver Hands Orange at Speed"] G --> H["Motorcyclists & Drivers Waving Daily"] H --> I["Reaching Persepolis & Ancient Ruins"] end ```

---

[03:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=222s) Lunch with Strangers, Doogh, and Free Fuel

After replenishing the Honda C90's tank from a plastic container, the shack owners warmly beckoned the lone rider inside to share a spread laid out on the floor. With neither party speaking the other's language, the traveler had to navigate local dining customs through sheer observation and trial and error, fumbling to manage flatbread and side dishes using both hands. The meal was accompanied by coffee and a chilled white liquid resembling chicken soup, which was revealed to be *doogh* (a traditional yogurt-and-herb milk beverage).

At the end of the feast, rather than offering a single cigarette, the host extended a whole spread of cigarette brands to choose from. When it came time to settle up, the hosts flatly refused to take any money—not for the lunch, and not even for the petrol poured into the motorcycle. Departing under the first menacing raincloud seen in four months, the rider was astonished when, four hours down the road, he bumped right back into the same lunch companions, who immediately stopped to hand him a fresh cup of hot tea. The day's riding also offered an odd roadside encounter with giant desert ants measuring an inch long, earning an impromptu nature spotlight titled "Wildlife on One Cylinder."

> “And they wouldn't take any money from me at all and that included the petrol so me and 90 said our thank you and goodbyes and we headed off and saw our first raincloud for 4 months and I wasn't too happy about it.” — *Ed March*

---

[05:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=334s) Persepolis, Overwhelming Kindness, and Free Souvenirs

A major cultural detour led straight to the ancient ceremonial capital of Persepolis. Admiring the colossal monuments, intricately carved reliefs, and cliffside royal tombs carved directly out of solid bedrock, the historical masonry left a far deeper impression than European counterparts like Stonehenge. Even for someone who typically avoids standard tourist sightseeing, the breathtaking precision of the ancient stonework proved undeniable.

Every stop produced warm, spontaneous human connections. A local passerby engaged him with earnest, openhearted praise, declaring: “I hope you return to England safely... You are clear, happy, and relaxed, and really kind. You are a kind and affectionate human.” The surrounding countryside frequently mirrored the rolling vistas of the south of France. Not a day passed without a free gift: after a meal at a roadside diner, the owner simply gifted him a pen because he had none. Passing cars consistently honked, waved, and called out greetings, while the little Honda C90's single-cylinder engine began to develop an increasingly concerning, ominous rattle.

- **Historical Wonder:** Persepolis, featuring monumental stone arches, detailed bas-reliefs, and hillside royal tombs cut from solid rock. - **Local Sentiment:** Heartfelt roadside blessings from locals wishing safe travels back to Britain. - **Daily Giveaways:** Free fruit, hot tea, and even pens handed over by restaurant owners.

---

[07:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=428s) City Encounters, Architecture, and Bazaar Wonders

Entering a major urban center provided a dose of lighthearted humor. Playing on the pun of seeking out attractive local sights in a society where women dress modestly, the camera panned deadpan to a working donkey grazing by the road, followed shortly by an encounter with a local man bearing an uncanny resemblance to Pierce Brosnan. The stream of roadside presents continued unabated, with locals gifting a new foot bag and fresh strawberries at a stoplight.

The urban environment revealed remarkable visual elegance. Soaring blue-tiled arches, cavernous vaulted bazaars, towering conical piles of colorful spices, and crystalline mounds of local sugar filled the sensory landscape. Modest exterior clothing regulations stood in stark contrast to the vivid, edgy styles sold inside women's boutique shop windows. The defining character of the country revealed itself in small, polite street moments: while filming alongside a road, an approaching local motorcyclist stopped and waited patiently off to the side just to avoid ruining the shot. As the narrator remarked: “What is about to happen is a moment that summed up Iran perfectly for me: I was filming something and somebody on a motorbike stopped to let me finish filming... You wouldn't get that in India.”

---

[09:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=558s) Iranian Motorcycles, Camels, and Music Video Drums

Iran's domestic motorcycle fleet consisted almost entirely of two distinct workhorses: Honda C100 step-through clones and Chinese-built copies of the classic Honda CG125. The Honda Cub design blended seamlessly into everyday traffic, to the point where the traveler's own loaded C90 was practically camouflaged whenever it was parked next to rows of local bikes. Between joyrides on camels and watching local youths pull off standing wheelies on tiny commuter bikes, there was constant motion.

The journey also served as a backdrop to capture final scenes for a spoof music video set to the tune of "Always on My Mind," dedicated entirely to the little Honda C90. A folding drum kit was set up beside a mountain highway for a fast-paced performance, with one of the German riders looking on in total confusion from the background. On the open road, the friendly curiosity never tapered off: passing drivers continuously pulled alongside to yell "English!" out the window, flashing broad smiles and thumbs-up signs.

> “And when I say everybody wants to talk to you and be friendly, I mean that... Even these guys had a smile.” — *Ed March*

---

[10:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=626s) The Flying Orange, Stereotype Buick, and Small-Bike Superiority

Highway interactions reached peak warmth when a large transport lorry pulled up alongside the moving C90. The driver blew his air horn, leaned out of the cab window, and handed a fresh orange directly across into the rider's gloved hand at cruising speed for no reason other than goodwill. The traveler was left peeling the fruit with one hand and his teeth while riding down the highway, grinning broadly with pure joy. Motorized oddities were everywhere, from commuter bikes piled perilously high with towering towers of plastic jugs to a vintage American Buick rolling through a service station. Driven by an Iranian man in white leather shoes and dark sunglasses, the car looked like it had driven straight out of an American foreign-office stereotype reel.

``` HONDA C90 vs. BMW R1200GS (Lightweight Touring Test) ┌─────────────────────────────────┬───────────┬──────────────────┐ │ Capability / Scenario │ Honda C90 │ Heavy Touring GS │ ├─────────────────────────────────┼───────────┼──────────────────┤ │ Squeeze through doorway with │ YES │ NO │ │ panniers attached │ │ │ ├─────────────────────────────────┼───────────┼──────────────────┤ │ Lift upright single-handed │ YES │ NO │ │ after falling over │ │ │ ├─────────────────────────────────┼───────────┼──────────────────┤ │ Peel & eat fruit handed from a │ YES │ Doubtful │ │ passing truck while riding │ │ │ └─────────────────────────────────┴───────────┴──────────────────┤ ```

After lending a simple screwdriver to an Iranian motorist stranded by the roadside with a loose coolant hose clamp, the trip paused to poke fun at oversized adventure motorcycles. Demonstrating that the featherweight C90 with loaded panniers could slip right through a standard doorway—and could be hauled upright effortlessly with one arm if dropped—the comparison highlighted the absurdity of massive adventure bikes like the BMW R1200GS. The segment wrapped up with the little bike climbing into a landscape of vibrant, multicolored layered hills, resembling childhood glass bottles packed with layers of decorative colored sand.

[13:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=816s) Off-Roading for the Perfect Shot and Vivid Northern Landscapes

Ed March explains his secret to capturing some of the most spectacular footage of his journey: taking his small Honda C90 off-road. Coaxing his small bike up steep, rugged dirt paths with a cheerful "come on, little beauty," he manages to reach vantage points that overlook vast, multi-colored landscapes.

As he travels further north through Iran, the colors of the terrain become increasingly vivid and striking. The clay and rock formations display brilliant, shifting hues that look almost artificial.

“That's where they got the idea from is from here, you can see all the different colors, and also here's a how-to on how I get some of the best available camera shots by off-roading.”

---

[14:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=859s) Tractor Tea and Filtering Past a Snobby BMW Rider

In Iran, hospitality is never far away, and Ed quickly finds himself invited for tea by a group of local workers after stopping to take photos of their tractors. However, his streak of meeting incredibly friendly locals is briefly interrupted by his first and only unfriendly encounter in the country—not with an Iranian, but with a fellow tourist. Ed pulls alongside a Polish rider on a massive, expensive BMW GS adventure motorcycle and waves to him in traveler solidarity. Instead of returning the greeting, the BMW rider looks down on Ed's tiny C90 and speeds off.

Ed decides to get his own back using the unique advantages of his small bike. When they hit heavy traffic, the bulky BMW GS gets stuck, while Ed easily filters through the tightest gaps on his nimble Honda C90. He repeatedly squeezes past the stranded traveler, looking increasingly smug, and eventually whips out his camera to film the defeated rider turning off the road.

“I pulled alongside and waved to him, you know, because we're both traveling, he just looked down on me and sped off, so thus I decided to get my own back.”

- **The Filtering Revenge:** Ed repeatedly filters past the BMW GS in heavy traffic, proving that a £3,000 adventure bike is no match for a Honda C90 in a traffic jam. - **Local Tractor Drivers:** Ed is invited for hot tea just for stopping to admire and photograph some local farm tractors.

---

[15:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=907s) Motorcycle Accessories, Theme Parks, and C90 Window Shopping

Ed points out the massive, highly impractical-looking windscreens that local Iranian riders fit to their motorcycles. Despite thinking they look incredibly uncool, Ed cannot resist buying one for himself for a mere £3, noting with amusement that the viewing window in the middle is made of actual glass. On his final day in Iran, a local named Behzad, his daughter Tina, and his brother-in-law take Ed out to an Iranian theme park. Ed jokes that the giant, airtight plastic water walking balls at the park are a brilliant tool for parents who want to silence their children, as they are left completely helpless floating on the water.

Before leaving, Ed does some "window shopping" at a local motorcycle shop packed to the brim with spare parts for small-displacement bikes. The shelves are stocked with clutches, carburetors, and crankshafts that would easily fit his C90. True to the spirit of Iranian hospitality, when Ed buys some basic engine oil from the shop, the shopkeeper hands him a free slice of cake as he is about to leave.

“During this update you might have seen these screens that Iranians fit their motorcycles and I think they look crap and really uncool, so I bought one and it cost me £3 and the window in the middle is actually glass.”

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Ed's Final Day in Iran accDescr: A flowchart showing the sequence of events on Ed's final day in Iran, highlighting local hospitality and shopping. A["Buys £3 glass-window motorcycle screen"] --> B["Visits Iranian theme park with Behzad & family"] B --> C["Window shops for Honda C90 spare parts"] C --> D["Buys engine oil at local shop"] D --> E["Shopkeeper gives him free cake as a parting gift"] ```

---

[16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) The Road to Turkey: Why Iran is the Friendliest Country on Earth

As Ed rides toward the Turkish border, he reflects on his time in Iran, declaring it his absolute favorite country of the trip by far. He compares the relentless, overwhelming friendliness of the Iranian people to "your friend's Nan"—the kind of grandmother who constantly fusses over you, offering cake, tea, a comfortable seat, and asking if you want to change the TV channel. This hospitality is not just limited to ordinary citizens; even at military and police checkpoints, officers who ask to see Ed's passport end up bringing out tea and cigarettes, spending up to an hour chatting and looking at his travel photos.

Ed concludes his update with a sharp critique of how Western media and governments portray Iran. He suggests that the public is intentionally conditioned to view the country as evil so that there will be little public opposition if a military invasion ever takes place. He emphasizes that the real Iran is a beautiful, incredibly welcoming place that he would return to in a heartbeat.

“If I could choose any country in the world to basically, you know, wake up naked in the middle of nowhere with no money and I had to try and find my way back to, you know, civilization and help, it would be Iran.”

- **The "Friend's Nan" Analogy:** Ed describes the hospitality as relentlessly polite, comfortable, and constantly offering food and drinks. - **Checkpoint Hospitality:** Police and military guards regularly turn passport checks into hour-long social visits with tea and cigarettes. - **Media Skepticism:** Ed expresses a cynical view that Western media demonizes Iran to prepare the public for a future US-led invasion.

## Notable quotes > [16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) If I could choose any country in the world to basically, you know, wake up naked in the middle of nowhere with no money and I had to try and find my way back to, you know, civilization and help, it would be Iran. — Ed March

## Mentioned Ed March, Honda C90, Suzuki DR350, BMW R1200GS, Red Bull, Persepolis, Stonehenge, Pierce Brosnan, Honda C100, Honda CG125, Always on My Mind, Buick, Behzad, Tina

## Video description This is the video update for me riding through Iran, on my journey from Malaysia to the UK on my Honda C90.

This video may be long-winded but it needs to be to truely show just how awesome Iran is!

I'm so glad I went through there and not avoid it like the newspapers and government try to make you do.

Don't forget to go to www.c90adventures.co.uk for all my other video updates, pictures and spoof comedy videos.

Enjoy

[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc)

中文简报

埃德·马奇骑本田C90穿越伊朗，驳斥西方对其敌意的指控西方政府与媒体蓄意妖魔化伊朗，旨在诱导公众支持对外军事干预，从而掩盖了当地普遍存在的民间热情好客。由于西方媒体的负面描述，埃德在启程时心存深深的忧虑，但当他进入伊朗后，却发现几乎遇到的每一个人都展现出令人惊叹的慷慨与热情。他骑着小排量的本田C90摩托车，起初与德国同伴结伴，随后独自骑行；一路上，陌生人不断赠予他免费的饭菜、茶水、水果、摩托车燃油以及数不尽的礼物，同时他也领略了波斯波利斯等文化瑰宝以及从沙漠到山脉的壮丽景观。途中，他幽默地倡导轻便通勤车的优势，认为其在应对拥堵交通时胜过宝马GS等昂贵的探险摩托车。在接近土耳其边境时，他得出结论，认为伊朗是世界上最友好的国家，亲身体验的现实与地缘政治媒体宣传形成了鲜明对比。埃德·马奇骑着一辆本田C90从马来西亚陆路前往英国，经波斯湾乘坐轮渡进入伊朗，直接对西方主流旅行警告和媒体描述提出了挑战。 (0:01) 伊朗民间的日常热情好客屡屡超出预期，当地人不仅拒收餐费和油钱，还向行驶中的车辆递送新鲜水果，甚至警察检查站也主动提供茶水。 (3:42) 马奇指出，在拥堵的城市交通、操控灵活性和野外脱困方面，像C90这样轻便、小排量的车型要优于像宝马GS这样笨重的探险旅行车。 (10:26) 在前往土耳其边境结束其过境之旅时，马奇宣布伊朗是此行中最让他喜爱的目的地，称其为身无分文受困时最友好、最安全的国家。 (16:15)

Reading summary

British traveler Ed March documents his motorcycle journey across Iran on a small Honda C90, arguing that the pervasive hostility depicted in Western media is thoroughly contradicted by the exceptional generosity, safety, and hospitality of everyday Iranians. Challenging Preconceptions Through Direct Observation (0:01) Before embarking, March felt greater dread about Iran than any other country due to the sharp contrast between negative media portrayals and glowing reviews from travelers who had actually visited. Arriving by ferry via the Persian Gulf with two German riders on Suzuki DR350s, he set out to document the country factually and without prejudice. Despite severe language barriers that required drawing sketches to communicate with taxi drivers, the travelers were immediately met with enthusiastic crowds, friendly interactions, and local motorcyclists eager to chat and practice their English. Everyday Generosity and Roadside Hospitality (2:16) March experienced near-constant generosity across rural and urban landscapes alike. Roadside vendors, diner owners, and strangers consistently gave him free fruit, tea, pens, and full meals without accepting payment. In one instance, a rural shack owner serving him food and doogh flatly refused money for either the meal or the fuel pumped into his bike. Drivers regularly honked and waved, with one lorry driver even passing a fresh orange directly into March's hand at cruising speed. When visiting an Iranian theme park with a local named Behzad and his family, or buying simple motor oil at a parts shop, March was treated as a welcome guest, receiving a free slice of cake on his way out. Small Motorcycle Utility Versus Heavy Adventure Touring (10:26) March champions the humble Honda C90 over heavy adventure motorcycles like the BMW R1200GS, demonstrating that his lightweight step-through could easily fit through standard doorways and be lifted upright with a single hand if dropped. This practical advantage was reinforced during an encounter with a dismissive Polish traveler on a bulky BMW GS; while the large motorcycle became stranded in heavy traffic, March easily filtered through tight gaps on the nimble C90. Furthermore, because domestic transport in Iran relies heavily on Honda C100 clones and CG125 copies, spare parts such as clutches, carburetors, and crankshafts were abundant and inexpensive in local shops. Institutional Friendliness and Critique of Western Narratives (16:15) The warmth extended even to official state authorities: military and police personnel at checkpoints routinely turned mandatory passport verifications into relaxed, hour-long social sessions complete with tea, cigarettes, and photo sharing. March compares the overwhelming hospitality to that of an attentive grandmother who constantly offers food, drink, and comfort. Based on his experience, he concludes that Western media intentionally demonizes Iran to condition the public into accepting potential future military invasions, asserting that Iran is in reality one of the safest and most welcoming places on Earth for a traveler in need. March identifies Iran as the definitive highlight of his journey, maintaining that ordinary citizens and officials offer unmatched warmth regardless of official geopolitical tensions. His account remains limited to personal observations along his overland route, leaving wider political controversies unexamined beyond his critique of Western public messaging.

精炼阅读摘要

英国骑手Ed March在记录其骑乘本田C90小排量摩托车穿越伊朗的经历时指出，西方主流媒体对伊朗敌对危险的描绘与实际情况完全脱节，他将伊朗评价为自己长途旅行中最友好、热情的国家。媒体偏见与真实民风的强烈反差 (0:01) 在启程前，Ed March对伊朗怀有最大的恐惧与顾虑，主要原因是未曾到访该国的人和西方主流媒体普遍将其描述为危险和敌对之地，而实际去过的旅行者却一致称赞其美好。他决定以无偏见记录真实情况为初衷进入伊朗。进入境内后，不仅普通民众在街头主动用英语热情交谈、当地青年车手展示特技欢迎，沿途检查站的军警在例行检查护照时，甚至会端出热茶与香烟，与他闲聊旅行照片长达一小时。无处不在的慷慨与善意款待 (2:16) 在从沙漠通往北部山区的途中，Ed March遭遇了近乎无条件的善意款待。路边的水果商贩主动免费赠送大量新鲜水果；在偏远的简陋补给屋，屋主邀请语言不通的他坐在地上享用由扁面包与传统酸奶草药饮品（Doogh）组成的午餐，餐后不仅提供多种品牌香烟任选，还坚决拒收午餐和摩托车汽油的费用，数小时后双方在路上重逢时对方又递上热茶。甚至在高速行驶中，货车司机也会摇下车窗向他递送新鲜橙子，餐馆老板则因他缺笔而主动相赠。历史遗存、城市景观与社会微观风貌 (5:34) 在文化景观方面，波斯波利斯（Persepolis）从巨石直接雕刻出的宏伟纪念碑、浮雕与崖壁王陵，其精湛工艺给Ed March留下了远超欧洲巨石阵的深刻震撼。城市内部展示出精致的蓝色瓷砖拱门、拱顶巴扎、成堆的香料与白糖，且女性服装店内销售的前卫款式与公共场合的着装规范形成鲜明对比。在街头拍摄时，当地摩托车骑手甚至会耐心在旁停车等候，以免穿帮破坏镜头，展现了极高的公共礼貌。轻型机车在长途旅行中的实用优势 (10:26) 伊朗本土摩托车主要由本田C100卧式机车仿制品与中国产本田CG125构成，使得Ed March的小型C90与当地车流完美融合。在遇到一名态度冷淡、骑乘昂贵大型BMW GS越野摩托车的波兰旅行者后，两人在拥堵路段相遇，笨重的大排量宝马车被堵在车流中动弹不得，而轻巧敏捷的C90则轻松钻缝穿梭。Ed March通过实例说明，装载边包的C90可以穿过普通门洞且单手即可扶起，在复杂路况与日常实用性上远胜庞大笨重的大排量冒险车型。离开伊朗前的民间交流与市场体验 (15:07) 在行程的最后阶段，Ed March以3英镑的价格购买了当地常见但外观浮夸、中央配有真实玻璃视窗的大型摩托车挡风玻璃。当地居民Behzad一家带他参观了游乐园，而在走访堆满气缸、化油器等适配小排量零件的摩托车配件店并购买机油时，店主在临别时主动送给他一块蛋糕作为告别礼物。这些细节进一步印证了无论在公路、景区还是商业交易中，当地民众均普遍抱有温和好客的态度。 Ed March将伊朗民众无微不至的照料比作“朋友的祖母”，并断言若在身无分文且受困荒野的情况下求生，伊朗是他首选的国家。他同时提出个人观点，认为西方政客和媒体刻意将该国妖魔化，旨在为潜在的军事干预铺垫民意基础，但这与该国真实的面貌和热忱的民众相去甚远。

Detailed notes — zh

## Background 该视频由 YouTube 频道 c90adventures 于 2012 年 6 月 5 日发布。视频记录了博主 Ed March 驾驶一台小排量本田 Honda C90 摩托车从马来西亚骑行返回英国途中穿越伊朗的经历。作者在简介中指出，视频虽篇幅较长，但旨在展现伊朗令人惊叹的真实面貌，并庆幸自己没有听信报纸和政府的劝阻去避开这个国家。 ## TL;DR 在动身前，博主对伊朗的认知仅限于西方媒体的负面报道，但实际入境后却遭遇了完全颠覆刻板印象的经历。从沿途免费赠送水果、燃油、红茶甚至路边小吃的热情民众，到军警检查站里递烟倒茶、促膝长谈的士兵，伊朗社会展现出了极高的善意与好客度。博主还记录了波斯波利斯古迹的壮丽、当地独特的摩托生态，并在拥堵车流中幽默调侃了庞大的 BMW GS 越野摩托。在驶向土耳其边境时，他将伊朗评为整趟旅程中最喜欢的国家，并尖锐批评了西方媒体将伊朗妖魔化、规训公众民意的宣传偏见。 ## Atmosphere & style 全片洋溢着英式幽默、冒险精神与温暖人心的公路治愈感。主持人的叙事风格随性、真实且极具自嘲色彩，既有单手剥橙子、调侃宝马大鸟摩托的诙谐逗趣，也有在异国街头被陌生人的极致礼貌深深打动的真情流露。观众能直观感受到从最初的忐忑不安，到被连绵不绝的善意彻底包围，最终升华出对地缘政治叙事深刻反思的情感弧线。 ## Bulletin - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=1s) 骑行博主 Ed March 驾驶 Honda C90 穿越伊朗，直观打破了西方媒体对该国的负面刻板印象，盛赞伊朗是其全程最热情的国家。 - [03:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=185s) 尽管面临严厉国际制裁，伊朗公路基建表现优异，偏远茅草屋小店依然能买到英国进口红牛等外来商品。 - [03:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=185s) 伊朗民间展现出极致的慷慨与善意，沿途居民、店家乃至并排行驶的重型卡车司机频繁向旅行者免费赠送汽油、茶水、香烟和新鲜水果。 - [16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) Ed 强调当地社会互助与安全感极高，即便在军警检查站也能受到倒茶递烟的礼遇，并尖锐批评了西方舆论妖魔化伊朗的宣传叙事。 ## Key takeaways - [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=1s) 行前西方媒体报道充斥着对伊朗的负面评价，但实际入境体验与传闻形成了剧烈的反差。 - [01:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=66s) 因出租车司机不通英语，入境后初期依赖手绘草图指路，并在街头受到当地年轻车手的特技车队护航欢迎。 - [01:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=66s) 与两名骑乘铃木 DR350 的德国骑士结伴骑行，以英语沟通协助换取在旅馆地毯打地铺的住宿机会。 - [02:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=133s) 伊朗荒漠与山区的柏油公路基建出奇平整完善，偏远路段则依靠路旁小棚屋售卖散装汽油补给。 - [03:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=185s) 在偏远简陋的杂货木屋中仍能购得英国原装进口红牛，折射出经济制裁下奇特的商业流通现象。 - [03:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=185s) 在加油店受邀与当地家庭共进午餐并品尝传统酸奶饮品（Doogh），店主不仅免收餐费与烟草费，还免费赠送燃油。 - [05:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=300s) 造访建于整块岩石上的波斯波利斯古城遗址，其精湛的古代浮雕与帝王陵墓建筑工艺令人叹为观止。 - [07:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=438s) 巴扎集市的精美蓝色釉面瓷砖与店内热辣前卫的女装，体现出传统规训与民间现实的文化反差。 - [07:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=438s) 当地摩托车手在拍摄时主动刹车并礼貌避让等待，展现出极高的公共教养与行车绅士风度。 - [09:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=560s) 伊朗两轮摩托市场几乎完全被本田 C100 衍生款弯梁车及本田 CG125 的中国仿制版所垄断。 - [09:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=560s) 并排行驶的长途重型卡车司机直接通过车窗投喂多汁新鲜橙子，甚至同行数小时提议顺风载车。 - [11:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=718s) 在加油站偶遇经典美式白壁轮胎别克老车，并用随车螺丝刀协助抛锚车主紧固水箱卡箍日行一善。 - [13:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=816s) 小巧的 Honda C90 在城市拥堵车流中凭借钻缝技巧反复反超傲慢的宝马大水鸟（BMW GS）拉力车。 - [16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) 军警与哨所士兵在查验护照后主动递烟倒茶，甚至促膝长谈一小时观赏摩托骑行途中的风景照片。 - [16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) Ed 直言若身无分文赤身流落荒野，伊朗是全世界最让他确信能获得庇护与帮助并安全脱困的国家。 - [16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) 尖锐质疑西方媒体妖魔化伊朗的宣传机制，认为其本质是为潜在的军事入侵做舆论铺垫与民意驯化。 ## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=1s) 启程与打破伊朗刻板印象主持人开门见山地聊起了他对伊朗的最初看法。在真正踏上这片土地前，伊朗是他最感到惴惴不安的国家，因为所有没去过的人都把它描绘得十分糟糕，而所有真正去过的人又赞不绝口，让他一时不知道该相信谁。最终，他内心的冒险因子占了上风，决定亲自去走一趟，看看究竟会发生什么，并祈祷能平安穿出这片土地。他强调这期长达15分钟以上的更新旨在展示一个客观、不带偏见的真实伊朗；如果一个地方真得很差，他绝不会粉饰太平——就像他之前的印度之行一样，直到现在想起印度还会心有余悸。在动身前，他对伊朗的认知全部来自报纸新闻，与大多数普通观众无异。他恳请观众耐心看完这段视频，通过这趟旅程建立起一个来自真实经历的独立视角。 > “Iran was the country I was most apprehensive about before getting there because everybody who hadn't been there said it was bad and everybody who had been there said it was good so I didn't know who to believe so I decided that the risk-taking part of me said okay we'll go through there see what happens and hopefully we'll make it out the other end um and this is my attempt at showing you guys what it was like you know it's factual it's unbiased and if a country is bad then I will show it as being bad” —— 主持人 - 出行前信息极度矛盾：未去过者皆言恶劣，亲历者皆赞美好。 - 主持人此前对伊朗的了解仅限于西方媒体报纸的负面报道。 --- ### [01:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=66s) 乘船入境与初见街头车手主持人搭乘渡轮走水路抵达伊朗。上岸后他们很快发现当地出租车司机完全不懂英语，为了出行与交流，他们只能在纸上画图指路，最终靠着手绘草图顺利摸回了渡轮码头。旅程伊始，他是与两名骑着铃木 DR350 越野车从迪拜回德国的德国骑士结伴同行的。两名德国人看重他能听懂“糟糕英语”的沟通技能，作为交换，则允许他在酒店房间的地毯上免费打地铺。一走上街头，当地居民的热情便扑面而来，每个人都好奇地凑上来搭话，反复询问是否会讲英语。当地的年轻摩托车手甚至自发围成一支小型摩托车护航队，在他们前后穿梭，兴高采烈地炫耀起各种翘头与街头杂技动作。 ```mermaid flowchart LR accTitle: 入境与初期组队流程 accDescr: 展示主持人乘渡轮入境伊朗后与德国骑手组队并在街头遭遇热情民众的过程。 subgraph S1["入境与沟通"] A["乘渡轮入境伊朗"] --> B["出租车司机不通英语 手绘草图导航"] end subgraph S2["结伴同行"] B --> C["结识两名德国骑手 (Suzuki DR350)"] C --> D["主持人协助语言沟通 换取免费睡酒店地板"] end subgraph S3["街头互动"] D --> E["热情的当地市民搭话"] E --> F["青年骑手组成摩托护航队 表演特技技巧"] end ``` --- ### [02:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=133s) 荒漠公路与不可思议的慷慨好客告别了街头的特技少年，小分队正式启程驶入沙漠。在荒漠与沿途古朴的小镇间骑行约两小时后，他们体验到了第一波纯正的伊朗式好客。当时主持人离开队伍去买罐红牛，返回时惊讶地发现两名德国同伴手里被硬塞了一大堆免费新鲜水果；摊主没有任何特殊企图，纯粹是想请远道而来的陌生人吃点东西。随着荒漠逐渐过渡为连绵起伏的山峦，令人惊叹的是，沿途的柏油路面始终保持着无可挑剔的平整。随后到了给 Honda C90 加油的时间，这一幕勾起了他在柬埔寨旅行的回忆——路边没有正规加油站，只能随机停在路边的小棚屋前询问是否有散装燃油出售。 - 荒漠公路基础设施出奇完善，全程覆盖高质量平整柏油路面。 - 偏远路段依靠路旁茅草小屋售卖瓶装散装汽油补给。 --- ### [03:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=185s) 制裁之谜与温暖的午餐招待随着路线继续向北延伸，地表开始泛出越来越多的绿意，沿途山坡风景宜人。尽管伊朗长期面临严厉的国际贸易制裁，但路边的景象却屡屡打破主持人的常识：在路旁极其简陋的小木屋里，货架上居然赫然摆着从英国进口的红牛饮料，甚至还有特殊的红色草莓风味，让人匪夷所思。 > “Don't know how many trade embargos and somehow that little Hut over there has managed to get Red Bull from England how did he do that” —— 主持人给摩托车加满油后，屋主一家热情地邀请他进屋共进午餐。尽管双方语言完全不通，主持人面对面前琳琅满目的传统食物也手足无措，只能笨拙地尝试用双手去撕扯和包裹薄饼。随后主人端上了咖啡，以及一种看起来极像鸡汤的白色饮品——经询问得知是酸奶饮品（Doogh）。饭后，主人甚至不是递给他一支香烟，而是直接拿出一整排不同种类的香烟任他挑选。结账时，对方坚决分文不取，甚至连刚才加的汽油也完全免费赠送。 - 尽管面临严厉经济贸易禁运，偏远路边小店依旧能买到英国进口红牛。 - 加油时受邀与当地家庭共进午餐，主人提供酸奶饮品并免费赠送燃油与烟草。 --- ### [05:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=300s) 雨云、波斯波利斯与持续的善意告别好客的加油店一家后，主持人迎来了近四个月来的第一场雨云，这让开敞篷小摩托的他感到颇为扫兴。骑行约四个小时后，他竟然在路上再次偶遇了刚刚一起吃午饭的那家人，对方这次又热情地递上了一杯热茶，随后挥手告别。路上他还抓拍到了一只足有一英寸长的巨型蚂蚁，打趣地将其称作“单缸引擎眼中的野生动物”。随后他绕道探访了著名的波斯波利斯古城遗址（Persepolis）。面对这些在坚硬岩石上直接雕刻出的精美浮雕与宏伟石墓，他由衷感慨这里的壮观程度足以完胜英国的巨石阵，即便像他这样对历史古迹不太感冒的人，也被其登峰造极的古老工匠技艺深深折服。离开古迹后，路遇的伊朗民众再次表达出真挚的善意。一位当地人走上前来用英语真诚地为他送上祝福： > “You are clear happy and relax and really kind you are a kind and affectionate human” —— 当地居民在接下来的旅途中，几乎没有哪一天他不收到免费赠予的物品：在一家餐馆吃完饭后，老板无缘无故送了他一支中性笔；迎面开过的汽车无一例外都会摇下车窗向他挥手微笑，大声询问他来自何方。在小摩托引擎杂音越来越大的同时，他也为路边形制奇特、不知年代的古代建筑驻足惊叹。 - 波斯波利斯遗址通体由坚石雕刻而成，保存着精美的浮雕与皇家陵墓。 - 沿途司机与居民普遍展现出极高热情，挥手致意与赠送小礼物成为每日日常。 --- ### [07:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=438s) 城市巴扎、文化反差与街头的绅士风度进城后，主持人偶遇了一位长相酷似伊朗版皮尔斯·布鲁斯南（Pierce Brosnan）的男子，不仅收到了对方赠送的一个全新脚踏袋，还获赠了一袋新鲜草莓。随后他拍摄到了当地人用私家车运送超长货物的奇葩方式——直接把长杆横绑在底盘下方。走进当地的传统巴扎集市，即便对建筑不甚了解的他，也被到处铺满精致蓝色瓷砖的拱门震撼。集市内部排列着色彩斑斓的香草和香料，还有成块出售的特色糖砖。尽管伊朗有着严格的女性着装规范，集市服装店里却售卖着极其前卫火辣的女装上衣，街头女性的迷人面容也令他印象深刻。紧接着，街头发生了一件令他终生难忘的小事：当他站在马路边架起相机取景拍摄时，一位原本要骑摩托车过去的当地市民竟然主动捏住刹车，静静停在镜头外等待他拍完，并挥手示意他慢慢拍不着急。目睹这一幕，主持人感叹这种极致的尊重与教养在印度绝对无法想象，直呼伊朗不仅景色美不胜收，人情味更是“无可救药地友好”。 > “What is about to happen is a moment that sums up Iran perfectly for me: I was filming something and somebody on a motorbike stopped to let me finish filming... You wouldn't get that in India.” —— 主持人 - 传统巴扎建筑布满精致的蓝色釉面瓷砖，内部售卖各色天然香料与特色结晶糖。 - 严格的社会规范与集市内部售卖的前卫服饰形成强烈反差。 - 街头行车极为礼让，摩托车主主动停车避让镜头等待拍摄结束。 --- ### [09:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=560s) 街头车种、音乐MV与飞来的橙子主持人观察到，伊朗街头的两轮摩托车几乎只有两种款式：一种是高仿本田 C90 的 C100 弯梁车，另一种则是本田 CG125 的中国仿制版。在一堆杂乱停放的车群中，他费了一番功夫才找出一辆完美隐藏在车阵中的 C90 胞兄。在一段荒凉路段，他借着当地的小山坡拍摄了自己个人恶搞音乐MV的收尾镜头——用行李和车身拼凑出简易架子鼓进行表演，背景里还站着一名神情恍惚的德国同伴。在路上，他与当地人无论男女老少都能迅速打成一片，甚至连严肃的卡车司机们面对镜头也会绽放出灿烂的笑容。有一队卡车司机跟他同路穿梭了整整4个小时，最后还特意停下车来比划着想让他的小摩托搭顺风车。更令他惊喜的是，一辆行进中的重型卡车突然鸣笛向他靠近，司机特意并排行驶，单手从车窗递出来一颗新鲜多汁的橙子，没有任何缘由，单纯为了送给他。主持人欣喜若狂地单手骑着小摩托，吐着舌头当场剥起橙皮大口吃了起来。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 伊朗街头摩托生态与车辆互动 accDescr: 展现伊朗主流摩托车种类以及公路上与其他卡车司机的善意互动。 subgraph MTypes["伊朗主流摩托车种"] M1["本田 C90 变体 / C100 弯梁车"] M2["本田 CG125 及其仿制车型"] end subgraph Interactions["公路互动趣事"] T1["卡车司机同行4小时 主动停靠提议载车一程"] T2["并排行驶的重型货车 从车窗投递新鲜橙子"] T3["车手满心欢喜 单手骑行剥皮食用"] end MTypes -.-> Interactions ``` - 街头两轮车几乎被本田 C100 衍生车与本田 CG125 中国仿制品完全垄断。 - 长途卡车司机极富善意，甚至在两车并行时通过车窗递送新鲜水果。 --- ### [11:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=718s) 别克老车、借工具与调侃BMW 在一家加油站加油时，主持人偶遇了一辆极为罕见的古董别克（Buick）轿车，车身装配着复古的白壁轮胎。车主戴着墨镜、身材微胖、脚踩一双白色皮鞋，整套行头被他戏称为宛如直接从美国国务院“刻板印象司”走出来的典型形象。在加油站，他又一次被赠送了免费食物和暖心道别。启程后不久，路旁一名车主焦急地向他招手求助。主持人停下车借出自己的螺丝刀，对方只是水箱胶管卡箍松了，迅速拧紧后便顺利重新上路，主持人也为自己做了一件日行一善的好事感到心满意足。作为骑轻便小摩托旅行的硬核爱好者，主持人照例不忘在视频里狠狠调侃一番豪华的 BMW GS 探险拉力摩托：他骑着挂满边包的 C90 轻松自如地穿过一道狭窄的标准室内门，嘲笑宝马大鸟绝对进不来；接着又故意不放撑杆让小轻骑翻倒在泥地里，然后像拎塑料袋一样单手轻松把它提了起来，嘲讽道如果换成沉重的 BMW GS，车手绝不可能如此轻松地脱困。带着这份自嘲与幽默，他再次跨上这台忠实的小摩托，一头扎进了远方宛如彩色沙画般层叠交错的奇幻斑斓群山之中。 - 加油站偶遇保留经典美式白壁轮胎与复古风貌的别克老式轿车。 - 借出随车螺丝刀协助当地抛锚车主紧固水箱胶管卡箍。 - 拿 Honda C90 与 BMW GS 作对比：凭借超窄车身轻松穿行室内门，车重极轻可实现单手扶车。 ### [13:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=816s) 追逐绚丽地貌与遭遇“傲慢的宝马车主” 随着骑行路线不断向北延伸，沿途大自然的色彩变得愈发鲜艳夺目。为了捕捉到全片最壮观的镜头，Ed March 驾驶着他那台小巧的本田小狼（Honda C90）直接冲入越野路段，一边艰难爬坡一边嘴里喊着给小车加油打气：“Come on little ity, yes!”。在伊朗骑行，最不用担心的就是吃喝。当他停下来拍摄几台看起来很酷的拖拉机时，当地人立刻热情地把他迎进屋里喝茶。在这段旅程中，Ed 唯独碰上了一个态度冷淡的人——对方并非伊朗人，而是一名骑着宝马大水鸟（BMW GS）的波兰旅行者。Ed 骑车追上去向同在路上的摩友招手致意，没料到对方只是轻蔑地低头瞥了他一眼，便猛拧油门加速离去。这激起了 Ed 的好胜心，他决定“以其人之道还治其人之身”。很快两人在拥堵车流中再次相遇，面对狭小的车道缝隙，笨重的 BMW GS 动弹不得，而轻巧的 Honda C90 却能轻而易举地钻过去钻过来。Ed 一次又一次地在车流中穿插反超，脸上写满了得意的神情，甚至掏出相机对准对方调侃：“The GS owner who won't talk to me. Oh well, time to show him how to filter.” 直到那位受挫的宝马车主不得不拐弯驶离主路。 - 越野拍摄：Ed 通过驶离铺装路面、进行轻度越野来架设机位，拍下北部色彩浓郁的奇特地貌。 - 偶遇茶歇：拍摄农用拖拉机期间被当地居民主动邀请喝茶。 - 车型博弈：庞大的宝马越野摩托车在城市拥堵路段被小排量 Honda C90 凭借钻缝（filtering）技巧反复反超。 --- ### [15:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=907s) 伊朗式挡风罩、游乐园之夜与机油店里的免费蛋糕在伊朗街头，随处可见当地人在摩托车前部加装的特制大风挡。Ed 觉得这种配件外观极丑且毫无帅气可言，但本着体验的态度，他还是花了3英镑买了一个装在车上，并惊讶地发现其正中央的透明视窗居然是一块真玻璃。在伊朗的最后一天，一位名叫 Behzad 的当地好友带着女儿 Tina 以及妻弟邀请 Ed 一起去当地的主题游乐园游玩。Tina 在园子里四处乱跑嬉闹，Ed 看着水面上供游客玩耍的巨大充气水上球打趣道，如果有父母想要让吵闹的孩子安静下来，这绝对是个绝妙的发想——把小孩关进密闭气球扔到水面上，他们就完全没办法脱困了。离开前，Ed 带着浓厚的个人风格去体验了一把“车迷版橱窗购物”。街边的摩托配件店琳琅满目，从离合器、化油器到曲轴等 Honda C90 的所有替换零件应有尽有。当他在一家小店买完机油付好钱准备离开时，店主又热情地递上一块蛋糕。Ed 忍不住再次感叹，在伊朗这种随处收获免费食物的体验实在太神奇了。 - 摩托挡风罩花费：售价仅为 3 英镑，中间配有一块真实的玻璃窗。 - 主题乐园同游：受伊朗好友 Behzad、其女儿 Tina 及亲属邀请度过了在伊朗的最后一晚。 - 免费食物文化：购买发动机机油结账后，店员额外赠送了一块蛋糕。 --- ### [16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) 终极好评：从军警哨卡到反思西方媒体的刻板偏见在驶向土耳其边境的公路上，Ed 毫无保留地将伊朗评为整趟旅程中最喜欢的国家。他用了一个极为形象的比喻来形容所有伊朗人：他们就像你最好朋友的奶奶一样，只要你一进门，就会无休止、不知疲倦地嘘寒问暖，问你要不要吃蛋糕、要不要坐这把椅子、要不要换电视节目。这种深入骨髓的热情甚至涵盖了军警阶层。在途经警察和军方检查站时，卫兵查验完护照后，往往会主动端出红茶、递上香烟，拉着他坐上一个小时，兴致勃勃地翻看他一路骑行拍下的照片。谈及对这个国家的信任感，Ed 动情地说道：“If I could choose any country in the world to basically, you know, wake up naked in the middle of nowhere with no money and I had to try and find my way back to, you know, civilization and help, it would be Iran.” 他表示自己毫无疑问会毫不犹豫地再次回到这里。最后，Ed 尖锐地批评了西方主流媒体对伊朗妖魔化的宣传，并直白地分享了自己的怀疑：“My cynical view would be so that when America does invade, there's not going to be that much public opposition to it because everybody by that point would have be conditioned to think that Iran is evil.” 他希望自己的真实记录能打破外界的偏见，向世界展现媒体刻意掩盖的、那个真实且充满善意的伊朗。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Ed March 对伊朗的真实体验与媒体偏见对比 accDescr: 图表展示了西方媒体宣传的负面形象与 Ed March 亲身经历的人民友善现实之间的对比，以及由此引发的反思。 subgraph Perception ["媒体建构的刻板印象"] A["西方媒体与政府警告"] -->|"渲染敌对与威胁"| B["大众被规训认为伊朗邪恶"] B -->|"降低潜在军事行动的阻力"| C["民意麻木/支持干涉"] end subgraph Reality ["Ed March 的亲身体验"] D["普通民众"] -->|"如同'朋友的奶奶'般热情"| G["无尽的免费茶水与食物"] E["军警与检查站哨兵"] -->|"查验护照后递烟倒茶"| H["促膝长谈一小时看旅途照片"] F["社会互助信任度"] -->|"即使身无分文赤身裸体"| I["绝对能平安重返文明世界"] end C -.->|"真实记录打破虚假叙事"| Reality ``` - 军民风貌：检查站的警察和士兵毫无敌意，常常递烟倒茶并花上整整一小时与 Ed 聊天看照片。 - 极高安全感：Ed 强调如果流落荒野、身无分文且身无寸缕，伊朗是他全世界最信任能获得救助并重返文明的国家。 - 政治反思：直言西方媒体抹黑伊朗的潜在动机，是为未来可能的军事入侵提前做好舆论铺垫与民意驯化。 ## Notable quotes > [16:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc&t=975s) If I could choose any country in the world to basically, you know, wake up naked in the middle of nowhere with no money and I had to try and find my way back to, you know, civilization and help, it would be Iran. — Ed March ## Mentioned Ed March, Honda C90, Suzuki DR350, BMW GS, Honda CG125, Persepolis, Pierce Brosnan, Buick, Red Bull, Behzad, Tina ## Video description This is the video update for me riding through Iran, on my journey from Malaysia to the UK on my Honda C90. This video may be long-winded but it needs to be to truely show just how awesome Iran is! I'm so glad I went through there and not avoid it like the newspapers and government try to make you do. Don't forget to go to www.c90adventures.co.uk for all my other video updates, pictures and spoof comedy videos. Enjoy [Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc)

Source quotes

[16:15] Ed March: If I could choose any country in the world to basically, you know, wake up naked in the middle of nowhere with no money and I had to try and find my way back to, you know, civilization and help, it would be Iran.

Source quotes

Original transcript

[0:01] so hi and welcome to the Iran update [0:04] Iran was the country I was most [0:05] apprehensive about before getting there [0:07] because everybody who hadn't been there [0:09] said it was bad and everybody who had [0:10] been there said it was good so I didn't [0:13] know who to believe so I decided that [0:16] the risk-taking part of me said okay [0:18] we'll go through there see what happens [0:20] and hopefully we'll make it out the [0:21] other end um and this is my attempt at [0:24] showing you guys what it was like you [0:26] know it's factual it's unbiased and if a [0:30] country is bad then I will show it as [0:32] being bad I mean you've seen the India [0:34] update um I still get flashbacks um yeah [0:38] so I know this is going to be long- [0:39] winded and it's over 15 minutes long [0:42] just because it's full of so much um but [0:46] yeah if you could just stick with it [0:47] please I know it's not the best edited [0:49] thing in the world but if you get to the [0:51] end of it you've got another opinion of [0:53] it that hopefully you can trust you know [0:55] um before I got there I only knew about [0:58] it ran through the newspapers probably [1:00] the same as you guys so yeah so when you [1:02] get to the other end of this hopefully [1:04] you've got another view of it [1:06] enjoy so I arrived in Iran by sea and [1:09] once we were there we found that none of [1:10] the taxi drivers spoke English so you [1:12] had to draw pictures to go everywhere so [1:14] this is how we got back to the ferry [1:21] port and it's [1:23] working and when I say we I'm referring [1:25] to me and two Germans who riding dr350s [1:27] from Dubai to Germany they were using my [1:30] skills understanding bad English and in [1:32] return they'd let me sleep on the hotel [1:33] floor which was cool basically for free [1:37] once you on the streets everyone wanted [1:38] to talk to you do I have do you speak [1:40] English [1:44] English and they always form a little [1:46] mini biker gang for you then show you [1:48] their awesome [1:58] skills [2:13] and although I could have watched these [2:14] guys all day it was time to head out [2:16] into the desert to start riding through [2:18] Iran so uh this is the start of the [2:20] desert and we've been riding through and [2:22] past all these cool little towns for [2:24] about 2 hours before we experienced our [2:26] first Iranian Hospitality which was I [2:29] stopped for can of Red Bull when I came [2:31] back the two Germans who I was with were [2:33] being given free Fruit by this guy uh [2:35] for no reason I could fathom other than [2:37] just to have some free food that's [2:39] enough [2:41] Jesus so the desert gradually turned [2:43] into mountains but the thing that was [2:45] always there was absolute perfect [2:53] tarmac eventually it was time for a fuel [2:55] stop and this was a bit of a flashback [2:57] to Cambodia uh where you just have to [3:00] find the nearest Huts that you go past [3:01] and ask if they have fuel so this was [3:04] today's [3:05] delivery as I rode further north more [3:07] and more Greenery was starting to appear [3:08] and there was always a nice Hillside to [3:10] watch as you Rod past and despite all [3:12] the sanctions on Iran there'd always be [3:14] something to surprise you don't know how [3:16] many trade EMB baros and somehow that [3:19] little Hut over there has managed to get [3:23] Red Bull from England how did he do [3:28] that [3:34] you got red flavor [3:39] today maybe it's like [3:41] strawberry so after they filled up until [3:43] 90 with fuel they invited me inside to [3:45] have lunch with them none of them really [3:47] spoke any English and I also had a lot [3:48] of food around me that I didn't know [3:50] what to do [3:52] with I need to learn how this [3:57] works how do I do it right I need two [4:06] hands right got it they then gave me [4:16] coffee and also some form of white drink [4:19] that to me looked a little bit like [4:21] chicken [4:22] soup okay so I drink that [4:27] yeah what is it [4:30] yogurt milk [4:33] [Music] [4:37] okay it's okay that's good and rather [4:40] offer you one cigarette offer a [4:53] selection and they wouldn't take any [4:54] money from me at all and that included [4:56] the petrol so me and 9 said I thank you [4:59] goodby and we headed off and saw our [5:01] first raincloud for 4 months and I [5:03] wasn't too happy about [5:10] it and after 4 hours of riding I bumped [5:12] into the guys I had lunch [5:15] with bumped into those guys again and [5:18] this time they gave me free tea but this [5:20] was the last I saw of [5:21] them and now it's wild life on one [5:24] cylinder these ants are absolutely [5:27] massive and we about an inch long and [5:29] this clip fits in with nothing else in [5:31] this entire update I also called in at P [5:34] biss on the way through which uh I know [5:36] the timings are a bit different but this [5:38] kicks stonehenge's ass uh yeah it's [5:41] awesome just all the little carvings [5:43] everything out of solid Stone as well um [5:45] tombs as well it was really cool I mean [5:48] I don't normally like this sort of stuff [5:49] but you have got to admire just the [5:52] craftsmanship that's gone into [5:53] everything [5:58] there [6:00] and as you're in around there is always [6:02] somebody who is happy to see [6:05] you I hope you to Eng safely yeah thank [6:08] you very much by you are clear happy and [6:10] relax and really kind you are a kind and [6:12] affection human you are a kind s [6:14] affection human thank you very much [6:16] thank you byebye bye thank you bye and [6:20] after speaking to him I somehow ended up [6:21] in the south of France I'm not sure how [6:23] that happened and not a day went by and [6:25] around without getting given something [6:27] for free just had lunch in this [6:29] restaurant here there's the [6:32] owner and he gave me a free pen I don't [6:35] know why but I do need a pen so all [6:39] good and every car that went past would [6:42] wave to you and ask where you were from [6:43] and [6:47] smile and as with a lot of things on [6:49] this trip I can't actually give you any [6:51] information about how old these [6:52] buildings are or what they're for but [6:54] they look [6:57] cool some of them though I did go to [6:59] investig at in person the only thing I [7:00] seemed to be learning was that the 90 [7:02] was sounding worse and [7:08] worse and although I'm in Iran where the [7:11] women have to cover up I do like a good [7:13] ass so I head into the city to see if I [7:15] could see any good [7:18] asses anyway so from low brow cheap [7:20] comedy to this guy who is Pierce broen's [7:23] Iranian [7:28] clone [7:36] I got a new foot [7:39] bag and some [7:43] strawberries thank you you will see the [7:45] common theme that food here is free and [7:48] free food makes me happy and everybody's [7:50] friendly hello [7:55] hello very well thank [7:58] Youk [8:02] bye this is also a brilliant way to [8:04] transport something long in a car or [8:06] under [8:08] it I'm the kind of person that isn't [8:10] normally interested in architecture but [8:12] in Iran it did you know everything just [8:13] seemed to be nice I also film this guy a [8:16] bicycle perfectly by [8:20] accident so yeah like just all the [8:22] archers just seem to be covered in nice [8:24] blue tiles and when you went inside into [8:26] the markets everything was just nice as [8:28] well all the herbs you know and spices [8:31] all different colors everything was nice [8:33] like that uh the sugar as well you can [8:36] buy sugar like that which is [8:38] cool and in Iran all of the women have [8:41] to cover up but there'd be shop selling [8:42] tops like this which were cool but this [8:45] top is awesome I want to see a girl [8:47] wearing that also Iranian women hot [8:51] probably join first with middle Thailand [8:53] women so far I think anyway enough of me [8:55] being a pervert back to Iran what is [8:57] about to happen is a moment that some up [8:59] it ran perfectly for me I was filming [9:02] something and somebody on a motorbike [9:03] stopped to let me finish [9:07] filming that's okay [9:14] go you wouldn't get that in [9:16] India so yeah Iran which is turning out [9:18] to be relentlessly friendly and [9:20] relentlessly beautiful as well Iran [9:23] basically only has two types of bike one [9:25] is a variant of the C90 there which is a [9:28] c100 [9:29] and the other one is a Honda cg125 and [9:33] that's all you will see all through here [9:34] is just Chinese copies also there a C9 [9:37] perfectly disguised in there [9:39] somewhere there it [9:46] is I'm totally riding a [9:51] camel another Iranian stunt displays [9:58] here [10:00] it was also time for me to film the last [10:02] part of my music video so uh here's my [10:04] drum kit complete with confused German [10:07] in the [10:08] [Music] [10:15] background and if you have absolutely no [10:17] idea what just happened there look for [10:19] my video my C90 is always on my mind and [10:22] it will all be explained [10:26] there English English [10:31] yeah nice to meet you and when I say [10:34] everybody wants to talk to you and be [10:36] friendly I mean [10:39] that [10:43] English even these guys had a [10:46] [Music] [10:49] smile I kept bumping into these truck [10:52] drivers for about 4 hours and eventually [10:54] they stopped to try and give me a lift [10:55] in the back but I didn't need [10:58] it [11:01] this was one of my favorite moments this [11:02] Lori honked pulled alongside me and gave [11:05] me an orange for no reason at [11:11] [Music] [11:18] all such is my excitement at free food I [11:21] will now need to dump this next [11:26] part I love Iran [11:29] I then had to peel the orange while [11:31] riding which is a genuine sticking out [11:33] tongue [11:39] moment see look at the genuine Joy on my [11:45] face there weren't that many ridiculous [11:48] loads on motorbikes but you did see the [11:50] odd one like all these bottles and of [11:52] course eventually he pull alongside to [11:54] say hi and he waves and he's friendly as [11:56] well I was also filling up in a pet [11:59] station and I spotted this Buick which [12:01] is from the uh American foreign office [12:03] of stereotypes because there you are [12:05] your Buick with your white wall tires [12:07] you also need your American who will [12:09] wear sunglasses constantly to fit The [12:12] Stereotype this American will also needs [12:15] to be overweight and to finish it off [12:17] white leather [12:19] shoes and some more free food thank you [12:23] thank you very much have a good day good [12:27] night good every day I every day thank [12:30] you very much thank [12:32] you bye just been flagged down by this [12:35] guy to help fix his car so uh I've l in [12:38] my I've l in my [12:42] screwdriver all he needed to do was [12:44] tighten up a hose clamp so he was [12:45] finished and on his [12:50] way oh down my good deed for the [12:57] day [13:00] also none of my video updates would be [13:02] complete without taking the piss out of [13:03] a BMW so can your GS fit through a [13:06] standard doorway with your panas on no [13:09] don't think so also if you're an idiot [13:11] and you don't put your stand out and [13:12] your bike falls over like [13:15] this can you pick it up like [13:18] this nope didn't think so anyway so off [13:21] into the [13:26] countryside well I discovered these [13:28] brilliant multicolored layered mountains [13:31] you know as a child you get the sets [13:32] where you get sand of different colors [13:34] and pour it on top of yourself I think [13:36] that's where they got the idea from is [13:38] from here um you can see all the [13:40] different colors and also here's a is's [13:42] a how-to on how I get some of the best [13:44] available camera shots by [13:54] offroading come on little [13:56] ity yes [13:59] [Music] [14:01] the colors also got more Vivid the [14:03] further north you [14:14] [Music] [14:19] went remember I'm in Iran so you're [14:21] never too far away from free food or [14:24] drink so I was just taking some pictures [14:27] of these cool tractors the guys invited [14:29] me in for some teeth so cool now I did [14:32] meet one unfriendly person in Iran and [14:34] he was a Polish guy riding a BMW GS I [14:37] pulled alongside and waved to him you [14:38] know cuz we're both traveling he just [14:40] looked down on me and sped off so thus I [14:42] decided to get my own back eventually I [14:44] caught him up in traffic and every time [14:47] there was a small Gap I could filter [14:48] through it and he couldn't so I did this [14:50] over and over looking more and more smug [14:52] until eventually I whipped out the [14:54] camera and then he turned [14:57] off the GS owner who won't talk to me oh [15:02] well time to show him how to [15:07] filter during this update you might have [15:09] seen these screens that Iranians fit [15:11] their motorcycles and I think they look [15:13] crap and really uncool so I bought one [15:16] and it cost me £3 and the window in the [15:18] middle is actually glass but it was my [15:21] last full day in Iran but before I left [15:23] this cool guy called bezard who is on [15:25] the right here and his daughter Tina and [15:28] his brother-in-law I think on the left [15:30] um took me out to this Iranian theme [15:32] park which was really cool it's my final [15:34] night here's AA she's always running [15:36] around causing [15:38] Mischief also to any parents who want to [15:41] silence their children these are a [15:42] brilliant idea airtight balls that you [15:45] just get a child put them in it Chuck [15:47] them on the water and they're absolutely [15:48] helpless to try and get themselves [15:50] free this is also window shopping my [15:53] style there you can get all your [15:55] components for your C90 there's clutches [15:57] carburetors crankshafts the lot but we [16:00] are still in a ran so it is free food [16:02] time [16:04] again well I just bought some engine oil [16:06] from that shop and uh after I'd paid for [16:09] it and I was just about to leave they [16:10] gave me some [16:12] cake more free food it's [16:15] amazing so that was Iran this is me on [16:18] the road to the Turkish border Iran is [16:20] my favorite country by far everybody [16:23] there acts like your friend's Nan you [16:25] know how when you go around there and [16:27] your Mak Nan be like oh would you like [16:30] some cake would you like to sit here is [16:31] there anything I can get you would you [16:32] like me to do this would you like to [16:34] change the channel on the TV you know [16:36] just endlessly relentlessly friendly and [16:39] um yeah it's it's bizarre even when I [16:43] was at the police and military [16:44] checkpoints they'd ask to see your [16:46] passport and you'd show it to them and [16:47] then they'd like bring out the tea and [16:48] the cigarettes and you'd be talking [16:50] there you know like sometimes for an [16:52] hour just showing them pictures of your [16:54] trip so it isn't as even if it's just [16:57] the people there it is everybody down to [16:59] the police in the Army if I could choose [17:02] any country in the world to basically [17:04] you know wake up naked in the middle of [17:07] nowhere with no money and I had to try [17:09] and find my way back to you know [17:12] civilization and help it would be Iran [17:15] um it's just it's brilliant and I will [17:18] go back there in a heartbeat and I know [17:21] I will again at some point um yeah so [17:25] hopefully you've enjoyed this update [17:26] hopefully it's given you the side that [17:28] the papers for some reason don't want [17:30] you to see my cynical view would be so [17:33] that when America does invade there's [17:35] not going to be that much public [17:36] opposition to it because everybody by [17:38] that point would have be conditioned to [17:40] think that Iran is evil so uh but maybe [17:43] that's just me being cynical so anyway [17:46] there you are that's the uh Ed March [17:48] story of Iran like I said nothing [17:50] scripted that's it you know job done