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Wife's fears for missing biker on round-the-world tour
A LONE traveller on the last leg of his round-world motorcycle tour has not contacted his wife in nearly two months.
Former Calderdale mechanic Ian Coates, 66, last updated his online blog on June 1, confirming he was in Shimanovsk, near the Russian border with China.
His wife Judith has now contacted the British embassy for help. She said: "Sometimes Ian goes a few weeks without emailing or phoning.
"But this is a long time now and I am getting worried.
"I have contacted the embassy but they can't help out.
"I don't know what to do. Any-thing could have happened to him."
Judith added: "He last sent me an email on May 15. I have contacted friends he stayed with in Canada but they haven't heard anything either and say his visa is due to run out soon.
Ian, who owned a garage near Whitelea Arches, Hebden Bridge, is now in his 11th year of travelling.
He is still believed to be in Russia, from where he will make the long trip back to Blackshaw Head, Hebden Bridge.
Ian set off on what was supposed to be a four- month tour of Australia in 1999.
In the last 11 years, he has ridden through Australasia, the Pacific Islands and from the tip of South America to Alaska.
He flew from Canada to Korea, and said he would travel home taking in as many countries as he could on the way.
He has completed the whole trip on his 20-year-old African Honda Twin motorbike and has made quite a name for himself as a quirky Yorkshire traveller.
As well as his wife, Mr Coates has two children, four grandchildren and a great grandchild has never seen.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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