Motorcycle travel books

[dern]

I've read a couple of motorcycle travel books recently and would be interested in any you recommend.

These Are the Days that Must Happen to You - Dan Walsh
I've just finished it and while it's really enjoyable it's not a trip I'd want to emulate. There's some stuff in there from his Ride days and a load of other stuff. It mainly covers a trip through Africa and another down through South America. It's a chaotic jumble but a good read. He does seem a mess though and most of his decisions set me on edge and I couldn't live like he does off the bike. Nevertheless it's good fun.

Revolutionary Ride - Lois Pryce
This is an absolutely superb book. Her descriptions of life in Iran (at the time of writing) are absolutely superb. I couldn't put this book down. I don't recall a huge amount of bike specific stuff but it's an amazing written account of a bike trip. I have a couple more books of hers that I'm looking forward to reading.

A couple from the past that I liked...

Jupiter's Travels - Ted Simon
If you haven't read this turn youtube off now and go and read it. The definitive motorcycle adventure travel book. If you just want to read about bikes and not the experience of travel you might not like it but otherwise as absolute must read.

Long Way Round - Ewan and Charlie
I really enjoyed the tv series and the book is definitely worth a read even if you've seen that. From memory it's a chapter from one and then a chapter from the other. There are lots of insights that you don't get on the tv series and I really enjoyed it.

Any books (not f-ing youtube) that you recommend?

[Horse]

If you substitute 'beaten-up van with a mattress' for 'motorcycle', then:

Blue Highways

By William Least Heat Moon

Just the fact that his name needs explanation perhaps gives an idea of how good his book is?

His father was Heat Mean, older brother is Little Heat Moon, so ...

He spends several months travelling along US backroads. On their maps, 'blue highways'.


Edit: read a few pages, try before you buy

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=DTk ... &q&f=false

[Bustaspoke]

I've read a couple of motorcycle travel books recently and would be interested in any you recommend.



Jupiter's Travels - Ted Simon
If you haven't read this turn youtube off now and go and read it. The definitive motorcycle adventure travel book. If you just want to read about bikes and not the experience of travel you might not like it but otherwise as absolute must read.

Thanks for bringing up the subject of motorcycle travel books,it's the time for some motorcycle travel inspiration

I was in my teens when I first read Jupiters travels,read it a couple of times since.I think it's a great read,very inspiring.
Ted Simons also wrote a follow up book Dreaming of Jupiter.It's years since I last read them,I'll have to dig them out .
I've not read any of the following,but if you like books about motorcycle travel they may be of interest
Lois Pryce,I seem to remember her writing in one of the ADV magazines back in the day.She also wrote 'Lois on the loose',about riding from Alaska to Argentina.
Elspeth Beard did a big trip on a BMW back in the early 80's & ended up writing a book about her journey 'Lone Rider'.I only heard about her a few years back,ironiclly the YT algorithm sent me to an interview with her

[Count Steer]

I read Zen and the Art of Motorcycling years ago. I wouldn't really say it's much to do with the motorcycle tbh but it's sort of iconic.

'Rider' did a 'Top Ten' but I can't comment on most of them but some look interesting.
https://ridermagazine.com/2016/06/20/to ... ure-books/

[dern]

I've not read any of the following,but if you like books about motorcycle travel they may be of interest
Lois Pryce,I seem to remember her writing in one of the ADV magazines back in the day.She also wrote 'Lois on the loose',about riding from Alaska to Argentina.
Elspeth Beard did a big trip on a BMW back in the early 80's & ended up writing a book about her journey 'Lone Rider'.I only heard about her a few years back,ironiclly the YT algorithm sent me to an interview with her

I got both of those for christmas and they're sat on the top of my ever growing 'to read' pile

[Skub]

A Belfast dude,Geoff Hill - The road to Gobblers Knob. He's written a few others too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Geoff-H ... abled=true

[asmethurst99]

Jupiters Travels is a very absorbing read - I can remember a bit in the Observer about it when I was a child.
I agree re Dan Walsh I think he had some issues

[Horse]

Don't bother with the Che Guevara Motorcycle Diaries. Well try if you like - I gave up

[Lutin]

Old Man on a Bike by Simon Gandolfi. Old man buys a 125 and tours down through South America. Finish is a bit rushed but other wise a good read. ISBN 978-1-906321-66-6

Uneasy Rider by Mike Carter. Clueless newbie on a big bike rides around Europe. Quite entertaining. ISBN 978-0-09192-268-9

A Short Ride in the Jungle by Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent. Riding a Honda Cub along the Ho Chi Minh trail. Very interesting read. ISBN 978-1-84953-543-4

[Whysub]

"Going the Wrong Way Round"

Young Irish lad attempts to ride from Dublin to Australia on a Guzzi LeMans. Long before Internet and satellite phones

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/547 ... -wrong-way

[dern]

Lois on the Loose, Lois Pryce was really good but not as well written as Revolutionary Ride but as that's a later book of hers it's not surprising.

I've read about a quarter of Lone Rider, Elspeth Beard and it's terrific. Fascinating and really well written.

[ZRX61]

Jupiter's Travels - Ted Simon
If you haven't read this turn youtube off now and go and read it. The definitive motorcycle adventure travel book. If you just want to read about bikes and not the experience of travel you might not like it but otherwise as absolute must read.

The original book was a good read, but his later works were full of left wing environmental & political bollocks. Moved the California, bought a small ranch, campaigned against water storage projects (including one dam/reservoir that was sorely needed) & then fucked off back to France when he couldn't hack it.

[dern]

The original book was a good read, but his later works were full of left wing environmental & political bollocks.

I'll put them on the list, thanks.

[Bustaspoke]

I've read about a quarter of Lone Rider, Elspeth Beard and it's terrific. Fascinating and really well written.

Ironic really, she's dyslecsic.
Here's a link to her website https://www.elspethbeard.com/

Here's a good interview with her,inspiring stuff