In 1984, Elspeth Beard became the first British woman to ride a motorcycle around the world. Her journey covered more than 35,000 miles on a 1974 BMW R60/6, and every page of this book carries a sense of adventure and determination.
The two-year journey is told with warmth, honesty and a real passion for travel. Even the more difficult moments are compelling to read. The world was very different then, or perhaps not as different as we’d like to think. Beard gives a first-hand account of travelling through countries that had rarely seen Western travellers on motorcycles, let alone a solo woman, a reality that brought its own challenges.
Written in the first person, the story made me feel as though I was travelling alongside her. I found myself completely invested, willing her onwards with every chapter. For me, the adventure ended far too soon. For Elspeth… well, you’ll have to read the book to discover how her remarkable journey unfolds.
Some adventures entertain. Others leave you wondering whether you’ve been adventurous enough in your own life. This book did a little of both.