Lone Rider

The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World

By: Elspeth Beard

Narrated by: Wendy Wolfson

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1982, at the age of just 23 and halfway through her architecture studies, Elspeth Beard left her family and friends in London and set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6.

Reeling from a recent breakup and with only limited savings from her pub job, a tent, a few clothes, and some tools, all packed on the back of her bike, she was determined to prove herself. She had ridden bikes since her teens and was well-traveled. But nothing could prepare her for what lay ahead.

When she returned to London nearly two-and-a-half years later she was stones lighter and decades wiser. She'd ridden through unforgiving landscapes and countries ravaged by war, witnessed civil uprisings that forced her to fake documents, and fended off sexual attacks, biker gangs, and corrupt police convinced she was trafficking drugs. She'd survived life-threatening illnesses, personal loss, and brutal accidents that had left permanent scars and a black hole in her memory. And she'd fallen in love with two very different men.

In an age before email, the internet, mobile phones, satnavs, and, in some parts of the world, readily available and reliable maps, Elspeth achieved something that would still seem remarkable today. Told with honesty and wit, this is the extraordinary and moving story of a unique and life-changing adventure.

©2018 Elspeth Beard (P)2019 Elspeth Beard

What an amazing story.....layered and unstoppable

This is a beautiful a story that many can relate to who have travelled solo on a motorcycle,thoroughly engaging story ,Elspeth Beards ability to describe many things which come to the reader and transcends us on a journey as though with her personally is wonderful,I was saddened when the story ended,as a BMW rider and traveller I stand in awe at her marvellous book,long live the lone rider👍

Wonderful story

This story is Inspiring and heart breaking. It is A true story of love and adventure.

Well written and expertly narrated

I found myself wanting to pull up a map of the world and pinpoint the various locations of her story. A very pleasant and engaging storyline.

Real, very Real

To the Author, Cannot help but appreciate the Tenacity and determination that it took to accomplish and what you did .
I wish I could have your panniers , But I am not willing to go through what you went through to get them.
From Rider to another well Done.

An epic adventure ending with hope and wonder

Starting out to prove the metal of oneself it then turns into dependence... later a type of need to not quite be requited. Like the words “carpe diem”... as shared in the film Dead Poets Society... go forth and do... not try... but execute the dream.

Hang on for a fantastic ride around the world.

What a story of inspiration, bravery and determination. Elspeth is definitely a trailblazer in her right. The details and description of her travels created such a strong impression that I felt emotionally invested. RIP Robert, and Alex is the reason I tell people that we cross each other's paths for a reason, it is never random.

Great story

I preface this by saying I’ve ridden motorcycles all my life, and at 68 own three and still ride several times a week. While I’ve never had a desire to ride around the world, I can relate to her experiences of sudden mishaps, terrible weather and so on.

This is a great tale, but I would remind potential readers that she was a kid when she did this on sort of a whim. That said, her planning was meticulous, and she learned her bike and apparently took the tools and parts that could reasonably be expected to be needed on such a long and dangerous journey. I would have liked to hear more about this aspect of her planning.

She was certainly resourceful. She was very brave to do this, and it’s sad her parents didn’t appreciate the amount of courage it took to do this.

I recommend this book to any serious motorcycle enthusiast, or anyone curious about what is involved with riding around the world on two wheels and a strict budget.

Of course times have changed and it’s probably impossible to ride through the Middle East, but that fact makes it all the more interesting that it was possible in 1982.

She also seems to have some long term problems based on her upbringing, but that’s all part of the story.

Give it a listen. It’s worth the time.

You must admire this woman

I've read and listened to every audiobook out there about some motorcyclist who did the "round the world" thing. Elspeth is and should be a great inspiration to anyone who sets out to do anything. The story was amazing, heartbreaking, frustrating and glorious. A lesser person would have given up and gone home.

Although it took place in the 80's, I felt bad for her as she went through America and met all these American idiots along the way and even the bikers who were total jerks. UGH.... Makes me angry to hear fellow riders treated her as they did.

Great book and I highly recommend it.

a great accomplishment, and a great story

I really enjoyed this book. The one thing I’d have be different is the narrator’s attempt at accents and differentiating other people’s voices. It was off-putting.

Gripping in a way only long distance motorcyclists understand

Beautifully written and narrated. It was hard for me to pause and I listened from the beginning to end in only a few days. I almost appreciated the realness of it, the good and the bad, the ups and the downs of the trip along with personal life details that always have such a great bearing on all of our adventurers.