Jupiter's Travels

By: Ted Simon

Narrated by: Rupert Degas, Ted Simon

On October 6, 1973, Ted Simon knew there was no going back. He loaded up his 500cc Triumph Tiger in the pouring rain and said good-bye to London.

Over four years he rode 64,000 miles round the world. Breakdowns, revolutions, war, a spell in prison, and a Californian commune were all part of his experience, which was colored variously by utter despair and unimaginable joy. He was treated as a spy, a god, a welcome stranger, and a curiosity. The extraordinary trip became a journey into his own soul, and for many others - including the bikers Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor - it is a pure inspiration. Rupert Degas, "the most versatile of narrators" (The Times), captures all the thrills and spills of Simon's experience and the timeless charm.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©1979 Ted Simon (P)2015 Naxos AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"[Narrator Rupert] Degas's accents for the various people Simon encounters add an extra dimension to the work, creating a vivid listening experience." (AudioFile)

JR

It seems that most motorcycle journey books are written by a guy who likes to ride, and then tries to write about it. This book is written by a writer who decided to take a motorcycle journey. That formula is superior. Best motorcycle book I’ve read.

One of the all time great adventures

If you like to travel, or even if you just dream of traveling, Jupiter’s Travels is a must read. Join Ted Simon on a four year motorcycle ride around the world. See the sites that he saw and meet all of the interesting characters along the way. The Narrator, Rupert Degas, is so convincing that it feels like Ted Simon himself is telling you the tale of his travels!

More Art Than Story

Powerful, moving, intelligent. It reminds me so much of art that really needs to stay in a museum. Don’t get me wrong. It is very, very well written in a sort of “stream of consciousness “ format. Therefore, it lacks a traditional story arc. However, the insight and vocabulary are very stimulating even if I, the reader, need to help the author figure out what the journey is about.

It’s ultimate conclusions are very 1970’s (aka The Beatles, drugs, flowers, deconstruction). I would go back to the museum and look at it again, but it’s too much to hang in my own living room.

Hungry for the ride

Amazing writing a truly great story. All I wanna do is ride a motorcycle around the world

The best audio book performance, best book

I first read this in print 15 or so years ago. the performance is so good that I actually think that it makes the prose much more vivid. it's incredible.

Makes you want to ride and explore

I think I said it all in the title, fills you with a sense of adventure and a human connection

Extremely entertaining!

Mr Simon certainly captured my heart via his wisdom and insights into the human condition.

One of the great travel stories, read superbly

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Highly recommended to anyone, especially those who love travel stories or motorcycle journeys/.

What did you like best about this story?

The author is a very good writer, very insightful with a nice turn of phrase. The narrator is fantastic, coming up with dozens of voices and accents. The narration is a a tour de force and a real pleasure. The author had his ups and downs, and so will the reader. But perseverance is well repaid.

Which character – as performed by Rupert Degas and Ted Simon – was your favorite?

There are dozens of memorable characters, including a precocious 4-year-old.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I listened to it twice in a row, because I wanted to hear the intro after I finished it, and it was just as fun the second time.

Any additional comments?

Ted Simon has a great website. The Jupiters Travels - In Camera book is a nice companion to the audiobook. There are nice photos of this motorbike on the website and in the book.

In Long Way Round they meet Ted Simon in a marketplace in Mongolia. If you watched Long Way Round and enjoyed it, you will love this. Except that Ted Simon make Ewan and Charlie seem like pre-teens. Ted is a grown up, and an educated one. To be fair, he seemed like he was older than Ewan and Charlie when he set out.

You will be dying to buy a Triumph motorcycle when you read this.

Must-read for any real motorcycle enthusiast

Lifelong Harley rider and and s few Brit biked I was mesmerized not only by the story but the livid descriptions of travel people places and experiences this is a book not to be missed and will definitely wake you up to appreciating life

Wandering away with ted

I spend many also wanderfull sleepless hours making teds travel's but they became also mine.