I picked up an motorcycle anthology, called "She's a Bad Motorcycle", and while most of the stories are in the outlaw biker genre, one story stood out so much that I actually called the publisher to try and find other titles by the same author, to no avail. The story is called "Girl on a Motorcycle" by Rachel Kushner. It's the story of how she was influenced by a former boyfriend to ride the Cabo 1000, an unofficial street race from Tijuana to Cabo, down the Baja peninsula. While she is obviouly venting some anger (well, a lot of anger) at her ex, it is a great look at the motorcycle lifestyle, from a womean's point of view, without glossing over some of the contradictions that go with it. If I knew she was just pissed off at her ex and not men in general, and knew how to find her, I might have to ask her to marry me, sight unseen.

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Andy Tiegs
www.tiegs.com

I've read many of the books out there. "Odyssey to Ushuaia" gives some insight as to what it is like to travel in a group. Three guys who meet on the internet argue their way thru South America. After reading that book, I am definately going solo <g>.

IMHO, It may not be the best written book, but the best story, hands down, is Dave Barr's "Riding the Edge". Very inspiring.

The best adventure story ever told, is the story of Shackleton expedition as chronicled in "Endurance" by Alfred Lansing

good thread

The Bikeriders by danny lyon, great photographs from 60's american bike gangs with their stories. Only could only get it as a soft cover here in Austraaalia.

Agree with Pedro "Zen" is a brilliant read.

I happen to see Bikeriders in a Barnes and Noble here in the U.S. Very interesting photos but not much text. Whitehorse Press has also started selling it.

I read Zen when I was in high school and think that is what planted the motorcycle bug in me. I still have the old paperback; need to read it again soon.


Has anyone read Terror on Two Wheels yet?

Pedro picked one of my favorites for describing being on the road and connecting with a bike. Zen and the art of motorcycle maint. I even had a old honda superhawk about the time that book came out.

Just finished reading "Two Wheels Through Terror" by Glen Heggstad. It recounts his trip from California to tip of South America & back again via Brazil. En-route he was kidnapped & held captive for 5 weeks by ELN rebels in Columbia. Once released, he refused to return home, had a bike shipped to Columbia & carried on with his journey.

He's currently travelling to Germany from Vladovostok, via Mongolia on an F650. An ongoing account of his travels, writing under the name of Striking Viking, can be read here:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41699

[This message has been edited by Steve Pickford (edited 25 August 2004).]

OK, but how was the book. Many have taken great rides and written uninteresting books. If his book is like his thread at advrider, it wont be much of a read. I would hope for more given that this guy has cajones. Hopefully his advrider thread is just playing to the audience at the site.

Book was very good IMO. Glenn has an interesting style of writing, not too dissimilar to his thread on the Adv Riders site. I enjoyed the book & keeping myself updated with his thread.

Only problem with the book was that I tried to order a copy from the US supplier (guilty.com). Their online ordering system could not cope with a non-US postcode/zipcode. They responded to my first e-mail but never heard from them again until the book appeared out of the blue a month later. There was no indication of cost or postage charges attached, so I'll have to wait for the credit card bill to arrive.

Zen and The Art of.........is one of the greatest books ever written about life and living. It offers great insights on the rhythm of travelling and about life and why "we are where we are" as individuals and as a society.

Narcissus and Goldmund, by Herman Hesse. Nothing to do with motorbikes, but lots to do with the reasons for travelling.

Fantastic book.

on the topic of non bike books ive got to agree wýth the above post that alfred lansýngs book ENDURANCE about shakletons antartic adventure is one of the most inspiring travel narýtives ever writen. also the ÝCE MASTER by jenifer nýven is also a fantastic read similar to endurance...

[This message has been edited by futronix (edited 04 October 2004).]

Try Dervla Murphy's 'Full Tilt' about her journey from her home in Ireland to India on a push bike. Written in 1966, with particular attention to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Hindu Kush, she had a particularly high opinion of the Afghans and the Pakistanis. It would be interesting if she could go back now.
It's still in print, I bought mine last spring, you can bring it up no bother on Google.
John

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Johnefyn

Halfway through "Riding the Edge".

Good read but slightly amazed by some of his "tantrums" and what appears to be a lack of bike preparation i.e. no spare levers etc.

I realise we're lucky to have the Internet these days but Dave appears to have carried out very little in the way research prior to embarking on his epic trip.

For me, the best part so far is the amount of help he's received, quite often free of charge & normally from those with the least to give - very inspiring & uplifting IMO.

BTW, JSherm - good thread, long may it continue!

[This message has been edited by Steve Pickford (edited 07 October 2004).]

[This message has been edited by Steve Pickford (edited 02 November 2004).]

Does anyone have information on buying the book by one of the Ibarro brothers about his trip through S America. I know it is in Spanish, but I am interested in buying it.

Thanks

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Brooklyn Dakar
http://motorcycleramblings.blogspot.com/