Over the years I have enjoyed vicariously traveling the world through the eyes of various motorcycle adventurers who put their tales and photos into print. I think this started with Charlie and the Bear (Peter Thoeming) on an overland trip from Oz to the UK but then followed on to Ted Simon's "Jupiters Travels", Charris and George Schwarz travels on their R60 BMW from Europe to Australia and recently Elspeth Beard.
These were perilous trips especially done without the benefits of modern technologies be they GPS and the modern mobile phone and host of apps to navigate and translate. Some of the countries traveled are even more difficult now due to war and politics, and some were not much different then. They had these adventures without backup and modern tech ( yes I'm looking at you Ewan and Charlie) :-)
This morning, Hobart Radio (I do like this internet AM) introduced me to Heather Ellis who has ridden through Africa, Central Asia and later traveled from London to Hanoi over the Silk Roads. So there's more reading adventure for me (and now you).
There are a host of other folk who have followed these wheeltracks or forged paths of their own. If you too are interested here are a few links or details about the folk mentioned above.
- Peter Thoeming needs little introduction having produced Australian motorcycle magazines for many years, along with his travel maps ( conveniantly spiral bound for the motorcycling traveler). Peters link to the Ulysses Club is apparent whenever we look at our logo. https://www.ridingon.com.au/stories/musings-on-ulysses
- Ted Simon inspired many a traveler with his book "Jupiters Travels" about his 1970's 4 year solo around the world trip on a 500cc Triumph Tiger. Ted visited Canberra on his second world trip and a signed copy of Jupiters Travels which may still be found in the ACT Library system. https://jupitalia.com/about-ted-simon/
- Charis and George Schwarz may not be as well known but theirs is also a wonderful tale of adventure on their R60 "Du". Their book is fairly hard to find but there is an excellent summing up in this article from the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences where Du now resides. https://maas.museum/inside-the-collection/2017/09/20/love-affair-with-a-1965-bmw-motorcycle/
- Elspeth Beard at 23 set off on a two-year solo journey around the world on her beloved BMW R60/6 motorcycle, before returning to England and completing her architectural studies. She still has the R60, and lives in a restored water tower.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xaxo5EIJhrY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwBYy5Clm5U
- Heather Ellis as noted earlier has ridden through Africa, Central Asia and later traveled from London to Hanoi over the Silk Roads. There's so much more to Heather as her second trip was under the cloud of what she believed was a terminal illness. https://www.heather-ellis.com/
What can I say - our weekend club rides and Annual Rallies are calling us for much more comfortable mini adventures of our own on our own doorstep! Some of our members have gone further afield! So get some inspiration from these adventurers, and then get out your door and get going - on your motorcycle!
There's no time to lose!
Cheers
Gary Mac
