Lone Rider
The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World
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Lone Rider
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Narrated by:
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Wendy Wolfson
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Written by:
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Elspeth Beard
About this listen
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 BeardYou may also enjoy...
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What listeners say about Lone Rider
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- justin lamb
- 2022-08-31
Awesome book!
This was a great biography of her bike tour, some slow parts but overall unbelievable ext the author had and really glad I listened to it
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- MWP
- 2021-03-30
Adds fuel to one’s wandering desires.
Overall, it was a nice book. I wouldn’t rate it as a must read by any means. But I enjoy following along on other people’s adventures, and relating to their desires to follow their adventurous spirits.
What she accomplished is remarkable. This is clearly not an average person. But a clever, adaptable, rugged and savvy one.
I’ve been considering the fact that many travellers feel that, shared experiences are better than lone ones.. and I think this book endorses that belief.
The narration was top notch.
So, as I was saying.. I won’t be forcing anyone to read this book, but, if you’ve come this far, I certainly won’t dissuade you ;) Enjoy
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-04-17
Wonderful story
Really enjoyable story. Easy listening, the narrator is clear and does a good job,
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sam
- 2022-07-02
this will make you want to travel
great book. this book grew my wanderlust. now i just want to tour the world on my bike!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Natalie J
- 2023-11-12
Inspirational adventure and biography
I really enjoyed this listen. It had suspense, adventure, drama, love and everything in between. As a woman who also enjoys motorcycle touring, it was inspiring to listen to her travels as a solo woman in a time when it was unheard of. Elspeth is a unique, strong and independent woman who has overcome many hard times. I hope she has found a love that is lasting.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2020-01-23
Great Story
Really enjoyed listening to the book.
The tenacity of Elspeth to ride thru in a time with no cell phones and no internet.
Amazing story
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Benjamin Taft
- 2022-06-27
Captivating story
It was interesting to learn of the writer's life past her trip, but I kind of wish that she would have gone on riding rather than setting down.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- cristy
- 2020-04-02
You get used to the narrator
I really wanted to read this book but I saw it here so I figured I’d audio it; at first the narrator’s monotone voice was a bit annoying and it took some getting used to but as I got more into the story she did come alive a bit more during emotional or intense happenings in the journey. Overall, glad I had a chance to embark on her adventure, definitely a once in a lifetime ride and it does take a similar experience to truly understand what she goes through and describes. Having completed a thirteen day ride of Rajasthan in India this January, I’m glad some things have changed for the better since her journey while I giggled as she brought me back to my own experiences and noticed that some things never change, truth is though, that this book helped to validate my own thoughts on my own journey as well and how we view culture and can learn to appreciate the smallest things in life is exceptional. Can’t wait to see the movie!!!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ryan Philllips
- 2021-10-21
So much more than a motorcycle journey
I was excited for this one, as I’d heard an interview with Elspeth on the Motorcycles and Misfits podcast. I came for the motorcycle journey, but stayed for the broader perspective on life and coming of age. Greatly appreciated the female perspective on riding and travelling, at times difficult to come to terms with how utterly reprehensible men can be (to be clear, the book describes these situations, it’s not an overt criticism of male behaviour).
Overall it was very well-written. The narrator did a good job too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sandy Gail Berry
- 2023-10-27
A remarkable journey
Very much enjoyed this story. As a lone female rider with many miles under my belt, I can truly appreciate her commitment to doing this journey, the stamina and resourcefulness required, and the grit in staying calm when her life was in danger. The difficulty in connecting with people who have never experienced something like this is real. Well done Elsbeth, and congrats on finally having a platform to sharing your story!
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