Elspeth Beard, Round the World Motorcyclist

Round the World motorcyclist, Elspeth Beard is an architect and motorcyclist, who is noted for being one of the first English women to ride a motorcycle around the World. Later she redesigned Munstead Tower in Godalming, winning the 1994 Royal Institute of British Architects award for South East England.

[@spurgear4]

After riding my BMW across Canada and the US by myself I must say this is a pleasure to find. The world has changed so much in the last 40 years although adventure in its raw form is getting harder to find. Hats off to this wonderful lady.

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

It isn't. The personal attitude has vastly changed to date, but adventure still is easily found on a vintage motorbike, in a vintage car or on a vintage sailboat. You just gotta go *_with the means they had_* and avoid modern devices, modern digitalized bikes or cars like the plague. That does not mean to be unsafe - it just means to keep in contact with Your immediate environment and not live in the internet and digital world only.

[@spurgear4]

@@manfredschmalbach9023 Thats probably why I own triumphs, a Norton and an airplane built in 1948. Thanks for the reply

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@spurgear4 My pleasure. Oh and You're welcome, of course. My eldest car is 52 years old, there are a couple around 35 to 45, and motorbikes mostly from the seventies and eighties, too. (youngest bike, the daily beater, is only 16 years old though ...). No airplane so far, but boats and stuff.😁I transoceaned several times in "old" boats like gaff rigged long keel cutters, a pain in the behind to maneuver in tight spaces short- or singlehanded, and oldfashioned out there, but oldfashioned in a good way as to "she's caring for her crew". I once had a transfer-sail to do along a coast with every night in a port or cove because there was no official lights aboard, not even navigational lights .... had the most lovely and helpful encounters by "people of the sea" recognizing by my way to maneuver that there was no engine, either, which made them go out in small rowing vessels to help with the task of putting her somewhere safe for the night. Every other night in another cove there were other people with the same mind sets. I never had a journey with more rounds bought by my hosts, and never had a journey with more unselfish, competent help from third parties, either. Was 2013. So it does work somehow even in these days of Internet and screen-life, and You found the "real-life" people by being there Yourself, anxieties and hard work to stay afloat/rolling and being visible for people knowing what hard work is alike and all, including the mistakes and their outcome. Cheers and stay safe up there, will You?

[@voornaam3191]

@@manfredschmalbach9023 My former military police K1100 had the early kind anti lock braking. And an alarm light that indicates ONE of the lightbulb is in lightbulb heaven. And fuel injection that always works fantastic. That's a level of "modern" I could live with. Still sold that bike, but such a bike is great for long distance travelling. The police did ride those! Though I prefer less weight, you can forget pushing it up hill, you need to be careful where you stop or park.

[@voornaam3191]

@@spurgear4 Ah, YOU got that lost Bugatti 100P?! Do check that plane, it was a counter rotating props design, with the engine behind the cockpit. It looks great, but in aviation great plane designs are tossed into the bin, for hysterical reasons, and that often is the end of an entire factory. Maybe that Bugatti plane was just a bit beyond its time, and then the flock does not eat it.

[@georgeferguson9779]

Wow! I just watched this while sitting on my sofa at home alone. When she ended her speech, I was so moved by her story, that I admit I clapped right along with the audience at the end. Amazing story and person!

[@richardcarr7557]

Absolutely incredible story. Makes Ewan McGregor and Charlie Bormans trip look like a walk in the park ( back up crew etc ) As a male biker I am embarrassed that you got so little recognition for your skills and massive efforts, until much later on.

[@pujabelgian]

Interesting story! Success would be heavily weighted against a single woman travelling alone on a mc. It was some accomplishment. No comradery or support van as the aforementioned duo had, limited funds, no YT support, no satellite, no gps! Just the great unknown and a dream.

[@TheKonstantinius]

Yeah long way is basically a show, however very well made one, but still a show. Here is more of a real life story 🙂. I am impressed.

[@starbarrothschild6597]

Have read her book ,remarkable woman . Yes Borman and McGegor had factory bikes from BMW and 2 4x4'swith the film crew, director , doctor, mechanic, etc. Steph Jeavons did a similar trek , again without finance from a bike manufacturer. and lets not forget Noraly Schoenmaker.

[@voornaam3191]

Even Monty Python got a funny reply: Fawlty Tower can't possibly be successfool, no thank you, we will not produce it, written by some BBC boss. When movie producers just think "A woman on a bike, who on earth is gonna watch her movie?" then nothing interesting will ever happen.

[@timshaw8187]

Those that know have so much admiration for Elspeth, Charley and Ewen shouldn’t be mentioned in the same space, I’m so glad she’s out there now ABR etc, a single focused women travelling before it became an easy holiday, Fantastic as she motivates other ladies and guys to get out there, and the guts she’s shown in her after bike life is to behold, Ted Simon, Jupiters travels is a number 1 read, Elspeth is very close

[@barrytimm5497]

I read the book a few months ago. Absolutely loved it. The personal aspects of a trip like this is what really hits home, more, for me, than even the difficult challenges of simply surviving everything thrown at her on the road. How she managed to get through the disappointment of her parents and friends lack of acknowledgement of her achievement, her shear willpower and incredible determination and mental strength to complete such a journey.....heartbreaking indifference! That must have been incredibly difficult to accept! And then, the too-late realization of the feelings and love that Robert had for her, which she only found out after he passed.....such sadness! Anyway, she's truly an inspirational woman, deserving of much more recognition than she received. I have only respect for her achievement.

[@ianjames3078]

Should have had so much more recognition, truly impressive.

[@mbell7860]

This is fantastic. Shocking to believe no one wanted her story and she then went onto a regular life.

[@russelltownley7404]

i worked with elspeth 12/13 years ago she really is such an amazing woman and she spoke about her trip with me which blew my mind i am absolutely so delighted that she has published her book anyway a fabulous video thanks loads cheers russell

[@baldandbiking]

I read her book and was so impressed by her tenacity I had to write to her. It took some doing but finally she got my letter and responded graciously. She is quite an amazing woman.

[@doordevloer9105]

I'm reading her book right now and love it. Lone Rider is the most engaging of motorcycle books I have been reading. Elspeth's book just reads like a novel that really draws you into her world, her story and perspective on her friends and family, her feelings for Alex and the pain she experiences after the break up; her sense of discomfort as well as friendship for Mark who clearly adores her; the people she meets on her big trip come to live on these pages and you sense that the further she rides the more she overcomes her sense of loss and rejection. Like Pirsig in the Art of MCM, she describes the riding from the subjective, inner worldly point of view, but whereas Pirsig thoughts take off into abstract philosophical reflection on "quality" only to arrive at his son sitting on the back of his bike all of this time (the most moving parts of Pirsig's book are right there, at the end), Elspeth draws the reader into her world of relationships and adventure right from the beginning of the book by effectively describing in a vivid sense the feelings and impressions she experiences throughout this period of her life. It is more personal a book as Ted Simon's, and for that reason more a story than a travel log. One could skip a bunch of chapters in Ted's well written book, and it would not really matter, whereas here there is more of a narrative and a sense of purpose: going from the pain of rejection through a long process of growing mentally and spiritually. Hence the iconic picture discussed in the lecture where you get a sense of the person that came out on the other end. A movie sounds like a great idea, except for the fact that it is hard to capture this subjective point of view. Just read the book, don't wait for Hollywood.

[@galinagreen6622]

Thanks so much for this review! I was thinking about buying the book but wasn’t sure. But this sounds wonderful!

[@Pilgerfahrer]

I just ordered her book ;today, just learning who's the Lady rider of the BMW R60 with the big boxes.Amazing personality! Why not awarded by the Queen??? I' m the biggest fan of her ( at least all over Germany!)

[@glj932]

I've skipped your review and this video for now, because I've bought the book and I don't want any spoilers! I'll be back once I've read it :)

[@nemod2]

Just finished the book. Amazing!

[@thomaselliott573]

Get a life

[@paulmayhew10]

Buy her Book Lone Rider its well worth every penny.

[@grumpysprout3505]

Just brilliant! It has to be true ! Nobody could make it up!!! ......a very brave lady.

[@johnpali5894]

23:48 the saint icon on asphalt , priceless. This is the second video of this amazing woman , I’m watching tonight. I read her story on motorcycle magazine way back.

[@nicnak4475]

Wow, what an inspirational lady ! It just shows you can achieve anything, if you are determined enough ! I came across the video by accident, but ended up watching it till the end.

[@MichaelKapsner]

What a treat to find this video... I saw Elspeth at Bob's BMW for book signing and loved the talk she gave there - much the same, but a few small differences. Thanks for posting, and thank you Elspeth for sharing your story.

[@mozdickson]

Ahh, the pre-Interweb era. No doubt at all, travel was or could be if you wanted - far more intrepid, exciting, unplanned, unexpected, risky and fantastic. Well done Elspeth, what a gutsy lady you are! And it all just elevate's Ted's journey to even more stratospheric levels.

[@rosewood1]

What a lovely story you have shared. I read your book years ago. In 2017 2018 my wife and I set out to circumnavigate the world on the surface. Left Australia by boat rode through parts of Indonesia on a scooter then a range of motorcycles across Vietnam and loved it. Trains then Europe then we circumnavigated North America on an Indian which then came back to Australia. We met wonderful people everywhere. And we did this in our 60's. Careful planning but being flexible made the trip really enjoyable. Neither of us are heroes!

[@wearebikerswherebikersunite]

Inspirational. Bravo for doing her own path...even with the mountains in life. Inspiration for us all.

[@JL-tr4yc]

Read the book some years back and was captured by it and what she experienced. What she did back on those years was a true example of fighting against the odds and setting the path for women recognition. A must read one.

[@felipedourado5721]

Elspeth Beard belongs to the same lineage of Theresa Wallach and Florence Blenkiron, the two female motorcyclists that had broken records on Brooklands and that went together on an amazing journey from London to Cape Town, South Africa, between 1934 and 1935 on a Panther 600. Wallach rode motorcycles until the age of 88. She is remembered in a photograph that hangs on a wall of the Ladies Room, at the Brooklands museum. There is also a book about that trip called The Rugged Road written by Theresa. Much respect to those lady riders, their feats and their courage. Best regards from Brazil. ✌

[@Bung1963]

I'm surprised Elspeth hasn't been on any honors list. As someone who traveled extensively in the 80's and have been aware of her journey for many years it was great to actually hear it in detail. Hope to see it on the big screen.

[@davomccranko]

Amazing story. Amazing woman. A true trailblazer 🙏

[@dylangriso654]

I’m old enough to remember reading in (a) mag , maybe MCN, and thought what a girl, slightly jealous, fair bloody play to you girl, I’m 63 and had a running bike all my life but never done what you have, I was a member of a notorious MC club from North Wales for 16+ years though, RESPECT to you . 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Euronasa]

Absolutely legendary this Lady. Such a moving story. Respect!❤️

[@colinunderdown1758]

Absolutely an amazing lady, well done you.

[@WiltshireMan]

WOW, just WOW. What an inspirational person Elspeth is.

[@Two_Wheels_Only_ADV]

What an awesome story and her house is gorgeous ..

[@petedixon6080]

What a great adventure. For anyone interested, John's bike shown at 22.36 is now at the National Motor Museum, in Birdwood, South Australia.

[@thinman8621]

Smart, tough woman. Incredible story and truly an adventure of a lifetime (or two).

[@josvansprang5225]

And I was thinking that driving on a similar BMW through Europe was a big adventure. Also in 1982. Great story from a great lady.

[@casalindaify]

I went round Australia in 1969 with 2 other women on motorbikes and we never had any problems being served in pubs, which we frequented a lot. Neither when I was traveling alone there.

[@johnmartin7158]

I bet you also have an awesome story to tell Linda. Did you ride in NZ as well. Cheers.

[@helendancelot]

Maybe 3 women was less weird..or maybe it was the locations?

[@nickraschke4737]

Maybe it was just Elspeth? By 1982 there was no law against women drinking in pubs here.

[@johnmartin7158]

@@nickraschke4737 I found Elspeth to have a very interesting story and more so the lighthouse conversion as well. And I’m sure Linda would have an interesting story as well. Do you have a bike, Nick.

[@nickraschke4737]

@@johnmartin7158 no. 40 year rock n roll career though. I find the refusal of service story very hard to believe. She’s cool, but that is a silly claim. If someone refused her service, there’d be more to the story I reckon.

[@markdavidson8567]

I had read her excellent book, I also really enjoyed this talk she gave..

[@andrewonmyway8184]

Amazing lady. Thankfully she gets he recognition she deserves after all these years 😊

[@irishmiketully6420]

What a cool person,love your enthusiasm, thanks for sharing your story, it made my night while I am here working on my Enfield bullet...

[@Cutie85431]

It's truly unimaginable.

[@friedrichruff5357]

You are a kind and courageous person. It doesn't matter a person's gender, it's their courage and daring that makes them. Love you, greetings from France.

[@bengtjohansson5221]

Wow. You are an amasing Wommen. Thanks for shering.

[@darrenhill4022]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this. I'll be looking for a copy of her book. Astounded that the media of the day were not interested in Elspeth's travels.

[@ArashAryana]

Absolutely wonderful. I can't wait to someday share this with my two young daughters when they are old enough to appreciate this journey of a lifetime. 👏🏻

[@BPantherPink]

I cried and I saluted this, too gutsy lady through this vdo...having done just India all over, it is unimaginable to feel her pain. God Bless you brave Lady 🙏🏼

[@rogerdepretto440]

Extremely impressed to see a woman has travelled the world on motorcycle 🏍️ in 2011 travelled around the world 🌎 on KLR 650 and it was not easy but enjoyed my time but to see you do it wow impressed.

[@lomasck]

I rebuilt a BMW R60 74 model for my Old German Hippy Mate Kim .He road it around Austalia on a knobby tyre ,no muffler & took a pet Dog with him.He still rides it now in his 70,s

[@ianadams5872]

The feeling after returning home is the same for veterans,,glad you found a friend,,thank you for sharing

[@sailendrayalamanchili]

Inspiring person, so much to learn from her experience of life and her tenacity to complete any project she took up, no matter how indifferent and discouraging her own parents were. Glad she is getting some long overdue recognition for her passion for motor cycle adventure touring in the days when long distance communication was so difficult, and even ordinary maps were so scarce in many of the countries she covered.

[@WayawayAdventures]

I read her book in 2021. This documentary really adds a ton of color to my memory of the book. Thank you!!

[@akasa231]

The original 'Itchy Boots'....!

[@galinagreen6622]

What an amazing story! Thanks very much for posting it!

[@erwinmotorbike]

A real pleasure 🙏 meeting u here

[@WayneLambrightIII]

Elspeth, you're a true hero, thank you for your honest accounts of adventure and travel.

[@racheltaylor6578]

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook.

[@bobbyoz8251]

John's motorbike is in the Birdwood national motor museum in South Australia .

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Great video & presentation. If Ted Simon is considered to have been the Father of Adventure motorcycling then Elspeth is surely the Mother. Back in the day not many females rode motorcycles let alone around the world. I can definitely recommend buying her book as its a great read. One more thing if I may, I hope that like all the other stars in this series of interviews received , you gave her a lump of concrete from the original track. If you haven't then its not too late.

[@raphaelgort5499]

"motorcycle diaries" and " the long way round" seems suddenly like child's play compared to this amazing lady's story! HAT'S OFF! THANK YOU!

[@oldrok]

For Elspeth: Loved this and have great respect for you Elspeth. An amazing and very interesting telling of your adventure. I enjoy cycling and was introduced when I was 9 years of age and that was 60 years ago. I still ride but have become a fair weather rider. LOL You did what I had always wanted to do. So in a word I am so proud of your achievements. It was awesome to live through your telling. Be Well and stay safe. Cheers!

[@Ian-bq7gp]

She's amazing. I wish I had done same . I had a letter of recommendation to get transit visa for Iran in 1986 but I was let down later in India owed £700. I only had until end of December in 1986 to go to Australia. I wish I had spent the money spending more time in India and Nepal but Australia was a great time. I had an old xt500 yam costing £175. Run it around for several months to work then bought old Suzuki gs750 for £300 and rode it to Melbourne, Sydney and run it until 1988.

[@bartlx]

Great story. Straight from the first pictures of her on a bike I could already tell she had a good safety net back home. Undoubtedly helps to be adventurous.

[@motocampphoenix1708]

Amazing and true adventure story here. Thanks for sharing.🏍

[@ferkuzuel]

What a great inspiration she is, I didn't know about her until this video

[@stevehines8864]

Only just came across this. I ready Elspeth’s book earlier this year and later saw her at the ABR festival at Ragley Hall but I was too nervous to talk to her. I enjoyed this video very much. Thank you.

[@davidbuckland9194]

Incredible, awesome, amazing, inspiring. Well done.

[@adrianfarrugia4711]

Wonderful story. I had read the book already but lovely to hear Elspeth relate her experiences. Very good.

[@_a_n_t_e_]

I need to get a book, enjoyed every second of this video! This is what life is all about!

[@peterdoust8211]

Wonderful, your courageous and your special, thank you.

[@richardvalitalo3670]

Wow! Really enjoyed this, amazing travel & story. Amazing woman & incredible tower home! What else can be said?waiting for the movie.

[@wmobrien55]

Wow, what an amazing woman! Gonna get her book!

[@zsoltkleger3391]

Awesome. She is a hero in my eyes.

[@holisticaustralia]

I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation Elspeth, what an awesome story, I can't wait to read your book, much love and respect from Australia 😊

[@collyernicholasjohn]

Great story. Had a Beamer same time as you but your trip is exceptional ! My mum and my daughter were/are orthopaedic nurses and hate motorbikes with a passion too. 😂

[@kartherton]

Thank you for sharing your experience and journey. This was a very interesting video, and it got a big 👍 from me.

[@gedlyman1]

Lovely lady, as an adventurero myself I can relate to what she experienced, was such a pleasure to hear her story direct with her wonderful British accent, not scripted, no cues, just a fireside chat with an audience, thank you from a Brit in Colombia, btw if you love mountains, put Colombia on your list and disregard the fear mongers, after many years of riding some of the most beautiful remote parts I’ve fallen in love with this country.

[@peterwakeling3964]

She was amazing your book was so good it felt like I was travelling with you ..well done ❤❤😂

[@TheTizianBlue]

Thank you for this movie and story.

[@roverchap]

I read the book recently. She's a good narrator and it's genuinely a page-turner. Interesting to experience such an adventure from a woman's perspective, with its particular cultural and biological challenges. Another example is Rosie Thomas's 'Border Crossing'.

[@FergusJohnston]

I bought the book when it first came out. A terrific read, well-written, and absolutely un-put-down-able.

[@AidanPed]

Great story. I actually sold my BMW R1150gs and got an exhibition touring bicycle built with the money I got for it. I then spent the next 2.5 years cycling 28,000 miles around the world. As much as I like motorcycle touring, I enjoyed the slower pace of the bicycle and got to meet some amazing people and had great adventures.

[@martychin9496]

Excellent journey, very proud of your accomplishments. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[@martychin9496]

Just ordered your book, look forward to our next adventure

[@parcadv419]

Your my hero. You've lived and continue your journey with enthusiasm, And to think, my wife and i just want to ride the T.A.T, Great adventure .will get your book. love the tower almost as much as the B.M.W. cheers

[@Juancheros]

When the internet began more than 20 yrs ago, her iconic picture started appearing on the internet but there was nothing about who was the mystery rider.

[@HikerBikerMoter]

amazing that internet and electronics didn't exist in the early 80's the way it is now and making the planetary community much much more aware of these unique individuals and their unique and even astounding things they attempt to do

[@wakeupandlivelife5513]

Great story and what a lovely lady . I've been Pakistan from the UK 3 times and back with my dad before on motorbikes . . He had a stroke last year and gifted me hes bike . I got 3 bikes now . I'd like to tour the world also on my dads bike . Just hope I meet a lady like her along the way 😎 2023 going to the isle of man tt

[@maxflight777]

Her Dutch lover died too young. (I lost my best friend yesterday ….) Lets make the most of every day!

[@markwalker2986]

An amazing story and achievement 👏 she is such an inspiration. Good for her! 👏

[@mlecznadrogacysternazmleki5874]

Fantastic inspiring video, thanks.

[@philipjelliott]

Fantastic. What a true adventurer.

[@charlesharrison2248]

Very impressive, one has to think back to the 80s, the change in communications since have been phenomenal, any comparison with modern world travellers is not relevant,I look forward to reading her book. As a motorcyclist I have the height of respect for all those who undertake such epic journeys.

[@Pilgerfahrer]

I love her, she is so sweet

[@technomickdocumentalist2495]

What a fantastic story ! And a fantastic lady. 💝

[@raedy07]

thank you; great person, fantastic journey - i shall look for the book :)

[@mrg5481]

Fair play to you Elspeth. A great yarn. A fellow R75/5 adventurer.

[@willywonka4502]

Well done, pleased I didn’t skip past it 👍

[@nigelcopestake3618]

Absolutely brilliant 👍👍👍

[@TimKMain]

A fantastic achievement !

[@stubby4317]

Enjoyed her book. Interesting to hear her speak on it in person.

[@seriousros7280]

Great talk Elspeth Well Done! What a journey! Thank You Brooklands

[@davidholleley9828]

One word- RESPECT

[@buzzy8982]

What a fantastic trip. You must be very proud of yourself, well done.

[@joeambaye8681]

What a fantastic adventure. I admire your grit👍

[@raymondhayes7673]

Fascinating story, Thanks 👏

[@juanmfranco7257]

Very Nice motorcycle with its backpack congratulations , greeting dron México 🇲🇽✌️

[@RobCummings]

I read Elspeth's book a couple years ago. Great story and intrepid rider.

[@islaws4589]

Wow...book bought, what an inspiration!

[@eamondunne8325]

I think that You are incredible!! Love your spirit...I could talk for hours..why exhaust it...I'm a lifetime Biker..I'm 64 now...never did anything like You..but really appreciate You..