Part 1: Travelling the world, by Elspeth Beard | Interviews | Motorcyclenews.com

For Elspeth Beard travelling around the world via motorcycle in 1982 was a much different experience to what might be perceived by others nowadays. As the first British woman to travel the world by motorcycle, Elspeth talks us through the highs and lows of the biggest trip of her life. Imagine maps for certain countries didn't exist, let alone Google Maps! Read more: www.motorcycle...
Get the best of biking EVERY day...
Latest motorcycle news: www.motorcyclen...
Sign up to MCN Xtra -- the new MCN newsletter: www.motorcyclen...
Like /MotorCycleNews on Facebook at / motorcyclenews
Follow @MCNnews on Twitter: / mcnnews
Follow @MCNsport on Twitter: / mcnsport
Welcome to the official KZbin channel of the world’s biggest print and online motorcycle publication. All the greatest motorcycle video content from the world’s most respected motorcycling media brand. Since 1955 MCN is available weekly in both print and digital editions and 24/7 on motorcyclenews.com. ow.ly/10pe69

[@chriswillis6941]

Read the book some months ago. What an inspiring woman. Made me realise I wasted most of my biking years going nowhere. Still riding at 71 and still enjoying life.

[@thefrozenbiker3881]

Hi! I'm 43 and I think I have to some extent the same feeling, but in my case I regret having attended so many extremely boring motorcycle meetings. I'm Spanish and biker meetings are tedious here, so I don't see anything wrong in going nowhere... ; )

[@spiderwebb4983]

It's not all about the destination it's the journey that's the adventure.

[@mashed9603]

You’re still riding at 71. You’ve definitely accomplished something worthwhile right there 👍

[@catdaddy3302]

My first bike was a Yamaha 100 Scrambler. I lived on a farm and was too young for a drivers license. I have owned many BMW touring bikes and GS Adv bikes. I ride a 01 BMW F 650 GS Dakar now. Due to health (old age) I can’t travel like I used to. Thank you ma’am. You really inspire me and make me long for the old days. ❤️❤️🏍🏍

[@buddysinsight9834]

What a woman I could listen to her stories all day long. Thanks for sharing

[@zzxx33mh]

You should read her Book.. Lone rider..

[@stevegoddard9756]

The last chapter of the book had me in floods of tears.

[@michaelhayward7572]

Best thing i've watched on MCN. She is a pioneer. None of this gotta be a GS1200 to get down the end of the high street. Brilliant woman!!! Kudos.

[@reinmansmith]

Her book is a fantastic read and gives a real insight into her journey…. really brings home how quickly times have changed and how much we now rely on having the internet, gps, Google Maps etc

[@fergusonto-2032]

I just finished reading lone rider , once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down I was totally engrossed , one of my best reads ever , many many thanks to Elspeth for sharing her adventures , may God Bless

[@neilbowers6956]

Currently reading her book and I have to say she is an amazing woman. Her story is pretty bloody good and I urge people to sit down and read it.

[@pistolpete6321]

I recently read her book and it was fantastic, so many hardships she had to endure, absolutely amazing story!

[@mrgregpappas]

Brilliant. I'm glad MCN is covering these stories these days.

[@threethrushes]

I love the photographs of Elspeth around central London in the 1980s - Harley Street, Devonshire Street. My old stomping ground was W1H with my knackered Fazer 600, and I enjoyed the buzz of riding around the area when I lived there. Sadly, the past is another country and whilst not perfect, the 1980s in England seems like a golden age of civility and reason, compared to today. Thank you for sharing this story MCN.

[@mountainmaanush3909]

Currently reading the book. What an inspirational lady; gives you life goals. More power to you and your ilk.

[@doinaway]

Funny that MCN have made this video when they weren't particularly interested in telling Elspeth's story at the time.

[@Ochtone]

Exactly what I was thinking. If I was her I’d be reluctant to do the interview, given how they treated her before.

[@Ochtone]

@Mike Clarkson very true. Hard not to be resentful though if I was her.

[@TheScatman89]

What a story and an inspiration this is exactly what I needed, ty MCN for uploading / taking the time to do this. and thank you Elspeth for telling your story! very inspiring!

[@jupiter998]

Well done MCN good to see variety in the motorcycling world. Hats off to E.B. I backpacked overland to India in the early nineties and as she said, it was hard to get hold of info' at that time, but a great experience. Yeahhh getting back is hard to relate to people that aren't quite so adventurous.

[@stanlaw7534]

Wonderful story by a highly talented and elegant person. Congratulations .

[@glennfryer1539]

Glad to see MCN diversifying, very interesting... more of this stuff please 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Banditmanuk]

Very interesting. Great that MCN is making this, inspiring stuff and it shows if you want to do anything badly enough and are determined, anything is possible.

[@dellprice1161]

Elspeth, I've just this minute finished reading your book. It felt like i was on your journey with you. I laughed, cried and held my breath at the Iranian boarder. to achieve that in the 80s is something else. Thank you for sharing your journey and heartbreaks - all the best from an Aussie

[@christianweller4288]

There are actually two linked journeys here, the motorcycle one and the architectural one. One of the best interviews I have seen from MCN. Thanks.

[@orangelion03]

Just finished Lone Rider and wanted to know more about her and see what she's up to now. Great series of interviews!! I visited friends in Witley, near Godalming, in 2000, and wandering about the area, I saw this magnificent converted water tower. I asked my friends about it and they said something about a woman architect restored it, won awards etc. Never gave it much more thought until that moment in the book she brings it up =)

[@KARMAkazeMoto]

Had this in my "Watch Later" for weeks, and I'm so glad I finally pulled it back up to watch. Very encouraging and inspiring.

[@robertw1524]

Wonderful inspiration from a living legend ; )

[@beachboardfan9544]

Ride with Norman Reedus brought me here, easily the best guest he's ever had, he should have done the whole episode on her. I'm glad she talked about the finances, I know its always considered a taboo thing to discuss, but its always the first thing I think of when people do stuff like this, fantastic story 👍

[@zofiakmicikiewicz2269]

Wow the comment that having finished the trip Elspeth couldn't "fit back in" is so relatable as reverse culture shock something we didn't understand until it hit us a few years ago. I'm so impressed with this wonderful woman where is her OBE? Or Dame award?

[@bagster8660]

Amazing woman, I read her book and was so inspired by her can do attitude and resilience in the face of events that would have made many give up and head back home.

[@maj301]

The adventure spirit is alive and well !

[@RustyJerome]

I love this woman. Great story.

[@russellfederici865]

God Bless this women , wish I could of had the chance to cross paths with her !

[@geraldjlemoine]

When I got back into riding again in 2020 I and my wife bought my first cruiser a new Suzuki 2019 C50. I wanted a 1982 Gold Wing. But my wife did not want me to break down on the side of the road. She has no interest in riding. A few day's after the excitement of buying a new bike she told me I should just ride it into the Frt Saskatchewan river. Last two riding seasons Iv clocked 34000 Km. I'll be turning 60 in 2023 . One of my greatest regrets is not doing more riding when I was younger. You are a tough strong lady, cheers. I will be passing your story to my daughter and wife.

[@Ruylopez778]

I don't really understand why she said nobody could get their head around it, or there was no information. Ted Simon circumnavigated the globe by Triumph Tiger 100 beginning in 1973, and published his novel in 1979. I would have thought people in the motorcycle community would have know about it by 1982.

[@forddude1976]

Half way throw her book, it's really great and as a dyslexic it's a easy read and a must for any biker and a perfect Christmas gift for any young woman

[@H4rleyBoy]

Very interesting, looking forward to later parts.

[@frankjennings8647]

Read her book. It was at great story about adventure and overcoming challenges! It is very inspirational! Elspeth is a brilliant and beautiful woman!

[@wilswood8137]

Brilliant, I’ve just finished the book and I can honestly say it was fantastic, read it cover to cover in a few days Loved it and I’m in awe of you 👍

[@DanielMores]

Inspiring! Didn't know about her, but I'll read up in her now. Thanks for making this video.

[@alanbriggs7177]

Very interesting lady, and a very well filmed interview.

[@brunobastin1628]

I had the great opportunity to see her at Bob’s BMW in Maryland. A truly amazing personality!!

[@lebleup]

Amazing piece of motorcycle travel history.

[@_marcus_does_]

Amazing and so inspiring!

[@StuHNomadBiker]

I can totally relate to her, as can many folk who have travelled or worked away, being a member of British Commando Forces saw me serve and travel all over the world, to far flung corners where even today, the white man is seldom seen, this was very adventurous for me and set the tone for the rest of my life. One month I could be in the high arctic and a few months later the jungles of the far East... coming home and settling down has been, and continues to be slightly boring and tedious ... motorbikes and travel are my medicine 👌

[@gottaloveit66]

My thoughts exactly mate 🏍✈️🍻😎

[@davidj4662]

Not about you this time.

[@frantrictantric]

Extremely eloquent speaker and well versed.

[@enfieldlover8145]

Fantastic human being, amazing woman, inspiration for many forever

[@johnpali5894]

I seen her story about the solo trip on the bmw motorcycle, long time ago on one of the motorcycle magazines in the states, thanks for posting this interview.

[@michaelgillett5477]

Brilliant, and no backup team truth, motorcycle riding

[@wolfdog170]

What an inspirational woman fantastic

[@OhioGuy82]

This woman is wonderful! What in inspiration.

[@CraigLaCourt]

Just finished her book. Loved it!

[@stevenbury3980]

This is fascinating. The psychological aspect of it. Hope in part two that there is more detail on the route:)

[@emfl4437]

Mad respect! Very inspiring

[@soundzrinmygarden3833]

What a remarkable woman. I'm impressed, oozes courage.

[@neilsequeira]

Very cool! Super inspiring!

[@treborif]

A girlfriend of mine was a journalist at MCN 83/85 - she tested many bikes and I know she'd have loved to do a report on Elspeth Beard - she'd have been so pissed off she couldnt. She and her boyfriend rode back to NZ on a Honda 250 - took a couple of years.

[@adnanlatif9007]

What a strong person she is Respect

[@nsrlegaltech]

Wow. Amazing and inspiring. True adventurer.

[@LuckyTown77]

Fantastic person. Thank you for your insights.

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Just read Elspeths book and I would recommend it.

[@haydnkeith1658]

great stuff. love to see her pic that old thing up

[@jurgluthi9568]

Yes I understand you. Did similar things in tha 1980is Nepal and no info, overland through Africa in a Landrover. As you said, you are on your own. Well done😊

[@StevenVanLoven]

big respect for this Lady.! Hope to talk to here one day...

[@alanbriggs2263]

What an inspirational lady

[@homeontherange733]

I read the book. She's very courageous.

[@MrSlowestD16]

Damn, doing that today I'd be terrified, but doing it in her day when you couldn't instantly google anything and get tons of seasoned and professional advice from pretty much anywhere except the remote places? That's crazy.

[@robinwells8879]

I think that I may possibly have a bit of a secret crush on this amazing and captivating woman!🙄

[@anildamodaran]

Mad respect!

[@TweedSuit]

A pioneer of adventure motorcycling - decades before it became a thing.

[@andrewwilmot7534]

Just downloaded your Book really enjoying it :)

[@Simey2wheels]

Awesome and inspiring lady! Can you also do one on teapotone who did it on a gixer thou!

[@edwardvaldiviez1137]

Just found this 2023 dammit better than never gotta love her

[@brianpatricklarkin3474]

Brilliant didn't know she had a blat around my country Ireland 🍀😎

[@chrisbolwell2902]

Excellent

[@kikitaube-hansen]

Just great!

[@petrospappas2748]

Just incredible...

[@code3kc]

More motorcycle testimonials, please!

[@TurkiyeCumhurbaskani]

This is what motorcycling is all about, not the horse power or shinny plastic. It is the life style

[@davidforeman2734]

I think you are very interesting l love what you have done.

[@robsonenduro3316]

that's the spirit!

[@georgetech380]

Amazing woman.......let me see you guys today if anyone can do that from us with out our smart phone,with out google maps, with out sat nav and with out internet

[@wolfsburg7208]

Great book, half way through an have to slow down, too good to be over quickly.

[@TerryManitoba]

I completely understand people unable to relate with trips you embark on not considered the norm ("crazy/ nuts" come to mind!!) - I've lived it being the only one in my home circle that did unusual stuff rather than what is considered mainstream - All good though - Great story BTW.......

[@kazzz6666]

A bit easy to say this but cannot understand how you can break up with such girl/woman...

[@suzukinez]

Well done Elspeth

[@ChrisinHove]

It’s an excellent book. Well written and honest. It was interesting to compare the Neanderthal chauvinism of MCN and Bike and that found in the “third world” countries you traveled through.

[@KevGoesRiding]

Lets see more of those photos she took while on the road please

[@Abcd-hr9ot]

Fair play to her it takes canolies to do that trip.i wish i could do it .brilliant.

[@Chad-wb7du]

Total badass women. Man respect for her.

[@mmobitech]

Eslbeth have you ever been to South Africa, if not would you be interested in visiting especially Cape Town?

[@leebenneworth]

Amazing woman!

[@boheem3451]

'Disinterested is sometimes used to mean not interested ... many people consider this use to be incorrect ...' he said disinterestedly.

[@JoelPriestley]

Wow!

[@vidjoe8320]

This woman (and Bessie Stringfield) define the word Cool.

[@HugoRenaultFilm]

❤

[@davidellis5964]

I have travelled on my own and didn't really like it, I do envy people who love to travel on there own.

[@sherrysublettregan1204]

AN INCREDIBLE WOMAN

[@gregwelch8205]

Sweet! :-)

[@rickwk86cheung]

bold and interesting personality

[@Richard-pe4cx]

no mobile phones sat navs no breakdown cover travelers checks if you were well of credit cards but not as we know them now such a different world shame elspeth had to wait so long for any kind of recognition from any bike manufactures no sponsorships not even from the bike mags and MCN back in the day

[@jlg3315]

stranger in a strange land.

[@Abcd-hr9ot]

cool

[@nsreenivas231]

An unpretentious narrative presented with great eclat. Inspires one to go the whole hog and to never fizzle out.