Motorcycle Adventure Books

On her solo trip around the U.S. on a vintage motorcycle that has one mechanical problem after another, the author reveals not only her skills at fixing bikes, but her upbeat sense of humor and keen eye for her surroundings.

The Iron Butt Rally is considered by many to be the ultimate test of long-distance endurance on a motorcycle, covering over 11,000 miles in an 11-day route around the country. In this well-written and very entertaining book, Ron Ayres takes us along on his 1995 ride, testing his personal limits as he races from checkpoint to checkpoint.

On a whim, the author announced at a cocktail party that he was going to travel around the world on a motorcycle—not an easy feat in 1932! This book follows that 18-month ride through 22 countries, with challenging conditions, almost impassable roads, and some sticky political situations. A tale of “true adventure,” this book may leave you pouring over a world map as you start plotting your own journey.

In the 1970’s, Ted Simon spent four years on a motorcycle, traveling 78,000 miles around the world, and having the time of his life. We devoured this account of that journey, sharing his thrills, misadventures, fears, and even love. Most of the book relays his fascinating experiences in Africa and South America. While we wish he had devoted as much time to his travels through Asia, we still found his story to be riveting and inspirational.

At the age of 69, Ted Simon set off on his motorcycle again to retrace the route around the world that he had chronicled in Jupiter’s Travels. This new journey lasted 2 ½ years and took him through places that had changed drastically since his last visit.

This book takes us on an American odyssey, from New Jersey to Alaska, on a Harley. The author recounts the magnificent scenery, the people she meets, the loneliness inherent in a solo adventure, her perseverance during difficult moments, and the personal issues that she confronts along the way--including her independence, meeting her biological dad for the first time, the limits of her stamina, and her values.

On the surface, this book is a light-hearted tale of a woman who bought a small motorcycle, quit her job in England, and rode from Alaska to the tip of South America. For us, it was a book about having the courage and tenacity (and perhaps blind faith) to transform a dream into reality. Congratulations to Lois Pryce for living her dream!

On his motorcycle journey from Southern California to the tip of South America, Glen Heggstad was captured in Columbia by a rebel group. In this enthralling book, he describes his travels through Central America, his 5-week ordeal with the rebels, and the continuation of his quest afterwards.