Elspeth Beard?

[Devon]

Whilst I agree that it's much, much easier than it used to be with modern communications and more reliable machinery, this blasé statement sounds like the classic armchair opinion of someone who's never actually been all, all alone with just themselves and their bike on a dirt road in the desert hundreds of miles from the nearest petrol station, toilet, tap, phone, bank or friendly face. Let alone been a single woman where every local female sees the world through their own personal cloth letterbox and every local man thinks all western women are shameless harlots for the taking of. If I ever persuade Elspeth to write her book, I suspect you might get a better idea. In the meantime I heartily recommend a reading of Sam Manicom's "Into Africa" and "Under Asian Skies".
www.sam-manicom.com
Both Sam and Elspeth survived several life-threatening accidents by the skin of their teeth and the grace of God and it took a hell of a lot guts, determination and in Elspeth's case, incredible ingenuity, to be able to continue their journeys after some prolonged periods of rest and recuperation.
PNB

Thank's for the advice piedevant. Sorry if I come across as a bit Blase but I have done a bit to it myself, which is why I felt qualified to post up my comments. With respect, you don't have to be a round-the-worlder to have big accidents or have adventures or meet interesting people.
Yes RTW is an adventure, in fact, I'm still in two minds if I should celebrate my 50th in a couple of years time with a ride from Alaska to Argentina. If I do decide to go for it: Ship a bike to Alaska, carnet, vacinations, insect repellant, international driving licence and passport, credit card. Bob's your uncle, give me a fair wind and a little luck and what's the big deal?

The fact that wrinklies like Ted Simon can still do these trips gives lie to the "it's fantastically tough and difficult, and I'm so brave" brigade. Which is probably why most who do these trips are modest about it.

In the unlikely event I meet Elspeth I'm sure I would enjoy a conversation with her. People like her make the world a little more interesting but RTWers don't top my list of 'derring do' or 'super interesting'.

This isn't meant to be disrepectful, merely my observations.

 

[Allymac]

A lot of people run marathons, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Surely it's the same with RTW trips?

Determination is the key to any adventure and each to their own. If they write a book about it as a travel diary then fine - I won't be rushing out to buy their pension for them. I did read Che's Motorcycle Diaries though - at least it wasn't a long book.

 

[Duchess]

Just watched Grand Designs on Channel 4 and the architect was an airhead rider by the name of Elspeth Beard. The name seemed familiar so I wondered if she was on here?

Yes, I posted about her in the HOW section.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1341342&posted=1#post1341342

Great lady.

 

[Mav]

T...but RTWers don't top my list of 'derring do' or 'super interesting'.

This isn't meant to be disrepectful, merely my observations.

Out of interest, who does top your list of derring do or super interesting?

Lots of stuff isn't physically difficult, often it's the mental strength that counts.Most of the toughest guys I met from various parts of the armed forces, weren't toughest because they were physically stronger or fitter - it was always mental strength that really counted. I've seen many 35 year old soldiers outlast 19yr olds, so say at their physical peak.

My point is - physical challenges aren't the only challenges. So jus because a 50 yr old can ride around the world, that doesn't stop it being interesting, impressive... just plain cool!

 

[Devon]

Out of interest, who does top your list of derring do or super interesting?

Lots of stuff isn't physically difficult, often it's the mental strength that counts.Most of the toughest guys I met from various parts of the armed forces, weren't toughest because they were physically stronger or fitter - it was always mental strength that really counted. I've seen many 35 year old soldiers outlast 19yr olds, so say at their physical peak.

My point is - physical challenges aren't the only challenges. So jus because a 50 yr old can ride around the world, that doesn't stop it being interesting, impressive... just plain cool!

I think the last time I was in awe of anyone was at the TT. The guys that race on the Island probably need wheelbarrows to move their balls around
I rarely meet anyone 'super interesting' but every now and then I meet someone really remarkable. You don't have to be world travellers or celebrities or SAS to be remarkable.
I am not knocking anyone for making their dreams come true. RTW by m/c is cool , as are the peeps who cycle RTW: you might be surprised how many are doing it. Good luck to Lo-IQ's mate skateboarding RTW.
I'm not slagging anyone off, but I'm not inclined to make a big deal of something that is not a big deal.

 

[B Murr]

Lots of stuff isn't physically difficult, often it's the mental strength that counts.:

I agree Mav. I've worked with people who have had great plans for travel but as soon as they have arrived on foreign soil they have broken down to such an extent that they have had to be hospitalised. I think it is something to do with peoples ability to internalise their attachments, some have to have the attachment as a real physical one whereby they need to be physically in contact with their familiar reference points in life. Losing that reference is like loosing their grip on a cliff face and they plummet when they are physically disconnected from it. At the other extreme are those who can maintain a grip while they have physically lost all connections, such as someone in a foreign land who has lost everything( passport, money, contact details, ability to communicate etc), they can get in touch with that internally in the same way as say for example someone starving can remember a good meal and imagine the possibility of getting another meal . Thankfully most of us will never have that experience, I'm sure we are all on some part of a continuum on this one. I guess that satnav and internet/mobile technology makes it easier to maintain the physical connections nowadays.

Saying all that I do wonder about what is going on for someone if they need to spend many years on the road, I think some people admit to such extended travels being a way of sorting something out in their head. I've met a few who have admitted to their travels being an escape from something significant in their life, but that ultimately they had to return and face those demons. I'm not suggesting that all long term travellers are desperately avoiding something, many will be just enjoying the new taste of life that can be savoured as one travels.

I guess it's a mixed bag, some are travelling to get away from the stuff in life they cannot face, yet can be qute tough in their escapades. Others are looking for temporary escape but are happy to go back to their life within a short period, a bit like someone who's had boiled everything all their life wanting to try a curry and see what thats like- I guess the majority of us are there. Others are afraid to go outside their own door/town/country, yet making that step can be just as brave for them as it is for the one who survives alone in the alien land ?