I am about 1/3 of the way through RUNNING WITH THE MOON by JOHNNY BEALBY about his trip through Africa on a Yamaha XT600 Tenere (including a trip to Erd du Tenere).
It started kinda sad with the love of his life dying whilst on a trip in India, and it does keep going back to memories of her and their life together.
I am really enjoying this book and its giving me all sorts of grand ideas and dreams about travelling by bike from here down to my folks place in Namibia. Only a few more years to go til the boy is old enough to look after himself.
Today my new book arrived THE RUGGED ROAD written by BARRY M JONES, but using much of THERESA WALLACH's original manuscript. In 1935 Theresa and her friend Florence packed up their Panther bike and sidecar, hooked on the trailer and went from England to Cape Town. Imagine, 2 unaccompanied women doing such a trip in such an age!
I am still waiting for JUPITER'S TRAVELS and ONE MAN CARAVAN (a man and his Douglas in Asia in the 1930s).
That should keep me happy and busy for a few weeks. Especially as I have to keep putting the book down to have a look on the internet at all the places they pass through.
I was actually looking for the biker books - things along the lines of Chopper, Black Leather Barbarians (yup - sounds like a bit of porn!) etc. I have quite a few of them that a friend gave me, but need more!
i strongly recomend,, Lemmy, White Line Fever,,
i know its not a biker book but it gave a different angle on Mr Killmisters life,, funny, insightfull and at times very moving all washed down with a crate of Jack of course.
Jupiter's travels was a milestone read for me. I'd never even been across the English channel when I first read it in 1979....it so made me want to get out there and see it all for myself. Enjoy
I have been many places - mostly in Africa - Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia... and Israel, but non of it by bike (although my dad and I did go out for a ride).
I love travelling and seeing new places, and having new experiences and to do it by bike would be wonderful. I'm already imagining all the trips I could be doing. I've already planned the trip from here to Kenya to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (owned and founded by my grandmother's cousin) and then down to Namibia (10% discount on accommodation for anyone on a bike or in a land rover). WEll, I've planned it in my day dreams. haha!
Johnny is now nearing Angola and hoping to meet up with the Paris-du-Cap rally - which I was lucky enough to see part of as it went right past my granddad's farm.
On the subject of Books, (and I'm no bookie) . Is it me or does the Kindle look like the worst way EVER to read a book? I guess if your a student with limited space this could prove invaluable, but outside of that......whats the point? Lost on me.
You can't beat a proper book - the smell, the feel, everything - and you can't put a kindle down with that satisfied thump.... Your book can't break down in the middle of a story, or won't stop working if you drop it in the bath. You can't put the kindle over your eyes and go to sleep. haha!
Nah, I'll stick to real books, even if a kindle book is easier when travelling - but, a thought just occured to me - could you use it on an aeroplane like you can a normal book?
Dont know if they should be bike related but this one aint, think everyone should read, bury my heart at wounded knee, maybe wont all agree but i think it shows us whites...... na better leave it there!
The Wounded Knee Massacre happened on December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek (Lakota: Cankpe Opi Wakpala) on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, USA. On the day before, a detachment of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment commanded by Major Samuel M. Whitside intercepted Spotted Elk's (Big Foot) band of Miniconjou Lakota and 38 Hunkpapa Lakota near Porcupine Butte and escorted them 5 miles westward (8 km) to Wounded Knee Creek where they made camp.
The rest of the 7th Cavalry Regiment arrived led by Colonel James Forsyth and surrounded the encampment supported by four Hotchkiss guns.[1]
On the morning of December 29, the troops went into the camp to disarm the Lakota. One version of events claims that during the process of disarming the Lakota, a deaf tribesman named Black Coyote was reluctant to give up his rifle claiming he had paid a lot for it.[2] A scuffle over Black Coyote's rifle escalated and a shot was fired which resulted in the 7th Cavalry opening firing indiscriminately from all sides, killing men, women, and children, as well as some of their own fellow troopers. Those few Lakota warriors who still had weapons began shooting back at the attacking troopers, who quickly suppressed the Lakota fire. The surviving Lakota fled, but U.S. cavalrymen pursued and killed many who were unarmed.
By the time it was over, at least 150 men, women, and children of the Lakota Sioux had been killed and 51 wounded (4 men, 47 women and children, some of whom died later); some estimates placed the number of dead at 300. Twenty-five troopers also died, and thirty-nine were wounded.................. sorry just had to do this!