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  • Lone Rider

  • The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World
  • By: Elspeth Beard
  • Narrated by: Wendy Wolfson
  • Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (90 ratings)

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Lone Rider cover art

Lone Rider

By: Elspeth Beard
Narrated by: Wendy Wolfson
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Publisher's Summary

In 1982, at the age of just 23 and halfway through her architecture studies, Elspeth Beard left her family and friends in London and set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6.

Reeling from a recent breakup and with only limited savings from her pub job, a tent, a few clothes, and some tools, all packed on the back of her bike, she was determined to prove herself. She had ridden bikes since her teens and was well-traveled. But nothing could prepare her for what lay ahead.

When she returned to London nearly two-and-a-half years later she was stones lighter and decades wiser. She'd ridden through unforgiving landscapes and countries ravaged by war, witnessed civil uprisings that forced her to fake documents, and fended off sexual attacks, biker gangs, and corrupt police convinced she was trafficking drugs. She'd survived life-threatening illnesses, personal loss, and brutal accidents that had left permanent scars and a black hole in her memory. And she'd fallen in love with two very different men.

In an age before email, the internet, mobile phones, satnavs, and, in some parts of the world, readily available and reliable maps, Elspeth achieved something that would still seem remarkable today. Told with honesty and wit, this is the extraordinary and moving story of a unique and life-changing adventure.

©2018 Elspeth Beard (P)2019 Elspeth Beard

What listeners say about Lone Rider

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    5 out of 5 stars

An extraordinary time for a traveller

Context, history, detail, emotion; it's all laid out pretty bare. Well told and open.
You may not agree with some of her decisions, but they are hers and hers alone.
I can only thank her for sharing them.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Eye Opening and Inspirational

What a truely epic story! So well written and paced perfectly.

I’ve read every overlander book I can get hold of, but this one is something special. Doing a trip around the world on a bike is an extreme challenge in itself, so it was an upsetting revelation to hear just how much extra a woman has to cope with.

Very honest and personal story told in a fascinating and enthralling way. I was so sad to hear how poor the reception from the family and friends were when she got home. I’d have listened to Elsbeth’s tales every night for a month if I could’ve.

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amazing

loved it, sad it ended the way it had but happy to have gone on the journey with her and able to relate to some of the country's she road through the hard ships she encountered as have seen first hand.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Very interesting

However, she was not exactly a loan rider, a lot of the time riding with a companion.

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Absolutely amazing!!!

Loved it all and incredibly sad that this story didn’t get the recognition it deserved all those years ago!! I am so glad I have had the privilege to hear this amazing story! I am incredibly inspired to travel and get back on my motorbike. Thank you!!

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inspired

loved the book, what an amazing story.
Couldn't put the book down once I started.

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brilliant

I loved the book from start to finish! crazy what she accomplished back in 84!

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What a book, exciting and full of suspense

Loved this book from start to finish. I couldn’t get enough of it and didn’t want it to end. What a woman and what an experience of a lifetime. Narrator was great and would highly recommend this to everyone.

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Fantastic

What an incredible story. I thoroughly enjoyed following the trials and tribulations of this epic undertaking.

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  • Mr
  • 12-12-2021

Amazing story

As a motorbike rider I was totally captivated by this story. I have nothing but admiration for the sheer guts and determination Elspeth showed in doing this ride. So glad she finally felt listened to and valued for what was achieved. All credit to you Elspeth for telling your ripping yarn.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.