Bearback: The World Overland

by Pat Garrod

Inspired, enthralling and stylish are just some of the words used to describe the first edition of Bearback . Now in paperback, Pat Garrod s remarkable story is set to be discovered by even more travellers.. Imagine jacking it all in, packing your life into a 41-litre pannier and riding into the sunset. Bearback is the story of two GPs who did just that, downing stethoscopes to take off on their motorcycle, The Bear, to see the world. Across the deserts of Africa, over the mountains of the Andes, deep into the jungles of Indochina, and beyond the Arctic Circle; 100,000 miles through six continents and 64 countries. A circumnavigation of epic proportion and entirely unsupported, it was to become one of the longest journeys ever undertaken by a couple on one motorcycle, a journey destined to change their lives forever. A remarkable journey. Searching, honest, uplifting Sir Ranulph Fiennes An inspired travelogue, dispelling the myth that remarkable journeys are out of your grasp National Geographic Traveller Belts along at a cracking pace. Stylish and good quality - RIDE I didn t want this enthralling book to end. If you only read one travelogue this year, make it this one Real Travel, Book of the Month We ve all dreamed about it quitting the job, packing up the house, and hitting the road for the adventure of a lifetime. Few do it, and even fewer do it as well as Pat Garrod Travel Africa Magazine

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

450 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ryan Murdock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book while researching overland possibilities in the south of Africa. I want to buy my own Land Rover or Toyota and kit it out for long journeys, and I stumbled across a web page by an author who did exactly that. He bought a used Defender in South Africa, and he outlined the costs in great detail. Seeing his summary enlarged the scope of my plans, and set me off on a different tangent.

But that was just a sub page of a much larger site. Before he ever thought of owning a 4x4, Dr. Pat Garrod had set off with his girlfriend Ness — now his wife — to ride their BMW motorcycle The Bear around the world. This massive book is the account of their 4 year journey.

I knew I’d stumbled across a kindred spirit when I opened the first page and saw my favourite poem, Ithaka by Constantine Cavafy, as the epigraph. And it only gets better from there.

I enjoyed Garrod’s sensitive insights into the places he passes through, and how he shares the struggles and joys of their remarkable journey in straightforward prose. And I enjoyed the slow accumulation of practical details I gleaned from its pages. I came away with a much better sense of how to prepare for long overland journeys, beyond the scope of the expeditions I’ve done to date.

Bearback is a wonderful tale of adventure, optimism, big dreams and overcoming adversity. It’s also a love story and a celebration of the magic of discovery. But be warned: this is also a very dangerous book. It will have you buying maps, drawing up lists of supplies, and planning your own vanishing act, whether you go on two wheels, four wheels, or just a sturdy pair of boots.

[Allan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review – Bearback – Pat Garrod
So this is just my thoughts, following on from other book reviews I have done.
Bearback is about two doctors Pat & Ness. Who decided to stop working, pack up their bike and set off around the world, over 100k and 4 years.
I will start with the end, the epilogue, this was a nice touch with brief description of their further travels and love of Africa.
The ending as usual was a brief description of travelling through Europe. Personally, I find this happens most of the times, and possible due to “it’s the end, the last home stretch”
Now regarding the rest of the story, it took me some time to read to, I put it down, then would pick it back up, it didn’t hold my attention all the time, I found there was areas of the world where the story was missing, not that they didn’t travel there just that there as no story for that section, I understand this, how do you put 4 years of travel and adventures into a single book.
I would have liked to have read more of “Ness’s” experience as at times it seemed very a “solo” journey. But I liked hearing how Ness sorted out stuff.
They were honest with the “we need to work to help fund the journey” by working as Doctors in Oz, and finally hitting the credit card to get back home on the Europe stretch. The story also showed again how people no matter where they are in the world are just people, and generally will help their fellow humans out. This is highlighted in certain parts of the journey.
I liked the reference to meeting others on their journeys, “2 blokes on bikes filming a TV documentary” for instance.
Overall, I enjoyed sharing their journey,
Although - - I wonder if a certain bike manufacturer upgraded the drive shafts after this journey?

[Mark Gowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bearback is the journal of a four year plus motorcycle tour around the world taken by Mr. Garrod and his wife Ness on an aging BMW. There are details that clarify that situations they find themselves in included in his descriptions and there are many sections that clarify their emotions as well. The mix of these perspectives make the book a worthwhile read.

Sometimes travel books are simple journal entries by those who do the traveling. This is fine, but for a trip of this magnitude more was needed and Garrod meets the challenge. The descriptions, stories and feelings will really come alive for those who have done some extensive travel in the areas that Garrod and his wife Ness visited, especially on the Asian continent.

Doing an overland tour of this magnitude takes gumption and courage that not many have and such tours certainly reveal strengths and weaknesses of those taking them, both of which are included throughout.

Towards the end Pat Garrod writes of his bitter sweet, happy sadness that the travels were over, and of the thought that the next trip was already being planned even before the motor had cooled on their motorcycle. This attitude will hit home with anyone who is fortunate or unfortunate enough to have the nomadic spirit that these two have.

Their trip is a story and Bearback is a travel novel.

[Kun Dániel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic travelogue book. Sufficiently informative with interesting details. This multi-year overland trip by motorbike must have been an experience of a lifetime. I as a biker am a little bit jealous, but I surely know I wouldn't go on a journey like this. Therefore it was really intriguing to read about remote places, societies, cultures, nature that I will not visit. The book is a long read, all pages are densely printed, but it's worth it. I can recommend it to all who love travelling, especially by motorbike.

[LL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great experience

Interesting and informative, lots of discription and well written. It's a good thing everyone is not like the author it would be very crowded. Also ragging on people that are old and on tours or others that can't afford to constantly travel is heartless and arrogant. The comments made were insufferable.

[Brent Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous Read

I really enjoyed this book. As a fellow motorcyclist and retired world traveler, I found the descriptions of the worlds’ geography, people and scenery accurate and compelling. Very well written tale of globetrotting by 2 compassionate MDs.

[Sabyasachi Dey · Rating 5 out of 5]

When is the next book scheduled Dr. Garrod ?

It's on of those books that is extremely detailed. They were never in a hurry so they never skipped on visiting a local attraction. Their experience is a gentle reminder how well planned any trip should be.

[Tim Notier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome read.
Really love when an adventure rider also has the ability to write well. There are a lot of books out there where one is true, but not the other.
It is a very large book, but every page is worth the print.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy a good travel book, and this exceeded all the expectations from the blurb. The passion of motorcycling is on every page, even the parts of the journey where the bike could not take or give any more.

There is plenty of detail in the areas that they travel to, so you have a good feel for the landscape and the people. There are one or two hairy moments, just as you would expect from travelling that far in that many countries, but they are normally welcomed with curiosity and friendship.