What do you think?
Rate this book
Old Men Can't Wait
Run down by three trucks, leg in plaster, not a good first day...
So begins septuagenarian Simon Gandolfi's ten-month ride on a pizza delivery bike, from the tip of South America to New York. This epic exploration of thirteen countries takes Gandolfi across desert and over mountains, through the Amazon forest and the length of the Appalachians. Guide books may warn of thieves, bandits, corrupt police and border officials; Gandolfi writes of the remarkable kindness and generosity he encounters. Courtesy, patience and good humour are his passports while hurry is his anathema. Whether in village or city, his joy is in leisurely conversation. Gauchos, oil workers, peasant farmers, officials, owners of vast haciendas, Venezuelan revolutionaries, students at Texas A&M - all excite his curiosity and he faithfully records their opinions while submitting his own thoughts, beliefs and fears to an often merciless inspection.
Above all this is a jubilant chronicle of hope and understanding, of new friendships, glorious country, sublime architecture, good food, and ultimately, an old man's determination to surmount his years. Outrageously irresponsible and undeniably liberating, Gandolfi's travels will fire the imaginations of every traveller, young or old.
So begins septuagenarian Simon Gandolfi's ten-month ride on a pizza delivery bike, from the tip of South America to New York. This epic exploration of thirteen countries takes Gandolfi across desert and over mountains, through the Amazon forest and the length of the Appalachians. Guide books may warn of thieves, bandits, corrupt police and border officials; Gandolfi writes of the remarkable kindness and generosity he encounters. Courtesy, patience and good humour are his passports while hurry is his anathema. Whether in village or city, his joy is in leisurely conversation. Gauchos, oil workers, peasant farmers, officials, owners of vast haciendas, Venezuelan revolutionaries, students at Texas A&M - all excite his curiosity and he faithfully records their opinions while submitting his own thoughts, beliefs and fears to an often merciless inspection.
Above all this is a jubilant chronicle of hope and understanding, of new friendships, glorious country, sublime architecture, good food, and ultimately, an old man's determination to surmount his years. Outrageously irresponsible and undeniably liberating, Gandolfi's travels will fire the imaginations of every traveller, young or old.
- GenresMotorcycle
260 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
15 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 8, 2021
Mixed feelings
A good book on an older Englishmans travel thru South, Central and North America. I would have enjoyed it much more had the author omitted his political bias and hatred for the US. He was treated with kindness and generosity during the US segment of his journey but could do nothing but find fault with his host country. He seemed obsessed with racism in the US but did not find any evidence of same.
A good book on an older Englishmans travel thru South, Central and North America. I would have enjoyed it much more had the author omitted his political bias and hatred for the US. He was treated with kindness and generosity during the US segment of his journey but could do nothing but find fault with his host country. He seemed obsessed with racism in the US but did not find any evidence of same.
December 14, 2017
The distance traveled by small bike
A good book for those who want to travel far and want to know something about were they think they might travel. Just don’t believe too much in the left wing rant.
A good book for those who want to travel far and want to know something about were they think they might travel. Just don’t believe too much in the left wing rant.
December 16, 2021
Excellent portrayal of life on the road
If one is ever considering a motorcycle adventure, this book reveals the good and the not so good aspects of 2 wheel travel. Also a reminder that there is no bad weather, only bad gear!
If one is ever considering a motorcycle adventure, this book reveals the good and the not so good aspects of 2 wheel travel. Also a reminder that there is no bad weather, only bad gear!
January 19, 2019
Compelling reading
This not so much a motorcycle book as much as a delightful well written humourous travel story.
A delightful read which I thoroughly enjoyed
This not so much a motorcycle book as much as a delightful well written humourous travel story.
A delightful read which I thoroughly enjoyed
April 5, 2019
Good read
A reasonably good read.m.n.n.n.n.nN.n.n.m
Je
M
MMM
M!
M!,.m!M,m.?m,..mnN. M.
M,.m
L,mmm,m,,,
Nom,jk,,kkk,l
Jjjkkkk
Jjjkk
Jjjj
Hjjj
Hmm.
Jjjj.hj.
Jjj
A reasonably good read.m.n.n.n.n.nN.n.n.m
Je
M
MMM
M!
M!,.m!M,m.?m,..mnN. M.
M,.m
L,mmm,m,,,
Nom,jk,,kkk,l
Jjjkkkk
Jjjkk
Jjjj
Hjjj
Hmm.
Jjjj.hj.
Jjj
September 26, 2019
Enjoyed
I really enjoy Simon's writing. He writes with truthful feelings and does not try to dazzle with fancy words. Thank you
I really enjoy Simon's writing. He writes with truthful feelings and does not try to dazzle with fancy words. Thank you
January 15, 2019
Enjoyed the ride
From my armchair. From my office chair. From the train seat on my daily commute. I enjoyed the ride. Enjoyed the description of the journey. The places. The people.
From my armchair. From my office chair. From the train seat on my daily commute. I enjoyed the ride. Enjoyed the description of the journey. The places. The people.
September 6, 2015
An interesting book, little slow in places, definately a grumpy old man book. A couple of the sentences were convoluted / disjointed which made them very hard to follow.
This didnt affect the star rating, but if Gandolfi is reading this, you may wish to fire your proofreader, as one particularly disjointed paragraph also has a spelling error, one minute you are talking about a missing diary, the next a lost dairy, had to re-read that section to try and figure out what happened.
Worth a read particularly if you like bikes / South America, some interesting descriptions but some tedious ones as well.
This didnt affect the star rating, but if Gandolfi is reading this, you may wish to fire your proofreader, as one particularly disjointed paragraph also has a spelling error, one minute you are talking about a missing diary, the next a lost dairy, had to re-read that section to try and figure out what happened.
Worth a read particularly if you like bikes / South America, some interesting descriptions but some tedious ones as well.
April 25, 2017
Well that took time. I met the author at a show a few years ago, and was inspired enough to buy the book. As mentioned by other reviewers, the book is slow in places ,but it picks up halfway through. overall its a good book and we get to see some of his political views which is a bonus. Simon has obviously lived a full life and had more adventures then most of us but we see very little of it in this book . I might check out some of his other work.
April 22, 2013
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Simon continues his ride from Old man on a bike this time North from Tierra del Fuego to New York. His reporting style commentary and political opinions won't be to everybody's taste but if you enjoyed the first book you'll enjoy this one too!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews