Down and Out in Patagonia, Kamchatka, and Timbuktu: Greg Frazier's Round and Round and Round the World Motorcycle Journey

by Gregory W. Frazier

The first-ever, first-hand chronicle of Dr. Gregory W. Frazier's never-ending motorcycle ride. A little over 40 years ago, a man named Gregory W. Frazier got on his motorcycle, went for a ride, and never returned. He's still out there, circumnavigating the exploring the jungles of Asia in the winter, trout fishing in Alaska in the summer, and covering all points in between during the rest of the year. He's been shot at by rebels, jailed by unfriendly authorities, bitten by snakes, run over by Pamplona bulls, and smitten by a product of Adam's rib. He's circled the globe five times and has covered well over one million miles (and counting). During those past four decades, Dr. Frazier has been chronicling and photographing his around-the-world adventures, publishing 13 books on the subject (including one previous title with Motorbooks), the majority of which have been manuals for touring specific locations or general how-to-tour-by-motorcycle books. He has also produced 9 documentary DVDs, but until now, nothing in print has encompassed the entirety of his worldwide motorcycle adventures. Now, for the first time, he has written his on-the-road autobiography that captures the whole of his extraordinary travels in words and images. Down and Out in Patagonia, Kamchatka, and Timbuktu tells the amazing ongoing story of Dr. Frazier, one of the world's single most well-traveled motorcyclists.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Jessica]

I was a touch disappointed with this as I picked it up because Kamchatka is in the title - I figured there would be a chapter on it, at least. Or even a picture! But, I paged through the entire book and never found a single mention of Kamchatka, nor is it in the Index. He drives across Russia and through Siberia and makes it to Vladivostok, and then later travels Alaska with the idea of getting across the Bering Strait to Russia again, but doesn't do it. . . and he never quite seems to hit Kamchatka. I don't know if I'm missing something big or it's just not in there!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a couple of these motorcycle books now and the typical format is that an author that has submitted numerous articles for biking magazines accumulates them into a book.
I thought Frazier did a good job telling of some of his worldwide motorbike adventures and I liked that he always seemed to use a bike that he got on the cheap.
I found some of the earlier autobiographical stuff a little tough to get through but that intro did give a nice background as to why he "escaped" a routine life and carved out one of continuous exploration.
It ended somewhat abruptly at the end of a final of a series of global treks. Not much reflection or revealing any ideas on what was next after the last chapter.

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down and Out in Patagonia, etc., reads very well for the arm chair traveler, such as myself. The author introduces himself to his audience, and then brings the reader along on many very fun rides, through different environments over the years. Creative and tasteful layout, nice paper, great photos, and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

This would also be a great gift for motorcycle enthusiasts, as well as, travel readers.

[Carol Naille · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read if you travel by motorcycle. Frazier is well known for his 5 trips around the world by motorcycle. He is most often a sole rider and ride he does. He combines on and off road stories, interesting people and a variety of motorcycles to tell his story. He was a bit tiresome about doing it all as cheaply as possible. Eccentric, ego driven and all around interesting book.

[Brie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won in a Goodreads First Reads contest.

I just gifted this book to a motorcycle trip enthusiast who I hope loves it.