Challenging life on a 1948 Triumph Motorcycle: Daisy's Diary

by Graham Ham

Almost everyone, at some point in their life, feels like simply screaming, giving it all up, walking away, and starting all over again. Maybe even do something slightly crazy. Life can be like that, and every now and again somebody actually does something about it. Hurrah! In Daisy’s Diaries, the author, Graham Ham, describes his own such experience. He did give up a successful career, he did walk away from his business and all the perks that went with it, he did do something slightly crazy. Along the way, he rediscovered family, reconnected with the kids, embarked upon a haphazard adventure, and when all’s said and done, discovered life once again by challenging it full on! Daisy is a very old motorcycle. Really, seriously old. Graham buys her, fixes her up, and then without a care in the world and with one or other of the kids in tow he embarks upon a series of adventures in pursuit of a trophy. The landmark challenge takes them all over the country, camping as they go, and by the end of it they will have travelled more than 5,000 miles, overcome all manner of problems and met some truly colourful characters. All the while, of course, Graham’s old life tries to catch up with him in a myriad of ways, and at times it seems as though there really is no escape. Can they stay ahead of the rat-race? Can they win the challenge? Will Graham stay married, and will the dog ever forgive him? Daisy’s Diaries was first published in hard-back, by Panther Publishing, with a second print run commissioned when it sold out . It is now available in ebook format in the Kindle store.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2005

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply brilliant. As an American and a guy who has only a passing interest in truly old motorcycles I didn't expect to like this book all that much. Enticed by the other glowing reviews I begrudgingly gave it a try and am so glad I did. Ham is an exceptional writer; his prose is decidedly British but in a way I found winsome. Self-deprecating humor is masterfully mixed with vivid descriptions of interesting locales and events as the author attempts to visit fifty landmarks scattered about the U.K. while piloting a old and questionably reliable 1948 Triumph. The content is nicely divided between what matters in life, motorcycle repair, a travelogue and sharing the experience with his children.

I really can't stress enough what a pleasant surprise this book was. As critical as I usually am of self-published and edited works I willingly overlooked the embarrassingly numerous typos to still rate it five stars. It would be wise of the author to go back and clean up the goofs (perhaps a man who rides a 1948 motorbike isn't familiar with spellcheck) and really make this perfect. The book is a healthy length and with such strong writing you need not fear the high cover price. It really is worth it. I look forward to reading the sequel to this quite soon.

[Michael A. Simmons, Sr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

An engaging story of a British father acquiring and restoring a post war Triumph. Once restored he and his son and daughter compete in a Triumph sponsored rally to visit 50 landmarks in the UK. The author shares the ups and downs of vintage Brit bikes and the challenges of ownership. Well worth your time!