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A Fast Bike Through the Badlands
Saddle up to explore the obscure. An offbeat Biker's guide to America's quirky underbelly.
Everybody has been to New York, Vegas, and New Orleans. Only Andy will take you to see a stick in the desert, a giant hole in the ground, and the "Home of the Irrigators."
It has been nearly four decades since Andy rode a Fast Bike to Byzantium. Many bikes have come and gone, but now living in the United States of America, Andy has sadly become a stranger to the joys of motorcycling. Until, out of the blue, a serendipitous and possibly alcohol fuelled conversation provides him with both the motorcycle, the opportunity, and the desire to explore the vast, untamed landscapes of America.
Join Andy as he embarks on an audacious cross-country journey, rediscovering the intoxicating lure of the unknown. In this witty tale of two-wheeled misadventures, common sense once again takes the pillion seat as Andy's passion for riding overpowers all logic and reason.
Prepare for a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled odyssey where the road has no rules and every stretch of blacktop promises uncharted adventure. Could this be Andy's last ride into the fading light?
A Fast Bike Through the Badlands is a hilarious true-life travelogue full of interesting characters, uncomfortable moments, terrible choices, and British humour that will appeal to lovers of Bill Bryson, Douglas Adams, and David Sedaris.
All the books in the Petrolhead Travelogue series can be read in any order.
Praise for “A Fast Bike Through the Badlands”
★★★★★ A great fast paced book
★★★★★ Captivating story
★★★★★ Enjoy, it's a great read.
★★★★★ I definitely recommend it.
Everybody has been to New York, Vegas, and New Orleans. Only Andy will take you to see a stick in the desert, a giant hole in the ground, and the "Home of the Irrigators."
It has been nearly four decades since Andy rode a Fast Bike to Byzantium. Many bikes have come and gone, but now living in the United States of America, Andy has sadly become a stranger to the joys of motorcycling. Until, out of the blue, a serendipitous and possibly alcohol fuelled conversation provides him with both the motorcycle, the opportunity, and the desire to explore the vast, untamed landscapes of America.
Join Andy as he embarks on an audacious cross-country journey, rediscovering the intoxicating lure of the unknown. In this witty tale of two-wheeled misadventures, common sense once again takes the pillion seat as Andy's passion for riding overpowers all logic and reason.
Prepare for a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled odyssey where the road has no rules and every stretch of blacktop promises uncharted adventure. Could this be Andy's last ride into the fading light?
A Fast Bike Through the Badlands is a hilarious true-life travelogue full of interesting characters, uncomfortable moments, terrible choices, and British humour that will appeal to lovers of Bill Bryson, Douglas Adams, and David Sedaris.
All the books in the Petrolhead Travelogue series can be read in any order.
Praise for “A Fast Bike Through the Badlands”
★★★★★ A great fast paced book
★★★★★ Captivating story
★★★★★ Enjoy, it's a great read.
★★★★★ I definitely recommend it.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2024
46 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Andy C Wareing
25 books26 followersAlong with many like-minded souls, 2020 was the year I finally broke free of the constraints of life in corporate America. Fueled by a renewed passion and creativity I decided to pursue my new life as a full-time author.
Originally from Southport in England my wife, Paula, and I, lived and worked in the USA for 15 wonderful years, and then moved to Spain to enjoy a quiet life in the endless sunshine of the Mediterranean. Instead, we ended up embroiled in the tribulations of the pandemic. I wrote and self-published my first book “Mistakes Were Made” after that (mis) adventure.
At heart always British, we loved living in the U.S.A but will never vocalize the American pronunciations of basil, banana, or tomato. We now live with our two dogs in leafy Somerset, land of apples, cider, and weather so perpetually wet, ‘wellies’ are considered formal wear.
Please keep me away from the benefits office by leaving a review on Goodreads or your local Amazon store, and follow my blog here:
https://andycwareing.com/blog/
Originally from Southport in England my wife, Paula, and I, lived and worked in the USA for 15 wonderful years, and then moved to Spain to enjoy a quiet life in the endless sunshine of the Mediterranean. Instead, we ended up embroiled in the tribulations of the pandemic. I wrote and self-published my first book “Mistakes Were Made” after that (mis) adventure.
At heart always British, we loved living in the U.S.A but will never vocalize the American pronunciations of basil, banana, or tomato. We now live with our two dogs in leafy Somerset, land of apples, cider, and weather so perpetually wet, ‘wellies’ are considered formal wear.
Please keep me away from the benefits office by leaving a review on Goodreads or your local Amazon store, and follow my blog here:
https://andycwareing.com/blog/
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 22, 2024
I've read both Andy's Petrolhead Chronicles and his memoirs, so I had a pretty good idea what to expect from this book. Lots of British humor, delightful prose: don't be misled by the "petrolhead" designation, Andy writes beautifully descriptive prose, and his books can be enjoyed by anyone (me) who has never been astride a bike. A drunken offer to deliver a friend's bike to the other side of America leads to a wonderful story. No longer the young man of his previous books, middle-aged Andy has deadlines to meet, and a son joining the American Navy. But it doesn't stop him riding the back roads of America, and finding some hidden gems of places to visit. I enjoyed this book so much. Andy writes an interesting and entertaining travel book, although a little too much information about some of the sleazy motel rooms he stays in! Definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys a good travel book: anyone who enjoys middle-aged memoirs and, of course, bikers.
July 17, 2025
This is my 3rd book and ive enjoyed them a lot. I do like the way Andy writes and I'm planning a big ride myself so quite inspiring. On this one the only bit I took exception to was the rant about Sturgis. I drive a Harley myself, but ive had 9 Hondas and 8 BMWs and a few Yamaha's one Kawasaki and a few Triumphs, 2 Harleys, over 30 bikes so far. I did feel the comments on Harley enthusiasts was a bit uncalled for. But everyone is entitled to their own opinion as they say. Good story though.
August 13, 2025
Great look at the true USA
Like his other books, the author takes two ill-advised, unprepared motorcycle journeys and discovers the REAL USA. The chapter on Harley culture should be required reading for anyone considering purchasing a H-D.
Like his other books, the author takes two ill-advised, unprepared motorcycle journeys and discovers the REAL USA. The chapter on Harley culture should be required reading for anyone considering purchasing a H-D.
August 4, 2024
Captivating and amusing
Another great book from Andy, witty, sarcastic but interesting, and gives an insight into parts of the U.S. off the usual tourist routes
Another great book from Andy, witty, sarcastic but interesting, and gives an insight into parts of the U.S. off the usual tourist routes
December 17, 2024
Bill Bryson on a Bike! Excellent, witty read with a little bit of education thrown in too! Can’t wait for my next bike tour to start using the free lunch method!
April 5, 2025
Yet another great book. Loved the fact that I’d been to quite a few places he wrote about. We stumbled upon Meteor Crater in Arizona on our way to Petrified Forest NP - loved it! Also saw my first Piggly Wiggly in Alabama last week 😂 Very entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews