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Ureka: Finding the line between desire and contentment. Then riding it.
It’s a hard roadEspecially on an old bike and with little money, but harder still is resisting the urge to ride. This is a journey of thrill and despair as the author heads into heavily armed Iraq, barely unable to escape the overwhelming hospitality and humbling generosity.On the verge of discoveryUreka is an almost accidental realisation that we can’t always control where the road takes us. However, accepting the direction, we find what we need to and that can be the most fulfilling travel experience of all.How do you sum up a 15,000 mile motorcycle ride through 23 countries?· Upon leaving the UK, Europe was in the way;· Iraq was on the way, and worthy of a diversion;· Turkey became an acquired taste;· Georgia offered more diversity than one visit could cover;· The Caspian Sea was a cause for reconsideration;· A moment of planet-alignment occurred and the journey found purpose;· The Caucasus called him back for deeper penetration;· Armenia was a rough diamond;· Thoughts leaned towards Bulgarian relocation whilst riding the Balkan backroads;. Former Communist Europe had a raw but brutal beauty;· An old flame was rekindled in Austria;· Climaxing in an Alpine finale;· A French food extravaganza;· And Iron Maiden topped off the trip.With a passport full of unused visasThe author turned his back on the Caspian Sea, but this U-turn was the Ureka moment. Sleeping next to a dying kitten in a Russian truck scrapyard, everything he’d been fighting against fell into place, inadvertently he turned his trip around.Subsequently he bravely penned this book telling what others dare not admit or mention, that long distance solo travel and living the dream can be really bloody hard. His honesty and wit has inspired many a rider because, as with anything in life, perseverance brings exclusive rewards to the dedicated."One of the very best motorcycle adventure books I've ever read. At its best his writing is so vivid you're in the tent with him, watching the sun come up, not knowing where you'll be to see the next sunrise." --- RiDE Magazine
- GenresMotorcycle
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2014
About the author
Graham Field
12 books13 followersFree audio book for instant download from my website.
Graham is a compulsive traveller, with a compelling manner of brutal honesty of integrity. His books are authentic experiences from his 37 years of diaries, kept as he's meandered around the planet from foot to bicycle, to motorbike to four wheels.
Travel on his mind, bikes in his blood and little in his wallet, Graham's low budget journeys of humour and honesty have inspired many to hit the road in search of their dreams. A solo traveller at heart, his observations take his readers with him to Mongolia, Iraq, the Arctic Circle and many other distant destinations.
With a life time of travel anecdotes and hard earned wisdom, Graham's view of the planet is unique and contagious.
Graham is the author of eight books, which are all available as audiobooks. Twice nominated as 'most inspiring adventurer' by Adventure Bike TV. He was a resident co-host on Adventure Rider Radio RAW for five years with Sam Manicom and Grant Johnson of Horizons Unlimited. He has written articles for various publications worldwide.
Graham is a compulsive traveller, with a compelling manner of brutal honesty of integrity. His books are authentic experiences from his 37 years of diaries, kept as he's meandered around the planet from foot to bicycle, to motorbike to four wheels.
Travel on his mind, bikes in his blood and little in his wallet, Graham's low budget journeys of humour and honesty have inspired many to hit the road in search of their dreams. A solo traveller at heart, his observations take his readers with him to Mongolia, Iraq, the Arctic Circle and many other distant destinations.
With a life time of travel anecdotes and hard earned wisdom, Graham's view of the planet is unique and contagious.
Graham is the author of eight books, which are all available as audiobooks. Twice nominated as 'most inspiring adventurer' by Adventure Bike TV. He was a resident co-host on Adventure Rider Radio RAW for five years with Sam Manicom and Grant Johnson of Horizons Unlimited. He has written articles for various publications worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 17, 2024
EUREKA
Hello friends,
There is a new addition to the Tiger Coward Adventure Motorcycle Library, Eureka by Graham Field.
This is Field's second brilliant daily travel journal that takes us on a 99 day journey commencing in England with a final destination of, well you will have to read it to find out where. There is a surprise turn of events. Pun intended. The turn, which is a U-Turn, is where the book got its unique title and equally unique story. Well the original title Ureaka was unique but it was changed to the more Google friendly Eureka. Either way, I really liked this book and now consider myself an official Graham Field fan!
My executive summary is that this is a superb daily diary from a talented writer, and a really funny guy. The writing is raw, refreshing and honest. In the forward to the book, the author states the obvious: “nowhere is truth and honesty more abundant than a diary.” Why would anyone lie to a diary, eh?
The author sums it up best when he wrote: “this is less a book about a journey, just a journey in a book.” And this is a travel diary at its best!
Like his first book, In Search of Greener Grass, the writer/rider visits iconic places, struggles with difficult roads, and most importantly meets some fantastic people.
In my review of his last book, I wrote: “I tend to be a positive person and subscribe to the adage; "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all." However, Field doesn't filter his thoughts, compliments, and especially not his criticisms. All are well articulated and very funny.” The same is true of this book.
The honesty of his writing is compelling, refreshing, and laugh out loud funny.
In fact, last weekend, I visited my mother's house near Windsor. Windsor, Ontario, Canada, not the UK one. No castle in our Windsor! Anyhow, I read the last bit of the book there, and I was laughing out loud as I read. This inturn made my mom laugh. This book brought joy to me and those around me.
So, there you have it, this book brings joy to the world. HA! I bet you have a Three Dog Night song in your head! Jeremiah was a bullfrog...
There is so much to like about this book, and here are my top 5 things that I loved:
1. Graham Field himself (same as the last review).
Graham Field is a legend! He is the author of several books, a presenter at bike shows, and until recently, a co-panelist on the monthly Adventure Rider Radio Raw monthly podcast.
He has been a motorcycle enthusiast since he was a boy, an owner of an array of motorcycles, a bicycle traveler, and a backpacker.
He portrays himself as an everyday guy and novice traveler, but this is a ruse. He is an experienced and deeply insightful world traveler with a brilliantly cheeky sense of humour.
There is so much to admire about Graham Field, even if it doesn't appear that he admires those things in himself.
2. The humour.
I have already told you that I found this book to be laugh out loud funny. Like his first book, the author's descriptions of people and sights, whether they be good or bad, are brilliantly funny.
The funniest of all is the self-deprecating humour as Field describes his triumphs and challenges.
Be prepared to laugh!
3. The mistakes.
Sometimes the Round the World (RTW) riders seem to have superpowers and are so heroic that I just can’t see myself doing what they do. Even their mistakes are heroic. Sam Manicom broke his back, Michelle Lamphere was airlifted from the Trans Labrador Highway, and they continued. Glenn Heggstad was held captive for months and still completed his trip, for goodness sake! I couldn’t do that. Perhaps because I am a Coward.
But that is not what you get in this book. Graham doesn’t have to overcome life threatening catastrophes, instead the journey has everyday challenges that are comparable for the everyday rider. His challenges are relatable and so are his mistakes.
Whether it is major RTW Overlander issues like visas and border crossings or everyday occurrences like getting lost or losing stuff, Field tells it all. There is no candy coating or avoidance of discussing his mistakes. This makes the book so relatable.
Graham Field lives, rides and writes without pretension. I find this to be truly compelling, and a bit heroic.
4. His decision to make a U-Turn.
I just listened to a crossover podcast between Freakenomics and David Duchovny's Fail Better titled “Why Quitting is Usually Worth It.” I think that they got the idea from this book and Field should claim trademark infringement, or at least appear on Duchovny's show.
Graham wasn't having fun so he changed his plans and had a better trip because of it. It is “not always easy finding the line between contentment and desire and riding it.” But he does it. I hope it inspires you to consider what brings you joy and that you pursue it. Make your own U-turn and bring Joy to the World…
5. His abrasiveness.
Now, don't freak out. Save that for when they swear in the next US President. Our current outrage culture encourages you to respond with fury to everything, all of the time. If you don’t like it, close the book and move on. No one cares if you find Field's abrasiveness too much. Do your own U-turn and find something that makes you happy. That is the message of the book. For the record, I liked it. Alot.
The book is 10 years old, and the author isn't a politician or a leader who is expected to speak, live, and write without offending people, and he doesn't even try.
He is a motorcycle rider who finds women attractive, rudeness unattractive, and he expresses his opinions openly.
He honestly describes his experiences with culture, bureaucracy, and people. Both positively and negatively.
His observations are expertly expressed and are delightfully funny. I liked it, and I laughed a lot.
In conclusion, I liked this book alot and I recommend it!
Ps. I am currently reading In Clancy’s Boots by Geoff Hill.
Hello friends,
There is a new addition to the Tiger Coward Adventure Motorcycle Library, Eureka by Graham Field.
This is Field's second brilliant daily travel journal that takes us on a 99 day journey commencing in England with a final destination of, well you will have to read it to find out where. There is a surprise turn of events. Pun intended. The turn, which is a U-Turn, is where the book got its unique title and equally unique story. Well the original title Ureaka was unique but it was changed to the more Google friendly Eureka. Either way, I really liked this book and now consider myself an official Graham Field fan!
My executive summary is that this is a superb daily diary from a talented writer, and a really funny guy. The writing is raw, refreshing and honest. In the forward to the book, the author states the obvious: “nowhere is truth and honesty more abundant than a diary.” Why would anyone lie to a diary, eh?
The author sums it up best when he wrote: “this is less a book about a journey, just a journey in a book.” And this is a travel diary at its best!
Like his first book, In Search of Greener Grass, the writer/rider visits iconic places, struggles with difficult roads, and most importantly meets some fantastic people.
In my review of his last book, I wrote: “I tend to be a positive person and subscribe to the adage; "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all." However, Field doesn't filter his thoughts, compliments, and especially not his criticisms. All are well articulated and very funny.” The same is true of this book.
The honesty of his writing is compelling, refreshing, and laugh out loud funny.
In fact, last weekend, I visited my mother's house near Windsor. Windsor, Ontario, Canada, not the UK one. No castle in our Windsor! Anyhow, I read the last bit of the book there, and I was laughing out loud as I read. This inturn made my mom laugh. This book brought joy to me and those around me.
So, there you have it, this book brings joy to the world. HA! I bet you have a Three Dog Night song in your head! Jeremiah was a bullfrog...
There is so much to like about this book, and here are my top 5 things that I loved:
1. Graham Field himself (same as the last review).
Graham Field is a legend! He is the author of several books, a presenter at bike shows, and until recently, a co-panelist on the monthly Adventure Rider Radio Raw monthly podcast.
He has been a motorcycle enthusiast since he was a boy, an owner of an array of motorcycles, a bicycle traveler, and a backpacker.
He portrays himself as an everyday guy and novice traveler, but this is a ruse. He is an experienced and deeply insightful world traveler with a brilliantly cheeky sense of humour.
There is so much to admire about Graham Field, even if it doesn't appear that he admires those things in himself.
2. The humour.
I have already told you that I found this book to be laugh out loud funny. Like his first book, the author's descriptions of people and sights, whether they be good or bad, are brilliantly funny.
The funniest of all is the self-deprecating humour as Field describes his triumphs and challenges.
Be prepared to laugh!
3. The mistakes.
Sometimes the Round the World (RTW) riders seem to have superpowers and are so heroic that I just can’t see myself doing what they do. Even their mistakes are heroic. Sam Manicom broke his back, Michelle Lamphere was airlifted from the Trans Labrador Highway, and they continued. Glenn Heggstad was held captive for months and still completed his trip, for goodness sake! I couldn’t do that. Perhaps because I am a Coward.
But that is not what you get in this book. Graham doesn’t have to overcome life threatening catastrophes, instead the journey has everyday challenges that are comparable for the everyday rider. His challenges are relatable and so are his mistakes.
Whether it is major RTW Overlander issues like visas and border crossings or everyday occurrences like getting lost or losing stuff, Field tells it all. There is no candy coating or avoidance of discussing his mistakes. This makes the book so relatable.
Graham Field lives, rides and writes without pretension. I find this to be truly compelling, and a bit heroic.
4. His decision to make a U-Turn.
I just listened to a crossover podcast between Freakenomics and David Duchovny's Fail Better titled “Why Quitting is Usually Worth It.” I think that they got the idea from this book and Field should claim trademark infringement, or at least appear on Duchovny's show.
Graham wasn't having fun so he changed his plans and had a better trip because of it. It is “not always easy finding the line between contentment and desire and riding it.” But he does it. I hope it inspires you to consider what brings you joy and that you pursue it. Make your own U-turn and bring Joy to the World…
5. His abrasiveness.
Now, don't freak out. Save that for when they swear in the next US President. Our current outrage culture encourages you to respond with fury to everything, all of the time. If you don’t like it, close the book and move on. No one cares if you find Field's abrasiveness too much. Do your own U-turn and find something that makes you happy. That is the message of the book. For the record, I liked it. Alot.
The book is 10 years old, and the author isn't a politician or a leader who is expected to speak, live, and write without offending people, and he doesn't even try.
He is a motorcycle rider who finds women attractive, rudeness unattractive, and he expresses his opinions openly.
He honestly describes his experiences with culture, bureaucracy, and people. Both positively and negatively.
His observations are expertly expressed and are delightfully funny. I liked it, and I laughed a lot.
In conclusion, I liked this book alot and I recommend it!
Ps. I am currently reading In Clancy’s Boots by Geoff Hill.
May 14, 2020
I just finished his second audio book Eureka. Just like the In Search of Greener Grass it was a unfiltered raw look at overland motorcycle travel. Possibly even more so than the first book. You can feel the frustration in Graham's emotions throughout the trip and what leads him to turn around and head back the other way. Once the decision to make the u-turn was done you can feel the stresses he has lift and things throughout the trip start to fall into place, except for his satnav, which never seems to work properly.
If you liked the first book, you will definitely enjoy the second.
If you liked the first book, you will definitely enjoy the second.
January 8, 2021
A good read about places I would like to see.
It catches your attention and keeps it. The author lets his feelings be known to the reader significantly through the entire book. Refreshing.
It catches your attention and keeps it. The author lets his feelings be known to the reader significantly through the entire book. Refreshing.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews