What do you think?
Rate this book
All the Gear, No Idea: A woman's solo motorcycle journey around the Indian subcontinent
Just because someone told her India was "really in your face", Michèle Harrison quit her office job at the age of 33, bought herself an Enfield motorbike and set off for nearly a year in 1997 to tour the Indian subcontinent. Until then, she had only ridden scooters around London. With more gear than sense, her 17,000 miles journey took her through the mayhem of Delhi traffic, the mountains of Kashmir, the deserts of Rajasthan, the beaches of Goa, the southern tip of India, the remote tracks of Nepal and the eerie Himalayan barrenness of Ladakh. She wanted an adventure to spice up a boring life and fulfil her wanderlust. She got that, and more.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2014
72 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Michele Harrison
1 book2 followersMichèle Harrison was born in France in 1964 to American parents and at the age of 13 moved to London, where she has stayed, more or less, ever since. Travel has always been a big part of her life: she has spent a few years in northern California, a year in Egypt, a year in India and the odd weeks, or months, here and there. She now shares her time between the French Alps and London.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 14, 2015
More travelogue than motorcycle book -- not that there's anything wrong with that.
I'm a motorcyclist and armchair adventurer. I bought this book on a whim and am pleased I did so. Harrison's writing is more diary than story; she does not dwell much on introspection or use unnecessary words. While I originally had hoped for more depth and a bit more about riding instead of describing places visited I soon became enchanted by her story. I knew little about India but now feel as if I've gotten a fair idea of what it is about. Since the book contains no photos I supplemented it with looking up images on the internet to better understand what the author was seeing. She does meet unique people and have interesting experiences and yes, the bike does break down, but I was surprised a Royal Enfield didn't break more often! The author was young, daring and frequently foolish but it makes for an entertaining read. I am glad Harrison chose to share her story with us.
I'm a motorcyclist and armchair adventurer. I bought this book on a whim and am pleased I did so. Harrison's writing is more diary than story; she does not dwell much on introspection or use unnecessary words. While I originally had hoped for more depth and a bit more about riding instead of describing places visited I soon became enchanted by her story. I knew little about India but now feel as if I've gotten a fair idea of what it is about. Since the book contains no photos I supplemented it with looking up images on the internet to better understand what the author was seeing. She does meet unique people and have interesting experiences and yes, the bike does break down, but I was surprised a Royal Enfield didn't break more often! The author was young, daring and frequently foolish but it makes for an entertaining read. I am glad Harrison chose to share her story with us.
October 18, 2017
I started reading this whilst I was in India on a more traditional holiday with my Wife. But every time I saw a Royal Enfield I started to droll. I can understand why so many Indians thought Michele was a man, she must have a massive pair of b*lls to tackle such a journey. I live in SE Asia but have never ever seen driving like India. Not even in Manila, which looks totally tame compared with say Jaipur. Add in Some truly awful roads, potholes that would swallow a truck and then the absolutely massive culture shock, the unbelievable heat in parts of the country and it's not an easy trip for an experienced rider. Michele only passed her bike test a month before!!!!!
So I enjoyed the book but what it lacks is detail. The journey is covered but the stops are not really covered in any detail. For instance after reading the part about Udaipur you would not realise that it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. What does shine through is how friendly the Indian people are.
So I enjoyed the book but what it lacks is detail. The journey is covered but the stops are not really covered in any detail. For instance after reading the part about Udaipur you would not realise that it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. What does shine through is how friendly the Indian people are.
June 4, 2017
I liked this one, a straightforward narrative of riding across India and Nepal for nearly a year without getting too heavy handed with philosophy and spirituality. Michele wrote it as she saw it. (I breathed a sigh of relief when she skipped vipassana)
This book took me down the memory lane; it covers India in 1998 and boy, things have changed since then. In terms of decent hardware, we now have KTMs for cities, RE Himalayan for off-roading, and Mojo for touring in India. All these are homemade good bikes that do not break down as frequently as Michele's Classic 500. We also have awesome Indian motovloggers in Mumbiker Nikhil, Oggy F, and Big Bang Biker, and these guys are inspiring a generation of people of get off their asses and hit the road. Quality of roads is improving all the time and we have accurate navigation thanks to Google maps. Bikers have it good now and that makes me appreciate Michele's feats even more.
Coming back to the book, it read like a diary and that is how I wanted it to be. I felt as I was riding with Michele the whole time and was seeing India and the people as she saw. She captured all those things in detail that make me love my country as well as piss me off about its rough edges.
One thing that she and my other westerners miss out on is the food of India. One does not completely experience India without its food. I sincerely hope that people will start focusing on simple things like food instead of looking for miracles of spirituality here. That said, I had a total blast with the book. Do share this one with your buddies who are bitten by the travel bug.
This book took me down the memory lane; it covers India in 1998 and boy, things have changed since then. In terms of decent hardware, we now have KTMs for cities, RE Himalayan for off-roading, and Mojo for touring in India. All these are homemade good bikes that do not break down as frequently as Michele's Classic 500. We also have awesome Indian motovloggers in Mumbiker Nikhil, Oggy F, and Big Bang Biker, and these guys are inspiring a generation of people of get off their asses and hit the road. Quality of roads is improving all the time and we have accurate navigation thanks to Google maps. Bikers have it good now and that makes me appreciate Michele's feats even more.
Coming back to the book, it read like a diary and that is how I wanted it to be. I felt as I was riding with Michele the whole time and was seeing India and the people as she saw. She captured all those things in detail that make me love my country as well as piss me off about its rough edges.
One thing that she and my other westerners miss out on is the food of India. One does not completely experience India without its food. I sincerely hope that people will start focusing on simple things like food instead of looking for miracles of spirituality here. That said, I had a total blast with the book. Do share this one with your buddies who are bitten by the travel bug.
November 23, 2022
Great adventure story.
What do you do when you’re in your early thirties, bored with your job in London and in a relationship that isn’t going anywhere?
What the author does is take off to spend a year exploring the Indian sub-continent by motorbike, having taken a 3-day intensive course learning how to ride one.
Arriving in Delhi, she buys an Indian-manufactured Enfield machine and begins her adventure, nonchalantly riding through the chaos of major Indian towns, through the mountains, through rain and rocks and rivers and landslides and war zones.
The bike is constantly breaking down or breaking parts. I was impressed at her ability to carry out minor repairs, but when that is beyond her luckily there is always somebody ready to help, and a motorbike repair shop or mechanic never far away. Her experiences highlight the kindness and generosity of the Indian people who entertain and befriend her.
The book is a well written, easy read, and you don’t need to have any interest in motorbikes to enjoy it. Perfect for armchair travellers, or for anybody considering undertaking a similar trip.
What do you do when you’re in your early thirties, bored with your job in London and in a relationship that isn’t going anywhere?
What the author does is take off to spend a year exploring the Indian sub-continent by motorbike, having taken a 3-day intensive course learning how to ride one.
Arriving in Delhi, she buys an Indian-manufactured Enfield machine and begins her adventure, nonchalantly riding through the chaos of major Indian towns, through the mountains, through rain and rocks and rivers and landslides and war zones.
The bike is constantly breaking down or breaking parts. I was impressed at her ability to carry out minor repairs, but when that is beyond her luckily there is always somebody ready to help, and a motorbike repair shop or mechanic never far away. Her experiences highlight the kindness and generosity of the Indian people who entertain and befriend her.
The book is a well written, easy read, and you don’t need to have any interest in motorbikes to enjoy it. Perfect for armchair travellers, or for anybody considering undertaking a similar trip.
July 16, 2017
This is a fantastic travelogue of a single woman's year-long trip, on a motorcycle, through India and Nepal twenty years ago. Michèle Harrison took “breaking out of your comfort zone” to a whole different level. I was amazed at how she took one day at a time with what seemed like very little
planning ahead. A true optimist, she seemed to know that “it will all work out in the end” and she just kept on. Because there were no photos, I followed along with Google Earth and all the photos it offers for each of her stops. If you like adventure and travelogues, I highly recommend this memoir.
planning ahead. A true optimist, she seemed to know that “it will all work out in the end” and she just kept on. Because there were no photos, I followed along with Google Earth and all the photos it offers for each of her stops. If you like adventure and travelogues, I highly recommend this memoir.
August 26, 2017
Excellent read
It's always fun to hear of another's travels. It is even more fun to hear it from a woman's perspective. I have traveled to India in my twenties and can picture many of the cities and towns described in this book. Sadly, I traveled by bus and train. Having recently purchased my first motorcycle at the age of 49, I would love to return to India and travel by bike on my own. I don't think we are ever too old for adventure.
It's always fun to hear of another's travels. It is even more fun to hear it from a woman's perspective. I have traveled to India in my twenties and can picture many of the cities and towns described in this book. Sadly, I traveled by bus and train. Having recently purchased my first motorcycle at the age of 49, I would love to return to India and travel by bike on my own. I don't think we are ever too old for adventure.
October 8, 2023
This is a wonderful book, the kind of thing I would have loved reading at 12 and enjoyed greatly at 58.
I think more young folks should read of great adventures and take them. This book is a simple read and would make a perfect gift for someone 5th grade to high school freshman. It would open them up to how big the world is.
This book is about a lone female traveler who circumnavigated India by motorcycle and also visited Bhutan Nepal and Kashmir. In the course of her travels she is chased by elephants, hits both a dump truck and a cow on her motorcycle, and has a series of other misadventures.
It is interesting to see how folks in a patriarchal society like India treated her differently once they realized she was a woman. She cuts her hair short for ease of care at the beginning of the trip, and stands 5’ 10 inches tall.
She also has to put up with a good deal of harassment from various males she meets on her journey.
I do want to go to India, and many of Michelle, the authors suggestions should prove helpful. Her wish that she had brought sports bras from England where she lived…in order to more easily tolerate riding motorcycles over very rough roads…is not advice I plan to follow.
Would suggest keeping google open on an IPad or similar device as you read this so you can explore the places Michelle road to and discovered.
Strongly recommended for anyone with a love of travel and a desire to learn about other cultures.
I think more young folks should read of great adventures and take them. This book is a simple read and would make a perfect gift for someone 5th grade to high school freshman. It would open them up to how big the world is.
This book is about a lone female traveler who circumnavigated India by motorcycle and also visited Bhutan Nepal and Kashmir. In the course of her travels she is chased by elephants, hits both a dump truck and a cow on her motorcycle, and has a series of other misadventures.
It is interesting to see how folks in a patriarchal society like India treated her differently once they realized she was a woman. She cuts her hair short for ease of care at the beginning of the trip, and stands 5’ 10 inches tall.
She also has to put up with a good deal of harassment from various males she meets on her journey.
I do want to go to India, and many of Michelle, the authors suggestions should prove helpful. Her wish that she had brought sports bras from England where she lived…in order to more easily tolerate riding motorcycles over very rough roads…is not advice I plan to follow.
Would suggest keeping google open on an IPad or similar device as you read this so you can explore the places Michelle road to and discovered.
Strongly recommended for anyone with a love of travel and a desire to learn about other cultures.
April 23, 2018
An attention-grabbing read with some insights in to the attitudes of the general populous of India. Having read quite a few motorcycling stories and experienced the situations myself it was like being on the journey with Michelle. Things happen on motorcycles that just don’t present themselves with any other form of transport; the freedom and excitement is never far away? A diary of events worth reading - I spent many a happy moment on my recent travels reading this story. The Big Thumper reminds me so much of my old bikes back in the late sixties. It was never a situation of ‘if ’ but ‘when’ you were going to break down!
April 27, 2020
Good adventure
Well ,this book is certainly a different view of India's people, cities and culture. Other books I've read are outraged by the squalor of the cities . Depressed by the beggar gangs, thief's, and disregard for women and girls is appalling. But, this books sees that and also sees the history of India and is different, so learn about this huge country, learn some back ground history, cultures found there. Fascinating adventure and book.
Well ,this book is certainly a different view of India's people, cities and culture. Other books I've read are outraged by the squalor of the cities . Depressed by the beggar gangs, thief's, and disregard for women and girls is appalling. But, this books sees that and also sees the history of India and is different, so learn about this huge country, learn some back ground history, cultures found there. Fascinating adventure and book.
July 10, 2022
Easy read, difficult journey
I enjoyed reading this, not particularly deeply researched and obviously a diary write up but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. I identify with her quite strongly, especially when people describe her as being brave. I was in India myself at the same time and could well have been in Manali at the same time in this permanently life altering country. I raise a chai to you Michèle.
I enjoyed reading this, not particularly deeply researched and obviously a diary write up but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. I identify with her quite strongly, especially when people describe her as being brave. I was in India myself at the same time and could well have been in Manali at the same time in this permanently life altering country. I raise a chai to you Michèle.
May 30, 2025
I continued reading this book in hopes of seeing some character development, but I found myself increasingly frustrated by the author's lack of understanding. As a fellow motorcyclist, I was astonished that she survived her journey while being so blissfully naive. Toward the end of the book, she claimed to be an independent person, yet she also expressed her reliance on others. This type of book encourages recklessness and discourages thorough research and learning.
March 11, 2019
Yes I enjoyed this book, got a bit frustrated at times with Michele’s lack of planning but hey, she did it where many fail. I admire the fact that she took her time and enjoyed the journey rather than blasting from one place to another, and did it alone...respect ...greater respect for riding in Delhi...awesome.
Sad you didn’t enjoy the Taj......spectacular site
Sad you didn’t enjoy the Taj......spectacular site
August 31, 2020
For anybody about to embark on a trip to India or, like myself, a seasoned traveller and lover of this magnificent country, this book serves as an informative and delightful read. It was great to ride alongside Michele from page to page, revisting some much loved destinations and learning about some undiscovered places I now yearn to visit for myself. Great stuff!
June 4, 2017
Great adventure
The title sags it all. Unprepared and no ideas about bike maintenance. But this probably made it an even bigger adventure. The book is an entertaining and easy travel report. Not as deep as I.e. Ubuntu which I read before.
The title sags it all. Unprepared and no ideas about bike maintenance. But this probably made it an even bigger adventure. The book is an entertaining and easy travel report. Not as deep as I.e. Ubuntu which I read before.
February 12, 2023
excellent travelogue
An interesting story of a young lady’s travels in India on a motorcycle. Well written and very entertaining. Recommended for motorcycle buffs and others who like to travel
An interesting story of a young lady’s travels in India on a motorcycle. Well written and very entertaining. Recommended for motorcycle buffs and others who like to travel
August 14, 2023
Adventure without the Bravado!
A fun, honest read about an incredible adventure full of learning, culture and mishaps. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. It made me want to head to India, buy an Enfield and explore the country. Worth the read!
A fun, honest read about an incredible adventure full of learning, culture and mishaps. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. It made me want to head to India, buy an Enfield and explore the country. Worth the read!
March 7, 2018
A brilliant read!
This is the first book i have purchased in Amazon. It's a superb book that I couldn't put down. I did feel sorry for poor Thumper haha.
This is the first book i have purchased in Amazon. It's a superb book that I couldn't put down. I did feel sorry for poor Thumper haha.
November 1, 2019
Honest and engaging
As someone with no mechanical interests at all, nonetheless I enjoyed this as an honest and personal travel story, very readable.
As someone with no mechanical interests at all, nonetheless I enjoyed this as an honest and personal travel story, very readable.
April 20, 2020
Really enjoyable
I loved reading about Ms. Harrison's motorcycle adventurr in India! She tells it so well it's almost like you're right along with her. Well deserving of 5 stars!
I loved reading about Ms. Harrison's motorcycle adventurr in India! She tells it so well it's almost like you're right along with her. Well deserving of 5 stars!
May 8, 2020
Really enjoyed the book. Aside the fact that India is on my travel bucket list, the author's writing is really accessible. I found it fun to read and her misadventures really relatable.
June 26, 2020
must read for travel enthusiast.
July 25, 2020
A lovely read
Really enjoyed this book. In fact it has inspired me to travel to India myself! Recommend this book to the virtual or analog adventurer.
Really enjoyed this book. In fact it has inspired me to travel to India myself! Recommend this book to the virtual or analog adventurer.
January 26, 2021
Great book!
Really enjoyed reading this one. I’ve read many motorcycle adventure books and this was as good as any of them in it’s own special way.
Really enjoyed reading this one. I’ve read many motorcycle adventure books and this was as good as any of them in it’s own special way.
May 24, 2021
Brave and independent
A very inspiring read. The author should also write about her other travels as I would love to read more.
A very inspiring read. The author should also write about her other travels as I would love to read more.
August 7, 2021
Good read
Quite amusing I found the writing interesting and well thought out. Bravo for having the courage to take trip and write about it.
Quite amusing I found the writing interesting and well thought out. Bravo for having the courage to take trip and write about it.
October 12, 2022
Really enjoyed her journey on her Enfield through India. Something new round every corner!
April 1, 2024
What an adventure
Not only an adventure, it's an inspiration. So of us do it, others dream. But what a fun dream. I enjoyed it, every word. Sad that it had to end.
Not only an adventure, it's an inspiration. So of us do it, others dream. But what a fun dream. I enjoyed it, every word. Sad that it had to end.
August 5, 2021
Not as good as Lone Rider but still interesting. Way less emotional depth than Beard’s book but if you want to pretend you are traveling around India in your motorcycle through a book, not a bad choice.
November 17, 2016
Quirky Book
An English woman switching to an Enfield from a Vespa and that too on Indian Roads! My eye brows twitched with a 1000 questions.
The travel experience spanning over an year is a treat to read. I felt one with Michele when reading the book - I felt the bumpy Indian roads, the sun, the cold, the beauty of the Himalayas, the smiles of the kids, the never ending questions of Indians on seeing an English woman on Enfield...and so much more.
But I like this book not just because it is a pleasure to read but also because of the transformation that happens when one travels solo for such a long time.
An English woman switching to an Enfield from a Vespa and that too on Indian Roads! My eye brows twitched with a 1000 questions.
The travel experience spanning over an year is a treat to read. I felt one with Michele when reading the book - I felt the bumpy Indian roads, the sun, the cold, the beauty of the Himalayas, the smiles of the kids, the never ending questions of Indians on seeing an English woman on Enfield...and so much more.
But I like this book not just because it is a pleasure to read but also because of the transformation that happens when one travels solo for such a long time.
August 7, 2015
A lovely travelogue of a year long solo motorcycle trip through India and Nepal nearly 20 years ago. I enjoyed it the most when she interacted with the locals and other tourists. It was very brave for a woman to travel alone, it is still considered unsafe. But the author had a great adventure. It must have been difficult to pare down the year long ride into one book, but she did a great job editing the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews