Bitten by the Bullet: Motorcycle Adventures in India

by Steve Krzystyniak

Bitten By The Bullet is the story of how Steve Krzystyniak and Lily, his partner - both long-time global wanderers who now live Waiheke Island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf - came to set up and operate an innovative motorcycle tour company that takes small parties through the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan. One of the heroes of this story is the Royal Enfield Bullet, a classic fifties-style motorcycle that is still produced today in India and which is Steve and Lily's bike of choice. A fast-paced narrative with two storylines - the main one follows a particular tour group's adventures over a three-week period, which is underpinned by Steve Krzystyniak's account of how he and Lily took on the bureaucracy of India in order to achieve their dream - Bitten By The Bullet will be of enormous interest to armchair travellers and devotees of the colourful and dramatic Indian sub-continent, keeping them breathlessly involved until the very last page.

Genres: Travel, Motorcycle

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, but readable book about a New Zealand couple who travel to India and buy a second hand Royal Enfield Bullet (motor cycle) and travel around Rajasthan. At the end of their trip they decide to try their hand at guiding others on a similar tour. This book covers their seventh tour, and looks back to their original travel, and picks out anecdotes from their previous tours.
The success of the business is based around the relationships of various people in India, providing (most importantly) the motor cycles, but also their employees who assist with the running repairs, the accommodation suppliers and local guides.
It is obvious from the writing that the couple have a real connection with India, and this is infectiously passed on to their clients and the reader. There are a number of photos which are also varied and interesting.
3.5 stars rounded up.

[Michael Bafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story about India, particularly Rajasthan. There's a bit about motorcycles and riding in crazy Indian traffic, but very much more about interesting and entertaining people; mechanics, postal employees, nearly noble hotel owners, potters, drivers, waiters, shop keepers and the other New Zeelanders on this tour. You can greet India in a number of ways: you can be horrified, frightened, angered, numbed, amused. Actually most visitors probably feel all of these things sooner or later. Steve, telling the story, is open and amused - a refreshing viewpoint. Even from the most trying hassles he gains insight and ... Dare I say wisdom?

Also the reader is taken to new and exciting places often well off the beaten parh. And being India, everyday life is full of tall tales.

[Steve Castley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great memoir, travel book. The first chapter nearly lost me, but from the second chapter, I was hooked and wanted to keep reading to the end. India was presented in a great and sensitive way and I am determined to visit, but not to do it on a motorbike. This book is really worth reading.