Overland to Egypt: On a 1952 BSA Bantam

by Gordon G. May

"To Egypt... on a Bantam! Are you joking?" This was the response to author Gordon May's idea to ride one of BSA's diminutive 2-stroke motorcycles, a modified 1952 D1 called Peggy, to the land of the Pharaohs. Not to be discouraged, he nevertheless set off on his quest. The first attempt at the ride, which took them across the Swiss Alps, ended prematurely in north eastern Italy due to an engine failure. However, Gordon recovered his spirits, set about rebuilding the engine and six months later, having learned from his mistakes, set off once more. This time, crossing through Tunisia and Libya, the ride was a success and after many challenges, Gordon and Peggy jubilantly made it to The Pyramids in Cairo. The return trip, via Jordan and Syria, was also not without its tests, but he was able to safely return the Bantam to the UK. As well as illustrating the depth of human kindness and hospitality often shown to visitors in the countries en route, including Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria and Jordan, Overland To Egypt also gives a rare insight into this region just months before the tumultuous changes which occurred as a result of the Arab Spring and the 2011 war in Libya.

278 pages, Hardcover

Published February 17, 2012

Reviews

[Des Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an account of a wonderfully ambitious adventure. It is told with clarity and gentle self-deprecating humour. The only tiny niggle is that I wanted even more. I would love to have seen maps and a mileage total. Riding a tiny BSA Bantam off into the distance with no backup truck is evocative and inspiring. I loved it and will seek out the author's other offerings.

[Ian Carter]

I was hooked from start to finish, a lovely read and gripping in the sense that my admiration for his patience and determination after so many issues with the Bantam. Well done Gordon, I thoroughly enjoyable read