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No One Said It Would Be Easy: A youthful folly across the Americas on old bikes
An outrageous sortie on a pre-war BSA and two obscure, obsolete Yorkshire-made, single-cylinder Panther motorbikes. Poorly funded, with little planning, the ride depends on good luck, blind loyalty and terminal optimism. The struggle is managed with a youthful naivety.
This is a recollection of a youth well-spent. Love and adventure are in the air with every chapter a precarious adventure.
"I was parched and scarcely able to breathe but I pushed and shoved and swore, screamed, yelled and cried and somehow I got Penelope up that bloody hill and struggled on until I could see the brick outpost over a sand dune. In the last 20 yards I bogged down again, and so leaving Penelope upright in the sand I staggered in, to the amazement of the soldiers. I beg for water"
This is a recollection of a youth well-spent. Love and adventure are in the air with every chapter a precarious adventure.
"I was parched and scarcely able to breathe but I pushed and shoved and swore, screamed, yelled and cried and somehow I got Penelope up that bloody hill and struggled on until I could see the brick outpost over a sand dune. In the last 20 yards I bogged down again, and so leaving Penelope upright in the sand I staggered in, to the amazement of the soldiers. I beg for water"
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Published October 9, 2019
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About the author
Des Molloy
11 books3 followersA dreamer and schemer. Maybe mum was right when she used to describe me as a ‘little Walter Mitty’ – a fictional character of James Thurber. I laugh when now as an adult I can reference authorities like the American Heritage Dictionary and find Walter Mitty noted as ‘an ordinary, often ineffectual person who indulges in fantastic daydreams of personal triumphs.’ In my childhood I’d not enjoyed the Danny Kaye movie portrayal and thought mum’s description was mean and a little demeaning, even though she always said it with a smile on her dial. Now I would wear it as a badge of honour. More Bill Bryson than Robert Pirsig, I enjoy sharing my adventures with others. I come from a line of raconteurs who loved a fireside yarn and I humbly endeavour to continue this affliction for the generations who follow.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 11, 2025
📚 No One Said It Would Be Easy – Des Molloy
Hello Friends,
There’s a new addition to the Tiger Coward Adventure Motorcycle Library: No One Said It Would Be Easy by Des Molloy.
This is a fantastic read about young adventurers riding from the USA to South America. Their voyage was far from easy, but their youthful exuberance and unbridled optimism—mixed with a dash of naivety and the blissful unawareness of the pre-internet age—make for an exciting, fun ride of a story.
It follows two Kiwi brothers and an Aussie friend on old (and arguably inappropriate) motorcycles through the Americas. They’re joined partway by Molloy’s girlfriend, also a Kiwi. The trip is run on a shoestring budget—so thin it’s almost see-through—which creates tension for both the riders and the reader, but adds heaps of charm to the tale.
Although published in the 2020s, the trip took place in the 1970s and is drawn from the author’s journal and letters home. Des Molloy himself is a warm, funny, brave, slightly reckless, and entirely likeable leader.
I highly recommend this book—it’s so good it made me break my rule about never reading two books by the same author back-to-back.
Here are 5 things I loved most:
1. Des Molloy
Organizer, leader, and Chief Motivation Officer. World traveler, competitive athlete, sometimes hopeless navigator. He’s open about his mistakes, inadequacies, and fears—making him endearing and easy to root for.
2. Steph
Molloy’s girlfriend, who agrees to meet him in Central America despite being early in their relationship. This was in the pre-internet, “too poor for overseas calls” era, which made it nearly impossible. Her grit, determination, and spirit make her a true adventurer—and possibly the best pillion (and girlfriend) ever.
3. The Buddy Story
Des’s brother Roly is the mechanic who keeps their aging fleet alive. Lawrie, the Aussie, is mechanically hopeless but endlessly charming—learning to ride on the trip. Together, with Steph, they make a wonderfully mismatched, perfectly balanced team.
4. Resourcefulness
No GPS. No weather apps. No instant Google Translate. Finding food, beds, repairs, or each other was an adventure in itself. These were real problem-solvers in an era when you couldn’t just post on Facebook for help.
5. The Bikes
A pre-war BSA and two 1950s Panthers—none of them remotely “adventure bikes” by today’s standards. But as this book reminds us, any bike you have an adventure on is an Adventure Motorcycle.
Verdict: Highly recommended. I can’t wait to read more from Des Molloy.
Hello Friends,
There’s a new addition to the Tiger Coward Adventure Motorcycle Library: No One Said It Would Be Easy by Des Molloy.
This is a fantastic read about young adventurers riding from the USA to South America. Their voyage was far from easy, but their youthful exuberance and unbridled optimism—mixed with a dash of naivety and the blissful unawareness of the pre-internet age—make for an exciting, fun ride of a story.
It follows two Kiwi brothers and an Aussie friend on old (and arguably inappropriate) motorcycles through the Americas. They’re joined partway by Molloy’s girlfriend, also a Kiwi. The trip is run on a shoestring budget—so thin it’s almost see-through—which creates tension for both the riders and the reader, but adds heaps of charm to the tale.
Although published in the 2020s, the trip took place in the 1970s and is drawn from the author’s journal and letters home. Des Molloy himself is a warm, funny, brave, slightly reckless, and entirely likeable leader.
I highly recommend this book—it’s so good it made me break my rule about never reading two books by the same author back-to-back.
Here are 5 things I loved most:
1. Des Molloy
Organizer, leader, and Chief Motivation Officer. World traveler, competitive athlete, sometimes hopeless navigator. He’s open about his mistakes, inadequacies, and fears—making him endearing and easy to root for.
2. Steph
Molloy’s girlfriend, who agrees to meet him in Central America despite being early in their relationship. This was in the pre-internet, “too poor for overseas calls” era, which made it nearly impossible. Her grit, determination, and spirit make her a true adventurer—and possibly the best pillion (and girlfriend) ever.
3. The Buddy Story
Des’s brother Roly is the mechanic who keeps their aging fleet alive. Lawrie, the Aussie, is mechanically hopeless but endlessly charming—learning to ride on the trip. Together, with Steph, they make a wonderfully mismatched, perfectly balanced team.
4. Resourcefulness
No GPS. No weather apps. No instant Google Translate. Finding food, beds, repairs, or each other was an adventure in itself. These were real problem-solvers in an era when you couldn’t just post on Facebook for help.
5. The Bikes
A pre-war BSA and two 1950s Panthers—none of them remotely “adventure bikes” by today’s standards. But as this book reminds us, any bike you have an adventure on is an Adventure Motorcycle.
Verdict: Highly recommended. I can’t wait to read more from Des Molloy.
October 23, 2021
There’s something unique about Kiwis leaving their small island at the bottom of the Pacific and travelling the world. Although maybe not equal to the vertical adventure of a fellow famous kiwi this horizontal escapade is certainly an equal achievement.
Des’s travels through the Americas is an example of Kiwi’s enthusiasm for travel and adventure.
His story is a mixture of travel, adventure, mechanics and romance studded with comments and anecdotes of his experiences exploring on aging British motorcycles, and all with a budget simply described as “running off the smell of an oily rag”.
Unbelievably, all in the 1970’s when cell phones and the internet didn’t exist.
A great story and one that sat on the bookshelf too long.
I’ll be pushing his next book to the front of my reading list.
Nice one Des!
Des’s travels through the Americas is an example of Kiwi’s enthusiasm for travel and adventure.
His story is a mixture of travel, adventure, mechanics and romance studded with comments and anecdotes of his experiences exploring on aging British motorcycles, and all with a budget simply described as “running off the smell of an oily rag”.
Unbelievably, all in the 1970’s when cell phones and the internet didn’t exist.
A great story and one that sat on the bookshelf too long.
I’ll be pushing his next book to the front of my reading list.
Nice one Des!
January 21, 2021
And easy it wasn't!
A great tale of a motorcycle adventure through the Americas by four young riders on ancient British bikes. Old Brit bikes, a hastily contrived plan and poorly funded, what could possibly go wrong? Enjoyable
A great tale of a motorcycle adventure through the Americas by four young riders on ancient British bikes. Old Brit bikes, a hastily contrived plan and poorly funded, what could possibly go wrong? Enjoyable
January 11, 2020
Brilliant Book! If Des Molloy had written this book shortly after completing his travels, I have no doubt that it would already be in every motorcyclist’s library and Des would be living in luxury, supported by a constant stream of royalties. I hope he soon is. This is an epic book about truly epic travels.
Des, Roly, Lawrie and Steph made their way through Central and South America astride motorbikes most people wouldn’t have trusted around the block. It was the 1977. The British motorcycle industry had all but collapsed. People were buying smooth and reliable bikes from Japan and Europe, and most people regarded the old British iron as little more than scrap. Yet the ‘scrap’ bikes that Des and crew were riding - two 1960's Panthers and a 1937 BSA Empire Star carried them faithfully - albeit with the occasional hiccup - for countless thousands of miles. I don’t usually care for naming bikes, but the two Panthers: Penelope and Samantha, and the BSA Bessie are equal characters in this engaging story.
Des Molloy and his partners suffered through incredible deprivation, hardship, difficulties, poverty, bureaucratic obstacles and multiple roadside disasters. Their determination, creativity and endless optimism is astounding in the face of what sometimes appear to be insurmountable obstacles. Traveling close to the land, eschewing typical tourist activities, and engaging with local people wherever possible, they scrabble their way across the face of the continent, often in awe of the phenomenal scenery through which they pass.
Although forty years have passed since these events, the text is fresh, full of detail and engaging. I found myself alternately rolling my eyes at some of the daft things they do, and cheering in admiration.
This is travel writing at its raw best. Even if you don’t have much interest in old motorbikes, you will still find plenty here to keep you engaged. I thoroughly recommend it.
Des, Roly, Lawrie and Steph made their way through Central and South America astride motorbikes most people wouldn’t have trusted around the block. It was the 1977. The British motorcycle industry had all but collapsed. People were buying smooth and reliable bikes from Japan and Europe, and most people regarded the old British iron as little more than scrap. Yet the ‘scrap’ bikes that Des and crew were riding - two 1960's Panthers and a 1937 BSA Empire Star carried them faithfully - albeit with the occasional hiccup - for countless thousands of miles. I don’t usually care for naming bikes, but the two Panthers: Penelope and Samantha, and the BSA Bessie are equal characters in this engaging story.
Des Molloy and his partners suffered through incredible deprivation, hardship, difficulties, poverty, bureaucratic obstacles and multiple roadside disasters. Their determination, creativity and endless optimism is astounding in the face of what sometimes appear to be insurmountable obstacles. Traveling close to the land, eschewing typical tourist activities, and engaging with local people wherever possible, they scrabble their way across the face of the continent, often in awe of the phenomenal scenery through which they pass.
Although forty years have passed since these events, the text is fresh, full of detail and engaging. I found myself alternately rolling my eyes at some of the daft things they do, and cheering in admiration.
This is travel writing at its raw best. Even if you don’t have much interest in old motorbikes, you will still find plenty here to keep you engaged. I thoroughly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews