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Overland to India: An 8400 Mile Adventure on a 55-year-old Motorcycle by Gordon G. May
A total of 8,400 miles from Manchester, UK to Chennai, India, in just under seven weeks. A challenge for most vehicles, but on an antiquated 1953 Royal Enfield .... "Your bike belongs in a museum, not on the road," was how one doubter tried to discourage Gordon from undertaking this journey. Despite intense heat in excess of 40C, a crash in the Baluchistan desert and some of the worst roads and driving standards on the planet, Gordon's old Bullet did indeed make it triumphantly to Chennai. In his new book, Gordon describes in detail the restoration of his motorcycle and the build up to departure, the larger-than-life characters he met and the many challenges he faced. He also recounts the more personal highs and lows of life on the road. Above all, Overland To India is a heartwarming book that illustrates human kindness and hospitality and encourages other riders to take their own motorcycles on a long-distance journey.
234 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2008
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 17, 2013
Really enjoyed Gordon's adventures. I think this would appeal to both the travel and bike enthusiast. There is a good balance of culture, mechanics and adventure.
The endearing fact is that Gordon completed this trip (8,400 miles from Manchester to Chennai) on a 55 year old Royal Enfield Bullet; whether you are a bike enthusiast or just into travel there is no getting away from the fact that this is a real feat. He battles with temperatures rising above 40C, a crash in the desert and terrible road conditions but keeps his spirits high and his writing interesting.
Despite always being on the go, Gordon manages to convey a good sense of atmosphere, culture and the bonding with characters along the way. It is a very human account of travelling. And for the bike enthusiast there is also plenty of detail about the restoration and maintenance of the bike itself, but not so much as it gets in the way of the flow of the travel writing. A well balanced, well written book.
The endearing fact is that Gordon completed this trip (8,400 miles from Manchester to Chennai) on a 55 year old Royal Enfield Bullet; whether you are a bike enthusiast or just into travel there is no getting away from the fact that this is a real feat. He battles with temperatures rising above 40C, a crash in the desert and terrible road conditions but keeps his spirits high and his writing interesting.
Despite always being on the go, Gordon manages to convey a good sense of atmosphere, culture and the bonding with characters along the way. It is a very human account of travelling. And for the bike enthusiast there is also plenty of detail about the restoration and maintenance of the bike itself, but not so much as it gets in the way of the flow of the travel writing. A well balanced, well written book.
June 1, 2009
A wonderful travelogue by a very sincere, funny overlander. Well worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews