Mondo Enduro

by Louis R Bloom

Experience first-hand the joys - and agonies - of riding the longest land route around the world - in the shortest possible time. Sleeping in mud huts or under the stars, avoiding bandits from the Caucasus to Central America, this is adventure motorcycling as it's meant to be - raw, low budget, and fun.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published February 9, 2006

Reviews

[Alastair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in straight diary form by a bunch of average blokes whose least compelling skill might be writing, this is not going to be everyone's cup of tea.

But for those who dream of extended and challenging tours that enrich and develop one's perspective on life, this is a must-read. I read this many years ago, and it stays with me today, bringing hope to my dark and grey moments as a professional worker bee.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rough cut book, clearly an amateur venture, but engaging and interesting nonetheless. The adventures of the friends and brothers of Mondo Enduro on their global motorcycle adventure tour are compelling. Tellingly, the Mondo Enduro adventures were likely one of the inspirations for Ewan McGregor's and Charlie Boorman's own global moto adventures.

Taken directly from the travel journals of the men who participated in the adventure, Mondo Enduro> details their daily travels and experiences in three major parts:

1. London to Magadan (Siberia),
2. Alaska to Chile, and
3. South Africa back to their homes in London

The total distance they covered was over 44,000 miles in a little over one year. They were almost completely unsponsored, only occasionally obtaining small concessions of parts or gear from Suzuki and a few other companies. They had no day-to-day backup, no "sag wagon," no support net to catch them if they ran into trouble. Indeed, even with substantial support, the McGregor-Boorman team avoided the 392 mile section of the Zilov Gap, the Siberian tundra and swamp through which the Mondo Enduro team slowly manhandled their own bikes. They made mistakes along the way, but rarely seemed to lose their positive, can-do attitudes, and managed to overcome everything to complete their journey. Mostly, they slept outside along the way, ate what they could find, and enjoyed the kindness of strangers for occasional accommodations or meals along the way.

If you enjoy motorcycle adventure travel, or just adventure travel in general, this would be a worthwhile and anjoyable addition to your personal library.

[Nigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Its informative, interesting, moving a few times, very humorous and entertaining, does a good job (for a books that's not intended to) of analysing human nature and I will miss it. If you like motorcycles then I thoroughly recommend it.

[Paulr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good adventure, slow at times an long but interesting. If you like adv moto books you'll like this.