‘Lone Rider’ Around the World

BIKE: 1974 BMW R60/6
ENGINE: 599cc OHV flat twin-cylinder
HORSEPOWER: 40hp
SPEED: 103mph
WEIGHT: 462lbs plus gear
FUEL CAPACITY: 6.3gal
RANGE: 250miles

In 1982, Elspeth Beard at age 23 put her architectural studies on hold, and set out to ride around the world solo with her 8-year old BMW R60/6. She first crossed the USA with soft bags, but built aluminum cases in Sydney, before heading north to cross Asia and the Middle East, completing her ride of 35,000 miles in 1984. She overcame significant hurdles en route, including life-threatening illnesses and accidents, sexual harassment, terrible roads, and corruption. She also fell in love twice, and experienced the world from the back of a motorcycle in a manner impossible to repeat today. She documents her remarkable journey in her book ‘Lone Rider’, perhaps the most personal and intimate account of round-the-world travel ever written.