First Woman To Motorcycle Around The World
When most people think of traveling around the world, they may imagine doing it by plane, train, or even car. But what about on a motorcycle? In 1980, a woman named Elspeth Beard became the first woman to motorcycle around the world, covering a total of 35,000 miles over the course of two years.
Early Life and Inspiration
Elspeth Beard was born in London, England in 1959. Her love for motorcycles began at a young age, as her father was a motorcycle enthusiast and would often take her for rides. As she got older, she began to dream of traveling the world on a motorcycle.
In 1982, at the age of 23, Elspeth set out on her journey around the world. She had recently graduated from architecture school and was feeling lost and unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. She saw this trip as a way to find herself and figure out her next steps.
The Journey Begins
Elspeth started her journey in New York City, where she had shipped her BMW R60/6 motorcycle. She traveled through the United States, Mexico, and Canada before crossing the Pacific Ocean to Australia. From there, she traveled through Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and Europe before finally returning home to London in 1984.
Her journey was not without challenges. Elspeth faced a number of obstacles along the way, including mechanical problems with her motorcycle, language barriers, and cultural differences. She also had to overcome her own fears and doubts, as she was often traveling solo and had to rely on herself to make decisions and stay safe.
Life After the Journey
After completing her journey around the world, Elspeth returned to London and resumed her work as an architect. She went on to have a successful career in architecture, but she never forgot the lessons she learned on her journey.
Elspeth wrote a book about her journey, called "Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World". She also became a role model for women who wanted to pursue their own dreams of adventure and travel.
The Legacy of Elspeth Beard
Elspeth Beard's journey around the world was a groundbreaking achievement for women in the world of travel and adventure. She showed that women could be just as capable and courageous as men when it came to exploring the world on two wheels.
Her legacy lives on today, as more and more women are taking up motorcycle travel and adventure. Elspeth's story inspires women to pursue their own dreams and to never give up despite the challenges they may face along the way.