Riding into History: Elspeth Beard

Our guest tonight is a British adventurer and motorcyclist who became one of the first British women to circumnavigate the globe by motorcycle in the early 1980s. Her journey spanned three years and took her across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, India, and throughout Europe.

Elspeth Beard was just 23 years old when she set out on her journey in 1982. She had recently graduated from architecture school and was feeling lost and disillusioned with her life in London. She decided to take a year off and travel, using her motorcycle as her primary mode of transportation.

As she rode across the world, Elspeth faced countless challenges and obstacles. She dealt with breakdowns, injuries, and illnesses, all while navigating unfamiliar terrain and cultures. But through it all, she persevered, driven by her love of adventure and her desire to prove that women could be just as capable as men when it came to motorcycle travel and she’s here with us tonight on Break/Fix to share her adventure with you! 

And joining me to help add Elspeth’s story to the Break/Fix collection is returning guest Jeff Willis who interviewed Elspeth as part of his new book (hu)man in the machine.

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00:00 Meet Elspeth Beard: The Adventurous Motorcyclist

01:42 Elspeth's Early Days with Motorcycles

03:37 The Journey Begins: Around the World on a Motorcycle

05:46 Challenges and Triumphs on the Road

06:31 Mechanical Skills and Preparation

09:27 The Impetus for the Journey

13:05 Family Dynamics and Support

18:45 Safety and Companionship on the Road

24:29 Financial and Logistical Hurdles

29:51 Navigating Bureaucracy and Visas

33:06 Reflections on the Journey

35:15 Reflecting on the Challenges and Beauty of India

36:40 Coping with Illness and Hardships on the Road

37:41 The Unexpected Journey of Writing a Book

42:57 The Impact of the Journey on Personal Growth

51:05 Encounters with Past Relationships

52:59 Advice for Future Adventurers

55:00 Current Adventures and Reflections

59:20 Final Thoughts and Farewells

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