Travel Books in motion: i 5 fundamental

Travel Books in motion: here are the 5 books by touring motorcycle enthusiast should have read or, Otherwise in, which you should read.

I travel books in motion I make it bearable those days when I'm not traveling on a motorcycle – Yup, I know, are a kind of boring, predictable and absolutely monotematico. Name jumps, but I like to read a lot, especially when you do not have to drive :). I read everything, from the essays and novels, from yellow to books with photos and illustrations tantissssime, from technical manuals to travel guides that are, in definitiva, the pages that I prefer along with those of product catalogs for motorcycles (they are a perverse!).

In particular I like to read the stories of the pioneers of travel; I love reading, for example, the colonial period, the adventures of adventurers who inoltravano into the forest to draw the boundaries and discover unexplored areas or just try the Eldorado (I suggest, for example, David Grann, “The Lost City of Z”, you can get it by clicking here). Vien saying that when I find the story of a pioneer of the motorcycle trip, to put it to Salinger, I'm literally in solluchero.

So I thought to please, in this period of summer holidays a bit more rainy than necessary, make a point more or less definitive, on must of read motorcycle travel, or the five books of travel by motorcycle – in my humble opinion – you should have read at least once in your life. And if you have not read, Well you should read.

Jupiter's Travels, di Ted Simon

Beginning with the great classic which should be recognized certainly be credited with having created this literary subgenre, the work before the big Ted Simon. The legendary Ted – certo che se ti devo spiegare chi è sei messo proprio male 😉 – in 1973 undertook a four-year journey around the globe with a Triumph Tiger 100 da 500cc. It was not the first to embark on such an undertaking, but it was certainly the first to know how to tell. Before that Ted was limited to being a journalist with a very low propensity to two wheels. The book he wrote on his return on the incredible life experience, is wonderful and has rightly become the reference for all those they wanted to write about motorcycle trips after him. The transparency and honesty with which Ted Simon tells his story is almost touching and really seems to be riding with him. That trip and that book changed forever the life of Ted Simon, which even then had to write "L’eredità di Jupiter"A hilarious behind the scenes and, in 2003 celebrated the thirty years of the company following the same route and telling it in "Sognando Jupiter”.

Buy now Jupiter's Travels

One Man Caravan, di Robert Fulton

For many years we have not been able to – or at least I have not been able to – but a man, long before Ted Simon, has made around the world solo on a motorcycle and the man was Robert Fulton Jr. It was the 1932 when this young scion (destined for fame as an inventor), to win a maiden sitting at her table, said he wanted to go around the world on a motorcycle. Unfortunately (or fortunately) at the same table was a representative of the Douglas, British heritage brand, who declared himself willing to put in the conditions of low. To Fulton became the first trip around the world in motion which we have information, and linked London with New York via Europe, Middle East and Asia in a period not entirely stable socio-political (shortly after the Second World War would break out ...). The story, accompanied by photographs of the same Fulton, is nothing short of exciting, creepy because it shows a very different from political geography, but also anecdotes, descriptions and meetings, unlike, are more relevant than ever and reveal how, in fondo, we can not ever change.

Purchase subito One man caravan

American. A diary for a motorcycle trip, Ernesto Guevara

Until at least fifteen years ago, This diary Ernesto Guevara – yes just what soon would become the symbol of the socialist revolution, “El Che” – not if it was spinning almost no, with the exception of the lovers of Latin America or the biography of the great leader of Argentina. Published for the first time in 1992 Cuba and the next year here in Italy by Feltrinelli with the translation of the great Pino Cacucci, became a best-seller in the 2004 after the release of the film it inspired by and starring Gael García Bernal, appropriately titled "The Motorcycle Diaries". The success of the film has dragged, as often happens, even what the book, at any rate, had already become a cult (not by chance have both made a movie, do not?). Needless make snob or get preconceptions, whether they are mainstream or political: the book is very interesting and stimulating, both because they are the travel notes at a young age of a character that marked the twentieth century, both because it shows us how two guys from Argentina without money but with so much willpower they managed between the 1951 and the 1952 to cover almost all of South America. The bike, a romantic Norton M18 500 the 1939, in this case lineage in mid travel, but that does not stop them from achieving their goal by any means available.

Buy now Latinoamericana

Long Way Round di Ewan McGregor e Charlie Boorman

Not, do not make that face, I know what you're thinking, but at least let me explain: Long Way Round is the first and most famous motorcycle journey made by the couple Ewan McGregor – Charlie Boorman. The two actors and motorcycle enthusiasts have ventured into this business in the 2004 and have linked London with New York overland riding two BMW R1150 GS for a total of 30.000 km in 4 months. The journey – born in the mind of the actor in a genuine Scottish – has become a promotional fledged: protagonists – specie McGregor – stra famous and beloved, moto (and assistance) official, TV crew in tow, spread on each media with economic opportunities that a normal traveler can only dream. For this, Long Way Round fa un po’ incazzare, but also why I think it is important to read. If the good or the legendary Robert Fulton Ted Simon have opened a road, were forerunners or pioneers, the case of McGregor and Boorman is important to understand how it has evolved the way of telling a motorcycle trip today and how this can be in all respects a vehicle media, a way to talk about themselves or to attract attention on the problems of a country that crosses. The adventure, which is what interests us, is true and the two went in motion, there are so ... useless to make the purists, this book should be read in order to have a basis for comparison and current famous stra .... And then it was the beginning of a small saga for the Hollywood duo.

Compra subito Long Way Round

In Vespa. From Rome to Saigon by Giorgio Bettinelli

I have long been undecided about which book to enter Giorgio Bettinelli, the Vespa mad that he shot all over the world on a Vespa with a guitar and has been able to tell with lightness and bravado. I chose a Vespa because it is the first and perhaps because of this the most authentic. But you could also choose Brum Brum 254.000 km and Vespa to have a more complete picture of the world and especially in the world according to Bettinelli (Buy it now here). What you read in Vespa, Brum Brum the In Vespa over the horizon the, yet, Rhapsody in black. In Vespa from Angola to Yemen, Giorgio Bettinelli be able to make you understand how the slow travel is one of the best and wisest of the motorcycle trip. The Vespa is not technically a motorcycle, Vespa is designed for small displacements and this is to make large firms Bettinelli, the smallness of his mount. Many have tried to imitate him, and then, but his style remains unique.

Buy Now In Vespa. Roma in Saigon

I expect some criticism already: “but as Motoreetto, did not enter even a book Robert Patrignani??”, “And Around the world Tartarini and Monetti on Ducati 175 where you left?”. When you require to select only 5 Books, inevitably you leave out so many other wonderful stories. I felt these 5 come “fundamental”, therefore more influential for your training globe trotter on two wheels and most useful to understand what it means today to travel by motorcycle while maintaining a vision of the evolution of this literary genre.

But if you do not agree, 'm venga!!

I would be very happy to know what you think, You can comment below, or on my Facebook page.

You will not believe but to read these books and write this post it took me quite a while’ di tempo 🙂 e non c’è ricompensa più grande che vedere che condividi questo post con i tuoi amici! Su avanti, do not be shy! 😀

What are your travel books in motion fundamental?