Real TGG #02 - Elspeth Beard, Round The World Adventurer

In 1984 Elspeth Beard returned home from her solo round the world motorcycle trip, becoming the first British woman to do so.

An absolutely incredible story of a fearless globetrotter who saw more of the world by her mid twenties than most people ever dream of seeing.

Elspeth's story is one of determination to complete what she started. Having set her mind to a task she overcame multiple bad accidents, illness, robbery, running out of money, and difficult world events to travel 35,000 miles around the globe. 

Having seen Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman film themselves travel around the world on their bikes, Elspeth's story becomes even astonishing.

Ewan and Charlie's journey in "the way round" was incredible difficult, dangerous, and took a real toll on them both. Compared to them Elspeth was on her own, she didn't have a back up crew, a big budget, or manufacturer sponsors. 

Elspeth completed her tour on the back of a beat up second hand motorbike and all before the advent of satnav and the internet. It is hard to imagine just how difficult this two year trip would have been.

Check out Elspeth's story in her own words here.It is well worth a read.

We are thinking that with Elspeth's home made panniers and rebuilt second hand bike, she would feel right at home as a Jailbird's Warbiker. We may need to name a special character after her when we revisit the Jailbird bikers.