At home with Elspeth Beard: Part one
Back in 1982, Elspeth Beard was just 23, living as a student in London and halfway through an architecture degree when she decided to embark on her record-making adventure around the world.
To set the wheels in motion, Elspeth started work in a pub, saved up £2,500 and bought a 1974 BMW R60/6 with 45,000 miles on it for £900.
Armed with just her bike tools and a few clothes, she headed to New York and from there, followed wherever the warmer weather took her.
It’s a story that is in stark contrast to today’s world, where every memory can be documented online and every journey planned to perfection.
Watch our three-part interview and take a step back in time…
Having travelled just round Europe in recent years still riding bikes, i understand that feeling when you arrive home, its very hard and difficult to convey your experiences to non travellers.
In the years after your adventure and how things worked out for you especially the heartbreaking news of Roberts death really touched me and left me with a tear in my eye like no other book has.
Thankyou Elspeth, for sharing your story with us .
Andy