A book review by Mike Forrester
Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk
If you are not yet looking forward to your bus pass - you may not understand why 2 old duffers would want to ride a Panther and a Norton from Beijing to Holland.
If you are a bit older, and you like older bikes - you will understand exactly why 2 old duffers would want to ride a Panther and a Norton from Beijing to Holland.
Me, I'm past 50, and I've come to terms with that. I've had the hernia op. The doctor gives me quizical looks about my blood pressure...
But dammit, I still ride bikes. I still ride bikes because it re-affirms something in me. I'll ride 3,000 miles round Europe with a tent on the back. I've wanted to do the Karakoram Highway for years, and if these guys can do it - I'm damn sure I can too!
When I first saw this book - two old guys on a Panther and a Norton, riding from Beijing to Holland - I thought it was one of those old journeys, written in the 50s or something. But no, they did it in 2005. Two old guys who just like their old bikes, fancied riding across half the world.
Ewan McRegor and Charlie Boorman did the Long Way Round their way. The Mondo Enduro guys did their Terra Circas a different way. Simon Milward did a Millennium-Ride his way. And Des Molloy and Dick Huurdeman did this journey a whole other way again.
Maybe every long-distance rider does it differently, and for their own reasons. Well... Yeah... I suppose they do.
These guys did it as a 'Last Hurrah', a 'last big trip'. I hope it will not be the last big trip for either of them. I'd like to think they'll keep doing it, the thought is an inspiration to the rest of us who are getting on in life. Not that either Des or Dick would think they were worthy of being hero-worshipped. In fact, they would blush at the thought. They don't think they are special, but: ...When I grow up, I want to be just like them.
A nicely written travelogue: of good times, bad times, and broken fork legs. The perfect book for us old duffers who still fantasise we could do it. You know what - We Can!
(This is a review of the book. There's a DVD as well, which I haven't seen.)
Review ©2008 motorcycle.co.uk. Get it from Panther Publishing.
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