Most stories are journeys one way or another. Sometimes they contain
several other stories within them, all entwined like strands in a rope. This
journey-the first big ride for this couple-is one of those stories. It began in
the north of England, swept briefl y through Belgium, across France over the
Pyrenees, southward through Spain to the Mediterranean shore in Andalucia
before turning northwards again through western Spain into Portugal, through
the heights of the Picos de Europa and so back to the south coast of England
by ship and a fi nal long chilly ride homewards.
This story, frequently humorous and occasionally poignant, is about him,
about her and about them together. It is a story about how it all began, where
they went, what they saw, who they met, what they learned and what had
happened in the places they visited before they arrived. It is a story of ups
and downs-literal and figurative, wise choices, outright blunders and uncanny
good fortune. It is, of course, a story about motorcycles and long distance
motorcycling and about one motorbike in particular-a 1137cc sports tourer-as
black as a panther and as swift as the wind.
This book is less of a travel guide than a tale about about travelling.
Most of all it is an entertainment for everyone who enjoys riding motorbikes
and those who like the idea of heading o for an adventure together with
someone they love astride two wheels and an engine.