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Plenty of retirees take a holiday. When Brian Rix retired after 36 years as a policeman in Victoria rather than hitching up the caravan, he put his wife, journalist Shirley Hardy-Rix, on the back of his motorcycle and headed off for a ride.

For the next 16 months Brian and Shirley rode more than 83,000 kilometres through 32 countries on five continents with side trips to Antarctica and Galapagos Islands.

They rode from the bottom of South America to the very top of North America. They rode over the Andes, sometimes more than 5,000 metres high. They rode through deserts, the tropics and up to Alaska. They had a catastrophic breakdown in the heart of bear country and suffered altitude sickness.

The motorcycle didn't make it to Antarctica but they did - taking them from Antarctica Circle to the Arctic Circle... and then a bit more.

Beautifully illustrated in full colour throughout, Circle to Circle is an engaging account of the travels of an adventurous couple. It will entertain you in your armchair, or it may even inspire you to get up and go!

 

Makes you want to get up and go. – Australian Women's Weekly

Few books are as inspirational as that just written by Melbourne journalist Shirley Hardy-Rix and her policeman husband Brian Rix. – Herald Sun

For bikers and those with itchy feet. – Sunday Age

The inspiring story of two middle-aged adventurers. – Manly Daily

A great read for anyone with a yearning for the open road and exotic climes. – West Australian

A must-read for adventurous hearts. – Canberra Times

For anyone who's ever dreamed of escaping and experiencing the romance of the open road. –Inverell Times

This book might tip undecided travellers over the edge - no bad thing. – Two Wheels

Riding a motorbike in howling high winds and freezing temperatures to reach Nordkapp, the northern most point of Europe could have been disastrous. But for Shirley Hardy-Rix and Brian Rix it was one of the best days of their lives.

 

This is what the well-travelled retired couple had hoped for when they planned to fill a gap in their riding experience and take on Scandinavia, the old Silk Road in Central Asia and the world's largest country, Russia. They shipped their motorcycle to Greece and spent the next six months riding to the northern most tip of Europe and then taking the long road to Vladivostok in Russia.

 

From freezing cold to the searing heat of 47°C in the deserts of Central Asia, Shirley and Brian pushed the boundaries, tackling icy roads and gravel tracks. They rode through water crossings and deep sand drifts to reach some of the most beautiful cities on the Silk Road.

 

The Long Way to Vladivostok takes readers through some of the world's most glorious and remote areas, sharing the joys and hardships of life on the road. Experience their travels from the comfort of your armchair or be inspired to pack your bags and hit the road.

Roads are for journeys, not destinations.

 

In 2003 Melbourne couple Shirley Hardy-Rix and her husband Brian Rix fulfilled a lifelong ambition of motorcycling across the world.

 

In an incredible 350-day journey, they would do everything they'd ever dreamed of as well as getting much more than they'd bargained for. Crossing 27 countries and covering 56,671 kilometres, they raced around the Isle of Man motorcycle circuit on Mad Sunday, survived Iran's traffic and travelled through Taliban strongholds under armed guard. Shirley and Brian's story is an epic account of the ups and downs of seeing the world on two wheels - from the frustrations of potholes and flat tyres, to the splendour of some of Europe and Asia's most awe-inspiring sights.

 

Full of terrific anecdotes, down-to-earth humour and practical advice, Two for the Road is a must for anyone who's ever imagined escaping the daily grind to experience the romance of the open road.