Back in the late 1970s, it was far less common than it is now to ride a motorcycle around the world. It was probably more interesting, too. The Bear described the trip in his best-selling (and now just about unobtainable) hardback book Motorcycle Touring. Now he has updated the book and re-released it in paperback and ebook as Around the World on a Small Motorcycle.

This book covers the around-the-world ride as well as a months-long ride on the very opposite of a small bike - a Yamaha XS1100 - with Annie, the shipboard romance who became his wife. This took them through Europe, North Africa, Asian Turkey and finally back to England by way of Eastern Europe. But the heart of the book is the long ride on the XL250. Alternately funny and pensive, it is both an affectionate picture of the times and a still-relevant source of useful tips for long-distance riders.

The many colour photos bring the book to life, and Around the World makes a happy gift to any motorcyclists you know, anyone whom you'd like to convert to motorcycling - and finally yourself.