Sam Manicom - Motorcycle Traveller & Author
ADV Moto Magazine 'What I enjoy most about Sam's writing style is that you feel the journey, you smell it, freeze, sweat, and you see what's before him like you're along for the ride. You are very much there. It's a rather intimate, honest style that easily carries you from chapter-to-chapter.'
His books ‘INTO AFRICA’, ‘UNDER ASIAN SKIES’, ‘DISTANT SUNS’ and ‘TORTILLAS TO TOTEMS’ are now available in Paperback, Kindle and Audio Book Formats.
NEW. Launched on February 19th 2022. 'THE MOMENT COLLECTORS'. Available in Paperback and Kindle formats. A celebration of motorcycle overlanding.
Sam and 19 travel-writing friends share the surprises and all the natural drama of overlanding by motorcycle; the fun, the laughter, the high points and the lows, the challenges and the outcomes.
Woven into these tales you’ll discover a moment from each author where the reason they are out there living their dreams, suddenly and wonderfully comes to life.
Travel with them to the big sky plains of Mongolia, African Deserts, the majesty of the Pamir Highway, the far reaches of Alaska, the breath-taking drama of Andean backroads and the rugged Trans-Labrador Highway. Delve into the intriguing world of the Sinai, meet surfers in Mexico and be hosted by Iron Angels in Russia. Meet Slavic the jaw-dropping Polish streaker, hike a turquoise glacier in Argentina, explore a desert forest, stay in a love motel, ride the top of the world with Golden Eagles, and much more.
Edited by Sam and Susan Dragoo, along with 70 illustrations (line drawings and black & white watercolour paintings), and 20 photographs, 'The Moment Collectors' vividly brings to life the magic of long distance motorcycle travel.
BIO:
Sam has been travelling for much of his life. Bicycle, sail, hiking and various forms of road transport. His first major solo trip was a backpacking seat of the pants voyage of discovery across Europe, India and Australia, which often saw him down to his last $10. On arrival in Australia, no one asked him if he had any money and a return ticket. He had neither. What was needed, he earned along the way and this he says was a great learning experience.
"I suspect that without it the journey would have been a far less rich experience. My biggest lessons were attitude and priorities. The three-year trip taught me that the world is an amazing place full of fascinating people. When you are travelling you are opening yourself up to the best the world has to offer.”
On his return he worked in retail management, with his last store being in St.Helier on the Channel Island of Jersey.
With the travel itch needing scratching, and wanting to do something completely different, Sam learned to ride a motorcycle and set off to ride the length of Africa. He celebrated his 3 months on a motorcycle anniversary at the edge of the Sahara. This one-year trip turned into an eight-year epic across 55 countries around the world.
Since 1996 Sam has been writing for Motorcycle Sport and Leisure, Overland Magazine, ADVMoto Magazine, Adventure Bike Rider, Motorcycle Monthly, MotoGusto, Road Rider, Traverse, The Riders Digest, Motorcycle Voyager and various other motorcycle magazines and newspapers around the world.
He is a co-host of the monthly Adventure Rider Radio RAW show.
Sam is a keen advocate of motorcycle travel and says, “Writing books seemed like a great way to share the fun, the disasters and all the amazing things that happen to you out there.” He continues to write on a freelance basis and he presents at travel events, clubs and businesses. For bookings please contact him via his website. Sam-Manicom.com
His first book, 'INTO AFRICA', was written as a result of readers' letters to editors. 'We like Sam's articles. When's he going to write a book?' Until that time he'd been travelling with just new adventures in mind. Visor Down ‘The deep red of African earth glows under Manicom’s pen.’
Sam's second book is 'UNDER ASIAN SKIES' - an enthralling and frequently surprising journey across some of the most colourful parts of the world. Sam met his partner Birgit in New Zealand, and she joined him for the latter four years across Africa (again), South, Central and Northern America. She was travelling by bicycle when they met but transferred steeds to ride her own motorcycle, a 1971 BMW R60/5. Overland Magazine ‘Full of honesty, humour and Descriptive detail.’
This is followed by 'DISTANT SUNS', which takes you riding through Southern Africa. An ever-changing and challenging land. You then travel with Sam and Birgit across to the stunning beauty of South America, before exploring Central America; an area of the world that is often neglected by travel writers. Hugely courageous, Birgit had been riding a motorcycle for just 600 miles when they started the ride together in Africa. Motorcycle Mojo Magazine ‘Manicom’s self-confessed magnetism for trouble results in great stories.’
His fourth book is 'TORTILLAS TO TOTEMS'. You'll be motorcycling across the dramatic landscapes of Mexico, the USA and Canada. There are plenty of twists in this tale, and lots of opportunities to get sidetracked by the unexpected. Adventure Bike Rider Magazine states in their book review, ‘This may sound like a standard ride through familiar lands. Be assured, it isn’t!’
You'll find that Sam's books give you a taste of all the things that go to make an adventure in foreign lands. He says, “People are the key and they are often the instigators of the best adventures.” Sam will take you delving into the histories and cultures of the lands, and not only does he describe what it's like to be on the road on two wheels but he does so with powerful descriptions and real honesty.
You can find out more about Sam with this interview with Adventure Bike TV - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bToV6paAEXM
"Every Day an Adventure"
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