An interview with motorcycle traveller and author Lois Pryce

The aim of this post is to show how even the smallest amount of adventure can impact your life no matter who you are or where you come from.

Lois Pryce is a British travel author, journalist and broadcaster.

In 2003 Lois left her job at the BBC in London to ride twenty-thousand miles from Alaska to the tip of South America on a small dirt bike. Her book about this trip, Lois on the Loose, has been published throughout the world.

In 2006 she rode the length of Africa, taking in the Sahara, the Congo and Angola, which resulted in her book, Red Tape & White Knuckles.

In 2013/14, intrigued by the negative image of Iran and its stormy relationship with her homeland, she made two solo motorcycle tours of the Islamic Republic — and discovered a misunderstood country full of warmth and kindness. This is the subject of her next book.

With her husband, adventure film-maker, Austin Vince, she is founder/curator of Adventure Travel Film Festival which occurs annually in the UK and Australia.

🎙Please could you give us a quick run down on your life before adventure played a part:

I worked in the music industry during my 20s and was working at BBC Music when I realised that sitting in an office was not going to cut it for the rest of my life! My work was interesting and I had lot of fun in those years but I had itchy feet… I had never had a gap year or done the backpacking thing and it wasn’t until I passed my motorcycle test that I had the lightbulb moment — ‘Ah! THIS is how to see the world!’

🎙 How and why did you get involved in all of this?

Following on from the lightbulb moment, I packed in my job and rode a small 250cc trail bike from Alaska to Argentina. This resulted in my first book and it all went from there!

🎙How has adventure impacted your life?

It has impacted my life in so many positive ways. It gave me a new career that I love (writing), it brought me into contact with many different people, cultures and ideas that I would never have experienced otherwise, it has made me less fearful and more open to the world. Most importantly, it has brought a lot of special people into my life and made me some truly great friends.

🎙What benefits has it brought specifically?

Well, planning my first trip was what put me in touch with Austin Vince, who I married — so that’s a pretty good benefit!

🎙Why would you suggest others should get involved?

Because it is good to push yourself, not just in physical challenges but socially and emotionally as well, and adventures in faraway, foreign lands does all this. I’ve never met anyone who regretted having an adventure — but I’ve met loads who regret NOT having one!

🎙Do you think anyone could do what you do?

Yes, I do think anyone can do what I have done. I am a regular person who isn’t an athlete or multi-lingual, or a great motorcyclist or skilled mechanic, or rich. When I set off on my first adventure I was normal, had a boring job and was looking for something exciting. So, I hope that people can see that if I can do it, then it’s open to all. That is what is particularly good about motorcycle adventures — it’s not like walking to the South Pole or sailing around the world in that you don’t need loads of fancy equipment and training and tons of money and sponsors etc — you just need a little cheapo motorcycle, a passport and a tent — and off you go!

🎙What would you say are the main excuses for not doing this sort of stuff and how would you suggest people overcome them?

I often hear people talk about their jobs and domestic commitments holding them back from having an adventures but first off, you can start small — just hit the road for a week without any plans and see what fun you’ll have. But there are plenty of people out there who juggle work, family etc with adventure — it’s all possible. The hardest part is making that first leap — once you’re on the road it’s so much easier than you can imagine when you’re sitting at home.