Rating: 
Summary: For the gypsy in all of us (not just bikers) - a must read!
Review: "Jupiter's Travels" is a strongly remembered book to this reader, having added perspectives to the way I think of things, life. "Riding High" is a well placed completion of JT that I didn't even know I would want, until I had read it. I moved quickly and superficially through the parts concerning parenthood, but found the rest of the book most enlightening and enjoyable. Highly recommended.~Troyce
Rating: 
Summary: An enjoyable and enlightening read.
Review: "Jupiter's Travels" is a strongly remembered book to this reader, having added perspectives to the way I think of things, life. "Riding High" is a well placed completion of JT that I didn't even know I would want, until I had read it. I moved quickly and superficially through the parts concerning parenthood, but found the rest of the book most enlightening and enjoyable. Highly recommended. ~Troyce
Rating:
Summary: Mysteries and adventures that Jupiter's Travels never reveal
Review: As a long distance motorcycle traveler for over thirty years, I enjoyed Ted Simon's book, "Riding High." In "Riding High," Ted Simon spends additional time giving details to some of his encounters and situations that he wrote about in his previous book, "Jupiter's Travels." Whether it's his involvement with the underground press in Chile during it's darkest times, his perilous ride through Argentina, where "gringos are suspect," and a undeclared civil war is taking place or his entry into the forbidden Assan, a highly restricted territory of India, you the reader will be caught up in the excitement and mysteries of far away places. But, perhaps more then the ride, the book is about people. People like Bruno an unlikely traveling companion, the Police Inspector and his secret "night dance" that Ted is allowed to witness, other journalists, children and even Ted's own family. "Riding High," is rich in diversity and strong on emotion. It's a highly colored book with several hues and shades of mystery, discovery and revelation. If you ride a motorcycle, or are a father or husband, then "Riding High," will also give you insight into the complications of ending four years of pure freedom to start a life of regulated conformity. Leonard Raygor, Artist & Wood Crafter
Rating: 
Summary: Light on travel, heavy on self examination
Review: Don't approach this book as a sequel to Jupiter's Travels. Ted spends much of the book in self examination and oftentimes, self doubts. The story of his journey is interesting, and I found Ted's self realizations and gypsy spirit refreshing and engaging. Overall, even with the heavy philosophy it was a little sad to finish the book, and Ted's journey.
Rating:
Summary: Untold stories,
Review: How can one possibly expect someone to tell a 4 year journey in one book? Well that's why Ted Simon wrote a "second" Jupiters Travel. If you enjoyed Jupiters Travel, dont hesitate to buy Riding High. It gives you more insight into how Ted travelled, what went on in his mind and life. Especially that he shares his "settling down" years made the book a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Untold stories,
Review: How can one possibly expect someone to tell a 4 year journey in one book? Well that's why Ted Simon wrote a "second" Jupiters Travel. If you enjoyed Jupiters Travel, dont hesitate to buy Riding High. It gives you more insight into how Ted travelled, what went on in his mind and life. Especially that he shares his "settling down" years made the book a good read.
Rating:
Summary: For the gypsy in all of us (not just bikers) - a must read!
Review: I read this book... oh! so, so many years ago as a fresh undergraduate in England and,twenty years hence,is among the handful of books I remember vividly. I was drawn to the book simply because I had planned a similar trip in 1975(hitch-hiking) and never got to do it. Being from the East I can vouch for a number of his Asian narratives and some of his Mid-Eastern stories (I was later based in that region). His free-wheeeling (no pun intended) style of story telling is punctuated with enough humor and philosophy to make it a wonderful read. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Untold stories,
Review: Point to ponder: Ted Simon muses that "The interruptions ARE the journey". This book causes one to think about priorities in life and what drives them. Ted writes from a British perspective and humor and provides an insightful description of the real world as he passes through it. He describes his travel brilliantly as penetrating life's mysteries. He has been robbed, imprisoned, threatened and hospitalized. He has gone from ecstatic to despondent, but continued on, speaking to the therapeutic effects the motorcycle had on him (and his digestion). He showed keen insight into his fellow travelers as well as the indigenous peoples he observed in the many locales visited. I enjoyed his command of language and appreciated the level to which he writes. I scrambled for my lexicon and index of foreign phrases, for I enjoy the chase of literature. I was mindful of the BMW Anonymous tradition in which a rider can always find help due to his association with the marque. Ted created his own contact list as he moved along. It seems that we are really on a very small planet. I enjoyed the lessons in cultures such as the four Indian groups and an understanding of the caste system from which escape is impossible. Also, Ted provided valuable and interesting tidbits of history and cultural mores which some might find distasteful but are fascinating to me. This book fills in the gaps left by the first book "Jupiter's Travels. It continues to be an account of contradictions and inner struggles of wants and needs, both real and preceived as he marries and attempts to settle down in California. This is a real guy who suffers like the rest of us and shows us grit. I am envious of his experiences for I know that sharing them vicariously is as close as I will get. Read the book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent follow-up to Jupiter's Travels
Review: Point to ponder: Ted Simon muses that "The interruptions ARE the journey". This book causes one to think about priorities in life and what drives them. Ted writes from a British perspective and humor and provides an insightful description of the real world as he passes through it. He describes his travel brilliantly as penetrating life's mysteries. He has been robbed, imprisoned, threatened and hospitalized. He has gone from ecstatic to despondent, but continued on, speaking to the therapeutic effects the motorcycle had on him (and his digestion). He showed keen insight into his fellow travelers as well as the indigenous peoples he observed in the many locales visited. I enjoyed his command of language and appreciated the level to which he writes. I scrambled for my lexicon and index of foreign phrases, for I enjoy the chase of literature. I was mindful of the BMW Anonymous tradition in which a rider can always find help due to his association with the marque. Ted created his own contact list as he moved along. It seems that we are really on a very small planet. I enjoyed the lessons in cultures such as the four Indian groups and an understanding of the caste system from which escape is impossible. Also, Ted provided valuable and interesting tidbits of history and cultural mores which some might find distasteful but are fascinating to me. This book fills in the gaps left by the first book "Jupiter's Travels. It continues to be an account of contradictions and inner struggles of wants and needs, both real and preceived as he marries and attempts to settle down in California. This is a real guy who suffers like the rest of us and shows us grit. I am envious of his experiences for I know that sharing them vicariously is as close as I will get. Read the book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent follow-up to Jupiter's Travels
Review: Point to ponder: Ted Simon muses that "The interruptions ARE the journey". This book causes one to think about priorities in life and what drives them. Ted writes from a British perspective and humor and provides an insightful description of the real world as he passes through it. He describes his travel brilliantly as penetrating life's mysteries. He has been robbed, imprisoned, threatened and hospitalized. He has gone from ecstatic to despondent, but continued on, speaking to the therapeutic effects the motorcycle had on him (and his digestion). He showed keen insight into his fellow travelers as well as the indigenous peoples he observed in the many locales visited. I enjoyed his command of language and appreciated the level to which he writes. I scrambled for my lexicon and index of foreign phrases, for I enjoy the chase of literature. I was mindful of the BMW Anonymous tradition in which a rider can always find help due to his association with the marque. Ted created his own contact list as he moved along. It seems that we are really on a very small planet. I enjoyed the lessons in cultures such as the four Indian groups and an understanding of the caste system from which escape is impossible. Also, Ted provided valuable and interesting tidbits of history and cultural mores which some might find distasteful but are fascinating to me. This book fills in the gaps left by the first book "Jupiter's Travels. It continues to be an account of contradictions and inner struggles of wants and needs, both real and preceived as he marries and attempts to settle down in California. This is a real guy who suffers like the rest of us and shows us grit. I am envious of his experiences for I know that sharing them vicariously is as close as I will get. Read the book!
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