Notes From The Road Series

NOTES FROM THE ROAD VOL. III This book, the prequel to Vol IV, is a retrospective of Mansfield’s journey to Mongolia from London and return. It takes place in 2012 before Russia invaded Ukraine. The Russian Federation and Siberia were joyful, the people still happy and not fearful; Central Asia was relatively peaceful, the population approachable and friendly. But his experience was also coloured by encounters with gangsters, corruption, mechanical failures and the breaking of bones. Taking all of this in his stride, he was humbled by the help and assistance readily given and ultimately grateful that he survived. The story is told with rich good humour, the survivalist’s ever-present antidote to the vicissitudes of true adventure. Praise For Volume IV Spiced by self-deprecating humour and ironic wit, lucid descriptions of the sights, sounds, tastes and smells; an experience close to riding on the journey; war-torn areas, land mines; societies in political turmoil, corruption; seething ethnic conflicts barely attenuated. Yet, Mansfield finds beauty, freedom and fellowship within the chaos. Jim Cowgill, ADVMoto I loved it, one of the best written books I’ve read; humorous, adventurous, informative. Exquisite writing, amazing. Nathan Millward. The Postie I learned, laughed, sympathised and was surprised. It’s very easy to give five stars. Sam Manicom, Under Asian Skies Just occasionally a book arrives that is different, brave and definitely intriguing; an observational classic, the acerbic wit pin sharp. Paddy Tyson. Overland Magazine A refreshing, sometimes unnervingly different approach; a ‘why-you-should-do-it’ inspirational book. Colin Overland, Ride Magazine 47,000 words

5.0 out of 5 stars David Coulson Suddenly a piece of music or art or literature can arrive that becomes a landmark for it's genre. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Jupiter's Travels and now Notes From The Road by Derek Mansfield. 5.0 out of 5 stars Paddy Tyson, Overland Magazine Just occasionally a book arrives on the motorcycle travel scene that is different, brave and definitely intriguing. This book is an observational classic, the acerbic wit pin sharp. 5.0 out of 5 stars  Sam Manicom, Author, Into Africa, Under Asian Skies Like Dr Who’s Tardis! Small on the outside, big and unique on the inside. I learned, I laughed, I sympathised, and I was surprised. It’s very easy to give the book 5 stars. 5.0 out of 5 stars Nathan Millward, Author, The Postie I loved it… one of the best written books I’ve read… humorous, adventurous, informative. Exquisite writing… amazing …Well recommended.   NOTES FROM THE ROAD Vol. IV were formed mainly inside a motorcycle helmet on a journey from London to Ukraine via the Baltics and the Balkans. Twice. Within the first thousand miles the petrol-soaked Google map dissolved and GPS became increasingly intermittent. A thousand miles later road signs changed from Latin to Cyrillic and the skills for dead-reckoning, remembered from the author’s nautical past, turned out to be less than adequate. No matter. The interior of a motorcyclist’s head is lit with flashing synapses long after the ignition is switched off. Thus the author, whose memory is on the brink of age-related failure, stopped regularly to make notes. Reviewing these later he realised they made little sense, but were not without humour and distilled here take the reader on an increasingly surreal journey of language, customs and culture. Since 2010 the author has travelled in more than 56 countries on four continents; many, more than twice. Some 65,000 of these miles were travelled solo, on a motorcycle.