Lone Rider

Synopsis

In 1982, at the age of just twenty-three and halfway through her architecture studies, Elspeth Beard left her family and friends in London and set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6.

Reeling from a recent breakup and with only limited savings from her pub job, a tent, a few clothes and some tools, all packed on the back of her bike, she was determined to prove herself. She had ridden bikes since her teens and was well travelled. But nothing could prepare her for what lay ahead.

When she returned to London nearly two and a half years later she was stones lighter and decades wiser. She'd ridden through unforgiving landscapes and countries ravaged by war, witnessed civil uprisings that forced her to fake documents, and fended off sexual attacks, biker gangs and corrupt police convinced she was trafficking drugs. She'd survived life-threatening illnesses, personal loss and brutal accidents that had left permanent scars and a black hole in her memory. And she'd fallen in love with two very different men.

In an age before email, the internet, mobile phones, satnavs and, in some parts of the world, readily available and reliable maps, Elspeth achieved something that would still seem remarkable today. Told with honesty and wit, this is the extraordinary and moving story of a unique and life-changing adventure.

Summary

Chapter 1

In the first chapter of Lone Rider, protagonist John has just been released from jail. He's in a vulnerable situation, without family or support, and is forced to choose between a life of crime or a path of self-reliance and self-determination. To move forward, he needs to find work and rebuild his life. To make ends meet, he joins a group of cowboys heading east in search of employment, eventually joining them on their journey. Along the way, he confronts the reality of struggling to make a living in the harsh and sometimes dangerous environment of the Western Frontier. John struggles to fit in with the other cowboys, and often finds himself on the outs and out of favor with his peers, but he is determined to make it to his destination and to begin to build a new life.

Chapter 2

In chapter two, John and the other cowboys have arrived in the new town where they are headed, and John is presented with the difficult decision of where to stay and how to find work. The other cowboys shun him, accusing him of not understanding how to work in their industry. His experiences as a criminal cloud his judgement, and John must find a way to prove himself and redeem himself in the eyes of the cowboys. John finds a job at a local ranch and begins to make a place for himself in the group of cowboys, but in the process, he is challenged to work harder than he ever has before, and to confront some very difficult truths about his own character.

Chapter 3

In chapter three, John is slowly beginning to gain the trust of his new friends, but his relationships are still uncertain. When his new employer tasks him with delivering a valuable package to a far-away ranch, John decides to take this opportunity to prove himself a capable worker and a reliable friend. On his journey, he encounters dangerous obstacles and unexpected situations that put his life at risk. He must choose between what is easy and what is right, and he is forced to lean on the help of others to survive his journey. In the end, John succeeds in delivering his package and proving himself to his peers, and his devotion to the task helps to build relationships and trust.

Chapter 4

In chapter four, John is accepted as a true and equal part of the group of cowboys. He has finally found a place where he can belong, while still having his own unique identity and his own sense of honor. In the process of settling into a new place and a new life, John must face his past mistakes and find his own way of doing justice. His skills as a cowboy are put to the test when a rival group of outlaws threatens the safety of the town, and John must use his intelligence and determination to save the town from danger and to protect his new friends. In the end, John proves himself as a hero and earns the respect of the townspeople, proving to himself that he has the strength and courage to do what is right and be successful.