It seems lately we are inundated with pessimism and yet there are still countless inspirational stories being told around the world. Many of these stories come from travellers whose experiences on the road have made a huge difference in their lives. And sometimes there comes that one single defining moment, like a lightening bolt, when they realize why they’re doing what they’re doing. It’s often called an ‘aha moment’, that moment when they suddenly recognize the value that something or someone has put in to their life. These moments are usually emotional and impactful, and will always be remembered.

Sam Manicom, adventurer and author of four popular motorcycle travel books, has put together a collage of twenty authors who each share one of the most significant moments in their travels and he calls it The Moment Collectors.

Episode Contributors:

Sam Manicom

In the early 1990’s, Sam Manicom travelled the world by motorcycle for eight years visiting 55 countries. He wrote four books that describe his epic journey, Into Africa, Under Asian Skies, Distant Suns and Tortillas to Totems. Since his last trip, he’s been heavily involved in the motorcycle adventure industry and spent many years helping organize the UK Horizons Unlimited meets, writing magazine articles and doing travel presentations in the UK, mainland Europe and the USA. He’s also been a co-host for six years running on our ARR RAW show and has been interviewed on Adventure Rider Radio, the BBC and other broadcasts.

Website: https://www.sam-manicom.com/

Spencer Conway

Spencer Conway and Cathy Nel have spent the last couple of years travelling by motorcycle around Central America. Spencer is the author of The Japanese-Speaking Curtain Maker and is featured in the TV series African Motorcycle Diaries, a film about circumnavigating Africa.

Website: http://www.spencer-conway.com

Tim and Marisa Notier

Tim and Marisa have been exploring the world 2-up on a KTM 1190 motorcycle. They’ve travelled through North and South America, and most recently spent time travelling and living in Africa. Tim is the author of three books, Maiden Voyage and 2Up and Overloaded and Blood, Sweat and Notiers. Marisa is the author of Road Guide Through Peru.

Website: https://www.notiersfrontiers.com/

Travis and Chantil Gill

For the past two years, Travis and Chantil Gill have been having some incredible motorcycle adventures in Europe, despite the pandemic. They’ve been producing some youtube videos to share their adventures as well as a calendar showcasing some photography from their travels.

Website: https://www.viajarMOTO.com

Above Images: Travis and Chantil Gill - Viajar Moto - https://viajarmoto.com/

The Moment Collectors

Stories in The Moment Collectors have been written by authors Claire Elsdon, Geoff Hill, Spencer J Conway, Brian Rix and Shirley Hardy-Rix, Ted Hely, Lisa Morris and Jason Spafford, Mark Donham, Graham Field, Tiffany Coates, EmmaLucy Cole, Tim and Marisa Notier, Christian Brix, Helen Lloyd, Michelle Lamphere, Travis and Chantil Gill, Simon and Lisa Thomas, Dan Byers, Geoff Keys, Michnus and Elsebie Olivier, and Sam Manicom with Birgit Schuenemann. With illustrations by Simon Robert and foreword by Lois Pryce.

Pre-orders and signed copies of The Moment Collectors are available directly from Sam Manicom at sam-manicom.com and will be available in store from February 19 on Amazon, Kindle, Nook and from the Book Depository with free world wide delivery (colour photos).