Lois Pryce 2008 on 'Red Tape and White Knuckles'

Lois Price is one of the leading female biker travellers who writes really great books about her journeys. Jayne who reviewed Red Tape and White Knuckles thoroughly enjoyed it and asked the questions.

J. What is your motivation for doing these trips on your bike?

LP: Curiosity and adventure! To see the world and to put myself in situation that I would not encounter otherwise, and to learn about the world.

J: Knowing there are places in Africa that women are not allowed on their own, how did you plan to cover these areas on your trip?

LP: I wasn't travelling anywhere where women are 'not allowed' alone. There were plenty of places where it is very unusual to see a woman alone, but nowhere where it is actually illegal.

J: Why do you ride such a light weight bike when many much heavy bikes have struggled through the areas like the Sahara Desert?

LP: The answer is in your question. Big heavy bikes struggle. That's why I chose a lightweight one.

J: Did you find it frustrating that some check points inssited that you have an escort on some of the parts of your journey especially Algeria?

LP: Yes, I don't like travelling with an escort.

J: Do you have anybody at home that really encourages you when you are on these trips?

LP: My husband is my greatest supporter. All my friends and family have always been supportive too.

J: What was it like to spend Christmas in Limbe, and how different was it to a traditional UK Christmas?

LP: It was hot and sunny!

J: When you had an escort like Hammid was it hard to see them leave you when you got to the next check point or was it an intrusion in to what you had planned?

LP: I would always rather travel without a guide if possible.

J: I loved the way you talked about trying to find the missonary house and it was turning into "Mission Impossible" then a young boy takes you to the home he stayed in which was the place his family were staying in who were missonaries house sitting for another couple. Was it nice to speak English to this American family?

LP: Yes, of course, it is always nice to be able to communicate in one's own language, especially when you're a real natterer - like me!

J: When you got to the Cameroon border point it was a very different reception that you got there because the border guard just wanted to speak English was that the best experience of all the borders your crossed on the trip?

LP: The borders in Africa were all very different experiences, and some of them very friendly and not what I expected. I have fond memories of most of them (except maybe the DRC)

J: Why did you decide to drive from top to bottom of the Sahara and not go around the edge particularly as you were not on a trail bike suited for the purpose?

LP: I don't think you understand about the bike. It is an ideal machine for the journey. It made the whole journey without ever going wrong - what more can you ask for?! I wanted to ride straight across the Sahara because it looked more exciting than going round the edge.

J: Would you attempt a more difficult trip taking in more than one continent next time?

LP: I've ridden from Alaska to Argentina a few years before, which 20,000 miles across a couple of continents and took me 10 months. On the whole I prefer a trip of about 5-6 months, so I don't have a particular desire to go off round the world for years on end. I like being at home as well being on the road!

J: Did it seem perculiar getting a health and safety warning from the Congolease border crossing officer, especially when he talked about the guy on the big bike that had crashed because of the rain and deep flood waters?

LP: Yes, it is very strange to be given health and safety advice in one of the world's most dangerous, lawless countries!

J: When you went through Angola you were given just five days to do it a distance of some 1200 miles and you arrive with just 15 minutes to spare at the check point what were you imagining would happen if you didn't make it?

LP: I was warned that I would probably be roughed up, possibly detained, and would have to pay bribes to be let out of the country. You never know if these things are true or not but I had heard about some other travellers in a car that had a similar experience.

J: Why do you not go with some support along these long rides or is it just the freedom of the road/sand that you love and the freedom of being on your own?

LP: I like travelling with companions (as long as they're the right ones!). Travelling solo brings it own rewards - it's a rawer, more demanding experience but immensely satisfying.

J: What do you think your next challenge might be and where?

LP: I've got a couple of ideas - nothing planned yet. Maybe to India.

J: Do you still get the same thrill on this latest ride as you did on your first trip?

LP: You can never recreate the thrill of the first time! But you find different pleasures.