The Road to Gobblers Knob: From Chile to Alaska on a Motorbike

by Geoff Hill

A Belfast travel writer and his Scottish sidekick take a lighthearted ride up the 16,500-mile Pan-American Highway. Hill proves an amiable, witty guide as he jaunts north through desert, mountain and woodlands. That's not to say he and traveling companion Clifford Paterson don't encounter some bumps in the road. These include a fairly serious crash along a remote stretch of road near Cali, Colombia; endless red tape at a half-dozen Latin-American border crossings; and a ban on beer throughout Central America during Easter Week. . . Hill's breezy, humorous narrative contains just enough dollops of history and local culture to satisfy travel fans. An easy, entertaining read, perfect for plane rides and road trips."" -Kirkus Reviews, 10/15/2007

Genres: Travel, Motorcycle

310 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2007

Reviews

[James Hair]

The journey is fascinating, and a very interesting read. Unfortunately the attempts at humour are cringeworthy and relentless.

[Paul Devall]

I bought this on the back of a previous bike trip that Geoff Hill written about a ride from India bringing tea home. A good pace and hardly comparable to any truck driving epic. The focus is on riding a motorcycle and the trials of the mode of transport.

Humorous and simply a good tale.

Update October 2017.

Re-read the book as holiday reading. I always have it with me. Not the tattered dog eared paperback to rival the bible hidden in hotel bedside table, but on my Kindle.

Next up. In Clancy's Boots

Full of humour and travelogue this is a tremendous book to read for the armchair adventure biker. Live the drama from the comfort of your own home or indeed a holiday home in surety that come the end of the day you won't be knackered and not suffered on the seat of a bike all day....

Geoff Hill. A god amongst motorcycling authors. P.S. Little g so not to upset anyone.

[Greg]

The Road to Gobblers Knob is a hilarious account of the real life adventures of Geoff Hill and his companion, Clifford Paterson as they ride their motorcycles from Chile to Alaska along the Pan-American Highway. This is a trip I would love to take myself if I had the time, and it was fun reading about their experiences. It doesn't hurt that Hill is an award-winning humor writer and journalist, and he certainly knows how to write.

I had previously read his other book, Way To Go, about two previous motorcycle trips, and enjoyed that one just as much. It's not a how-to, or travel advice book...it's simply a wonderfully funny description of their experiences across South and Central America and through the western United States. Highly recommended.

[Turi Becker]

I had overlooked The Road to Gobblers Knob on the cataloging shelf at work until it actually got on my cart to look at. Once I did, I had to read it. A 6'6" Irish travel writer and ex-volleyball player rides a Triumph Tiger along the Pan-American Highway from Chile to Alaska. Lots to like there.

I really liked Geoff Hill's voice. He noodles off on silly jokes and philosophical wanderings sometimes, but you can tell they're all really heartfelt and genuine. Fun to read, although I'm sure I missed a few nuances with the Britticisms. Kinda wish he would have mentioned how he fit his height onto a stock Tiger for all those miles, though...

[Robert Davidson]

a very interesting, entertaining travel story as only an irishman could tell. geoff always trys to see the funny side of the journey which is the only way to cope with such an amazing bike ride. one is always happy to read his trip and find there are always people everywhere who will show kindness to a stranger. there is hope for us yet.

[Tom]

daft man in middle-aged crisis does daft motorbike ride. and lives! maybe not as good as the Tim Cahill's Road Fever (who did the same journey in a truck) but still WAY Better than Ewan McGregor & Charlie Boorman.

[Mary Dinan]

Fantastic book. You feel as if you are on the bike with them; following all the adventures, the ups and the downs. Geoff maintains a humourous approach all the way through. The ONLY BOOK to read about the Pan American Highway. None other will do.

[Anna]

Amazing, hilarious and will make you want to buy a motorbike and travel.

[Jamie]

Very funny book. Does light entertainment very well. Possibly not so deep and meaningful, but I have a disproportionate love of humour so for that, it was perfect.

[Jon]

Great start, really good sense of humour and sounds a real adventure but became a bit "and then we did..." towards the USA section.

[Tiger Coward]

Hello Friends, There is a new addition to the Tiger Coward Adventure Motorcycle Library: The Road to Gobblers Knob by Geoff Hill.

This is an older book (2007) that I read right after I read Way to Go. This, of course, breaks my long-standing rule of not reading the same author twice in a row. But , I couldn't help myself because I loved his writing so much. I was rewarded by this violation because this is another hilarious, well written book of motorcycle travel.

Of note, like Way to Go, this book has been reprinted several times, or at least twice, so my review is completely unnecessary.

My executive summary is that this is a story of an epic trip from Chile to Alaska. The cover of the book spoils the suspense by announcing that Geoff Hill "conquered the Pan-American Highway."

So he makes it.

End of story? Not quite. As you would expect, there are some hurdles to overcome, the ever-present mechanical issues to contend with, and a shocking accident or two to overcome.

This is a true adventure book, and it will not disappoint you

I really wanted to read this book because Way To Go was so great. My review will be somewhat similar to the Way to Go review because it is as good, if not better, than that one.

Here are the 5 top things that I loved about this book:

1. Funny

Geoff Hill is remarkably funny. Proof is that I am making remarks about his humour. This book had me smirking, smiling, giggling, and laughing out loud.

The funniest part of this book might be the history lessons the author includes at each border crossing. Brilliantly irreverent, politically incorrect, and absolutely hilarious.

I loved it. Hopefully, you will too.

2. The writing

From my last review, there are some motorcycle travelers who write books. There are even some travelers who are great writers, but there are few great writers who become motorcycle travelers.

Writing is Hill's profession. He is a travel journalist, and his skill shows. This is likely why Hill and his books have won so many awards. Some awards are an even greater honour than the induction into the Tiger Coward Adventure Motorcycle Library.

However, no award is greater than a back-to-back induction into the Tiger Coward Adventure Motorcycle Library. This honour has only been bestows upon Ted Simon and Sam Manicom .

Congratulations, Geoff!

Anyhow, the writing is fantastic!

3. The friendship

There are lots of great books about solo travel, but I really like a good buddy story. After all, isn't that what made Charlie and Ewan's journey so great?

In this story, Hill and his new riding partner, Clifford Patterson, travel the length of the Americas. Much like Partick, Hill' s buddy in Way To Go, Cliff's relationship with Hill grows with each kilometer. I came to love Clifford almost as much as I loved Patrick, which is almost as much as I love the author. Maybe you will, too.

4. The Ride.

Conquering the Pan-American Highway is a feat accomplished by only a handful of motorcyclists. This route has remote and desolate roads that are arduous tests for the bike and the rider alike. The route has multiple confusing border crossings and zones full of bandits. I am not just talking about the USA here, I also mean South and Central America.

Despite all of the challenges, Hill shows us the humanity of the people he meets along the way. From mechanics to medical personnel, the reader is reminded that the world is full of great people.

This is a route that I dream of riding, only if it wasn't so long and full of countries that speak Spanish.

5. The bike.

I am Tiger Coward because I ride a Tiger. Of course, also because I am a Coward, but that is beside the point. In this adventure, the author rides and destroys a Tiger 955i.

I have also ridden and ruined a Tiger 955i.

This is a great bike that, despite Hill's best efforts, made it through the whole journey.

I love a good Tiger story.

Oh yeah, Clifford rode and Aprilia of some sort.

In conclusion, I am not going out on a limb here, but I recommend this fantastic book from this award winning author.

Ps. I am currently reading Pushing Miles by Wendy Crockett.

[Mike]

I want to like it. It's not bad, just forced... in every sense of the word. Reading it was like watching a Don Rickles comedy routine - mildly entertaining, but subtly painful.

I have read "In Clancy's Boots". I have his two other motorcycle trip books. I'll slog through them just like I ride through a cold, rainy day - out of stupidity and stubbornness.

[Iain Spence]

Entertaining and inspiring journey filled with humour and humanity

[John]

The story itself was interesting, but I didn't bond as a reader with the author and his sidekick.

[Lucius]

Good book to read for someone who is interested in making such a journey. Hill is sometimes silly, but always funny. There are even some touching moments in the book.

[Kathleen]

Unputdownable! I very readable tale of a motorcycle journey.