Hubbry Logo
Elspeth BeardElspeth BeardMain
Open search
Elspeth Beard
Community hub
Elspeth Beard
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Elspeth Beard
Elspeth Beard
Elspeth Beard
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Elspeth Beard (born 28 April 1959) is an architect and motorcyclist, noted for being one of the first Englishwomen to ride a motorcycle around the world.[2][a] She later redesigned the historic Munstead Tower in Godalming, winning the 1994 Royal Institute of British Architects award for South East England. She now owns an architectural firm based in a converted stable in Godalming.[4]

Key Information

Personal life

[edit]

Beard currently runs the Elspeth Beard Architects practice in Godalming. She received her pilot's licence in 1991. She has never married. She has a son.[5]

Motorcycling

[edit]

Beard learned to ride a motorcycle on Salisbury Plain at the age of 16.[6] She began her global journey in 1982, after the third year of her architect training course, using a BMW R60/6 motorcycle.[3][2][4][7] She added soft panniers, a tank bag and an extra bag lashed to the pillion seat before she embarked on the trip.[8] She began her journey in New York City, United States, having shipped the bike from the United Kingdom. From there, she motorcycled to Canada and Mexico and back to the US before shipping her bike to Sydney, Australia.[6][9]

In Sydney she ran out of money and spent seven months working in a pub before motorcycling across Australia.[10] In Townsville, Queensland, she had an accident which left her hospitalised for two weeks.[2][6] Afterwards, she travelled to Singapore, where she spent 6 weeks replacing important documents and gear after they were all stolen;[11] then she travelled into Asia. In Thailand, she collided with a dog and recuperated with a local family who fed her the remains of the dog she had crashed into.[2][12] At the time of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the entire Punjab state was closed. Beard forged the necessary permit to get out of the Punjab region and travelled into Pakistan before riding back into Europe via Turkey.[2][4] She arrived in the United Kingdom in 1984, having travelled 35,000 miles (56,000 km).[5] In doing so, she became the first Englishwoman to motorcycle around the world.[2][9][4][a]

When Beard returned from the trip, there was a lack of interest for what she had accomplished, as she stated in an interview: "After I got back and nobody was interested in what I'd done, I just shoved everything into the back of the garage. I just kind of moved on with my life."[11]

Her 2017 autobiography Lone Rider chronicles the circumnavigation.[13][14][15][16]

Munstead Tower

[edit]

After her motorcycling feat, Beard bought the derelict Munstead Tower in Godalming, a 130-foot (40 m) former water tower built in 1898. Over five years, she renovated and converted it into a habitable house. The renovated tower was featured on a 1995 episode of Home Front, and in 1994, the tower won the Royal Institute of British Architects award for South East England.[17][9] In 2019 Beard and the tower were featured in the Season 3 episode 1 of Ride with Norman Reedus.[18] The principal bedroom of the tower also featured in the 2022 film Rogue Agent.

Publications

[edit]
  • Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World, Autobiography, 2017, ISBN 9781782438045
  • Sola, en moto, La Mala Suerte Ediciones, 2020, ISBN 9788412143638 Spanish translation.
  • Sola, in moto, La Mala Suerte Ediciones, 2021, ISBN 9788412143669 Italian translation.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Elspeth Beard

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Elspeth Beard is a British and motorcyclist, best known for becoming the first British woman to circumnavigate the globe solo on a . Born 28 April 1959, Beard developed an early passion for after being expelled from at the age of 16, purchasing her first bike—a Yamaha YB100—in 1977 at age 18. She later upgraded to a CB250N and, in 1979, acquired a used 1974 R60/6 for £900, which she would ride on her epic journeys. In October 1982, at the age of 23 and midway through her architecture studies, Beard departed from with £2,500 in savings, no fixed itinerary, and a tent for shelter, embarking on a 35,000-mile (56,000 km) solo adventure across 20 countries. Her route took her from the to New York by ship, then through the , , , , —where she survived a serious crash in the —, , , , , (requiring a forged permit to enter), , (where she contracted ), and back through to in November 1984. The two-year odyssey tested her resilience amid mechanical breakdowns, health issues like , border conflicts, and the absence of modern aids such as GPS or mobile phones, yet she navigated it all through ingenuity and determination. Upon returning, Beard completed her architecture degree and built a distinguished career, earning awards for her designs and personally restoring a derelict Victorian in , , into her home between 1988 and 1995. She also became a single mother and led a 33,000-mile tour in 2003, while retaining ownership of her original , which she still rides on weekends. In 2017, Beard published her Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World, drawing from journals, tapes, and photos stored for over three decades, which won the Best Shextreme Adventure Book Award in 2018 and has been translated into Spanish, Italian, and French. Her pioneering travels continue to inspire adventurers, highlighting themes of independence, perseverance, and the transformative power of solo exploration in an era before widespread female participation in long-distance .

Early Life and Education

Childhood and Family Background

Elspeth Beard was born on 28 April 1959 in , . She grew up in alongside an elder sister and a younger brother in a household where both parents worked as full-time doctors—her father a renowned and eccentric , and her mother in accident and emergency services. The family emphasized individuality, with her father unconcerned by societal opinions and her mother commuting to work on a motorbike, providing early exposure to vehicles and mechanics. This environment, combined with an unstructured childhood that left the children to their own devices, cultivated Beard's sense of independence from a young age. Beard's early interests leaned toward adventure and practical skills, influenced heavily by her father's hands-on approach to fixing things, which instilled a "can-do" and fascination with . She developed a curiosity for vehicles during her formative years, viewing them as symbols of freedom and self-sufficiency. The family's encouragement of personal autonomy, rather than rigid expectations, allowed her to explore these passions without constraint, laying the groundwork for her later adventurous pursuits. At the age of 10, Beard was sent to , an independent boarding school for girls in , , where she remained until 16. The boarding experience, involving separation from family and self-management of daily routines, significantly reinforced her and resilience. She was eventually expelled from Roedean but transitioned to studies in , marking the end of her formal schooling phase. This period of early independence at school mirrored her home life and further shaped her bold, autonomous character. During her teenage years, these influences culminated in her initial foray into motorcycle riding.

Formal Education and Influences

After leaving Roedean School in Brighton at the age of 16 following her expulsion, Elspeth Beard relocated to London to attend sixth form college, where she prepared for higher education. Beard then enrolled in an architecture training course in London, embarking on a multi-year program aligned with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) qualifications, which typically span seven years including academic study and practical experience. By 1982, she had reached her third year of studies when she paused her training to pursue a solo motorcycle journey around the world. Returning to the in 1984 after her 35,000-mile expedition, Beard resumed her architectural education, completing the remaining coursework and practical requirements to earn her degree by 1988. Her studies emphasized principles, structural , and building restoration, fostering a deep appreciation for adaptive and historical that would define her later professional path. Throughout her academic journey, Beard's architecture coursework introduced her to technical skills in mechanics, materials, and construction techniques, which intersected with her growing passion for motorcycling—sparked by acquiring her first bike at age 16. These abilities proved crucial for independently maintaining and repairing her motorcycle during challenging conditions on her global travels, blending her emerging adventurous spirit with the precision demanded by architectural training.

Motorcycling Achievements

Introduction to Riding and Early Experiences

Elspeth Beard first took an interest in motorcycling at the age of 16, shortly after being expelled from in . Inspired by a desire for independence and adventure, she acquired her initial motorcycle, a Yamaha YB100, at age 16, followed by a 250, which allowed her to begin exploring local roads. Lacking formal training programs available today, Beard's early learning was largely self-directed; she developed basic riding skills through practice on quiet backroads and urban streets, navigating the challenges of British traffic, variable weather, and the era's less forgiving road surfaces. Her formative rides built essential confidence, starting with short local outings in and progressing to longer solo journeys across the , including trips to and . These experiences, which accumulated over 10,000 miles in her first two years of riding, exposed her to mechanical issues like tire punctures and engine troubles on unfamiliar terrain, fostering resilience and hands-on problem-solving. also faced societal hurdles, including skepticism from family—her mother initially threatened disinheritance—and dismissive attitudes from the male-dominated community, such as an insulting rejection letter from a bike magazine. To overcome these, she worked four months in a local pub to save funds, honing her determination alongside her riding proficiency. In 1979, at age 20, Beard purchased a used 1974 R60/6 for approximately £900, a significant that marked a pivotal step in her mechanical education. This air-cooled, horizontally opposed flat-twin model featured a 599 cc engine producing 40 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, a 5-speed transmission, shaft drive, and drum brakes, with approximately 30,000 miles on the . Drawing on technical skills from her concurrent architectural studies, she meticulously stripped and rebuilt the bike using a , adding essential modifications like soft panniers and a tank bag to enhance its touring capability while ensuring reliability for extended use. These early preparations transformed the into a trusted companion for her initial cross-Channel rides to mainland and , where she further refined her navigation and maintenance expertise amid diverse road conditions.

Solo World Circumnavigation

In October 1982, at the age of 23, Elspeth Beard departed from , shipping her 1974 R60/6 motorcycle to and flying there herself, initiating a solo of the world that covered 35,000 miles across 20 countries over two years. Beard began by riding westward across the to the West Coast, then northward into and southward through before shipping the motorcycle from to , . She traversed the continent from east to west, including the remote where she encountered harsh terrain and wildlife; a notable incident occurred when she crashed in the , causing the bike to cartwheel and leaving her hospitalized for two weeks with a severe . She visited separately on foot. From Perth, she shipped to and rode onward through , , and , facing cultural immersion and occasional hazards such as hitting a stray dog in , after which local villagers provided aid and hospitality. A significant delay arose in when thieves stole all her possessions, including her , visas, and documents, forcing her to spend six weeks navigating bureaucracy to obtain replacements. Continuing into , Beard arrived in via Madras (now ) by boat from , , rode to Calcutta and then to in for a brief detour, before navigating back through amid the Punjab region's political unrest. She forged permits to access restricted areas and crossed into on unpaved tracks, experiencing intense scrutiny as a lone rider in conservative societies. Mechanical challenges persisted throughout, including a fire in the Australian outback that necessitated rewiring the bike's faulty electrical system with help from a Welsh mechanic, as well as frequent solo repairs using basic tools. The journey's most demanding leg involved traversing the in India's region, where high-altitude passes and bureaucratic hurdles tested her endurance amid ongoing border tensions. From , Beard entered , where she contracted and rode weakly across the country in just seven days, her helmet serving as improvised protection in a conservative environment. She then proceeded through , , and , navigating additional border crossings before entering via , , and , completing the loop back to in late 1984. Solo camping dominated her nights to stretch her limited budget of around £2,500, while cultural encounters ranged from warm receptions by families in to pervasive staring and vulnerability in male-dominated regions, all managed without GPS, mobile phones, or . Upon returning to the in , Beard grappled with post-journey depression and isolation, requiring nearly a year to readjust before resuming her studies at the Polytechnic of , which she successfully completed shortly thereafter.

Later Rides and Contributions to Motorcycling

Following her return from the 1982-1984 solo , Elspeth Beard continued her adventures with a series of overland trips across various continents, often on models and other motorcycles suited to challenging terrains. She rode motorcycles through in , navigating high-altitude routes that tested her endurance and mechanical skills. Beard also undertook exploratory rides in and other parts of , as well as , where she embraced diverse landscapes from deserts to mountain passes. Additionally, she returned to three times for extended rides, revisiting familiar trails while adapting to evolving road conditions. These post-1984 journeys, spanning via green lanes and rallies on her R80GS Basic, emphasized personal exploration and vehicle maintenance, with Beard personally overhauling engines and components on her collection of four motorcycles, including her original 1974 R60/6. Beard extended her involvement in motorcycling through event participation and professional collaborations, solidifying her role as an active figure in the community. In 2024, she served as a VIP leader for the Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival, a major charity event supporting Midlands Air Ambulance operations, where she rode alongside notable figures to raise funds for emergency medical services critical to rider safety. She has also collaborated with BMW Motorrad, appearing as a guest speaker at their 2023 centennial celebration in Pennsylvania, where she shared insights from her global experiences and discussed plans to lead BMW-based tours from a restored villa in Italy using a classic R75/5 model. These engagements highlight her ongoing commitment to the brand that powered her early achievements. As of November 2025, Beard is winding down her architectural practice to focus more on motorcycling passions and related projects, including inspiring a Belstaff Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. As a pioneer, Beard has made significant contributions to the community, particularly in advocating for women riders and promoting . Her experiences have inspired generations of female motorcyclists, and she frequently speaks at events such as the Adventure Bike Rider Festival to encourage self-belief and resilience among women entering the sport. By sharing stories of overcoming barriers during her travels, Beard has helped foster greater female participation and visibility in adventure riding. Her involvement in safety initiatives includes supporting charity rides like Bike4Life, which fund lifesaving air ambulance missions, underscoring the importance of preparedness and community support for riders. Beard's maintenance of her personal fleet—regularly servicing bikes for reliability—serves as a practical example of proactive in her continued riding lifestyle.

Architectural Career

Completion of Training and Early Professional Work

Upon returning to England in late 1984 after completing her solo circumnavigation of the world, Elspeth Beard resumed her architectural studies. She re-enrolled at university approximately one year later to finish her diploma, navigating the difficulties of readjusting to structured academic life following her independent travels. Beard completed the remaining coursework over the next two years, earning her qualification around 1987 despite initial restlessness and a sense of alienation from her peers. With her degree in hand, Beard launched her professional career by securing entry-level positions in several London-based architectural firms. For the subsequent seven years, she commuted daily from her base in to these offices, where she gained hands-on experience in architectural design and the restoration of older structures. Her roles involved practical problem-solving on remodeling initiatives, often focusing on blending historical elements with modern adaptations, which allowed her to apply the mechanical ingenuity honed during her global journey. By the early , Beard began transitioning from firm-based employment to more autonomous professional pursuits, marking the start of her path toward establishing an independent practice centered on innovative and restorative .

Establishment of Practice and Notable Projects

Elspeth Beard established her independent architectural practice in the late , drawing on her prior training in conservation and restoration to focus on transforming historical structures. She began operating as Elspeth Beard Architects around 1998, with the firm formally incorporated as Elspeth Beard Architects Limited on May 2, 2006, and based in a converted in , . The practice specializes in the restoration and remodeling of historical buildings, particularly Grade II listed structures from the , such as barns and agricultural outbuildings, into modern family homes while adhering to conservation principles. Beard's architectural approach emphasizes blending traditional conservation techniques with contemporary design elements, creating spaces that highlight clean lines and modern materials in contrast to original features for a fresh yet respectful aesthetic. She incorporates sustainable practices, such as using non-toxic, eco-friendly materials like latex-free carpets and low-VOC paints, to ensure environmentally conscious outcomes without compromising historical integrity. This innovative method often involves hands-on, self-built components, reflecting her personal commitment to practical craftsmanship honed through early professional experiences. Among her notable commissions are several barn conversions in and surrounding areas, showcasing her expertise in Victorian-era remodeling. For instance, the Threshing Barn, a Grade II listed structure dating to before 1846 in a Surrey village, was transformed into a contemporary residence featured on the television program , integrating sustainable elements like energy-efficient heating while preserving the barn's original timber frame. Another key project, Crowts Barn near , involved converting a Grade II listed agricultural building into a family home, earning the Waverley Design Award for Alterations and Extensions in 2019 for its seamless fusion of old stonework with modern extensions. Additional works include the Stone Barn, a pre-existing converted Tythe Barn in updated with innovative spatial rearrangements, and Bonners Barn, both demonstrating her skill in enhancing listed buildings for residential use. These projects often involve collaborations with local authorities in and extend to commissions in and , prioritizing sustainable retrofits for historical properties. The firm's client base primarily consists of private individuals and families seeking , unusual homes that repurpose heritage sites, with a focus on the region. Since its founding, Elspeth Beard Architects grew steadily as a practice, maintaining a small team while expanding its portfolio through award-winning designs and a reputation for handling complex consents. In late 2025, Beard wound down the practice to focus more on her passion for .

Restoration of Munstead Tower

In 1989, Elspeth Beard purchased the disused Munstead , a 130-foot-high Grade II listed Victorian structure built in 1898 to supply water to the villages of Munstead and nearby areas in , , for £121,000 at auction after it had stood empty for nearly two decades. As the sole owner, architect, and main contractor, Beard undertook a seven-year solo restoration project beginning in the early 1990s, following the granting of planning consent in 1990 after an appeal to the Department of the Environment due to initial refusals over concerns about the building's conversion viability. The effort drew on her hands-on skills honed from maintenance, enabling her to manage much of the physical labor herself. The restoration faced significant design challenges, including structural reinforcements to stabilize the cylindrical brick tower while adhering to fire safety regulations such as 'Means of Escape' requirements. installed new steel beams, floors, and a central —replacing the original timber that interfered with placements—resulting in 88 steps to the kitchen on the fourth floor and 116 to the on the fifth. Interior conversions transformed the narrow, industrial space into livable areas across six floors: a ground-floor reception room, bedrooms on the first through third floors (each approximately 25-30 feet in diameter), a kitchen on the fourth, and a fifth-floor incorporating the original base as a curved ceiling, with suspended hanging bathrooms added for space efficiency. Preservation of historical features was paramount; retained the original valve and float mechanism, 64 cast-iron s, York stone pad stones, and much of the to maintain the tower's industrial character. Technical details emphasized integration of modern utilities without compromising authenticity: original materials like the tank base and brick elements were reused where possible, while new systems included fire alarms, smoke detectors, emergency lighting, and magnetic door holders to meet contemporary standards. The project proceeded in phases, with initial brickwork repairs and taking about 2.5 years, followed by full interior fit-out. By the mid-1990s, Beard had completed the conversion, moving in and establishing the tower as her primary residence, where she continues to live.

Architectural Awards and Recognition

Elspeth Beard's restoration of the garnered significant acclaim within the architectural community, earning five prestigious awards in the and early . These honors included the Historic Buildings Trust Award in 1993 for exemplary conservation efforts, the Design Award in 1994 recognizing innovative adaptation of historic structures, and the Royal Institute of British Architects () Regional Award for in 1994, highlighting outstanding regional architecture. Additional accolades comprised the Historic Buildings Trust 25th Anniversary Best Conservation Award around 2011, affirming long-term preservation impact. Beyond the Munstead project, Beard's practice has received further RIBA commendations for other restoration and remodeling works, underscoring her expertise in sensitive historic interventions. Her contributions have been featured prominently in architectural media, including articles in The Wall Street Journal and The Telegraph, which spotlighted the innovative residential conversions and their cultural significance. These recognitions have elevated Beard's profile, positioning her as a leading figure in British architectural conservation, with her firm influencing discussions on through media appearances and professional engagements until its winding down in late 2025.

Publications and Public Engagements

Books and Writings

Elspeth Beard's primary literary contribution is her 2017 memoir Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World, published by Michael O'Mara Books, which recounts her 1982–1984 solo journey covering 35,000 miles across 20 countries on a R60/6 . The book details the challenges she faced, including mechanical breakdowns, health issues like , and cultural barriers, drawing directly from her experiences as the first British woman to complete such a feat. It received positive critical reception for its honest portrayal of adventure, earning a 4.5 out of 5 rating on from over 2,700 reviews and the Best Shextreme Adventure Book Award in 2018. Beard's writing style in Lone Rider features personal narratives that blend technical details of motorcycle and route planning with emotional reflections on isolation, resilience, and self-discovery, presented in a clear, pragmatic tone without embellishment. Reviewers have praised this approach for its authenticity, noting how it openly addresses difficult topics such as personal hardships and gender-related obstacles in a straightforward manner. The has sold over 14,000 copies across editions since its July 2017 release and has been translated into Spanish (Sola en Moto), Italian, and French, with a North American edition issued by Octane Press in 2018. In addition to the text-based , Beard released Lone Rider: The Photographs, a companion featuring 450 color images from her life, travels, and post-journey years, available through her website. No further book-length works or significant magazine contributions on her adventures were identified as of 2025.

Media Appearances and Speaking Engagements

Elspeth Beard has appeared in various media outlets, where she discusses her groundbreaking motorcycle journeys and architectural achievements, often highlighting the parallels between and innovative design. In a 2025 interview on Radio New Zealand's Saturday Morning program titled "Motorbikes and Towers," Beard shared insights into her 1980s solo and her restoration of Munstead Tower, emphasizing how both pursuits demand resilience and creative problem-solving. Earlier, in a 2020 feature for Expedition Portal's "Living Legends" series, interviewer Pryce explored Beard's overland adventures on her BMW motorcycle, touching on the personal growth derived from her dual careers in and . Similarly, a 2018 profile in Jacada Travel's "Women in Travel Interviews" series portrayed Beard as an adventurer and award-winning architect, focusing on her 1982 solo journey and its influence on her professional life. Beard has also featured in documentaries and video segments that capture her . A 2025 YouTube video produced by , "Elspeth Beard – One of the Early Globetrotters," chronicles her as the first British to motorcycle around the , blending archival footage with reflections on her enduring passion for exploration and design. Additional 2025 appearances include an August YouTube video "Lone Rider: Elspeth Beard's Motorcycle Ride Around the ," a May YouTube interview "One Of The First ft Elspeth Beard," and an April Facebook video on her global motorbike journey. In November 2025, she featured in a episode titled "Elspeth Beard: The Journey That Changed Her Life," discussing her transformative experiences. In 2024, she was the subject of a Indiana episode of "Dinner & A Book," which centered on her memoir Lone Rider and delved into the intersections of her global rides and architectural practice. In addition to media, Beard has engaged audiences through speaking events that merge her experiences in and . At the 2024 Bike4Life Festival, a major charity event, she participated as a VIP, leading discussions on adventure riding and its life lessons amid a record fundraising effort for air ambulance services. She has also spoken at architectural and interdisciplinary forums, such as a 2023 guest appearance at St. John's International School in , where she addressed students on the synergies between her global travels and award-winning building projects. These engagements underscore Beard's role in public discourse, inspiring discussions on blending high-risk adventure with precise design principles through 2025.

Personal Life and Legacy

Residence and Lifestyle

Elspeth Beard has resided in the restored Munstead Tower in , , since completing its conversion into a home in 1995, making it her primary residence for over three decades. The Victorian-era structure, originally built in 1898 as a , now features six levels with expansive circular rooms spanning 25 to 30 feet in diameter, including three bedrooms, suspended bathrooms, and a gallery in the living area, providing a unique vertical living space atop a hill overlooking the countryside. Her lifestyle seamlessly blends architectural pursuits with motorcycling, as she maintains a collection of motorcycles—including her original 1974 BMW R60/6 used for her 1980s world tour—stored in a garage on the property, allowing easy integration into her daily routines. Beard continues hands-on maintenance and projects around the tower, reflecting her self-reliant approach, while balancing her practice with occasional by bike or plane to sustain her adventurous spirit. Beard has led an independent life, never marrying and raising her son, born in 1990, whom she has included in travels such as a four-month trip across in 1994. This emphasis on extends to her current routines, where she manages her Godalming-based from home while preserving personal freedom through and .

Honors, Philanthropy, and Recent Activities

Elspeth Beard has been widely recognized as a pioneering figure in and , particularly for her groundbreaking solo of the globe in the early , which established her as the first British woman to achieve this feat on a . BMW Motorrad has featured her extensively in their official narratives, highlighting her journey on a 1974 BMW R60/6 as an emblem of endurance and innovation in two-wheeled exploration. Her accomplishments have positioned her as a symbol of in male-dominated fields, inspiring generations through her story of resilience and independence. In philanthropy, Beard has actively supported motorcycle-related charitable causes, leveraging her prominence to aid lifesaving initiatives. As a VIP supporter at the Bike4Life 2024 event, she contributed to a record-breaking fundraising effort that raised £132,700 for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, enabling 41 air ambulance missions and 46 critical care car deployments to support emergency responses, including those benefiting motorcyclists. Additionally, in 2025, she served as a guest speaker at a Bike Shed Moto Co. fundraising dinner in partnership with Two Wheels for Life, an organization that provides motorcycle-based healthcare delivery in remote African communities; the event series aims to raise over £20,000 annually to expand access to vital medical services. Beard's recent activities reflect her continued influence across adventure, design, and public discourse as of 2025. In May 2025, she appeared on Radio New Zealand's Saturday Morning program, discussing her global motorcycle journey and architectural pursuits, underscoring her enduring role as a motivational speaker on themes of personal challenge and creativity. In November 2025, Beard announced she was winding down her architecture practice to focus on her motorcycling interests. She maintains leadership in her professional endeavors while engaging in events that promote safety and empowerment in motorcycling. Her legacy extends to inspiring women in STEM, travel, and design fields, with her narrative frequently cited as a catalyst for breaking gender barriers in high-risk and technical domains.

References

  1. https://www.elspethbeard.com/
  2. https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discovery/history-stories/elspeth-beard-first-british-woman-to-motorcycle-around-the-world/
  3. https://www.advpulse.com/adv-rides/elspeth-beard-round-the-world/
  4. https://expeditionportal.com/living-legends-elspeth-beard/
  5. https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/half-a-dozen-questions-with-elspeth-beard
  6. https://www.aronline.co.uk/the-great-motor-women/elspeth-beard/
  7. https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/elspeth-beard-one-early-globetrotters/
  8. https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/surrey-architect-who-became-first-15040763
  9. https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/life/travel/elspeth-beard-660605
  10. https://www.elspethbeardarchitects.co.uk/
  11. https://www.gtmotorsports.org/b-f-elspeth-beard/
  12. https://schweizermonat.ch/all-of-a-sudden-i-was-completely-on-my-own-totally-free-to-make-every-single-decision-about-everything/
  13. https://www.adventurebikerider.com/article/interview-meet-elspeth-beard-the-fearless-adventure-motorcyclist-who-became-the-first-british-woman-to-ride-around-the-world/
  14. https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/bmw/bmw-r60-6-73.html
  15. https://www.elspethbeard.com/travels
  16. https://adventuremotorcycle.com/news/lone-rider-elspeth-beard-octane-press
  17. https://www.bmw-motorrad.com/en/articles/elspeth-beard.html
  18. https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/shropshire/albrighton-and-cosford/2024/03/04/bike4life-vip-line-up-confirmed/
  19. https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/resource/bike4life-2024-event-raises-record-funds-for-lifesaving-missions.html
  20. https://blueridgemotorcyclingmagazine.com/famed-rider-elspeth-beard-joins-bmw-celebration/
  21. https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/motorcycling-pioneer-architect-winds-down-practice-to-focus-on-her-passion
  22. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOoQmC2jBDr/?hl=en
  23. https://www.boundlessrider.com/resources/legacy-riders/elspeth-beard/
  24. https://www.jacadatravel.com/the-explorer/women-travel-interviews-elspeth-beard/
  25. https://uk.linkedin.com/in/elspeth-beard-b9b20114
  26. https://www.omeek.co.uk/company/elspeth-beard-architects-limited/05802651/
  27. http://loneriderbook.com/
  28. http://loneriderbook.com/pdf/EBA_GDM_March04.pdf
  29. http://loneriderbook.com/projects/threshingbarn.html
  30. https://www.elspethbeardarchitects.co.uk/portfolio-collections/unusual-converstions/crowts-barn
  31. https://www.elspethbeard.com/architecture
  32. https://www.elspethbeardarchitects.co.uk/portfolio-collections/unusual-converstions/ladywell-barn
  33. https://www.elspethbeardarchitects.co.uk/projects
  34. https://www.elspethbeardarchitects.co.uk/studio
  35. http://loneriderbook.com/projects/munsteadwatertower.html
  36. https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/refurbished-water-tower-stars-tv-6169109
  37. https://www.wsj.com/story/luxurious-living-in-britains-water-towers-1eed5e10
  38. https://www.elspethbeardarchitects.co.uk/portfolio-collections/unusual-converstions/munstead-water-tower
  39. https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/converted-british-water-towers-take-luxury-living-to-new-heights-11640879600
  40. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/huge-homes-hugh-dennis-review-enjoyable-property-show-heaven/
  41. https://www.mombooks.com/book/lone-rider/
  42. https://octanepress.com/book/lone-rider
  43. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35000047-lone-rider
  44. https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/book-report-elspeth-beards-lone-rider
  45. https://invenusveritas.com/the-petrolettes-blog/2017/7/18/review-lone-rider
  46. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B073VNSXS2
  47. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018986572/motorbikes-and-towers-elspeth-beard
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loH9xhkrkdY
  49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yzD75ZTYtg
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLMkRBE_MEA
  51. https://www.facebook.com/culturetrip/videos/elspeth-beard-the-first-woman-to-go-round-the-world-on-a-motorbike/4089541744590510/
  52. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQr-zNOD4Lu/
  53. https://www.pbs.org/video/dinnerandabook-lone-rider/
  54. https://www.bike4lifefest.com/post/bike4life-2024-event-raises-record-funds-for-lifesaving-missions
  55. https://www.thebulletin.be/conversation-elspeth-beard-st-johns-school-talks-intrepid-motorcyclist-and-architect-1-june
  56. https://gearstickandclutchbag.com/elspeth-beard-the-lone-rider/
  57. https://www.twowheelsforlife.org/news-listing/two-wheels-for-life-joins-forces-with-global-motorcycle-brand-bike-shed-moto-co/
  58. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/20250510
  59. https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/people/elspeth-beard-the-woman-who-motorcycled-the-world-in-the-1980s
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.