Credits and Thanks

First to everyone who encouraged me to cut the strings that bind and start this adventure, I owe a huge thanks. With so much support, the decision was very easy to make and then carry through.

Without exception, everyone was excited, enthusiastic and supportive of me going. I think this is a testament to your own wisdom and love.

To those at school who encouraged me to go and didn't give me a hard time for leaving - Tiff, Susan, Kerry, Rose, and everyone else, thank you for a wonderful five years. To Gareth for taking the piss and Jeremy for standing up for me. Sorry I couldn't stay any longer.

To my integral group, your support in helping me realise myself was instrumental in me reaching where I am now and where I might be on future journeys.

To my friends I left behind - Laura and Alice in the Mansions, Michael here and there and everywhere, Dan in Valhalla and in the lurch, Untrustworthy Pete who is definitely not in Sri Lanka, Sean and Jo, Alex mon frere. Jude and Karen, the wisest fishwives in town. I would have had more fun boozing and beasting round Brighton with you all, but its not all about fun. You were with me in my heart me every step of the way.

To my family, who have supported me with love and wisdom in whatever I do. Mum, Dad, Tor, Aunty Pat, Ollie, Ethan and Phil. I owe everything to you. And to Circe for understanding, or probably not.

To the people I met and allowed me to portrait them; To Ricky and Suzy who unbeknown helped me discover a voice, to Spanish James who inspired with his own adventures and spirit, to Jamaica for his effervescance, to Oliver for beginnings and endings, to Aiytour for his gentleness, to Neil for his ingenuity. I hope that the words give at least a hint of your magic.

To those people I met but I didn't write about; Trixie, Michelle and the breakfast club, the Royal Mountain EBC Group that we shared so many moments with, thanks guys. To Miri, you've got a bright future kid. Jen, you're amazing. Coen, you're gonna be running the UN one day.

To the many many Indian and Nepali people who helped me out along the way; Indra, an extraordinary guide and friend, Mundre who looked after us with his fists when necessary, Deepak who guided me and told stories round Panchesi, Joey, Jamaica, Raju and Vik in India, Vishma in Nepal, and the many other hotel and guest house owners who gave good advice everywhere I stayed.

To those mechanics who helped with Carmen and Ambliss; to Rajesh (for an Evil Pimp, he is not so bad) and Pandit Jee at the Angel Factory, to Ashish at Lucky Motors in Sangla, to the Punjabi brothers in Jaisamer, to Lucky Motors in Rishikesh and Raju, the Bullet Doctor at the Coolest Bar and Bike Hospital in Pokhara. You treated my girls like the Dirty Angels they are, patching them up and sending them back to the war zone. My gratitude.

To all the nameless people who also helped me with Ambliss and Carmen whilst we were out on the road; I would have been up shit creek without you! When I needed you, you were there, with smiles and generosity and crowbars when necessary. You literally saved my life.

And so to the people who have shared this trip with me.

To The Black Knight. Sachin a bolder adventurer than I will ever be; Racing you along the road to Jodhpur was a joust and duel worthy of legend (if only you hadn't thrashed me so badly!) It was the start of some astonishing adventures in the deserts, and a friendship that will go on for years.

To the Saffron Knight, the Restless Pilgrim, Bart, Parthajeet Das. Poet, Playwright, Pandit, a Knight on a Crusade of a different kind; I wish you bon fortune on all your quests. Lets tilt at Windmills again someday.

To Dan; If you had not come to India, then my journey here would have been poorer, harder and a lot less fun. You taught me about bikes and biking, and for that I will forever be in your debt. Next adventure will be somewhere a bit easier, in a climate a bit more pleasant, on machines that are a bit kinder.

To Mark; We went to places neither of us expected, both inside and out. It was a privilege to have shared this with you. It is an honour to be your friend. There will be more, for both of us.

Thanks to people who encouraged, advised or spread the work about the blog; Laura A, Neil G, Kurt N, Chris the Badge, Tor, Alex, Nicola M, Jen. And special thanks to Szuzsu for all the advice I never took, it was always a pleasure to get your emails.

And finally thanks to you, for reading this blog and sharing this journey with me. It has been, well, more than my wildest dreams.

This book is dedicated to unexpected teachers. I had two on this trip, who taught me, transported me, and kept me safe. Carmen and Ambliss. They have it all; style and class, guts and balls, power and precision. Thank God they are bikes and not human girls, otherwise I would be in real trouble. I will never, ever forget the adventures we shared.