Sam Manicom’s dramatic fourth book takes you on an enticing yet frequently challenging motorcycle journey across the ever-changing landscapes of Mexico, the United States and Canada. Sam’s girlfriend Birgit is no longer a novice motorcyclist–riding through southern Africa and South America turned her into a rider capable of facing any challenge. But Sam was worried. As they arrived into North America they had been travelling around the world by motorcycle for six years and he was beginning to think that North America was going to be easy; too easy in fact. Were all the challenges of travel in the developing world countries going to be missing? Sam couldn’t have been more wrong. Join Sam and his girlfriend Birgit as they ride from Guatemala into Mexico. You’ll travel with them as they head east towards the Yucatan, exploring ancient Mayan ruins and finding new challenges as they ride. Sam, a notorious magnet for mishaps almost kills himself within minutes of riding over the border. Woven into this two and a half year story are the surprises, the tales of the completely unexpected and Sam describes the constant learning curve that every adventurer wants to be on. Samuel Johnson wrote, ‘The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them how they are.’ After all, aren’t these some of the main reasons for going travelling? To experience as many different things and ways of life as possible? To discover new and wonderful things, but also to have preconceived ideas challenged. This true life story has more twists and turns than a Rocky Mountain Pass, and as it did them, at times it could challenge you too. Woven into this surprising story are canyons, cowboys, idyllic beaches, bears, mountains, Californian Vineyards, gun-toting policemen with grudges, glaciers, exploding volcanoes, dodgy border crossings and some of the most stunning open roads that a traveler could ever wish to see. He's been described as, 'One of the foremost and most readable adventure motorcyclists writing about their adventures on two wheels.’ In 2018 Sam was presented with the 'Spirit of Adventure' Award by Overland Magazine in recognition of his contribution to overlanding and long distance motorcycle travel. Adventure Bike Rider Magazine ‘Globe-trotting biker Manicom’s a natural storyteller. Although this trip may sound like a standard ride through familiar country, be assured, it isn’t!’ ADVMoto Magazine ‘You feel it, smell it… you freeze, you sweat, and you see what’s before him like you’re along for the ride. You are very much there. RiDE Magazine ‘Sam Manicom’s appeal is that he’s the ordinary guy doing extraordinary things. He’s incredibly modest for someone who’s been so far’ The Rider’s Digest ‘Any good travel book must involve the reader as well as inspire and Tortillas to Totems does just that with vivid descriptions of the roads, places and people that Sam and his partner Birgit travelled and met. By the end of the book I was definitely itching to get out on the road on an adventure like this – in my opinion, the best compliment one can pay to a story like this. Sam is a natural storyteller going way beyond “we went here and did this…”, getting under the skin of each country he visits…’ Trail Bike Magazine ‘ Those who already own Sam’s earlier books will doubtless want to add to them with this, whilst those who’re new to his work will find it a fine place to start.’ Bike Magazine ‘ It’s an inspiring tale.’ The Daily Record ‘ Sam Manicom is the best adventure bike writer in the world. You could be his pillion, so well does he describe the sounds, sights and smells of the road.’ 'Tortillas to Totems is compelling, with a combination of diary, narrative and commentary that really makes the reader feel like you're right there in front of the campfire with Sam.' --Web Bike World.com 'All we know is that Sam Manicom is the best adventure bike writer in the world... You could be his pillion, so well does he describe the sounds, sights and smells of the road.' --The Daily Record 'Sam Manicom's appeal is that he's the ordinary guy doing extraordinary things. He's incredibly modest for someone who's been so far, sometimes in the face of highly unfavourable odds... Great stories...' --RiDE Magazine New Mint Condition Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon Guaranteed packaging No quibbles returns