It was never just about the bike. When Brian Rix and Shirley Hardy-Rix set out to ride across the world, they weren't trying to break a land speed record or prove they were the toughest people on two wheels. They were just... going. If you've spent any time in the adventure motorcycling community, you know the name. Circle to Circle isn't some polished, corporate-sponsored travelogue. It’s a gritty, honest, and sometimes exhausting account of what happens when two people decide that "normal life" in Australia isn't enough anymore.
Motorcycle travel is hard.
People think it’s all sunset rides on open highways. Honestly? It's mostly dust, bureaucratic nightmares at border crossings, and trying to find a decent place to sleep when your back feels like it’s been put through a woodchipper. Brian and Shirley captured that better than almost anyone else in the genre. They didn't sugarcoat the mechanical failures or the sheer mental fatigue of being on the road for months at a time. That’s why the circle to circle book found such a massive audience among people who actually ride, rather than just those who dream about it.
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The 50,000 Kilometer Reality Check
Most people plan a trip to the grocery store. Brian and Shirley planned a route that spanned from London to Magadan, and then down through the Americas. We’re talking over 50,000 kilometers. That is a staggering amount of time to spend in the saddle. What makes their account stand out is the lack of ego. You see a lot of "adventure influencers" these days who make everything look effortless. They have support crews. They have high-end cameras.
The Rixes? They had each other and their bikes.
The book follows their journey through some of the most unforgiving terrain on the planet, including the infamous Road of Bones in Siberia. If you aren't familiar, the Road of Bones is a stretch of highway where the "pavement" is often just packed dirt and the history is as grim as the landscape. It's a rite of passage for serious adventure riders, but many fail. Reading about their struggle through the mud and the isolation of the Russian Far East provides a perspective that most travel books shy away from. It’s a study in persistence.
Why the "Circle" Metaphor Actually Matters
The title isn't just a catchy phrase. It refers to their journey from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle. Think about the temperature swings alone. You’re going from freezing northern tundras through the humid intensity of Central America and eventually down to the windswept plains of Patagonia.
Most travelers specialize. Some love the mountains; others love the desert. To do the "Circle to Circle" route, you have to be a generalist. You have to be okay with being miserable in every possible climate.
Dealing With the "What Ifs" on the Road
A lot of readers pick up the circle to circle book asking one specific question: How did they afford it? Or more accurately, how did they handle the fear of leaving everything behind?
Brian was a veteran journalist. Shirley worked in the same field. They weren't twenty-something backpackers with nothing to lose. They were established adults. That makes their story more relatable to the average reader who feels stuck in a 9-to-5. They prove that you don't have to be a professional athlete to tackle the world. You just need a solid bike—in their case, the legendary BMW R1200GS—and a lot of patience.
The book dives deep into the logistics that would bore a casual tourist but fascinate a rider.
- Carnet de Passages (the "passport" for your motorcycle).
- Shipping a bike across oceans without it ending up at the bottom of the sea.
- Finding tires in countries where your bike's engine size is larger than most local cars.
The Gear and the Grime
Let's talk about the bikes for a second. The BMW R1200GS is often called the "Swiss Army Knife" of motorcycles. It’s heavy. When it falls over in the mud—and it will—it’s a nightmare to pick up. Shirley, riding her own bike, represents a perspective that was fairly underrepresented in travel literature at the time of their journey. She wasn't a passenger. She was a pilot.
Her accounts of handling the bike through soft sand and high-altitude mountain passes in the Andes are some of the most compelling parts of the narrative. It’s not about "girl power" tropes; it’s about the technical skill and mental fortitude required to keep a 500-pound machine upright when the world is trying to knock you down.
Beyond the Pavement: Cultural Friction
One of the biggest misconceptions about long-distance motorcycle travel is that you’re constantly "meeting the locals" in some Hallmark-movie way. Sometimes you do. Other times, you’re just a weird alien in neon gear trying to buy gas from a guy who doesn't speak your language and thinks your bike costs more than his house.
The Rixes handle these interactions with a lot of grace. They don't pretend to be anthropologists. They acknowledge their own status as outsiders. This honesty makes the moments of genuine connection feel earned. Whether it's a shared meal in a Siberian village or a helpful mechanic in Peru, these interactions are the "reward" for the hardship.
The circle to circle book avoids the trap of many travelogues that treat foreign countries as mere backdrops for the author's personal growth. Instead, Brian and Shirley let the places speak for themselves. They describe the smells of the markets, the tension at military checkpoints, and the overwhelming silence of the open road.
Common Mistakes New Riders Make After Reading
I've seen it a hundred times. Someone reads a book like this and goes out to buy a brand-new bike and $5,000 worth of Klim gear the next day.
Slow down.
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The lesson of the Rixes isn't that you need the best gear. It's that you need the right mindset. They didn't start with a trip across Russia. They built up their skills over years. If you're looking at the circle to circle book as a blueprint, look at the preparation, not just the highlights.
- Skills over Stuff: A fancy GPS won't help you if you can't plug a tire in the rain.
- Maintenance is King: Brian’s background and technical knowledge were essential. You need to know your machine intimately.
- Physical Conditioning: Long-haul riding is an athletic endeavor. Your core and your neck will give out before your bike does if you aren't prepared.
Navigating the Bureaucracy
Let's get real about borders.
In the book, the descriptions of border crossings are enough to make anyone want to stay home. There’s a specific kind of stress involved in standing in a hot office for six hours while a bored official looks at your paperwork with suspicion. The Rixes explain how to navigate this without losing your mind. It’s about "the game." You stay polite, you bring copies of everything, and you never, ever show frustration.
This is where the "Expert" part of their writing comes in. They provide a roadmap for the mental endurance needed for global travel. It's 10% riding and 90% problem-solving.
Is "Circle to Circle" Still Relevant?
You might wonder if a book about a trip from years ago still matters in 2026.
The world has changed. Border rules are different. GPS technology has evolved. But the fundamental human experience of crossing a continent on two wheels hasn't changed a bit. The wind still feels the same. The fear of a breakdown in the middle of nowhere is still just as visceral.
The circle to circle book remains a staple because it’s a time capsule of a specific era of adventure riding, yet its core truths about human resilience remain evergreen. It’s a reminder that the world is both smaller and much larger than we think.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Adventure Riders
If this book has inspired you to start your own journey—whether it’s across the state or across a continent—here is how you actually start. Don't just dream about it.
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Take a Training Course
Don't assume your street riding translates to dirt. Take an off-road specific clinic (like those offered by RawHyde or similar organizations). Learning how to slide a heavy bike and recover from a stall on a hill is a literal lifesaver.
Start Small with a "Shakedown" Trip
Before you head to Siberia, head to the next county. Load your bike exactly how you think you'll have it for the big trip. Camp out for two nights. You’ll quickly realize that you packed too many clothes and forgot the one tool you actually need.
Read the Documentation Early
Look up the requirements for a Carnet de Passages for the countries you want to visit. Some require huge deposits. Others don't. Knowing the financial barrier to entry is the first step in realistic planning.
Invest in Communication
Brian and Shirley had each other, but they also had ways to reach the outside world. In 2026, there’s no excuse not to have a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach. It’s the difference between a mechanical failure being an "adventure" and it being a tragedy.
Document the Dull Moments
The Rixes' book is great because it includes the "boring" stuff. If you go on a trip, write down how you felt when you were tired. Take photos of the rainy campsites, not just the mountain peaks. That’s where the real story lives.
The circle to circle book isn't just a guide; it's a challenge. It asks you what you're willing to endure for the sake of seeing the world through a helmet visor. It’s about the grit, the grease, and the glory of the long way round.
Prepare Your Logistics
Before leaving, verify all passport expirations. Most countries require at least six months of validity. Ensure your international driving permit is current and covers motorcycles specifically.
Update Your Medical Kit
Standard first aid kits aren't enough for remote travel. You need a kit that includes trauma supplies—tourniquets, hemostatic gauze, and splints. Knowing how to use them is just as vital as carrying them.
Finalize Your Insurance
Standard motorcycle insurance rarely covers you once you cross international lines. Look into specialized providers like Danali or specific "Green Card" insurance for Europe and parts of Asia. Ensure you have medical evacuation coverage. It is expensive, but it is non-negotiable for a "Circle to Circle" style expedition.