Avon-Backed Motorcyclist Launches Latest Book

International motorcycle traveller Sam Manicom launched his latest book at The Ace Café on the North Circular Road, Stonebridge on 18 September, with his Gripster tyre supplier Avon in attendance. Manicom has used Avon rubber for the majority of the 250,000 miles covered during his time on the road around the world, so it was fitting that the tyre-manufacturer should attend his book launch with a show vehicle and a series of tyre displays. Avon representatives were also on hand to discuss the entire Avon range, though the focus was undoubtedly on Avon’s adventure bike tyres – the Gripster and Distanzia.

Avon’s Global Motorcycle sales manager Graham Matcham said: “Sam’s amazing adventures have proved just how good the Gripster range is. With this in mind and with many fans of his books attending the launch, as well as potential would-be adventurers appearing on the day, it makes sense for Avon to help make the book launch a success and showcase our adventure tyre range.” 

Manicom’s latest volume of his motorcycle adventures – entitled Tortillas to Totems – starts as Manicom and his partner Birgit Schuenemann arrive into Mexico from Guatemala on their BMW R80GS and R60/5 machines, both shod with Avon Gripster tyres. Manicom says: “With all the varied conditions that I ride in, you need a tyre that will deal with them all and still give you good tyre life and excellent handling under the ‘normal’ conditions you expect to face. This could be loose sand, gravel, stone, dirt, mud, pot-holes or normal Tarmac. With Gripsters the best mileage I’ve had from a rear tyre is 10,000, with the best from a front being an incredible 21,000 miles!”

Manicom originally left home back in 1992 on a brand-new BMW R 80 GS with only three months’ experience of motorcycling under his belt. Over the years since then he’s enjoyed adventures around the world, all of which are recounted in his popular books – Into Africa, Under Asian Skies and Distant Suns. Tortillas to Totems includes 22 colour photographs and 83 pen and ink drawings.