Bikers' Bookshelf

This second edition of Motorcycling in Scandinavia features the diaries of the two road trips from the first edition plus a photographic record of a shorter trip to France completed in 1948. In preparing this new edition the opportunity has also been taken to complete some minor revision of the original text and photographs.

The book is a travelogue of young motorcyclists from the south of England riding their motorbikes, one a 500cc Triumph Speed Twin built just before the Second World War and the other a post war 250cc BSA C10. It has been produced from the diaries of my late husband John Pearton and describes two journeys he made with his friend Ken Walton around Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

For their last trip in 1949 they were also accompanied by Ken’s sister, who was a war widow, and me, June. In those days I was John’s girlfriend. The book gives an insight into travels along routes with no motorways through a Europe still recovering from the privations of war. Although the natural beauty of Scandinavia remains unchanged the photographs bring the time and journeys to life, giving an insight into a world emerging from the effects of the recent conflict.

The pictures and stories are very much of their time and capture the perspectives of the characters who were young adults in their twenties. In the UK food rationing continued until 1952 and was in place in Scandinavian countries during the trips. Although neutral, Sweden was impacted by the conflict and had rationing too. Foreign travel was still restricted, the British passport limited the range of holiday destinations and visas were required for a number of European countries but not Scandinavia. Currency restrictions were in place with limits to the amount of money that could be taken on trips. In 1948 the basic annual foreign allowance for travel was around £35 and the amount taken was recorded in your passport.

Nowadays road travel is very different with extensive motorway networks, roll-on/roll-off ferries and powerful reliable motorbikes to ride. However, there are still plenty of gravel washboard roads in northern Europe. Photography was very different, films used to take many of the pictures in this book were originally developed by John at his home.

The book contains over one hundred images mostly black and white but including some coloured by hand tinting. The volume also features John’s sketches and colour photographs of ration coupons. Whether classic motorcycle enthusiast or intending to tour Scandinavia I am sure you will enjoy the book.