Andrew Earnshaw

Born and raised in South Yorkshire, the author joined the Royal Navy at seventeen in search of travel and adventure. Following a few years at sea, he then began work in the oil and gas industry which, in turn, led to further travels around the world. Andrew has been a lifelong scooter and motorcycle enthusiast and has been riding them from the age of fourteen (originally in fields and quarries). In 2007, he took his modest long-distance riding experience to new levels, starting with a month-long trip to Europe on a Yamaha trail bike. He then took a four month sabbatical and shipped his new BMW (nicknamed 'Mutley') to North America for a 20,000 mile trip. Whilst on that journey he decided to continue to ride Mutley around the world. Diane, his wife, joined him for part of the North American trip and then for the following two trips that ended when they finally arrived in Japan.

Andrew is an ardent motorcyclist. He owns a small eclectic collection of them and is often found tinkering or polishing, when not riding them. He is also a keen dancer, although in later years arthritis has curtailed this somewhat. He is married to Diane and has two (adult) children from a previous marriage and three grandsons.