Belfast rider and author Chris Donaldson weaves the tale of his decades-long attempt to reach Australia on his 1979 Moto Guzzi Le Mans. Leaving Belfast at 21 amid the Troubles, he planned to ride to Australia but was diverted by the Iranian Revolution, traveling instead through Africa (including apartheid South Africa), the Americas, and Argentina, later recounting it in his memoir Going the Wrong Way. Chris reflects on traveling for the journey, the kindness of strangers, and how writing the book 40 years later drew on diaries and photos. After his first adventure, Chris joined the family furniture shop in Belfast, which over the years he expanded into London and Dublin. In 2021, encouraged by a friend, he resumed his quest after COVID, faced border issues (including being denied entry to Jordan), continued alone after his friend quit the trip in Athens, and finally reached Australia, forming the basis of his next book, Adventure Before Dementia (May 2026). He discusses travel changes due to phones and the internet, Moto Guzzi community, other rides including Russia and U.S. trips, and how a Parkinson’s diagnosis motivates him to keep pursuing adventures.
Pictures of Chris, His Moto Guzzi and His Travels
Don’t miss the gallery on Chris’s website: https://chrisdonaldson.world/gallery-2/
Instagram: @chrisdonaldson.author
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Chris Donaldson
02:43 From London to South Africa
04:02 With a Motorbike, You’re Bonded to the Landscape
04:22 From the U.S. Down to Argentina
06:53 Another Go at Australia
08:30 What’s Changed in 40 Years, What’s Stayed the Same
11:38 Going Back to the Family Business in Belfast
14:14 A Pensioner Riding a Motorbike Around the World
16:42 Pilgrimage to Australia – Arriving at Last
17:54 The Moto Guzzi Le Mans
19:23 Crossing the Sahara on the Motorbike
20:23 The Biggest Problem at Age 21
22:52 Every Corner Is a Danger
23:59 Traveling Light
27:10 Teo Lamers Cathedral of Moto Guzzi Festival
27:57 Texas
29:30 It Keeps You Young
31:00 Meeting Up With Old Friends on New Journeys
32:20 Russia
34:42 Spark of Recognition
38:06 Adventures Before Dementia and Going the Wrong Way
Chris’s Books
Going the Wrong Way
Adventures Before Dementia
Both books are available on his website: https://chrisdonaldson.world
Or use Amazon (not an affiliate link) if ordering from the U.S. or Canada:
Going the Wrong Way – https://www.amazon.com/Going-Wrong-Way-Australia-possibly/dp/1838012761
CREDITS
Host and creator: Christi Cassidy
Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com
Artwork by Phyllis Busell
Music by Eve’s Blue.
Post-production help from Auphonic.com.
Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai.
LINKS:
More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com
Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/
Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram
