Ted Simon

Ted Simon is a British author best known for his influential autobiographical work, Jupiter’s Travels, which catalogued his four-year, 68,000-kilometer journey on a Triumph motorbike around the world. He has since published several other books, including The Gypsy in Me, Riding Through the Storm and Dreaming of Jupiter.

Born in 1933 in London to a British father and Romanian mother, Ted grew into his teenage years with a deep longing to see the world beyond his home city of London. He completed his journalism studies in college and began writing for magazines and newspapers in their travel sections whenever possible. After a few years and frustrations in his profession, he decided that he must save and buy an appropriate vehicle to travel the world, living a nomadic lifestyle. At age 26, he purchased his first motorbike and packed his bags to set off on his journey across the world.

Over the course of his four-year journey, he visited 32 countries spanning two continents and, along the way, pieced together what eventually became the highly-acclaimed book, Jupiter’s Travels. During the daunting journey, Ted encountered difficult and dangerous terrain, spanning jungles, deserts and mountains. Ted was determined and pushed aside any fear and apprehension in order to continue the journey, which he had so determinedly set out to complete.

Jupiter’s Travels was published in 1979 and soon became a classic of modern travel literature, featured in several bestseller lists. The book paints an honest and compelling account of his experience, including his own difficulties and faith-filled moments. It conveys that, although Ted faced many hard moments, he never lost his inner spirit and determination.

Due to his immense success, Ted was offered many opportunities and was even invited to attend motorcycle rallies occurring all around the world. Additionally, in 1998, Ted opened a motorbike tour company, offering ecological tours through Scotland and England. Throughout his career, Ted has become an authority on motorbiking around the world and was even a consultant on the eerily similar movie, The Motorcycle Diaries, released in 2004.

Follow up books such as The Gypsy in Me, Riding Through the Storm and Dreaming of Jupiter have all received high acclaim, easily incorporating Ted’s conversational style of writing and his astute observations about the locations in which he had passed through. Additionally, he also publishes articles for various newspapers around the world, sharing his continued love for travel and exploration.

Throughout his life, Ted Simon has continually pushed the boundaries of his profession, his hobby and his personal goals. He captures his experiences in travel writing and entices his readers with the power of his stories and his endless wanderlust. Ted will forever be remembered for his humble beginnings, his zest for life and his resilience in the face of the often-unforgiving world.