Two Wheels Through Terror: Diary of a South American Motorcycle Odyssey [Hardcover]

Glen Heggstad (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2004

Glen Heggstad is an adventure motorcyclist who seeks out and rides the most rugged places on the planet. He has been a Hell's Angel and a martial arts competitor, but no amount of training or experience was able to prepare him for what he became while riding to the southern tip of South America: a prisoner. This book is the shocking travelogue of Heggstad's journey through Central and South America, including his capture by Colombia's rebel ELN army, and the eventual realization of a dream. Follow along on his exciting, round-trip to the tip of the world, made all the more amazing by its intermission at the hands of terrorists. Heggstad was ripped from his motorcycle, robbed of everything, and forced to march through strange jungles with assault rifles in his back. He was fed only small amounts of rice and water and forced to carry heavy equipment, heavy packs, and heavy doubts about his future. Even with all the hand-to-hand and sophisticated combat training Heggstad possessed, it was his shrewd thinking, precise planning, and a "do-or-die" last act of desperation that eventually secured his freedom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a compelling story about bravery in the face of terror, [and] perserverance in overcoming adversity..." -- Peter Doyle, Producer “To Hell and Back” CBS News

"His terrifying account...sends chills down my spine... The story of his kidnapping justifies buying this book." -- Ted Simon, author of Jupiter’s Travels

"I’ve known Glen Heggstad for 25 years...this book is as unique as the man himself." -- Chuck Zito, Hell’s Angel and author of Street Justice

"Straight to the point with moods and emotions that come right off the page..." -- Jimmy Lewis, Cycle World Magazine Editor

About the Author

Glen Heggstad is an adventure motorcyclist who has ridden all over the world. His adventures have been featured on NPR and CBS's 48 Hours. His friends know him as an adventure motorcyclist who stands tall in the face of challenge--an ability that helped him to win several international martial arts championships; and earn the rank of Sergeant-At-Arms in the legendary Hell's Angels. His online journal at strikingviking.net has more than 25,000 devout readers. Heggstad currently lives in Palm Springs, California, where he owns and operates the martial arts school, Coachella Valley Judo.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Whitehorse Press (July 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884313493
• ISBN-13: 978-1884313493
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Travel > Latin America > South America > Colombia
  • #97 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Motorcycles

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great motorcycle adventure book!, November 7, 2004

By 

M. Rosen (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Two Wheels Through Terror: Diary of a South American Motorcycle Odyssey (Hardcover)

I won't bother outlining the story, the editorial review does a good job of that. I just want to say how much I enjoyed this book and how much I admire Glen Heggstad after reading it. I've done a few solo cycle trips - nothing on this scale, of course - and his writing captured perfectly the atmosphere of the journey. His tale of capture and release is chilling and suspenseful, but his story of the rest of the trip is just as good. The beautiful scenery, the huge variations in weather, the characters (good and bad) he meets on the road, and the solo tourer's feeling of isolation and necessary resourcefulness when faced with adversity all combine for a great adventure story. And of course, no great story is complete without insights into the character of the writer, and how his journey has changed him. That's here, too. If you read and enjoyed "One Man Caravan" or "Jupiter's Travels", buy this book; but be forewarned: after reading it, your next purchases may be a Kawasaki KLR650 and a World Atlas.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glen Heggstad Never Surrenders, April 3, 2006

By 

John Williams - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Two Wheels Through Terror: Diary of a South American Motorcycle Odyssey (Hardcover)

Sometimes you have to give in to the stresses of life--and other times you have to gut it out no matter what gets in your way. Glen Heggstad set out with a goal to ride from Palm Springs to Tierra del Fuego. Communist rebels in Columbia delayed him setting that goal for five weeks. No one could fault him for giving up, going home, healing up, dealing with the emotional trauma, and putting back on the 55 pounds he lost.

No one, except Glen himself. He got another bike shipped in from the states and completed his journey. He wouldn't let the terrorists win.

This is adventure writing at it's finest--a true story of striving through impossible odds to complete a journey--to reach a goal--to finish the job he started. Heggstad's DEFINITELY full of himself--but it isn't arrogance--it's well-deserved and accurate self-esteem. He's a larger-than-life figure, living a larger-than-life life. His writing is filled with a bravado attitude that would be an exaggeration for most people--not for Heggstad.

His kidnapping and captivity only take up a small portion of the book. The rest is devoted to his travels--depicted richly and vividly. It's a biker's dream come true--just get on the bike and keep going. THAT'S what this book's about: the ride, and the people you meet along the way. That's why Glen made the journey--the same reason all motorcyclists make the journey.

I couldn't put it down--well, except for times it motivated me to get on my bike and go for a ride.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crazy Glen, April 18, 2006

By 

B. Rucker - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Two Wheels Through Terror: Diary of a South American Motorcycle Odyssey (Hardcover)

As a former martial art student of Glen from over 7 years ago I can tell you that he tells events exactly as they happen. This is the most exciting book I have ever read.