Motorcycles in Mind — Peter Steele
A route to serenity
Classification: Memoirs, Motorcycles: general interest
Reviews
Pete Steele takes you on a rollicking ride through episodes of his life that are at times comical and other times overwhelmingly awful. Throughout his struggles as a young adult in Manchester, motorcycles come to his rescue. When the demons set out to torment him, long motorcycle rides in the hills of the North West, often at night, provide the space and the solace that he cannot find elsewhere.
Steele’s lively writing style pulls you in making you feel part of his narrative. Sometimes enjoying the farce of a housemate trapped in a fallen wardrobe, at other times feeling the suffering of a journey through freezing rain without all the gear but as well, the joy of just riding, alone or with friends.
As you accompany him on the journey through these and later episodes, you will enjoy the tales and thoughts on the dozens of motorcycles he has owned and ridden, from spluttering East European two-strokes to luxurious smooth-running tourers. including one spell selling and riding the iconic Harley Davidson bikes.
Motor Cycles in Mind is a great read. It combines Steele’s personal struggles with the love of motorbikes. Riding provides his resilience to overcome adversities and is a fulfilling hobby. He also reflects on the kindness of strangers whose unexpected interventions over the years have helped to make him what he is today.
There’s laugh out loud humour and an unflinching honesty about the lows, as well as the highs, of his life in this unusual memoir by a working class Mancunian who made good. There are also enough heart-warming tales of the kindness of strangers during the 42 years Steel covers to restore one’s faith in the innate goodness of humanity.
Among many other things, he charts his progress from being a part timer selling dodgy luggage in a Debenhams store to a job where he did make a noticeable difference to other people’s lives as a police Covert Surveillance Officer – “helping ensure criminals got the punishment they deserved and the victims of their crimes had the justice they deserved.”
Of course there are the motor bikes, starting with a 50cc Tomos moped bought from Woolworths to the BMW F800ST he uses today. Steel points out that when you are riding a motor bike you are using all your senses all of the time, so you have to give it your complete attention. Looking back he says “I realise I’d discovered ‘Mindfulness’ before it was even invented – riding a motor bike gave me total peace of mind and a way through all my seemingly insurmountable problems.”
But you don’t have the slightest interest in Harleys and Hondas to enjoy joining Steel on this thoroughly entertaining and rewarding journey.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. An engaging memoir which intertwines the thrill of motorbikes with personal growth, and all to a cracking soundtrack…. A Triumph!
Verified Purchase
Firstly, a confession: I am not a reader of books. In fact, this is the first one I’ve read in full this entire century. Secondly, when I do read, I gravitate toward factual stuff—auto/biographies I can dip in and out of whenever the mood (or attention span) allows. Thirdly, I know the author personally, although it’s been far too long since our paths last crossed. And finally… I’m in it! Naturally, I flipped straight to the chapter with my name in it (and breathe—it’s all good, phew), before getting properly stuck in.
What follows is Steele’s life served with a generous mix of humour, sadness, reflection, and unapologetic honesty. He takes us from his post-teen days stumbling through the rapidly declining cesspit of 1980s Manchester, through all manner of trials and tribulations, and eventually to a pocket of Hertfordshire happiness and calm. Threaded through it all is his unwavering love for motorbikes. And not just one. No, no—this man changes motorbikes as often as I change my socks.
Add in the perfectly chosen song lyrics that soundtrack his ups and downs, and the result is a thoroughly entertaining read—heartfelt, relatable, and far more enjoyable than this self-confessed non-reader ever expected.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. An engaging memoir which intertwines the thrill of motorbikes with personal growth, and all to a cracking soundtrack…. A Triumph!
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Description
A life on two wheels, Peter takes us on a deeply personal journey through life’s twists, turns, and unexpected detours. From the freedom of open roads to the quiet moments of reflection, Steele explores how motorcycles became more than machines – they became therapy, escape, and connection.
Drawing on his years working as a Covert Surveillance Officer, he shares stories–sometimes funny, sometimes raw–about the people who shaped his life: those he trusted with his safety, the strangers who showed unexpected kindness, and the friends and family who taught him what loyalty truly means.
With sharp wit, honesty, and heart, Motorcycles in Mind is about resilience, togetherness, and the power of two wheels to carry us through even the darkest days.
Whether you’ve ever thrown a leg over a bike or simply wondered what drives those who do, this is a ride worth taking.
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Reviews
Pete Steele takes you on a rollicking ride through episodes of his life that are at times comical and other times overwhelmingly awful. Throughout his struggles as a young adult in Manchester, motorcycles come to his rescue. When the demons set out to torment him, long motorcycle rides in the hills of the North West, often at night, provide the space and the solace that he cannot find elsewhere.
Steele’s lively writing style pulls you in making you feel part of his narrative. Sometimes enjoying the farce of a housemate trapped in a fallen wardrobe, at other times feeling the suffering of a journey through freezing rain without all the gear but as well, the joy of just riding, alone or with friends.
As you accompany him on the journey through these and later episodes, you will enjoy the tales and thoughts on the dozens of motorcycles he has owned and ridden, from spluttering East European two-strokes to luxurious smooth-running tourers. including one spell selling and riding the iconic Harley Davidson bikes.
Motor Cycles in Mind is a great read. It combines Steele’s personal struggles with the love of motorbikes. Riding provides his resilience to overcome adversities and is a fulfilling hobby. He also reflects on the kindness of strangers whose unexpected interventions over the years have helped to make him what he is today.
There’s laugh out loud humour and an unflinching honesty about the lows, as well as the highs, of his life in this unusual memoir by a working class Mancunian who made good. There are also enough heart-warming tales of the kindness of strangers during the 42 years Steel covers to restore one’s faith in the innate goodness of humanity.
Among many other things, he charts his progress from being a part timer selling dodgy luggage in a Debenhams store to a job where he did make a noticeable difference to other people’s lives as a police Covert Surveillance Officer – “helping ensure criminals got the punishment they deserved and the victims of their crimes had the justice they deserved.”
Of course there are the motor bikes, starting with a 50cc Tomos moped bought from Woolworths to the BMW F800ST he uses today. Steel points out that when you are riding a motor bike you are using all your senses all of the time, so you have to give it your complete attention. Looking back he says “I realise I’d discovered ‘Mindfulness’ before it was even invented – riding a motor bike gave me total peace of mind and a way through all my seemingly insurmountable problems.”
But you don’t have the slightest interest in Harleys and Hondas to enjoy joining Steel on this thoroughly entertaining and rewarding journey.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. An engaging memoir which intertwines the thrill of motorbikes with personal growth, and all to a cracking soundtrack…. A Triumph!
Verified Purchase
Firstly, a confession: I am not a reader of books. In fact, this is the first one I’ve read in full this entire century. Secondly, when I do read, I gravitate toward factual stuff—auto/biographies I can dip in and out of whenever the mood (or attention span) allows. Thirdly, I know the author personally, although it’s been far too long since our paths last crossed. And finally… I’m in it! Naturally, I flipped straight to the chapter with my name in it (and breathe—it’s all good, phew), before getting properly stuck in.
What follows is Steele’s life served with a generous mix of humour, sadness, reflection, and unapologetic honesty. He takes us from his post-teen days stumbling through the rapidly declining cesspit of 1980s Manchester, through all manner of trials and tribulations, and eventually to a pocket of Hertfordshire happiness and calm. Threaded through it all is his unwavering love for motorbikes. And not just one. No, no—this man changes motorbikes as often as I change my socks.
Add in the perfectly chosen song lyrics that soundtrack his ups and downs, and the result is a thoroughly entertaining read—heartfelt, relatable, and far more enjoyable than this self-confessed non-reader ever expected.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. An engaging memoir which intertwines the thrill of motorbikes with personal growth, and all to a cracking soundtrack…. A Triumph!