michael_h's review
5.0
I think I picked this book up on the recommendation of someone I know rather than just seeing the title and thinking "I should read this!". And it lingered in my ever growing collection of ecclectic books. I started reading Alastair's Shouting From The Shed newsletters and listening to his Living Adventurously podcasts, all the time with this book in the back of my mind. Covid-19 came with it's lockdown, combined with a shoulder injury limiting my own physical activity - eventually I found the time to read through my collection of books and I got round to picking this up. I discovered the sales receipt tucked neatly into the front cover and realized I'd purchased it back in December 2013. Shame on my ignoring this book for so long.
Alastair claims this to be not a particularly well written book as it was his first effort and that his subsequent works are better. I found the book very enthralling as he recounts the trials and tribulations of his epic journey. The tales of the people he met along the way continued to pique my curiosity. I'm now about to order the follow up and will not be waiting so long to read it. And next time I moan about having to cycle home from work on a warm day with squeeley brakes and a broken spoke (it happened once) I'll remind myself of what Alastair put himself through.
Alastair claims this to be not a particularly well written book as it was his first effort and that his subsequent works are better. I found the book very enthralling as he recounts the trials and tribulations of his epic journey. The tales of the people he met along the way continued to pique my curiosity. I'm now about to order the follow up and will not be waiting so long to read it. And next time I moan about having to cycle home from work on a warm day with squeeley brakes and a broken spoke (it happened once) I'll remind myself of what Alastair put himself through.
halfmanhalfbook's review
4.0
Harbouring a desire to ride round the world Alastair Humphreys had saved and planned it for ages, and at the age of 24 he was ready to leave. Or was he? Huge doubts had set in and he was worrying about all sorts of things, but he took the plunge and set off to the continent. As the days passed through Europe, confidence grew and after a couple of weeks cycling he was approaching Istanbul, and the prospect of leaving Europe and moving into Asia. Then the September 11th attacks happened. This changed everything and made the route through Iran, and Afghanistan he’d had in mind, untenable. Instead he had to turn right and pedal through a tense middle east and head into the wild lands of Africa.
So begins the first part of Humphreys global journey. It is well written account of his ride and encounters with the people of each country he passes through. Almost exclusively he finds that people are friendly and welcoming, bar the odd one or two, and even though he was strongly advised not to ride some of the countries, he takes a risk. He writes with an open heart and he tells us the moments where he is at his lowest ebb and his moments of elation. Overall a very enjoyable read; looking forward to the second half soon.
So begins the first part of Humphreys global journey. It is well written account of his ride and encounters with the people of each country he passes through. Almost exclusively he finds that people are friendly and welcoming, bar the odd one or two, and even though he was strongly advised not to ride some of the countries, he takes a risk. He writes with an open heart and he tells us the moments where he is at his lowest ebb and his moments of elation. Overall a very enjoyable read; looking forward to the second half soon.
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