Scan barcode
ikkithepirate's review against another edition
4.0
So I finally finished this book, I actually met Julian last summer when I was on summer school in England. He had this presentation about cycling and how it went for him and the book was pretty much about what he talked about but with more information which I found very interesting. It made me wanna do something so adventures: just go cycling around the world. I'm giving it 4/5 mainly because I've actually met him and he made the whole thing interesting. If I had randomly read this book without meeting him, I don't think I would've enjoyed it as much as I did.
scottishclaire's review against another edition
3.0
Julian Sayarer's epic cycle around the world is not to be underestimated - he rode 180 days unsupported, solo and on less than 10 euro a day. As a read, this was interesting and a good adventure. He seems to enjoy writing about the US the most, as it takes the lion's share of page turns.
His haste to consume 18,000 miles on two wheels means that this is not a leisurely and exploratory read - we only get glimpses and snapshots of cultures, experiences and landscapes as he blasts through them in his hurry to circumnavigate the globe. It's unfortunate I didn't get to learn more about the places he zipped past, as I would have liked to have known more about them and their place in the world. His human anecdotes were heartwarming and it was a pleasure to read about such kind souls.
Sayarer's style won't be to everyone's taste, but I personally like poetic storytelling and he is clearly a talented writer. However, saying that, this book is in desperate need of better editing. His writing flip flops between present and past tense (often from sentence to sentence), there are endless ellipses and the odd typo throughout; this irritated me and detracted from the overall enjoyment of the read.
I would have really, really liked a map included, so I could see his route and journey as I worked my way through the book. There is a selection of photos which give a good flavour of Sayarer's journey but a map would have been exactly the companion.
His haste to consume 18,000 miles on two wheels means that this is not a leisurely and exploratory read - we only get glimpses and snapshots of cultures, experiences and landscapes as he blasts through them in his hurry to circumnavigate the globe. It's unfortunate I didn't get to learn more about the places he zipped past, as I would have liked to have known more about them and their place in the world. His human anecdotes were heartwarming and it was a pleasure to read about such kind souls.
Sayarer's style won't be to everyone's taste, but I personally like poetic storytelling and he is clearly a talented writer. However, saying that, this book is in desperate need of better editing. His writing flip flops between present and past tense (often from sentence to sentence), there are endless ellipses and the odd typo throughout; this irritated me and detracted from the overall enjoyment of the read.
I would have really, really liked a map included, so I could see his route and journey as I worked my way through the book. There is a selection of photos which give a good flavour of Sayarer's journey but a map would have been exactly the companion.
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
3.0
Sayarer has been a bike nut all his life, from riding from a very young age to being a bike courier in London; a tough and relentless job. Having just seen the world record beaten for the cycling around the world, but with the cyclist sponsored by leading banks and corporations, he decides that this record belongs back with the true cyclists.
On a minimal budget of £8 a day, and with the intention of riding a minimum of 110 miles every single day to get back the record he has set himself a daunting target. Starting in France his route takes him across France and Europe, into Turkey and then Asia through the vast country of Kazakstan. Through China and Thailand. A brief sojourn through New Zealand and then America. After that he is back into Europe, and only has to cycle across Spain and back to Rouen his starting point.
Simple.
Except it isn't. It is hard, relentless and you have to be physically and mentally tough. Sayarer is that type of guy and he makes this epic journey with good spirit. The people that he meets are generous, welcoming and warm. I think he helps, as he is an engaging character, and the characters that he meets respect him for his challenge.
Well worth reading for those that love cycling and travel books. 3.5 Stars.
On a minimal budget of £8 a day, and with the intention of riding a minimum of 110 miles every single day to get back the record he has set himself a daunting target. Starting in France his route takes him across France and Europe, into Turkey and then Asia through the vast country of Kazakstan. Through China and Thailand. A brief sojourn through New Zealand and then America. After that he is back into Europe, and only has to cycle across Spain and back to Rouen his starting point.
Simple.
Except it isn't. It is hard, relentless and you have to be physically and mentally tough. Sayarer is that type of guy and he makes this epic journey with good spirit. The people that he meets are generous, welcoming and warm. I think he helps, as he is an engaging character, and the characters that he meets respect him for his challenge.
Well worth reading for those that love cycling and travel books. 3.5 Stars.
halfmanhalfbook's review
3.0
Sayarer has been a bike nut all his life, from riding from a very young age to being a bike courier in London; a tough and relentless job. Having just seen the world record beaten for the cycling around the world, but with the cyclist sponsored by leading banks and corporations, he decides that this record belongs back with the true cyclists.
On a minimal budget of £8 a day, and with the intention of riding a minimum of 110 miles every single day to get back the record he has set himself a daunting target. Starting in France his route takes him across France and Europe, into Turkey and then Asia through the vast country of Kazakstan. Through China and Thailand. A brief sojourn through New Zealand and then America. After that he is back into Europe, and only has to cycle across Spain and back to Rouen his starting point.
Simple.
Except it isn't. It is hard, relentless and you have to be physically and mentally tough. Sayarer is that type of guy and he makes this epic journey with good spirit. The people that he meets are generous, welcoming and warm. I think he helps, as he is an engaging character, and the characters that he meets respect him for his challenge.
Well worth reading for those that love cycling and travel books. 3.5 Stars.
On a minimal budget of £8 a day, and with the intention of riding a minimum of 110 miles every single day to get back the record he has set himself a daunting target. Starting in France his route takes him across France and Europe, into Turkey and then Asia through the vast country of Kazakstan. Through China and Thailand. A brief sojourn through New Zealand and then America. After that he is back into Europe, and only has to cycle across Spain and back to Rouen his starting point.
Simple.
Except it isn't. It is hard, relentless and you have to be physically and mentally tough. Sayarer is that type of guy and he makes this epic journey with good spirit. The people that he meets are generous, welcoming and warm. I think he helps, as he is an engaging character, and the characters that he meets respect him for his challenge.
Well worth reading for those that love cycling and travel books. 3.5 Stars.
More...