'Don't let your biggest fears stand in the way of your dreams, even if your biggest dreams happen to be your biggest fears.' That was exactly Bernie Friend's attitude when he ditched medication and group therapy to overcome a very unwanted companion - paranoia. A complete novice to long distance cycling, Bernie confronted many demons on his epic journey - a coastal cycle route which circles 6,000 kilometres of the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Scotland and England.Arm wrestling drunken trawlermen, a geriatric half marathon, Viking bring-and-buy sales, decapitated pirates, burning witches, Shakin' Stevens mega mixes, sea crossing motorways, walking sand giants and remote islands most people can't even be bothered to mark on a map are just some of the secrets coughed up by this adventure. Michael Palin and Bill Bryson watch out! Bernie's very personal story told in an easy-going travelogue style will have you hooked from start to finish. This is hugely entertaining and downright inspirational!
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An uplifting tale of one man's battle with his inner demons
-- LANCASTER CITIZEN
Bernie's startlingly honest peeks into the darkest corners of his own fractured mind are contrasted with many painfully funny observations -- YORK POST
Candid, heart-warming and hilarious -- LONDON CYCLIST
Funny, uplifting and a real eye-opener for those who have never enjoyed the delights of northern Europe and Scandinavia -- BIRMINGHAM MAIL
The bravest book we've read this year -- ADVENTURE TRAVEL MAGAZINE
This book rivals the work of names far better known in this genre -- CYCLING WORLD
With a well-tuned nose for nutters, Bernie sniffs out the strange characters who populate the coastal route and discovers the healing power of travel along the way -- SOUTHEND ECHO
-- LANCASTER CITIZEN
Bernie's startlingly honest peeks into the darkest corners of his own fractured mind are contrasted with many painfully funny observations -- YORK POST
Candid, heart-warming and hilarious -- LONDON CYCLIST
Funny, uplifting and a real eye-opener for those who have never enjoyed the delights of northern Europe and Scandinavia -- BIRMINGHAM MAIL
The bravest book we've read this year -- ADVENTURE TRAVEL MAGAZINE
This book rivals the work of names far better known in this genre -- CYCLING WORLD
With a well-tuned nose for nutters, Bernie sniffs out the strange characters who populate the coastal route and discovers the healing power of travel along the way -- SOUTHEND ECHO
About the Author
Bernie Friend was born in 1971 and lives in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. He has an unhealthy Doctor Who obsession, supports Southend United and enjoys pulling funny faces at himself in the bathroom mirror. He has followed a career path of digging holes, pulling pints, spinning records, delivering letters, selling market stall hats, number crunching and getting sacked for illegally swearing and smoking at his desk, all in the same breath, before becoming a journalist and writing his first book 15 years later. His only remaining ambitions in life are to sit on Richard and Judy's couch and spend an evening playing drunken Trivial Pursuit with Tom Baker.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Simon Bishop
Format:Paperback
Inspired to literally get on his bike following the tragic death of his mum, Bernie Friend, author of Cycling Back to Happiness, is not your typical travel writer.
An exhausting 6,000 kilometer cycle ride around the coasts of the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Scotland and England would be a daunting task for the fittest survivalist.
For Bernie, a lifelong hypochondriac with a morbid fear of dying horribly on foreign soil, it was an immense challenge.
Travel-phobic Bernie can't set foot on a plane, finds boats a terrifying prospect, and hasn't cycled since childhood. But in a last-ditch bid to take control of his fears he sets out from his home in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on an epic adventure with just a borrowed bike and a one-man tent for company.
With his well-tuned nose for nutters, Bernie soon sniffs out the strange characters who populate the coastal route and discovers the healing power of travel along the way.
Bernie is joined in Germany by a travelling companion. While Phileas Fogg had Passepartout and Ewan McGregor had Charley Boorman, Bernie is saddled with agoraphobic hermit Rhys as a peddaling partner.
Together they cycle on through Scandinavia, the perfect double act of tortured souls seeking a pine-scented salvation in the land of trolls and Vikings.
The result is an uplifting tale of one man's battle with his inner demons.
Bernie's startlingly honest peeks into the darkest corners of his own fractured mind are contrasted with many painfully funny observations on the weird and wonderful people and places that cling to the coastal journey around the North Sea.
Join Bernie on his journey, and be inspired to face your own fears head-on.
An exhausting 6,000 kilometer cycle ride around the coasts of the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Scotland and England would be a daunting task for the fittest survivalist.
For Bernie, a lifelong hypochondriac with a morbid fear of dying horribly on foreign soil, it was an immense challenge.
Travel-phobic Bernie can't set foot on a plane, finds boats a terrifying prospect, and hasn't cycled since childhood. But in a last-ditch bid to take control of his fears he sets out from his home in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on an epic adventure with just a borrowed bike and a one-man tent for company.
With his well-tuned nose for nutters, Bernie soon sniffs out the strange characters who populate the coastal route and discovers the healing power of travel along the way.
Bernie is joined in Germany by a travelling companion. While Phileas Fogg had Passepartout and Ewan McGregor had Charley Boorman, Bernie is saddled with agoraphobic hermit Rhys as a peddaling partner.
Together they cycle on through Scandinavia, the perfect double act of tortured souls seeking a pine-scented salvation in the land of trolls and Vikings.
The result is an uplifting tale of one man's battle with his inner demons.
Bernie's startlingly honest peeks into the darkest corners of his own fractured mind are contrasted with many painfully funny observations on the weird and wonderful people and places that cling to the coastal journey around the North Sea.
Join Bernie on his journey, and be inspired to face your own fears head-on.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By H. Moat
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Wish I had listened to the more critical reviews of this book, and not bothered buying it. And the reviewer who discribed it as 'cliched' is absolutely right.
Disappointing, and difficult to read. Sentences are overly long and lack variety. The writer tries to be clever with words, but delivers cliche after cliche.
He had a very narrow view of the countries he travelled through. Germany was dismissed as dirty, depressed and down-at-heel, for example - but he failed to understand he was only travelling through one small part of Germany. It's like comparing the Essex coast to the rest of Britain.
The writer was trying to be funny and amusing - but Bill Bryson, he aint!
Disappointing, and difficult to read. Sentences are overly long and lack variety. The writer tries to be clever with words, but delivers cliche after cliche.
He had a very narrow view of the countries he travelled through. Germany was dismissed as dirty, depressed and down-at-heel, for example - but he failed to understand he was only travelling through one small part of Germany. It's like comparing the Essex coast to the rest of Britain.
The writer was trying to be funny and amusing - but Bill Bryson, he aint!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By T. Williams
Format:Paperback
I tried really hard to finish this book, but gave up just after half way. It was tough.
Cycling around the North Sea was never going to be an exciting adventure. This, combined with the grammatical errors, his syntax and style of writing, did it for me I'm afraid.
Cycling around the North Sea was never going to be an exciting adventure. This, combined with the grammatical errors, his syntax and style of writing, did it for me I'm afraid.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
hit n miss
a humour and rain drenched book excellent descriptions of areas cycled thru but the humour is a bit heavy going at times and sometimes it just is,nt funny any more. Read more
Published 1 month ago by m. dosa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heart warmer
A heart warming story and a brave feat for someone with such a debilitating anxiety.
When you realise that Mr Friend tackled this journey nursing a lot of personal heartache... Read more
When you realise that Mr Friend tackled this journey nursing a lot of personal heartache... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Darren
1.0 out of 5 stars
Shockingly badly written book
Read this torturous book on holidays. I dont like to give up on something (unlike the author who actually quits the trip mid way) so I stuck it out. Wish I hadnt. Read more
Published 10 months ago by frjoe77
2.0 out of 5 stars
A BIT OF A LET DOWN
Hello . Well im sorry but i found this book a right let down . I thought the guy would give me a description of his adventures cycling around the whole of the North sea route . Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2011 by S. Lowery
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book sticks to the route
This was a Christmas present from the wife, having cycled part of the North Sea Cycle Route last summer. Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2011 by Pete Finch
4.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational
Loved the book and found in most enlightening and inspirational - helps that i've met Bernie and he's really nice bloke - love to know if he finished the trip
Published on 29 Nov 2010 by Ade68
3.0 out of 5 stars
Diary of a total beginner
From the first few pages it was obvious that Bernie friend was never going to complete this ride. But at least he managed to get out of it what he wanted, eventually packing up and... Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2010 by Stephen Lindley
5.0 out of 5 stars
buy this book!!
As someone who loves travelogues, especially cycling ones I found this book up there with the best.
This book is as much about the author and his self discovery than it... Read more
This book is as much about the author and his self discovery than it... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by bob bryson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never mind the Spandex...
I'm not a fanatical cyclist by any means, but I have come round to the idea of ditching the steering wheel for handlebars more and more, egged on by much keener friends, and... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2010 by Novice
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing book, deserves 5star average
Beautifully writen, exposes all his demons and shares his adventures. I read this before going on a cycle touring holiday. A holiday itself that was probably inspired by this book. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2010 by P. Burns
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