Customer Reviews

A Bike Ride: 12,000 miles around the world

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have lived with this book ever since it came out in paperback in 1992. I have read it now seven times, and I never weary of it. It is a wonderful book, to inspire, occasionally to sadden, but most of all to inspire with the idea of a shared humanity. I have read the other reviews with genuine interest, and the one area where, as someone who has read a great deal of travel writing, I want to take issue is with the suggestion either that there is too much history, or not enough personal material. Anne Mustoe gets the balance exactly right. We are always with her as she cycles into town, usually thanking our lucky stars that we don't have cockroaches or other unmentionables under OUR beds. Incidentally, the original Virgin paperback did have a photo of Anne on the cover; and there are photos of her in the other books. She is a handsome woman; but she is also a wise woman, and a writer of great skill.

Buy and cherish this book. It took me a few years after reading it to pluck up courage to organise a solo holiday (in Japan) without going down the package route. We all have our levels of bravery, I guess; and Anne Mustoe's is exponentially higher than mine. But without her book, I don't think I'd have even done that!

This was an inspirational book, written by a historian. I enjoyed the book.

However, I was disappointed with the book in one way. The author speaks mainly as a historian, taking the reader on a historical tour of all of the places she visted on her bike. Even by the end of the book, we know very little about the author herself, or her personal feelings. There are several very poor, black-and-white photos of places she visited, but there is not even one photo of her! I would have preferred one photo of her, with her bicycle, anywhere, than all of the other photos she included in the book. I would also have liked her to share more of her personal life with the reader, which she seems to have purposely avoided (In the chapter where she travels through the American Midwest, she comments that Americans seem to discuss their personal problems even with strangers, but indicates that she feels that is an oddity. I found that an interesting comment on American culture, and probably very true, when compared with other cultures, especially the British culture.)

This one issue aside, I found the book inspiring, for a woman of her age, and poor physical condition (at the outset) to have cycled around the world. I read with great interest her descriptions of the people's behavior (both toward her and toward each other) in various places. I was quite surprised by her descriptions of Pakistanis, Indians, and various Americans (as an American myself). I was both surprised and not surprised by her travels across America--it being the hardest place because of the vast, empty distances (particularly in the West).

Disappointingly, the author shared only a few minor details of her life. I am quite a history buff myself, but this book rather overdosed on history. Nevertheless, I did pick up a few interesting historical tidbits. For example, I found it quite interesting that her cycling through Italy was far easier than many other places (in spite of the mountains) because the Romans constructed their roads in such a way as to try to never give up height before reaching the highest point. Therefore, the route gradually climbed, whereas in newer areas (such as America), modern roads repeatedly climb and fall, making it much harder on a cyclist.

Mrs Mustoe wasn't very fit or very young when she decided to embark on her adventure around the world. She wasn't even sure if she would make it, but was certainly going to give it a go. As a result, I have thought "well, if she can cycle around the world, I can cycle a country" and am looking forward to doing so this year. This book gives you an insight into the history of the various areas visited as well as a glimpse of the wonders of human nature along the road. Truly an inspiration and should be read by anyone who is even beginning to think "Oh, I don't think I'm capable of adventure anymore!"

This is a fun book. It is not a standard Great Outdoors bikelogue; Mrs Mustoe's style is too genteel for that. She stays in rooms rather than tents (ranging from the cheapest of the cheap in Pakistan to international hotels elsewhere), and writes with more enthusiasm about the cities she crosses than about the countryside which separates them. Much of its charm comes from the personality of its author and in particular her passion for history. For Mrs Mustoe this was probably a much greater adventure than for more typical long-distance cyclists; up to the great day when she set out she had been, as she says, a headmistress in a Hardie Amies suit, and her descriptions of her slow adaptation to this completely different lifestyle are intriguing. She has shown that even the less likely candidates can enjoy long distance cycling, without any of the special skills which many bikelogues consider essential; as far as I can tell she accomplished her journey without toeclips and without knowing how to fix her own punctures!

Found this book on the shelf in summer let in Andalucia. While I was gripped enough to avoid the midday sunshine and found her experiences inspiring, I too could have done with some more of the author herself. I find Josie Dew more 'human' with more of herself to give, not just the terrain and historical encounters. Yes she (Anne)was following the route of Alex the
Great but a few more personal angles would have been entertaining.

What an amazing feat. A cyclists dream, but one which is getting more and more difficult to attempt due to all the world unrest.

Unfortunately the book doesn't quite live up to the feat itself. The book tells much of the history of the places visited. I would have preferred more narrative on the people met, and the emotions of Anne herself. I must admit I skipped a few chapters because I got bored.

Well done on the cycle, but a disappointing book in which I wanted to know more about the author, and was left wanting.

I liked this book and actually find ALL of Anne Mustoe's books good reads. Moreso as I will own up to being a little ignorant historically. ANYONE that has the balls to step totally away from the / their norm deserves heaps of credit in my eyes. Keep riding and keep writing Anne. Not to forget that this lady is in her mid 70's now. BRAVO !

Just heard.........................by pure fluke that Anne passed away in Syria on November 10th 2009. What more can I say than WHAT A LOSS ! A Legendary Cyclist and writer. I have all of Anne's books and think they are all equally brilliant ! R.I.P Anne, you will be sorely missed.

I found this book to be really inspirational.

Whilst i found it hard to get into, after the first couple of chapters I couldn't put it down. I particularly found the historical slant fascinating, setting it apart from other travel books, although I did think the book was quite short for such a long trip, and that some areas seemed to be skimmed.

I read this book twice and referred to it several times over the years. It has inspired me to cycle 2000 miles from London to Istanbul. The best book ever.

It took me a few chapters to get into this book but I did eventually start to enjoy it. The author brings the book alive with history relating to Alexander the Great's journey and also anecdotes about the things she experienced as she cycled the same route as a lone woman. It's a book for women everywhere who want to do something "their way" because they can do this thanks to the pioneers who came before us. I most definitely will be reading the other books about the cycling that Anne Mustoe has undertaken.