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Helen Lloyd
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Desert Snow - One Girl's Take On Africa By Bike (Helen's Take On... Two-Wheeled Adventures) Kindle Edition

by Helen Lloyd (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 318 ratings
Desert Snow is the story of one girl, one bike and 1,000 beers in Africa.

By daring to follow a dream and not letting fear prevail, Helen cycled across the Sahara, Sahel and tropics of West Africa, paddled down the Niger River in a pirogue, hitch-hiked to Timbuktu and spent three months traversing the Congo, which she thought she may never leave...

A lot can change in 2 years, cycling 25,000km from England to Cape Town. So can nothing. Helen takes you with her on the journey through every high and low of her memories and misadventures. She describes a continent brimming with diversity that is both a world away from what she knows and yet not so different at all.
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  1. Part of series
    Helen's Take On... Two-Wheeled Adventures
  2. Print length
    340 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    22 May 2013
  5. File size
    1.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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 See full series
There are 4 books in this series.
  • Kindle Price:
    £15.97
    By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's Kindle Store Terms of UseSold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00CYSAYNE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Take On Creative (22 May 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 318 ratings

About the author

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Helen Lloyd

Helen Lloyd

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In 2009, Helen Lloyd quit her job as an engineer to spend the next two years cycling 25,000 kilometres through Africa, from home in England to Cape Town. On the way, she also paddled a pirogue 350 kilometres down the Niger River.

Since returning from Africa, Helen has cycled through North and Central America, and across Asia, including Siberia in the winter.

For her more recent adventures, she rides a motorbike and has traversed Europe and Africa.

www.helenstakeon.com

www.twitter.com/helenlloyd

www.facebook.com/helenstakeon

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
318 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a wonderful read with excellent writing, particularly praising how it takes readers through the scenery and people encountered during the journey. They describe it as an inspiring story of a young woman facing endless challenges alone, and one customer notes how the author makes friends with locals and other travelers. The book receives positive feedback for its good balance between cycle touring and storytelling.

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26 customers mention ‘Readability’26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and engaging, describing it as a wonderful and interesting journey.

"Good read rather her then me recomend" Read more

"...I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and have spoken about it often in class (a teacher), which is a good indication of the impact it has had on me...." Read more

"This is a brilliant book which shows cycle touring at its best...." Read more

"...She has the ability to always look on the bright side. A brilliant book." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Writing style’14 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, with one customer noting how it takes readers through the scenery and people encountered during the journey, while another describes it as a great adventure from cover to cover.

"An enjoyable story of an amazing journey, very well written. Not really much more to say, but apparently I have to use 10 more words :)..." Read more

"...really like the link to the photographs on Flickr; it was great to see the places and the faces; the dusty train journey, the pirogue, Lars, the..." Read more

"...Having had a moan, I thought this book was beautifully written and Helen's courage and determination shine through." Read more

"...Helen's account of her journey through Africa is a gripping story, well written and full of humour. I can highly recommend it." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Courage’11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of a courageous woman, with one review highlighting her determination in facing endless challenges alone, while another describes it as a wonderful account of a young woman's cycle.

"...Having had a moan, I thought this book was beautifully written and Helen's courage and determination shine through." Read more

"...A remarkably brave girl who coped with some dreadful weather, awful roads, poor food, and refused to pay any bribes to officials...." Read more

"...A book about courage and rugged determination that will stay with you a long time after it is finished - A caveat though don't be be fooled by all..." Read more

"A wonderful account of a young woman's cycle from Morocco to South Africa...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Story quality’8 positive0 negative

Customers describe this book as a gripping story of an epic journey.

"An enjoyable story of an amazing journey, very well written. Not really much more to say, but apparently I have to use 10 more words :)..." Read more

"A truly gripping story of Helen's bike ride down the west coast of Africa...." Read more

"...Helen's account of her journey through Africa is a gripping story, well written and full of humour. I can highly recommend it." Read more

"A good read and epic journey only spoiled by sometimes losing sight of what country she was in...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Inspiration’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspirational, with one review noting how the author makes friends with locals and other travelers, while another mentions how it restores faith in humanity.

"...She has a remarkable knack of meeting people and making friends of locals and other travellers...." Read more

"...ridden border system in northern parts of Africa but still has a good rapport and empathy with the people...." Read more

"A really interesting journey. Restores your faith in humanity! Enough to encourage anyone to get on their bike and go cycle touring." Read more

"Excellent piece of writing, inspired by an incredible journey. This book is one of great inspiration but delivered in light pleasant prose...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Cycle touring’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's coverage of cycle touring, describing it as a brilliant adventure.

"This is a brilliant book which shows cycle touring at its best...." Read more

"A brilliant adventure cycling (and paddling a leaky boat) through Africa over a two year period...." Read more

"Loved it. A good balance between cycle touring and experiences which makes the adventure. Well worth a read" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • K. W. Taylor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 September 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Good read rather her then me recomend
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  • Gary Pettersson
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    An enjoyable story of an amazing journey, very well written. Not really much more to say, but apparently I have to use 10 more words :)

    I really enjoyed this book.
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  • Sharon
    5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing African adventure
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 November 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I am an `armchair adventurer'. I have read so many books about hiking long distance paths, climbing challenging mountains and cycling across exotic lands that I feel I have an expert knowledge in all of these things (but in reality my knowledge is woefully lacking!). When I saw Helen's book on Kindle I thought it would probably be ideal to provide me with my `adventure book' fix: and I was right.

    Desert Snow is an eminently readable book. I almost felt as if Helen were here, sitting on my sofa, recounting all her tales just for me. Her writing style is not that of a literary master, but it is very personal and consequently I found it very engaging. I also really like the link to the photographs on Flickr; it was great to see the places and the faces; the dusty train journey, the pirogue, Lars, the wild camp sites, the rutted, dirt tracks and so on.

    There were a couple of places, however, towards the beginning of the book, where I got a little confused about where the author was and where she was headed (especially around West Africa!). I also would have liked more - more information about the places, the people, the camp sites, the hotels and hostels, the food - just more.

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and have spoken about it often in class (a teacher), which is a good indication of the impact it has had on me. I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who is interested in Africa, adventure and humanity. Of simply to anyone at all, no matter your interests!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Cocodemer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 June 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I was disappointed to see that the words 'sitting' and 'standing' seem to have disappeared from the English language,(although I recall 'standing' being used once!) they are continually substituted by 'sat' and 'stood'. Okay I am a bit picky but it really annoys me and as this is my review, I don't care! Having had a moan, I thought this book was beautifully written and Helen's courage and determination shine through.
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  • Scribbler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and inspirational
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A truly gripping story of Helen's bike ride down the west coast of Africa. A remarkably brave girl who coped with some dreadful weather, awful roads, poor food, and refused to pay any bribes to officials. She has a remarkable knack of meeting people and making friends of locals and other travellers. Unusually for a writer she tells us practically nothing about herself, her family, her emotional feelings or even her age. Some of the people she met (particularly Charles, in the Congo) seem to have been mesmerised by her but her only comment was 'I liked him'. Throughout her journey she seemed to be searching for something; I do hope she finds it, she's a wonderful woman.
    And it's such a relief to find a non-professional travel writer who doesn't pepper her story with exclamation marks.
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  • Cumbriann
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best way to see a country
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 October 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is a brilliant book which shows cycle touring at its best. Helen's account of her journey through Africa is a gripping story, well written and full of humour. I can highly recommend it.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars great achievement and an inspiring read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 August 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Imagine fighting your way on a bicycle on the back roads of Africa for 20 months. Takes a special person to actually thrive from the experiance and grow as a person . A book about courage and rugged determination that will stay with you a long time after it is finished - A caveat though don't be be fooled by all the 5 star ratings and expect great litterature and with a ghost writer could have been an even better read. Compare the blog the skippingkangaroo.com about a similar experience.
    One person found this helpful
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  • TonyH
    5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    An extremely well written account of her journey through Africa. Helen manages to tell her story in an informative and often amusing way. She talks about her frustrations with the bribery ridden border system in northern parts of Africa but still has a good rapport and empathy with the people. She has the ability to always look on the bright side. A brilliant book.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • ROBIN DEVROEDE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Helen Lloyd, une femme d'exception
    Reviewed in France on 26 April 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Je recommande ce livre d'Helen, un modèle de courage et de joie de vivre.Quelle aventure passionnante, pleine de rencontres et de découvertes.
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  • Johan Horak
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not only a cycle experience
    Reviewed in the United States on 30 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Helen writes easily. Simple. Fun. Clever. Inspiring. She said that many people come to Africa to try and change it. But living in Africa changes you.

    I live in Africa but have seen theses who rock up with their money to do good. Most fail.

    Helen did not come here to change. She travelled light. She asked nothing. But when a kebab was offered she graciously accepted. But preferred when it was offered with a beer.

    Her relationships with friends along the way...intriguing. But interesting.

    Her cycling brought her to places most would not dare. But reading the book you know that quickly understand that her fear was worse when she believed the stories people told her.

    She took most stories with a pinch of African salt.

    She did it.

    Read it. You'll love it.
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  • Richter Peter
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nett geschrieben
    Reviewed in Germany on 13 September 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Bei diesem Buch sollte Englisch gelesen werden können. Ansonsten nett geschrieben, angefangen von der Idee bis zur Realisation. Von Helen dürften noch weitere Bücher zu erwarten sein.
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  • David Coward
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book that you can't put down!
    Reviewed in Canada on 25 October 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great book that chronicles 2 years of a bicycle tour through Africa.

    The author explores the less traveled roads and villages, and her experiences are compelling and more interesting than any fiction novel.

    The writing is fantastic, both tender and raw at the same time. The writing is so good!

    There is no romantic candy coating of this adventure. She skillfully writes about the great scenary and wonderful people and places that she visitis. Similarily, she describes her dark days and miserable experiences with equal expertise.

    I loved the honesty of this story and I was enraptured by her fear of spiders and love of beer.

    This is simply a great book!

    Buy it.
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  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars libro di cicloturismo.
    Reviewed in Italy on 22 August 2019
    Verified Purchase
    bell' libro di avventure e viaggi ben scritto.
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