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Janapar: Love, on a Bike
Sometimes the hardest part of a journey is knowing when it’s over.
When twenty-three-year-old Tom Allen and his friends set off from their English village to cycle around the world, they were expecting physical hardship, extreme conditions and a serious case of culture shock. But the hours spent poring over maps could never have prepared them for the experience of life on the road: the petty squabbles, the extreme hospitality, the unexpected joys and dangers.
And then Tom meets Tenny, a feisty Iranian-Armenian girl with dreams of her own, and hits a crossroad. Should he give up his grand plan for the girl he loves, or cycle off and risk missing out on the greatest adventure of them all?
When twenty-three-year-old Tom Allen and his friends set off from their English village to cycle around the world, they were expecting physical hardship, extreme conditions and a serious case of culture shock. But the hours spent poring over maps could never have prepared them for the experience of life on the road: the petty squabbles, the extreme hospitality, the unexpected joys and dangers.
And then Tom meets Tenny, a feisty Iranian-Armenian girl with dreams of her own, and hits a crossroad. Should he give up his grand plan for the girl he loves, or cycle off and risk missing out on the greatest adventure of them all?
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2013
28 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 18, 2014
This is a work of non-fiction that reads like a novel. It is one thing to be an adventurous spirit who has the courage to set out on a multi-year journey and a whole other thing entirely to patiently recount it in a way that appeals to others. Tom Allen accomplishes both. I've read many bike travel books and blogs only a mother could love, which were not much more than a day-by-day log of miles covered and weather encountered. Tom resists the temptation to bore his readers with the more mundane details of life on the road, in favor of artfully weaving moments and self-reflection into a story that makes the reader feel as if they were experiencing them too.
It is intimate, personal, and honest. I cannot disagree more with the reviewers who dismiss the book and journey as self-indulgent. The author demonstrates a keen self-awareness as well as a clear maturation throughout the journey. He often comes up with memorable insights about people and culture that are both profound in their simplicity and beautiful in their expression.
I read this after following the author's blog (Tom's Bike Trip) and eagerly waiting for his documentary and book to be released. The documentary was good but cannot compare to the incredible depth and vividness of storytelling in the book. So, see the documentary if you will, but do not expect it to replace the experience of reading the book.
I highly, highly recommend this, particularly for anyone who has ever felt the call of the open road or thought about setting out on a huge, life-altering journey. I didn't want this book to end, and I am sure I'll be revisiting it again for inspiration.
It is intimate, personal, and honest. I cannot disagree more with the reviewers who dismiss the book and journey as self-indulgent. The author demonstrates a keen self-awareness as well as a clear maturation throughout the journey. He often comes up with memorable insights about people and culture that are both profound in their simplicity and beautiful in their expression.
I read this after following the author's blog (Tom's Bike Trip) and eagerly waiting for his documentary and book to be released. The documentary was good but cannot compare to the incredible depth and vividness of storytelling in the book. So, see the documentary if you will, but do not expect it to replace the experience of reading the book.
I highly, highly recommend this, particularly for anyone who has ever felt the call of the open road or thought about setting out on a huge, life-altering journey. I didn't want this book to end, and I am sure I'll be revisiting it again for inspiration.
August 7, 2019
After following Tom's blog for a while, I could hardly wait to get my copy of Janapar.
I was pleasantly surprised of the way the author decided to lay out his story in a non-linear way in regards to timeframe. Although I already knew that this was not only a story about adventures from point A to point B it felt even more not so because of this choice of style.
It was an enjoyable read, very inspiring, at some points funny and at some points serious, it brought up a lot of self-searching and emotions.
Aside from the story, in terms of writing, I think the author did a great job, he was coherent, simple and sincere.
I definitely recommend Janapar to anyone and I'm happy to have it in my home.
I was pleasantly surprised of the way the author decided to lay out his story in a non-linear way in regards to timeframe. Although I already knew that this was not only a story about adventures from point A to point B it felt even more not so because of this choice of style.
It was an enjoyable read, very inspiring, at some points funny and at some points serious, it brought up a lot of self-searching and emotions.
Aside from the story, in terms of writing, I think the author did a great job, he was coherent, simple and sincere.
I definitely recommend Janapar to anyone and I'm happy to have it in my home.
October 13, 2017
I love travel books, especially books like this that put epic world travel into words. I found this book inspiring and well written about a world travel by bike. I found myself relating to Tom and wanting to read more about what happened to him. The non-linear approach was slightly disconcerting at first, but once I got used to the style then I could understand and appreciate the approach, I was waiting for the point when the two aspects of the journey would catch up with themselves! I loved this, it has definitely inspired me.
September 26, 2017
Good and the Bad
Over all I liked this book. The author shared a lot of insights into the struggles a solo cyclist will face. I found his perspective kept me reading. I felt the continuity of his story line was disjointed but not so much that you couldn't read through it. Over all I liked the book.
Over all I liked this book. The author shared a lot of insights into the struggles a solo cyclist will face. I found his perspective kept me reading. I felt the continuity of his story line was disjointed but not so much that you couldn't read through it. Over all I liked the book.
October 7, 2018
I really liked this book. Tom is a fine story teller, and if you are interested in bicycle touring, then I would highly recommend it.
November 12, 2025
What an absolutely enjoyable read - not to mention a fantastic adventure of exploration and love. Tom and Tenny, may you continue to have bright horizons!
March 10, 2013
I was really looking forward to this book after backing this project through Kickstarter, but was really disappointed with it about a quarter of the way through. And things didn't improve after that.
The author tries to relay the message that he changed over the 2 years of cycling (well about 1 year of cycling and 1 year not) from an uncaring, thoughtless whiny bloke into a person of understanding, tolerance and character. Unfortunately, at the end of the journey, I feel he accomplishes none of this and just adds arrogance to his repertoire.
All through the book he will start on a story of something he has done in his travels, get about 75% of the way through the story and then stop, moving onto the next. Sure, you don't always need an ending to an anecdote and can often fill in the blanks yourself, but just one ending for any of the stories would have been nice. Either he was doing this for dramatic effect (which didn't work) or he doesn't know how to tell a story. Oh, and the "love on a bike" part is about one tenth of the book and most of that is a chapter one whether he should go back for the girl or continue on his journey.
I really wanted to like this book and the author, but I could never warm to this person or his story.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book.
The author tries to relay the message that he changed over the 2 years of cycling (well about 1 year of cycling and 1 year not) from an uncaring, thoughtless whiny bloke into a person of understanding, tolerance and character. Unfortunately, at the end of the journey, I feel he accomplishes none of this and just adds arrogance to his repertoire.
All through the book he will start on a story of something he has done in his travels, get about 75% of the way through the story and then stop, moving onto the next. Sure, you don't always need an ending to an anecdote and can often fill in the blanks yourself, but just one ending for any of the stories would have been nice. Either he was doing this for dramatic effect (which didn't work) or he doesn't know how to tell a story. Oh, and the "love on a bike" part is about one tenth of the book and most of that is a chapter one whether he should go back for the girl or continue on his journey.
I really wanted to like this book and the author, but I could never warm to this person or his story.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book.
May 3, 2016
I was really looking forward to reading this, but by the end was left feeling decidedly meh about it.
He's a good writer but not at all a deep or interesting person. Rather self centered and a bit boring, honestly. Ja, he was young, when he made the trip, I give him that. Writing this book seemed a rather self indulgent exercise, all in all.
I was most disappointed that the presumed love story was barely even described at all.
After living with the woman he supposedly wants to spend his life with for months then making a bit of a bike tour with her, he doesn't devote a single line about her life, history, family, dreams, stories nor their mutual experiences, feelings, or relationship. Shallow, often??
In fact, the only thing I remember him saying about about her with regard to love is that he loves her because she was willing to throw things aside for him. Something to that effect. hmmm.
He does gain some minor insights about traveling, people and life on the way, but it doesn't really outweigh what is a pretty mundane tale by a very ordinary young guy.
If I had done this trip, I would never have made a film or book of it. There just isn't much to tell.
I biked 18000 miles in the last 3 years and many more over the years so I know a bit about touring and that it's mostly pretty tame stuff...best for just telling the highlights to fellow travelers or pals later.
He's a good writer but not at all a deep or interesting person. Rather self centered and a bit boring, honestly. Ja, he was young, when he made the trip, I give him that. Writing this book seemed a rather self indulgent exercise, all in all.
I was most disappointed that the presumed love story was barely even described at all.
After living with the woman he supposedly wants to spend his life with for months then making a bit of a bike tour with her, he doesn't devote a single line about her life, history, family, dreams, stories nor their mutual experiences, feelings, or relationship. Shallow, often??
In fact, the only thing I remember him saying about about her with regard to love is that he loves her because she was willing to throw things aside for him. Something to that effect. hmmm.
He does gain some minor insights about traveling, people and life on the way, but it doesn't really outweigh what is a pretty mundane tale by a very ordinary young guy.
If I had done this trip, I would never have made a film or book of it. There just isn't much to tell.
I biked 18000 miles in the last 3 years and many more over the years so I know a bit about touring and that it's mostly pretty tame stuff...best for just telling the highlights to fellow travelers or pals later.
July 5, 2015
Janapar is a brave book that tells a wonderful story of human adaptation, courage and perseverance. As a travel book, it will likely disappoint the reader, because their is not a lot about the people or places that Tom rides too. As a brief journey from a seemingly naive, self-centered and protected adolescent (who isn't at that age?) to an incredibly reflective, appreciative young man who already recognises that the purpose of life is in the doing, not the owning or achieving, it is action packed with detail and change. A real ballsy book for the way it examines the way we put pressure on ourselves to succeed and helps the reader see that success and failure are not black and white, cut or dried. It is about perspective.
April 23, 2016
"sometimes, the hardest part of [writing a book] is knowing when it's over." tom allen took a long, trip and learned much about himself...his book was not all that long or arduous, but i didn't seem to learn all that much. having toured long distances, i read a couple of the more recent accounts from riders and got a similar feeling from them all--tell me something i didn't know, or, at least don't repeat yourself so much.
still there was enough here to hold my attention for a chapter now and again. the organization, or lack there of, fit that reading style too.
still there was enough here to hold my attention for a chapter now and again. the organization, or lack there of, fit that reading style too.
August 4, 2013
This book was my first contact with world bicycler Tom Allen. Perhaps if I had followed his travels via his blog or seen the movie first, I would have enjoyed it more. Unfortunately the book is self indulgent, I suppose may self published books are. The book jumps around in time, not sure why the author did this but it just doesn't work.
As a stand alone book, it doesn't work. My advice to readers: find his Flickr page, so you can have some pictures to help follow the journey.
As a stand alone book, it doesn't work. My advice to readers: find his Flickr page, so you can have some pictures to help follow the journey.
March 15, 2016
A wonderful life defining story
A story of one mans journey around the world but more importantly a journey through life, to find meaning and purpose, something we all seek but many never find. Often self effacing, certainly at times selfish in pursuit of understanding his place in the world this was one book I couldn't put down. Well done Tom, you have inspired me.
A story of one mans journey around the world but more importantly a journey through life, to find meaning and purpose, something we all seek but many never find. Often self effacing, certainly at times selfish in pursuit of understanding his place in the world this was one book I couldn't put down. Well done Tom, you have inspired me.
June 19, 2013
Just can't warm to this guy, comes across as self obsessed, a scrounger and a bit of a fruitcake. No wonder his mates ditched him. If my daughter brought this guy home I'd chuck both of them out !
July 2, 2016
I liked it but it dragged on for a bit. Story could've been truncated and just as effective in its message.
September 27, 2015
Worth the money, an interesting story
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews