The World at 15mph . . . ish

by Naomi Johnson

Aged 36 and ready for a change in her life, Naomi set off to cycle the world on the adventure of a lifetime - with a man she'd met only three times before! With early school reports noting Naomi would be better at sport if she at least turned up, this is not an athlete's journey - but the story of an ordinary person with a great opportunity and a can-do attitude. The trip would be life changing, seeing Naomi travel almost 20,000 miles and through 26 countries, including riding from Cairo to Capetown and crossing over the 5,416m Thorong-la pass in Nepal. Naomi's inspiring memoir is a story of overcoming challenges, making the most of life's opportunities and, of course, of travel, cycling, relationships and the oft missed part of travel writing - how do you adjust to life on your return home?

296 pages, Paperback

Published November 23, 2023

Reviews

[Michael F B Cook]

I have read a lot of books in this genre and broadly speaking they fall into two categories. Books I read which make me conclude I could never do that. Mark Beaumont falls into this category cycling around the world in 79 days (he writes a nice quote supporting this book by the way). And books I read which make me think I should really get off my butt and do that myself. This books is in that second category. Naomi is a self-proclaimed non-athlete who just happens to cycle 20,000 miles in various parts of the world including USA, Japan, Nepal and India, Africa, SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Turkey. For me this book is how an ordinary person can do extraordinary things. It has reflections on the direct challenge (cycling day after day) and the indirect challenges (family health and being far from home). As well as being popular with cyclings and world travellers I would think there is something for everyone here. Happy to highly recommend.

[Mark]

A wonderful jaunt around four continents as if riding pillion with Naomi. There’s terrific sightseeing going on but also honest storytelling following John and Naomi as they negotiate the challenges, internal and external.
I loved how the relationship between them both was described with the odd hint at how it developed.
A book clearly written with passion and positive reminiscences from the trip, tinged with life’s highs and lows with the love of parents and friends, now spread throughout the world. Well done John and Naomi for the achievement and thank you for sharing the adventure with us.