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Cycling the Earth: A Life-changing Race Around the World
Sean Conway was stuck in a life dead end of his own making when he heard about a round the world cycling race. He was immediately inspired – but it was a huge undertaking and he’d hardly been on a bike in years. Could he really cycle all the way round the world, solo and unsupported?
Six months later, after completing a punishing training schedule and packing up everything he owned into boxes, Sean was in Greenwich Park on the start line of the adventure of a lifetime. Soon he was way ahead of schedule, averaging 180 miles per day, and on course to break the round the world cycling record. But then disaster struck, and Sean was forced to confront the possibility that he may not be able to complete the race...
In the course of his 16,000-mile journey, Sean travelled the famous pan-American highway across the Atacama Desert, outran tornados, relied on fellow travellers to ferry water across the Australian outback, and inadvertently joined a cycle club in Mumbai. He learnt things about himself he didn’t know and rediscovered a spirit of adventure that changed everything. This is a book about an amazing and sometimes incredibly difficult journey, but it’s also a book about never giving up when there’s an opportunity to follow your dreams.
Six months later, after completing a punishing training schedule and packing up everything he owned into boxes, Sean was in Greenwich Park on the start line of the adventure of a lifetime. Soon he was way ahead of schedule, averaging 180 miles per day, and on course to break the round the world cycling record. But then disaster struck, and Sean was forced to confront the possibility that he may not be able to complete the race...
In the course of his 16,000-mile journey, Sean travelled the famous pan-American highway across the Atacama Desert, outran tornados, relied on fellow travellers to ferry water across the Australian outback, and inadvertently joined a cycle club in Mumbai. He learnt things about himself he didn’t know and rediscovered a spirit of adventure that changed everything. This is a book about an amazing and sometimes incredibly difficult journey, but it’s also a book about never giving up when there’s an opportunity to follow your dreams.
368 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 15, 2017
Sean Conway was stuck in a rut, working as a portrait photographer he was bored of taking photos of uncooperative children; and his relationship had just gone south too. Whilst in this limbo, he heard about Mark Beaumont breaking the record for cycling around the world. He had managed over 100 miles a day and obliterated the previous record. Even though he hadn’t been on a bike for years, this was a challenge that immediately inspired him; but could he actually do it?
An arduous six-month training schedule would prove it one way or the other…
Somehow, he survived it. He packed his entire belongings into a set of boxes and joined some other like minded maniacs on the start line in Greenwich Park for the adventure of a lifetime. His aim was simple, cycle around 180 miles per day, every day and claim the record for himself. He started well, managing to reach his daily total and he cycled across Europe and then on to South America and the pan-American highway Atacama desert. Tracking the opther swho set out on their own journey. As America beckoned, with the wide road and good tarmac, he realised that he was in for a good chance of the record.
Then disaster! As he came to, he now realised that not only was record may slipping from his grasp, but he might not even be able to finish the challenge.
What comes across in this is his relentless drive to complete the challenge that he set himself. He wears his heart on his sleeve too as we follow his high days and low days, dodge tornadoes and chases dogs. He is no wordsmith though, but there is plenty of self-depreciating humour in the text, making this is an enjoyable read as we follow Conway racing around the world. He is quite inspirational too, proving that anyone can be ambitious and achieve their dreams. Not the best round the world cycling adventure, but still worth reading.
An arduous six-month training schedule would prove it one way or the other…
Somehow, he survived it. He packed his entire belongings into a set of boxes and joined some other like minded maniacs on the start line in Greenwich Park for the adventure of a lifetime. His aim was simple, cycle around 180 miles per day, every day and claim the record for himself. He started well, managing to reach his daily total and he cycled across Europe and then on to South America and the pan-American highway Atacama desert. Tracking the opther swho set out on their own journey. As America beckoned, with the wide road and good tarmac, he realised that he was in for a good chance of the record.
Then disaster! As he came to, he now realised that not only was record may slipping from his grasp, but he might not even be able to finish the challenge.
What comes across in this is his relentless drive to complete the challenge that he set himself. He wears his heart on his sleeve too as we follow his high days and low days, dodge tornadoes and chases dogs. He is no wordsmith though, but there is plenty of self-depreciating humour in the text, making this is an enjoyable read as we follow Conway racing around the world. He is quite inspirational too, proving that anyone can be ambitious and achieve their dreams. Not the best round the world cycling adventure, but still worth reading.
October 18, 2016
This is no literary masterpiece, but then, it never claims to be. What it is though is a simply told and honest account of an amazing cycling journey that took the author around the world. At times it is light on for detail with little or no background info, but it does manage to capture the immensity of achievement.
3 stars for the writing, but 5 stars for the adventure!
3 stars for the writing, but 5 stars for the adventure!
July 15, 2018
Author had a great adventure. Does it translate into a great book.
For me not so much. It surely has something to do with the nature of his adventure. He was after all racing across the World, he was not exploring it. So it boils down to head wind, tail wind, food, water, heat, rain... It managed to grip me maybe a few times. Had no problems putting it down for the day.
For me not so much. It surely has something to do with the nature of his adventure. He was after all racing across the World, he was not exploring it. So it boils down to head wind, tail wind, food, water, heat, rain... It managed to grip me maybe a few times. Had no problems putting it down for the day.
September 7, 2023
Adventure, Passion, simply told. An engaging account of Sean Conway's attempts to beat the world record for cycling around the world. The adventure and the endurance are admirable, especially overcoming a serious disastrous accident and resolving to continue. Pushing out 150-200 miles a day through extreme terrain is a monumental effort. Chapeau Sean Conway. Follow your dreams. He certainly did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2024
Bored, fed up, and stuck in a rut, with nothing to keep him tied to his current life, Sean gets the crazy notion to cycle the world.
Something that only other people do. Not people like him.
It is an easy read and interesting enough to keep you reading.
Something that only other people do. Not people like him.
It is an easy read and interesting enough to keep you reading.
April 10, 2018
Inspiring, makes you want to go out and ride the bike around the world with out a doubt.
January 12, 2019
Brilliant read.
Brilliant read. Inspirational, super interesting and a great example of a normal guy proving that actually nothing is beyond us.
Brilliant read. Inspirational, super interesting and a great example of a normal guy proving that actually nothing is beyond us.
March 31, 2019
A really pleasant and inspiring reading.
March 20, 2021
Simply written and well told story about giving up on the grind of life and chasing the adventure. Quite inspiring. Think my wife and kids will miss me!
August 6, 2023
Another brilliant and inspiring story told Sean
January 16, 2025
A good story, but the narrative voice lacks true literary talent. But if you can cycle that far you don’t need a literature degree I guess
August 31, 2026
A nice, easy read through. If you like traveling, cycling, and/or challenging yourself in general: this is for you :).
March 12, 2017
I was taken by the first part of the book, the journey through Africa and South America. North America lost me, though, as it was day after day of cycling. I'm not quite sure what else I was expecting :) I guess I felt the story lost a bit of purpose after the accident and the reframing of the race. I was sufficiently interested to finish the book but I'd have liked more of a conclusion about what happened afterwards.
March 3, 2017
Simple but inspiring book to read. Didn't want it to end. Quality book.
March 23, 2019
An unexpected read but a welcome read nonetheless. Loved it thoroughly. I have been thinking to do a long cycling tour myself and this was a sure shot motivator. The description at times is so vivid, I could bet I was there with him to see the places!
September 19, 2016
An inspirational story of a man who gave up the boring life. Exciting at times but a little short.
October 16, 2016
Kul type, kul bok. Likte nok boken bedre fordi jeg nylig har vært på lang sykkeltur selv, om enn ikke like lang - og hvert fall ikke like ekstrem). Kjente meg likevel godt igjen i mye av hans refleksjoner og tanker mens han var på sykkelsete (til og med musikksmaken). Og gøy og lese reiseskildringer fra de forskjellige kontinentene, hvordan kontrastene var osv.
November 29, 2016
Sean Conway is a legend and an inspiration.
March 31, 2018
Excellent we all need an adventure
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews