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Half the World Away: A 27,000 km bicycle journey from Alaska to Argentina
In July 2011, Ian Lacey cycled unsupported out of Deadhorse, Alaska, into the unknowns of America's wild northern frontier. More than 15 months and 27,000 km later, he arrived in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina – the southernmost city in the world.
Battling a chronic illness and leaving the girl he loves at home, Ian uses human power to see a side of the world many often miss. He journeys through days of isolation in Canada, camps in the silent beauty of the Baja Desert, climbs through the ice-covered Andes, and delights in the tranquillity of Chilean Patagonia on his way to El Fin del Mundo – The End of the World.
This book details Ian's fascinating experiences over two continents and in 15 countries as he sets out to read a unique story of people and place, all from the saddle of a bicycle.
Battling a chronic illness and leaving the girl he loves at home, Ian uses human power to see a side of the world many often miss. He journeys through days of isolation in Canada, camps in the silent beauty of the Baja Desert, climbs through the ice-covered Andes, and delights in the tranquillity of Chilean Patagonia on his way to El Fin del Mundo – The End of the World.
This book details Ian's fascinating experiences over two continents and in 15 countries as he sets out to read a unique story of people and place, all from the saddle of a bicycle.
515 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2016
42 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 22, 2019
Great inspiration
Vow! What a book to draw inspiration from. I am not sure I will follow Ian’s route, but I will certainly pull out my bike and start pedaling.
Vow! What a book to draw inspiration from. I am not sure I will follow Ian’s route, but I will certainly pull out my bike and start pedaling.
March 13, 2020
The story of a man whose cycling experience was commuting 8 km to work and then gets on a bike and cycles 28.000 km over 15 months from the northernmost point of the Americas to the southernmost point of the Americas is one worth reading. I am a casual bicycle tourist who enjoys reading bicycle touring books. Ian Lacey’s adventures are some of the most enjoyable I have read. There is an art to transforming daily journals and blog posts into a form that captures the reader’s attention and keeps them interested from the start to the end of the book. Ian Lacey did this.
His writing goes far beyond journal entries. He captured what long-distance bicycle touring is. He delved into both the loneliness and camaraderie of being a bicycle tourist. He got off the bike and experienced the people and culture. He vividly described the varied landscapes, locales, and climates across the Americas. He shared victories and low points when faced with challenges. It is an honest view of a very long bicycle tour discovering the unknown.
If you are looking for a book that captures the spirit of bicycle touring, this is a good one. You will learn a good bit about the dynamics of solo and partner bicycle touring, human nature and relationships, different cultures, and how a person can live an adventurous life over 15 months on two wheels at the speed of a bike.
His writing goes far beyond journal entries. He captured what long-distance bicycle touring is. He delved into both the loneliness and camaraderie of being a bicycle tourist. He got off the bike and experienced the people and culture. He vividly described the varied landscapes, locales, and climates across the Americas. He shared victories and low points when faced with challenges. It is an honest view of a very long bicycle tour discovering the unknown.
If you are looking for a book that captures the spirit of bicycle touring, this is a good one. You will learn a good bit about the dynamics of solo and partner bicycle touring, human nature and relationships, different cultures, and how a person can live an adventurous life over 15 months on two wheels at the speed of a bike.
June 16, 2017
Well-written. Lacey vividly conveys a feel for the landscape, climate and culture of the areas he passes through along his journey. He shares enough of his personal interactions with natives and fellow travelers to keep things interesting. The ending initially seemed a bit rushed; however, after reflecting upon it, I'm guessing it accurately portrays his excitement to finish and to reconnect with his loved ones at home.
February 3, 2018
Bicycling from Alaska to the Southern most Point of South America
Very well written account of bicycling from northern Alaska to the southern most point of South America! The author describes his journey with its hardships and wonderful scenes so masterfully! He goes into great detail of the towns, states and countries he goes through and even some history of the area! I will read his book after he cycles around the world!
Very well written account of bicycling from northern Alaska to the southern most point of South America! The author describes his journey with its hardships and wonderful scenes so masterfully! He goes into great detail of the towns, states and countries he goes through and even some history of the area! I will read his book after he cycles around the world!
April 6, 2021
I’m a true armchair traveller, I read travel books so I don’t have to go anywhere because it makes me ill!
This is the story of a man who planned a long cycle ride with his friend. Unfortunately his friend got fed up with him and they split up to travel separately. I sympathised with the friend because I also found the author very irritating at times.He worries a lot, his family/girlfriend are important so he Skyped them whenever he could. The wonders of the internet provided access to hugely useful information from fellow cyclists but it also meant the author couldn’t quite leave his girlfriend behind. There is a lot of agonising over how the distance the between them will affect the relationship. Then as the journey nears its conclusion he worries about his own future and how they will get on as a couple when they can actually see each other again.
The saving grace of the book is that the author is an excellent travel writer. His meticulous research reveals points of interest practically everywhere. He is a people person quickly forming on the road relationships relating interesting backstories of his hosts or temporary travel companions. One definitely gets a flavour of life within the countries he crosses.
I was strongly tempted to abandon this book whenever it became a struggle to read. I enjoyed it most in small doses.
In view of the hardships the author endured on this tough route I felt the least I could do was to stick with him. I’m glad I did but it was a marathon in places.
This is the story of a man who planned a long cycle ride with his friend. Unfortunately his friend got fed up with him and they split up to travel separately. I sympathised with the friend because I also found the author very irritating at times.He worries a lot, his family/girlfriend are important so he Skyped them whenever he could. The wonders of the internet provided access to hugely useful information from fellow cyclists but it also meant the author couldn’t quite leave his girlfriend behind. There is a lot of agonising over how the distance the between them will affect the relationship. Then as the journey nears its conclusion he worries about his own future and how they will get on as a couple when they can actually see each other again.
The saving grace of the book is that the author is an excellent travel writer. His meticulous research reveals points of interest practically everywhere. He is a people person quickly forming on the road relationships relating interesting backstories of his hosts or temporary travel companions. One definitely gets a flavour of life within the countries he crosses.
I was strongly tempted to abandon this book whenever it became a struggle to read. I enjoyed it most in small doses.
In view of the hardships the author endured on this tough route I felt the least I could do was to stick with him. I’m glad I did but it was a marathon in places.
January 8, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventurous book-Half the World Away. Having spent time living in and traveling through some of the countries that Ian cycled, I can honestly say how elloquently he captured the people, landscape and essence of the countries in which he encountered.
The personal account and back stories of the characters that he met along the way add to the already great descriptions that he provides of the social, political, historical and cultural backdrop which make you feel like you are being taken on this fantastic journey with him.
His humility and keen perception portray the realities of the people he meets and passes on his journey down through the Americas, giving a refreshing perspective and insight into true human nature and basic interactions rather than a dramatic account of 'adventure' which I find many travel writers trade for boastful, egotistical drama.
It is not often that great journeys are captured with such a high quality of literary prose however this book definitely offers both.
Well worth the read and will be keeping an eye out for future projects or books.
The personal account and back stories of the characters that he met along the way add to the already great descriptions that he provides of the social, political, historical and cultural backdrop which make you feel like you are being taken on this fantastic journey with him.
His humility and keen perception portray the realities of the people he meets and passes on his journey down through the Americas, giving a refreshing perspective and insight into true human nature and basic interactions rather than a dramatic account of 'adventure' which I find many travel writers trade for boastful, egotistical drama.
It is not often that great journeys are captured with such a high quality of literary prose however this book definitely offers both.
Well worth the read and will be keeping an eye out for future projects or books.
December 31, 2016
It is fitting that my last read and review of 2016 is an inspiring read. I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review and frankly it was a pleasure to read over the holidays. Over the course of 360 pages, like all good adventure books, I felt like I too went on an unforgettable journey as I read about Ian Lacey's epic cycle.
In February 2010, Ian Lacey met Lee Saville at a friend’s birthday party in Denver, Colorado. From the beginning it was clear that the two of them were looking to do something very different with their lives. Another chance encounter with a delegate at an environmentalist conference pointed Lacey in the direction of the Swedish mountaineer Gören Kropp. Then, as luck would have it, Lacey happened on a copy of Kropp’s book Ultimate High: My Everest Odyssey and this firmly sowed the seed of a long term cycling project in his head. This dream easily took shape on a strong foundation built from childhood.
‘My childhood had thickly-bound atlases and time spent imagining the colour of landscapes where unusual place names were inked; as an adolescent, I had been captivated by the images of National Geographic; in my early 20s, it was Bill Bryson, Stanley Stewart, and stories of Shackleton’s voyages which held me in their grip. All of these had left an enduring mark at each stage of my life, slowly incubating a wanderlust that for a long time had very little outlet due to my age, stage of education, and financial circumstances.’
Looking at the world map on his living room wall, Lacey decided that he ‘should travel it by bicycle – for no other reason than the fact that I could.’ This statement is made all the more remarkable in that Lacey could ‘count on one hand the number of times I’d been on a bicycle in the past year.’ For me this is what makes this book such an inspirational read. It gives you the sense that practically anyone could drop what they are doing and achieve something similar to what Ian Lacey achieved.
As the journey begins Lacey makes use of a great command of the English language to describe each setting that he finds himself in. I could almost hear the crunch of the gravel or the smooth, slick sound of a sealed road as he pedalled along. I could sense the bitter cold and dry humidity that he experienced as he cycled from the Arctic Circle through Central America and on towards his final destination. I could imagine the gurgling of rivers and the windswept beauty of several mountain ranges as well as the lively town squares of South America or the desolate stretches of open road. This is impressive writing for a first time author.
Memorable experiences include an encounter with a brown bear and her cubs, staying with or randomly encountering the Irish Diaspora in the most unexpected places and a visit to an almost mythical town of beautiful women. The journey also throws up an unexpected community of fellow cyclists who Lacey meets on the road several times during his trip. He had one off meetings with others such as partially blind couple Christi and Tauru and lone traveller Steve from Birmingham who are also undertaking journeys to break their apparent limits. It is the local population of South America that steals the show however with their down-to-earth kindness and genuine friendliness that constantly blows Lacey away.
The real heart of this book though is not the measurable distance that Ian Lacey cycled but the immeasurable personal journey that he went on over 18 months. Thanks to diary entries interspersed throughout the text we get a real sense of his thoughts and feelings from beginning to end. It is tremendous to witness his athletic transformation from a struggling cyclist in Alaska to a cyclist regularly banging out over 100km a day by the end.
To his credit, he does not wax lyrical about his experiences and often includes the ‘bad’ days, the disappointments and the worries. The deterioration of his relationship with initial cycling partner Lee makes for some honest reading. He also gives an honest opinion of people and their cultures without ever preaching. That being said, after eating, sleeping and drinking amongst them his opinions do carry some weight. Throughout the book, Ian also worries about his girlfriend Áine and how their relationship might change over the 18 months that he is away and all of these elements add a real human factor to the story.
At the end of the book, Lacey hints at further adventures to come in the future. This is an author that I will be keeping an eye out for.
Would I recommend this book to a friend?
Yes. This books offers an escape from the daily grind of a working life. As I read through the pages, I felt as if I was there beside the author as he cycled through two continents. This book might not inspire you to attempt a similar challenge, but it will inspire you to live a simpler life and all the joys that it entails. An excellent read.
Afterthoughts
This book is available on amazon.com as well as on www.ianlacey.com
The official blog of the trip www.350south.org adds to the reading experience
Ian Lacey dedicated his cycle to the Carers' Association of Ireland and raised over €30,000. Check out their website here http://familycarers.ie/
As South America approached, Ian made a special effort to learn Spanish and this undoubtedly added to his experiences with the local people. This proves that the only way to truly experience a culture is to immerse yourself in it!
In February 2010, Ian Lacey met Lee Saville at a friend’s birthday party in Denver, Colorado. From the beginning it was clear that the two of them were looking to do something very different with their lives. Another chance encounter with a delegate at an environmentalist conference pointed Lacey in the direction of the Swedish mountaineer Gören Kropp. Then, as luck would have it, Lacey happened on a copy of Kropp’s book Ultimate High: My Everest Odyssey and this firmly sowed the seed of a long term cycling project in his head. This dream easily took shape on a strong foundation built from childhood.
‘My childhood had thickly-bound atlases and time spent imagining the colour of landscapes where unusual place names were inked; as an adolescent, I had been captivated by the images of National Geographic; in my early 20s, it was Bill Bryson, Stanley Stewart, and stories of Shackleton’s voyages which held me in their grip. All of these had left an enduring mark at each stage of my life, slowly incubating a wanderlust that for a long time had very little outlet due to my age, stage of education, and financial circumstances.’
Looking at the world map on his living room wall, Lacey decided that he ‘should travel it by bicycle – for no other reason than the fact that I could.’ This statement is made all the more remarkable in that Lacey could ‘count on one hand the number of times I’d been on a bicycle in the past year.’ For me this is what makes this book such an inspirational read. It gives you the sense that practically anyone could drop what they are doing and achieve something similar to what Ian Lacey achieved.
As the journey begins Lacey makes use of a great command of the English language to describe each setting that he finds himself in. I could almost hear the crunch of the gravel or the smooth, slick sound of a sealed road as he pedalled along. I could sense the bitter cold and dry humidity that he experienced as he cycled from the Arctic Circle through Central America and on towards his final destination. I could imagine the gurgling of rivers and the windswept beauty of several mountain ranges as well as the lively town squares of South America or the desolate stretches of open road. This is impressive writing for a first time author.
Memorable experiences include an encounter with a brown bear and her cubs, staying with or randomly encountering the Irish Diaspora in the most unexpected places and a visit to an almost mythical town of beautiful women. The journey also throws up an unexpected community of fellow cyclists who Lacey meets on the road several times during his trip. He had one off meetings with others such as partially blind couple Christi and Tauru and lone traveller Steve from Birmingham who are also undertaking journeys to break their apparent limits. It is the local population of South America that steals the show however with their down-to-earth kindness and genuine friendliness that constantly blows Lacey away.
The real heart of this book though is not the measurable distance that Ian Lacey cycled but the immeasurable personal journey that he went on over 18 months. Thanks to diary entries interspersed throughout the text we get a real sense of his thoughts and feelings from beginning to end. It is tremendous to witness his athletic transformation from a struggling cyclist in Alaska to a cyclist regularly banging out over 100km a day by the end.
To his credit, he does not wax lyrical about his experiences and often includes the ‘bad’ days, the disappointments and the worries. The deterioration of his relationship with initial cycling partner Lee makes for some honest reading. He also gives an honest opinion of people and their cultures without ever preaching. That being said, after eating, sleeping and drinking amongst them his opinions do carry some weight. Throughout the book, Ian also worries about his girlfriend Áine and how their relationship might change over the 18 months that he is away and all of these elements add a real human factor to the story.
At the end of the book, Lacey hints at further adventures to come in the future. This is an author that I will be keeping an eye out for.
Would I recommend this book to a friend?
Yes. This books offers an escape from the daily grind of a working life. As I read through the pages, I felt as if I was there beside the author as he cycled through two continents. This book might not inspire you to attempt a similar challenge, but it will inspire you to live a simpler life and all the joys that it entails. An excellent read.
Afterthoughts
This book is available on amazon.com as well as on www.ianlacey.com
The official blog of the trip www.350south.org adds to the reading experience
Ian Lacey dedicated his cycle to the Carers' Association of Ireland and raised over €30,000. Check out their website here http://familycarers.ie/
As South America approached, Ian made a special effort to learn Spanish and this undoubtedly added to his experiences with the local people. This proves that the only way to truly experience a culture is to immerse yourself in it!
September 27, 2017
A brilliant read. It feels as if you are travelling the roads with the author and actually meeting with the people in the different countries.
If you like Peter Jenkins, Bill Bryson or other travel writers then this is for you.
If you like Peter Jenkins, Bill Bryson or other travel writers then this is for you.
November 16, 2019
Too much the woman
I get it, he misses her. But he chose this trip so... Didn't offer too much about the US in terms of experience. It was more of a pass through. Overall a decent read.
I get it, he misses her. But he chose this trip so... Didn't offer too much about the US in terms of experience. It was more of a pass through. Overall a decent read.
September 10, 2018
Slow reading.
February 6, 2019
Such a fascinating journey, expertly told. I can't recommend this book highly enough!
March 26, 2020
Amazing trip
It took me longer than normal to finish this book, partly because I did not want it to end, but it did. This is a must read book for the lover of the bicycle.
It took me longer than normal to finish this book, partly because I did not want it to end, but it did. This is a must read book for the lover of the bicycle.
December 7, 2016
When you Encounter BEARS, Don't Look Afraid!, December 7, 2016
Before reading this book, I had NO IDEA that anyone was crazy enough--er, I mean ambitious enough to make a 27,000 KM bike trip. Well, now I know.
I can only imagine the danger inherent in such a trip. In one incident, the author explains how he and Lee encountered, in Alaska, a mama bear with a few cubs. What do they do now? Just remember to not look afraid.
One of the stops (by navigation mistake) was in Stinson Beach in the S.F. bay area. I have been there, and there's not a lot to do. Ian explains how he missed the main turnoff to San Francisco. This cost the team a lot of go-around before they bot back on course.
It was interesting hearing about the teams encounters with (mostly) nice, helpful folks, as well as fellow travelers.
In addition to the book, the author has videos that you can watch on his website. Do not miss these! I have watched several, and they are very interesting. (There are b/w photos in the book, but of varying quality.)
All in all, I found HALF THE WORLD AWAY to be a fun, armchair adventure. I only wish I could have watched (online) Ian & Lee as they made such a remarkable journey.
Advance Review Copy courtesy of Ian Lacey
Before reading this book, I had NO IDEA that anyone was crazy enough--er, I mean ambitious enough to make a 27,000 KM bike trip. Well, now I know.
I can only imagine the danger inherent in such a trip. In one incident, the author explains how he and Lee encountered, in Alaska, a mama bear with a few cubs. What do they do now? Just remember to not look afraid.
One of the stops (by navigation mistake) was in Stinson Beach in the S.F. bay area. I have been there, and there's not a lot to do. Ian explains how he missed the main turnoff to San Francisco. This cost the team a lot of go-around before they bot back on course.
It was interesting hearing about the teams encounters with (mostly) nice, helpful folks, as well as fellow travelers.
In addition to the book, the author has videos that you can watch on his website. Do not miss these! I have watched several, and they are very interesting. (There are b/w photos in the book, but of varying quality.)
All in all, I found HALF THE WORLD AWAY to be a fun, armchair adventure. I only wish I could have watched (online) Ian & Lee as they made such a remarkable journey.
Advance Review Copy courtesy of Ian Lacey
December 18, 2016
It's rare that a book can completely transport you to another place so vividly, and with the spirit of 'journey' that the author had. Although it's quite difficult to imagine what travelling solo by bicycle for 15 months is like, 'Half the World Away' brings you so closer to the day-to-day wonder and hardships, routine and spontaneity that occurs through bicycle travel.
What stuck me most were the descriptions of places and people that the author experienced. It's clear that he takes a quite 'romantic' view of the wildest areas and landscapes he cycled through, and in a world where so many of these special places are disappearing, the book grants the reader an experience of them too and a chance to understand their intrinsic values.
Original diary entries, 16 pages of photos and an epilogue that answers questions about the main characters the author came across make this an extremely well-rounded and enjoyable read from the first-time author. I look forward to more in the future. - John.
What stuck me most were the descriptions of places and people that the author experienced. It's clear that he takes a quite 'romantic' view of the wildest areas and landscapes he cycled through, and in a world where so many of these special places are disappearing, the book grants the reader an experience of them too and a chance to understand their intrinsic values.
Original diary entries, 16 pages of photos and an epilogue that answers questions about the main characters the author came across make this an extremely well-rounded and enjoyable read from the first-time author. I look forward to more in the future. - John.
February 5, 2017
Cannot recommend this book highly enough. A mad adventure related with easy humour and more than a touch of class. Felt like I had been a companero throughout the epic. If you like travel, if you like good adventure journalism, if you want to be inspired then this is the book for you.
December 2, 2016
Very Well Written Account
Very interesting account of an amazing journey. With great descriptions creating a real sense of being there. What a great achievement.
Very interesting account of an amazing journey. With great descriptions creating a real sense of being there. What a great achievement.
April 24, 2017
What an inspiring adventure. I love what this book stands for: travel, spontaneity, simple living, personal growth, the outdoors, and an open heart. Beautifully and authentically written.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews