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No Wrong Turns: Cycling the World, Part One: Paris to Sydney
When Chris Pountney pedals away from the Eiffel Tower he is doing more than just going for a bike ride. It is the start of an ambitious attempt to become perhaps the first person ever to circumnavigate the planet using only a bicycle and boats. With a list of seven challenges to guide him (but no real map), he heads east towards Asia and Australia. The Sydney Opera House is his goal.
The story follows Chris as he tackles snowy mountain passes in Turkey, wades across rivers in Tajikistan, eats strange cheeses in Mongolia, and meets with incredible kindness just about everywhere he goes. He lives a simple life - sleeping in a tent, talking to his bike, consuming a really unbelievable number of biscuits, and all the time stubbornly refusing to have anything whatsoever to do with motor vehicles (or escalators).
But can he overcome all of the visa deadlines, the breakdowns, the bad roads, the headwinds, the kamikaze kangaroos, and the surprisingly frequent danger of being distracted by members of the opposite sex, to successfully pedal all of the way to Sydney?
- GenresTravelNonfictionCycling
492 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2017
194 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
August 12, 2018
Having read a great deal of overly-hyped cycle touring books telling tales of long round the world trips, this lesser known one is by far the best. With laugh out loud moments throughout and a brilliant lighthearted writing style it kept me hooked until the last page.
Very excited for part 2!
Very excited for part 2!
August 2, 2018
Tears
Thank you Chris. You bought tears to my eyes as you described the reasons to travel and seek adventure. It is so true, nothing can be predicted it is one day at a time and so very important to stop and smell the roses along the way. You bought back memories of my adventures travelling with my soul Mate I wish us all many more. Thankyou
Thank you Chris. You bought tears to my eyes as you described the reasons to travel and seek adventure. It is so true, nothing can be predicted it is one day at a time and so very important to stop and smell the roses along the way. You bought back memories of my adventures travelling with my soul Mate I wish us all many more. Thankyou
February 26, 2021
very humorous, light-hearted and very interesting, some parts were a bit slow and could become boring, but it was a really fun read and I enjoyed it a lot.
He took his time remembering encounters and small details and also giving us a wonderful point of view.
He took his time remembering encounters and small details and also giving us a wonderful point of view.
July 25, 2020
Funny and light book about around-the-world travel by bike.
The author is essentially describing a succession of scenes that happened during his own bike journey. He's never taking himself too seriously and rather focuses on the moments when his own clumsiness, childishness or naivety trigger funny situations.
Through his story, he also offers a specific (and I dare hope authentic) view on the places he goes through and of the people that live there, typical real lives in no way extraordinary, thereby staying away from the sensational stories or government drama typically relayed by international media as well as from the easy-to-digest projections offered by mass tourism industries.
The spoiler in the title (yeah, he does make it to Sydney...) illustrates one of the point of long term bike traveling: it's more about the journey than about arriving at a particular destination. On that front though I find he ends up contradicting himself because his insistence on following a set of "rules" for his journey, in particular his decision never to rely on any engine, pushes him to rush through many places in order to respect visa period, thereby probably missing some experience of that journey.
All in all I really liked it and I'll read the second book!
The author is essentially describing a succession of scenes that happened during his own bike journey. He's never taking himself too seriously and rather focuses on the moments when his own clumsiness, childishness or naivety trigger funny situations.
Through his story, he also offers a specific (and I dare hope authentic) view on the places he goes through and of the people that live there, typical real lives in no way extraordinary, thereby staying away from the sensational stories or government drama typically relayed by international media as well as from the easy-to-digest projections offered by mass tourism industries.
The spoiler in the title (yeah, he does make it to Sydney...) illustrates one of the point of long term bike traveling: it's more about the journey than about arriving at a particular destination. On that front though I find he ends up contradicting himself because his insistence on following a set of "rules" for his journey, in particular his decision never to rely on any engine, pushes him to rush through many places in order to respect visa period, thereby probably missing some experience of that journey.
All in all I really liked it and I'll read the second book!
November 8, 2018
One of the best books on the subject of traveling by bike. It's really exciting and also carries a good sense of humor. I strongly suggest the booki
January 7, 2018
In a pretty crowded category (self published accounts of long distance cycle journeys) this was a pleasing journey, well told. One of the twists with No Wrong Turns is the author's self imposed rule to avoid any motorised transport (apart from boats for water crossings) which threw in a few curve balls along the way when crises including severe tooth ache and visa imposed deadlines would have been alleviated by the odd lift in a car. The journey is immense and even though most of the routes he takes are familiar from other books his generally affable manner means that there are lots of meetings with local along the way. The other twist is his quest to fall in love. You'll have to read the book to find out how he does on both of these interesting challenges.
Overall an undemanding (to read) and well told account which kept me going to the end.
Overall an undemanding (to read) and well told account which kept me going to the end.
March 13, 2019
An excellent book worth reading for everyone who loves the bike and likes to relax while reading. After reading this book, I was inspired and decided to buy a best balance bike https://bikesist.com/best-balance-bikes-for-kids/ for a child about which he had dreamed for so long, but earlier we could not allow it. I realized that the child simply must have his own bike.
October 26, 2019
Never a Dull Chapter
My wife and I have done a little bike touring but we have enjoyed traveling around the world vicariously through each and every chapter. The ups and downs of each country, the unbiased evaluations of each culture and the excitement leading up to each new chapter have kept us engaged through halfway around the world.
We can’t wait to read the next book, starting tomorrow!!!
My wife and I have done a little bike touring but we have enjoyed traveling around the world vicariously through each and every chapter. The ups and downs of each country, the unbiased evaluations of each culture and the excitement leading up to each new chapter have kept us engaged through halfway around the world.
We can’t wait to read the next book, starting tomorrow!!!
February 5, 2020
An enthralling read that gets the pace and detail just right. I am a keen cyclist and this made me even keener to get out on my bike and explore. Chris Pountney gives a very honest and human description of the places and people he visits, at no point does the book feel the need to over-dramatize or sensationalize events (unlike some in the adventure genre) because the journey itself is exciting enough. Already looking forward to reading part two.
January 16, 2019
I don't ride a bike, but I do love books about travel and Chris's journey so far has kept me engrossed. He's set himself challenges and determined to complete them all with a beautiful girl by his side. I'm off to read the second book now.
December 2, 2020
Thank you very interesting book You bought back memories of my adventures traveling with my soul Mate I wish us all many more after reading this book I inspired to buy a gravel bike https://bikecue.com/best-gravel-bikes... for my child
August 21, 2019
Thoroughly entertaining adventures. Laugh out loud in many parts. I ordered Part 2 as soon as I finished the first one because I didn’t want Chris’ story to end.
September 9, 2020
I'm a bit biased towards this kind of book, but struggled to put it down! Enjoyed the self-deprecating humour and overall I thought the pacing worked. There's a lesson in the way he focuses on characters and specific incidents without getting too worked up about documenting every kilometre. A couple of sneaky cliffhangers helped too.
I was personally disappointed at the times he skipped through places - Malaysia in about four paragraphs and the fact that half of Australia between Kimba and Melbourne disappeared. But then maybe a book about such a long journey needs these kinds of breathing spaces not to become long-winded...and my disappointment was perhaps just down to the fact that I'd been to those stretches of road (no mention for the giant galah at Kimba?!) and wanted to hear his experiences from them.
As the kind of bloke who prefers to read about places he's been than places he hasn't been, the second book might be less my cup of tea. I could nod and smile about places like Austria, Mongolia, Laos and Australia but don't have much experience of the Americas. On the other hand, I'll still be reading book two to see if there's a visit to my South African homeland...looking forward!
I was personally disappointed at the times he skipped through places - Malaysia in about four paragraphs and the fact that half of Australia between Kimba and Melbourne disappeared. But then maybe a book about such a long journey needs these kinds of breathing spaces not to become long-winded...and my disappointment was perhaps just down to the fact that I'd been to those stretches of road (no mention for the giant galah at Kimba?!) and wanted to hear his experiences from them.
As the kind of bloke who prefers to read about places he's been than places he hasn't been, the second book might be less my cup of tea. I could nod and smile about places like Austria, Mongolia, Laos and Australia but don't have much experience of the Americas. On the other hand, I'll still be reading book two to see if there's a visit to my South African homeland...looking forward!
June 15, 2019
A charming and fun read
I enjoyed this travel log book. The author is charming in a familiar British way and his rules make the book a very interesting ride. Great for those who wish to travel the world and dream of doing so in two wheels.
I enjoyed this travel log book. The author is charming in a familiar British way and his rules make the book a very interesting ride. Great for those who wish to travel the world and dream of doing so in two wheels.
November 9, 2019
Really one of the best books I have read. I held my breath, I laughed, I cried, I got inspired. Yes, I think that is the most important thing one book or human being can do to another - inspire them to go out and experience things for themselves. I've never been a couch-potato but Chris is inspiring me to push my limits a bit more. Thank you for that. Can't wait to start Into The Sunrise.
May 23, 2021
Wow! What an adventure.
Most of us will never live such a dream, but Chris’s perseverance amazed me. Thanks for sharing the joy as well as the hardships. Live the life!
Most of us will never live such a dream, but Chris’s perseverance amazed me. Thanks for sharing the joy as well as the hardships. Live the life!
April 23, 2020
Terribly entertaining, and while it is certainly somewhat lacking without the picture that were originally on the blog, that can be forgiven.
September 22, 2020
Really enjoyed travelling with Chris. A " tell it like it is" account of his adventures with his bike.
May 12, 2020
Enjoyable journey
A great read that takes you right along with Chris as he wanders from country to country, sometimes racing to the next before his visa expires. An ordinary guy doing an extraordinary thing and living his dream in doing so. Looking forward to reading the sequel!
A great read that takes you right along with Chris as he wanders from country to country, sometimes racing to the next before his visa expires. An ordinary guy doing an extraordinary thing and living his dream in doing so. Looking forward to reading the sequel!
November 7, 2020
Great travel book about a guy cycling around the world. The book was funny and very informative about different cultures around the world.
October 26, 2019
Funny and insightful adventure story
I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to reading the second part. It is well written, funny and kept me wanting to turn the pages to see what adventures Chris had continued to have. Thoroughly enjoyable.
I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to reading the second part. It is well written, funny and kept me wanting to turn the pages to see what adventures Chris had continued to have. Thoroughly enjoyable.
January 19, 2020
WOW!!!
Wow!!! Yes this book has a Wow factor. Chris keeps you alive the whole journey, you feel like you are riding with him.
Wow!!! Yes this book has a Wow factor. Chris keeps you alive the whole journey, you feel like you are riding with him.
June 20, 2019
I read this book because I am a fan of bike touring and was hoping for some inspiration on my future tours.
It was inspirational and gave a great insight into travelling the world and experiencing different cultures.
It also helped to remind us that life is not about the destination but the journey.
It was inspirational and gave a great insight into travelling the world and experiencing different cultures.
It also helped to remind us that life is not about the destination but the journey.
October 29, 2018
Quite a good, satisfying story. Very well written by a quirky, likeable guy...a real favorite.
December 18, 2020
Interesting adventure! Chris did get a little long in some sections but after an adventure like that, it's understandable!
Recommend for anyone who has considered bike touring or is a bike tourer (like me) but could never see themselves undertaking a trip like this...
Recommend for anyone who has considered bike touring or is a bike tourer (like me) but could never see themselves undertaking a trip like this...
April 26, 2021
What an amazing read! I loved reading about all of Chris’ adventures. It’s nice to know how friendly people are all across the world. And Chris met the girl of his dreams on the trip. How perfectly romantic is that?! The icing on the cake is that all the pictures from this trip are on Flickr. I had so much fun reading a chapter and then looking at the pictures as I went along.
I just downloaded his next two books, and I can’t wait to read them.
I just downloaded his next two books, and I can’t wait to read them.
October 9, 2019
This was an unusually long, 500-page, travel memoir through Asia. It was unique in a sense that I’ve never read any memoirs that traveled through these remote countries in Asia. The author, Chris, started at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and traveled to Australia by bicycle and by boat. I’m not sure why he limited himself to these two modes of transportation, other than to do something challenging that he felt would possibly turned into a movie.
Chris had a lot of guts to make these trips. So many of the places he traveled had strict laws with strict consequences. Just think about traveling through Iran, which has very strict Muslim laws. Can you imagine if you got arrested for talking to a woman? That’s just one example of the dangers of traveling in a country that has strict laws that Chris might not be aware of. Sounds pretty scary to me.
He discovered that some places like Turkey charged tourists sixteen times more than they charged the locals for the same product or services.
I love reading memoirs like this. I learn so much about different cultures and the do’s and don’ts in different countries. I must admit traveling on a bicycle through some of these countries would have been too much for me. Too often he goes places that are dangerous and risky for cyclicals.
I wish he had some photos in the book. Also lists too many of the locations he traveled weren’t covered that well. He just glossed over so much. I enjoyed the book, but they would have to edit it a lot to make it a movie.
Chris had a lot of guts to make these trips. So many of the places he traveled had strict laws with strict consequences. Just think about traveling through Iran, which has very strict Muslim laws. Can you imagine if you got arrested for talking to a woman? That’s just one example of the dangers of traveling in a country that has strict laws that Chris might not be aware of. Sounds pretty scary to me.
He discovered that some places like Turkey charged tourists sixteen times more than they charged the locals for the same product or services.
I love reading memoirs like this. I learn so much about different cultures and the do’s and don’ts in different countries. I must admit traveling on a bicycle through some of these countries would have been too much for me. Too often he goes places that are dangerous and risky for cyclicals.
I wish he had some photos in the book. Also lists too many of the locations he traveled weren’t covered that well. He just glossed over so much. I enjoyed the book, but they would have to edit it a lot to make it a movie.
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December 8, 2017Wow!! What a journey..
This is one book not to miss if you love travel and or cycling. But the places they end up in are just crazy. When Chris met Dea everything was even more amazing as Dea started to blog on their website and the fantastic journey continued. I recommend this documentation of an awesome journey around the most exciting and at times dangerous parts of our incredible planet. You won't be disappointed. Can't wait for Part 2.
This is one book not to miss if you love travel and or cycling. But the places they end up in are just crazy. When Chris met Dea everything was even more amazing as Dea started to blog on their website and the fantastic journey continued. I recommend this documentation of an awesome journey around the most exciting and at times dangerous parts of our incredible planet. You won't be disappointed. Can't wait for Part 2.
May 21, 2019
Found this book by chance whilst searching on my Kindle for travel books. What a find, absolutely loved reading this book, interesting, informative, hilarious, moving,great love story, just could nt wait to pick it back up each day and read about Chris and his amazing journey, he’s living his dream to travel the world and allowing me to dream along with him. Not quite at the end yet so I am delighted to see there’s a part 2. I promise you wont be disappointed! Brilliant
May 10, 2019
Pretty good
Thanks for your fascinating, interesting book. When I was young I would have loved to do the same, but life steered me in a different direction.
Not sure you were perfectly honest about seeing the Platapus though as they are a rare animal.
Enjoy your life and I am looking forward to reading book two
Thanks for your fascinating, interesting book. When I was young I would have loved to do the same, but life steered me in a different direction.
Not sure you were perfectly honest about seeing the Platapus though as they are a rare animal.
Enjoy your life and I am looking forward to reading book two
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews