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Mainly by Bike: A Senior Cyclist Tours the World
At the age of 59, Ann decided that there was no time like the present and gave up her job to cycle round the world. Her first bike was stolen in Bulgaria, she was knocked down by a buffalo cart in India and battled with a parasitic illness in Malaysia. These were some of the challenges she had to deal with, but above all, what stood out for Ann was the depth of human kindness she experienced throughout her travels.
- GenresCycling
244 pages, Paperback
Published October 18, 2017
23 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Ann Wilson
226 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 19, 2021
Mainly Quite Interesting.
The author reminded me of an older Josie Dew, of cycling fame, who wrote about her adventures in a well known Cycling magazine, before internet websites became popular. She had the same mixture of naive bravado, foolish unnecessary risky behaviour, at times, but despite some horrendous episodes and situations, still managed to blithely smile through in foolhardy fashion.
Having many lone cycle trips under my belt, I totally sympathise when confronted by ignorant curious strangers asking your age. I usually retort by asking theirs, and they usually shut up. But it annoys me to distraction.
There is always the subtext of lone women cyclists of that age do not exist in that country. Really? Because why? Too embarrasing, too past it or inappropriate? Meanwhile, I could see it bothered her in Italy. Being on one's own, you learn not to take unnecessary risks, or trust in the kindness of strangers, who often have ulterior motives. Coming from a fairly sheltered background in Cumbria, I can imagine some of the more negative scenarios probably didn't occur to her. For example, a group of children in a poverty stricken area 'kindly' showed her the way to a cashpoint. Obviously expecting a cash reward. While Anne breezily mentioned, she gave them a big smile as thankyou.! Other times, in India, I would have been far more wary of over-friendly strangers, used to pilfering something/anything out of a tourist, which is their 'living'. But our Anne, happily pitches up in some godforsaken filthy hole, labelled service station, over in with dubious workers masquerading as caring sharing friends. Her misguided sense of amusement beggars belief, when she arrived at the banks of River Ganges to watch bodies being cremated, which she found facinating! Why would you want to do that?
I am not surprised she became sick, with some of the absolute junk she insisted on eating, say after day. I would have stayed clear of the suspicious delicacies on offer in filthy street markets, in particular the meat. Not our Anne. And even when she was ill, she continued to feed on the wrong foods. I would have been very wary of overnight stays at the drop of a hat with someone she had either just met, or heard from via the website. How did she know they were bonefide people willing to put her up for free! She was just lucky and naive enough not to meet a mad axe murderer. And come to a sticky end. Which is what happened to youngling Josie Dew. She almost got raped by accepting the free accommodation of a well-meaning guy on one of her travels. Of course on an expedition like this, you have to take calculated risks, or you would never leave the house. However, better to be overcautious, than overtrusting, seeing the good in everyone until proved wrong. As in the bike stealing episode in Bulgaria. A town like Sofia, renowned for its black market bike theft mafia, it's obvious Anne was a victim of such a scam. Well planned and experienced, it was easy enough to lure someone unsuspecting into free accommodation and then rob her. They were all in it together, that's why that padlock miraculously unlocked itself, while Anne was safely stuck away in the loft. No wonder the owners couldn't do enough to 'help' her find it. What a fiasco. They probably took a cut from the sale of the very expensive British bike. But I doubt wether she learned from this lesson, as she continued to sing their praises regardless.
She stayed with them for days on end, instead of hightailing out of there in that uncertain atmosphere.
The author reminded me of an older Josie Dew, of cycling fame, who wrote about her adventures in a well known Cycling magazine, before internet websites became popular. She had the same mixture of naive bravado, foolish unnecessary risky behaviour, at times, but despite some horrendous episodes and situations, still managed to blithely smile through in foolhardy fashion.
Having many lone cycle trips under my belt, I totally sympathise when confronted by ignorant curious strangers asking your age. I usually retort by asking theirs, and they usually shut up. But it annoys me to distraction.
There is always the subtext of lone women cyclists of that age do not exist in that country. Really? Because why? Too embarrasing, too past it or inappropriate? Meanwhile, I could see it bothered her in Italy. Being on one's own, you learn not to take unnecessary risks, or trust in the kindness of strangers, who often have ulterior motives. Coming from a fairly sheltered background in Cumbria, I can imagine some of the more negative scenarios probably didn't occur to her. For example, a group of children in a poverty stricken area 'kindly' showed her the way to a cashpoint. Obviously expecting a cash reward. While Anne breezily mentioned, she gave them a big smile as thankyou.! Other times, in India, I would have been far more wary of over-friendly strangers, used to pilfering something/anything out of a tourist, which is their 'living'. But our Anne, happily pitches up in some godforsaken filthy hole, labelled service station, over in with dubious workers masquerading as caring sharing friends. Her misguided sense of amusement beggars belief, when she arrived at the banks of River Ganges to watch bodies being cremated, which she found facinating! Why would you want to do that?
I am not surprised she became sick, with some of the absolute junk she insisted on eating, say after day. I would have stayed clear of the suspicious delicacies on offer in filthy street markets, in particular the meat. Not our Anne. And even when she was ill, she continued to feed on the wrong foods. I would have been very wary of overnight stays at the drop of a hat with someone she had either just met, or heard from via the website. How did she know they were bonefide people willing to put her up for free! She was just lucky and naive enough not to meet a mad axe murderer. And come to a sticky end. Which is what happened to youngling Josie Dew. She almost got raped by accepting the free accommodation of a well-meaning guy on one of her travels. Of course on an expedition like this, you have to take calculated risks, or you would never leave the house. However, better to be overcautious, than overtrusting, seeing the good in everyone until proved wrong. As in the bike stealing episode in Bulgaria. A town like Sofia, renowned for its black market bike theft mafia, it's obvious Anne was a victim of such a scam. Well planned and experienced, it was easy enough to lure someone unsuspecting into free accommodation and then rob her. They were all in it together, that's why that padlock miraculously unlocked itself, while Anne was safely stuck away in the loft. No wonder the owners couldn't do enough to 'help' her find it. What a fiasco. They probably took a cut from the sale of the very expensive British bike. But I doubt wether she learned from this lesson, as she continued to sing their praises regardless.
She stayed with them for days on end, instead of hightailing out of there in that uncertain atmosphere.
March 18, 2021
Sheer inspiration
,I've just been over 10,000 miles with this lovely lady leading me . An accomplishment,to be proud of, Ann sets off at age 59 ,she takex14 months to complete her tour.
I couldn't put this down for too long ,I wAnted to find out where we were going ,who we'd meet.
The reader is kept right there with the author all the way through when she climbed the hills,when she fell ill,when she ate fish and chips back in the uk.
I'd recommend this to anyone interested in journeying but especially the mature of us who are thinking is it just slippers and tv now...no it isn't !
,I've just been over 10,000 miles with this lovely lady leading me . An accomplishment,to be proud of, Ann sets off at age 59 ,she takex14 months to complete her tour.
I couldn't put this down for too long ,I wAnted to find out where we were going ,who we'd meet.
The reader is kept right there with the author all the way through when she climbed the hills,when she fell ill,when she ate fish and chips back in the uk.
I'd recommend this to anyone interested in journeying but especially the mature of us who are thinking is it just slippers and tv now...no it isn't !
August 17, 2024
Ann journey is very interesting, never boring, she focuses on her bicycle trip, humorous events,
people she'd met along the way, she described places in a funny and accurate ways. in the end, you can feel the joy of being back home and the sadness of the end of her trip. I just wish to hear a little
more about her bicycle set up, camping gears, what worked, what did not work. recommended.
one of the best bicycle touring book I've read, Ann was close to 60 years old when she started, very impressing. Rino...2024
people she'd met along the way, she described places in a funny and accurate ways. in the end, you can feel the joy of being back home and the sadness of the end of her trip. I just wish to hear a little
more about her bicycle set up, camping gears, what worked, what did not work. recommended.
one of the best bicycle touring book I've read, Ann was close to 60 years old when she started, very impressing. Rino...2024
June 22, 2020
Absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. I’ve read a lot of Bettina Selby and Anne Mustoe and i think this lady combines the best of the two. No extended boring historic descriptions (re Bettina) and a much more laid back humble approach (unlike Anne who I always found rather self absorbed). Her narrative flows seamlessly and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I have huge admiration for her and would love to have her courage and energy to do this sort of trip
March 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this book mainly I think because it gave me the idea that this is something that my husband and I should do. What a great way to see the world. It wasn’t hugely well written I don’t think. I would have loved a timeline and more maps. But we’ll done to her, I’m not sure I could do this on my own.
May 1, 2022
Simply inspiring
Loved this book! I really didn't expect the detail and the experiences she had to endure. I found it difficult to put the book down, and feel inspired to continue doing my own little day long adventures.
Many thanks Ann Wilson :)
Loved this book! I really didn't expect the detail and the experiences she had to endure. I found it difficult to put the book down, and feel inspired to continue doing my own little day long adventures.
Many thanks Ann Wilson :)
January 9, 2023
Epic adventures.
An engaging read about a great adventure by bike. I'm on a small pilgrimage as I write, just 250km on my little red folding bike. From here the view around the world looks epic.
An engaging read about a great adventure by bike. I'm on a small pilgrimage as I write, just 250km on my little red folding bike. From here the view around the world looks epic.
October 29, 2018
Brilliant
What am awe inspiring Lady.I couldn't put this book down, and read it right through to the early hours.
Well done Ann :)
What am awe inspiring Lady.I couldn't put this book down, and read it right through to the early hours.
Well done Ann :)
November 13, 2018
Wonderful story and so inspiring
The courage and determination shown in this story is wonderful. I want to do an extended trip myself and reading this kind of thing really helps
The courage and determination shown in this story is wonderful. I want to do an extended trip myself and reading this kind of thing really helps
September 30, 2019
Great journey and a great read
Epic tale of a bike adventure around the world and of the determination, stamina and good humour needed to achieve it.
Epic tale of a bike adventure around the world and of the determination, stamina and good humour needed to achieve it.
April 9, 2021
Very good read. Writes a good amount about the countries.
September 28, 2021
A pleasant enough book and very interesting. The last section seemed very rushed and suddenly Ann was back in the UK...
An amazing achievement though!
An amazing achievement though!
March 1, 2024
Great adventure
I’ve read a lot of cycling travelogues. Now I’m leaning towards women cyclists and close to my age, Ann’s book did not disappoint.
I’ve read a lot of cycling travelogues. Now I’m leaning towards women cyclists and close to my age, Ann’s book did not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews