Cycling Spirits: Global tales from the saddle : Part One

by Daren Drew

Join Daren and Tatjana on an eight thousand mile bicycle ride from a sodden English summer to the windswept shores of New Zealand. Journey through the turbulent political setting of West Africa where they team up with an unlikely duo to cross the vast expanse of Western Sahara and further south where banditry, be-headings and the threat military coups plague the landscape. And into South America where favela kids rule and the long road south brought them closer each day to abandoning the trip, selling their bikes and heading to the nearest bar. Surely then, they could argue in peace.




* Number 2 Amazon/Kindle/Cycling, April 2018


Road Tramps. Global tales from the saddle Part Two will be out in April 2024.

Genres: Travel

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2018

Reviews

[Dr Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic ride.

I enjoyed reading the story of Darren andTati’s journey around half the planet. Darren gives a good account of the various places they visit, the trials and tribulations of their ride along with some good historic information of the towns they visited, the geography of the areas and their interactions with the local people. I would like to hope that they manage to complete the circumnavigation of the globe but I fear that recent events may have overtaken them and the second part of their journey may not happen.

[John Dawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like to read cycling adventure books to vicariously experience the wonders, joys and challenges of long distance traveling ... and this includes the hard days and the dark thoughts that come with this type of travel, but I found this book to just be an unmotivating turning of pages as the author and his partner miserably cycled round the world drowning their unhappiness in alcohol and fighting. It wasn't badly written, and it was honest, but it wasn't for me.

[Terry Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of spirits; whisky, beer, gin, beer, mate...

A great read! A saga a cycling across continents, living meagrely and grinding out the miles. No lycra, carbon fibre, time deadlines or sponsors to confuse a couple's sadistic pleasures.
I enjoyed also the tale from the guu's perspective and the deployment of alcohol as lubricant.

[James Draycott lovell · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic read

Excellent book, very funny and well written. Loved reading about the love, laughter and struggles of an extended bike journey. I’m looking forward to reading Part Two.

[danblogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Delightful read. Well written travelogue passing through some unusual destinations on 2 wheels. I loved Daren's writing style, great observation, description and energy. Fingers crossed for the next installment...

[andrew douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real account of long distance riding

A very humorous but also true account of long distance cycling. No rose coloured glasses here looking forward to the next book

[charlotte munch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book of some incredible adventures by two ‘daredevils’ on some low-key bikes that could barely keep together on their world tour. I really enjoyed each page, and every night when I stopped reading I was excited to read about the next 100 km of their tour! Good language and a wonderful understated sense of humour, and at times really scaring reading - I’m looking forward to read part two of Tati and Daren’s adventure - when will it come ?
I need to follow you until I know you arrive home safe - which I luckily know you did !

[Hans Van Dyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written of some great and honest cycling touring including his relationship with his partner.