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On Roads That Echo: A bicycle journey through Asia and Africa
★★★★★ "A true adventure in every sense. Superbly written" ★★★★★ "Just a stunningly good hardcore travel adventure" ★★★★★ "I can't begin to do justice in describing how amazing this book is" ★★★★★ "An incredible story, beautifully written" ★★★★★ "I felt every turn of the pedal on this flabbergasting adventure" ★★★★★ "Had me gripped from start to finish. You must read this..." ★★★★★ "Truly amazing! The book and the author!" ★★★★★ "My heart was in my mouth throughout. I feel I must read it again" ★★★★★ "Far more than just an adrenalin-filled adventure…” ★★★★★ "I couldn't restrain myself from binge-reading" ★★★★★ "I'm not going to find another book to match this for a very long time, until he writes another of course!” ★★★★★ "In a genre that’s really competitive, big things are destined for the author" BOOK DESCRIPTION Having already pedalled 18,000 miles from Britain to Beijing, Charlie Walker’s homeward leg carried him a further 26,000 miles through Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The two-and-a-half-year journey spanned the mountains and deserts of former Soviet Republics, Afghanistan on the fearful brink of foreign withdrawal, and remote corners of the Congolese jungle. From hiking through sandstorms in the Gobi desert to barrelling down rapids in a dugout canoe, this perilous adventure, and Charlie’s many encounters along the way, gives insight into the past, present, and future of often-overlooked places during periods of great change. On Roads That Echo deftly achieves the delicate balancing act of relating an impressive and gruelling odyssey while also colourfully portraying the lands and lives encountered with empathy, perception, and a wealth of background knowledge. “A first class adventure by a first class adventurer - packed with compelling incident and insight.” - BENEDICT ALLEN “An epic adventure, told candidly and vividly. Charlie’s words make me want to go back and experience these places with the same depth.” - MARK BEAUMONT “A mammoth journey that makes me yearn for the formative freedom of the open road.” - ALASTAIR HUMPHREYS
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2019
189 people are currently reading
695 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Walker
2 books46 followersCharlie Walker is an award-winning British explorer, author and keynote speaker. He specialises in long distance, human-powered expeditions and has travelled over 60,000 miles (100,000 km) by foot, horse, bicycle, ski, kayak and dugout canoe. He has completed challenging expeditions both solo and as a team leader.
Charlie is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a four-time recipient of the Transglobe Expedition Trust's 'Mad but Marvellous' award. His writing has featured in a range of publications including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Wanderlust, Geographical and Sidetracked magazine as well as BBC Radio 4 and the World Service. Charlie has also appeared on numerous podcasts including The Joe Rogan Experience.
Charlie is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a four-time recipient of the Transglobe Expedition Trust's 'Mad but Marvellous' award. His writing has featured in a range of publications including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Wanderlust, Geographical and Sidetracked magazine as well as BBC Radio 4 and the World Service. Charlie has also appeared on numerous podcasts including The Joe Rogan Experience.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 9, 2021
It’s official, Charlie Walker is my favourite travel writer.
Walker is a hard-core, tight-budget adventurer that subsists happily off meagre, basic, grisly touring. He’s happy when he’s up against it, avoiding tourists, off beaten tracks, away from the popular trails, fighting his way through jungles, over mountains and through sketchy border crossings. His writing reflects his experiences in the same no-frills, gritty manner.
Addicting stuff.
Walker is a hard-core, tight-budget adventurer that subsists happily off meagre, basic, grisly touring. He’s happy when he’s up against it, avoiding tourists, off beaten tracks, away from the popular trails, fighting his way through jungles, over mountains and through sketchy border crossings. His writing reflects his experiences in the same no-frills, gritty manner.
Addicting stuff.
September 7, 2022
Amazing story, but the writing could be better. Some of the chapters just feel like a description of what happened, instead of the author telling a story.
February 18, 2020
I have read both Through Sand and Snow and On Roads That Echo. To undertake such an epic journey, to cover 43,000 miles by bike, but also on horseback, foot and dugout canoe, through inhospitable terrain, takes determination and tenacity.
Charlie Walker's 4 year global travels are conveyed in his books with clarity, honesty and unflinching detail of the many highs and lows, physically and emotionally.
I would definitely recommend On Roads That Echo, but read Through Sand and Snow first. An unfathomable adventure, an incredible journey. Chapeau Charlie.
Charlie Walker's 4 year global travels are conveyed in his books with clarity, honesty and unflinching detail of the many highs and lows, physically and emotionally.
I would definitely recommend On Roads That Echo, but read Through Sand and Snow first. An unfathomable adventure, an incredible journey. Chapeau Charlie.
January 9, 2025
Does a phenomenal job representing the name across the entire globe.
July 3, 2024
NOT AS GOOD AS THE FIRST BOOK
An enjoyable read as I happened to be bikepacking while I was reading this. It provided much needed comfort when I was alone and cold at campsites and Charlies stories were 10x as hectic as what I was going through. It gave me a lot of peace and content in those moments. Like okay yeah I just dropped my dinner all over the campsite and I've had to repair my sleeping bag zipper with physio strapping tape but at least my horse didn't get stolen like Charlie in this siberian wilderness.
Like the first book, I loved learning about the countries he visited. This time though I would've liked things to be more fleshed out. Alot of the stories have abrupt endings which left me disappointed. I will also briefly mention some comments in here were fatphobic. Like literally mentioning tourists being overweight to back up other points about things they've done 'wrong or cringe'. Uncool unhot behaviour from author. I also sometimes got annoyed with him and others ignoring advice from locals, I can't help but think if a woman did the dumb shit he did against the advice of locals she would be roasted to a crisp. Charlie definitely was roasted by locals sure, but what about readers? hmmm interesting.
"In the end, no one can cope alone. In Mongolia its a group effort. You rely on each other. As long as everyone plays their part and offers hospitality, you are never at a loss except in the Gobi"
"I didn't know that Mongolians never named their horses. Its not nice to name something you'll eventually eat"
"The milky way arched from one horizon to the other and the loneliness of the day melted into a contended solitude" - I didn't get stars in the sky on my trip in Danish summer but I would find the awe of nature ease my loneliness many times along the trip. The first night I distinctly remember looking behind the campsite and seeing a huge wheat crop that stretched to all corners of the sky and I was amazed.
"The joy of being outdoors thrilled me daily. It felt good falling into a new routine of simplicity and exercise" - Yes absolutely big time my experience of bike packing aswell
"Every day on a bike trip is like the one before- but it is also completely different, or perhaps you are different, woken up in new ways by the mile." - Also yes, but ALSO why do UK people use Miles!!??
"Am I doing this because I want to do it, or because I want to have done it? If the answer isn't both, then should I be doing it at all"?
"When cycling in a bad frame of mind there is an obsession with progression; each pedal stroke becomes another futile attempt to kick away the formless demons that haunt the disquieted mind".
"If we don't offer ourselves to the unknown, our senses dull, we wake up one day and find we have lost our dreams in order to protect our days"
Overall a fun read, I just wish it had more oomph.
An enjoyable read as I happened to be bikepacking while I was reading this. It provided much needed comfort when I was alone and cold at campsites and Charlies stories were 10x as hectic as what I was going through. It gave me a lot of peace and content in those moments. Like okay yeah I just dropped my dinner all over the campsite and I've had to repair my sleeping bag zipper with physio strapping tape but at least my horse didn't get stolen like Charlie in this siberian wilderness.
Like the first book, I loved learning about the countries he visited. This time though I would've liked things to be more fleshed out. Alot of the stories have abrupt endings which left me disappointed. I will also briefly mention some comments in here were fatphobic. Like literally mentioning tourists being overweight to back up other points about things they've done 'wrong or cringe'. Uncool unhot behaviour from author. I also sometimes got annoyed with him and others ignoring advice from locals, I can't help but think if a woman did the dumb shit he did against the advice of locals she would be roasted to a crisp. Charlie definitely was roasted by locals sure, but what about readers? hmmm interesting.
"In the end, no one can cope alone. In Mongolia its a group effort. You rely on each other. As long as everyone plays their part and offers hospitality, you are never at a loss except in the Gobi"
"I didn't know that Mongolians never named their horses. Its not nice to name something you'll eventually eat"
"The milky way arched from one horizon to the other and the loneliness of the day melted into a contended solitude" - I didn't get stars in the sky on my trip in Danish summer but I would find the awe of nature ease my loneliness many times along the trip. The first night I distinctly remember looking behind the campsite and seeing a huge wheat crop that stretched to all corners of the sky and I was amazed.
"The joy of being outdoors thrilled me daily. It felt good falling into a new routine of simplicity and exercise" - Yes absolutely big time my experience of bike packing aswell
"Every day on a bike trip is like the one before- but it is also completely different, or perhaps you are different, woken up in new ways by the mile." - Also yes, but ALSO why do UK people use Miles!!??
"Am I doing this because I want to do it, or because I want to have done it? If the answer isn't both, then should I be doing it at all"?
"When cycling in a bad frame of mind there is an obsession with progression; each pedal stroke becomes another futile attempt to kick away the formless demons that haunt the disquieted mind".
"If we don't offer ourselves to the unknown, our senses dull, we wake up one day and find we have lost our dreams in order to protect our days"
Overall a fun read, I just wish it had more oomph.
July 16, 2020
Mr. Walker picks up where he left off.
Again - his own psychology is a central theme to me.
The desire to quit
The questioning why
Doing without understanding
We can also see that even temporary bonds can be strong.
- I also like that places I would consider FAR off the track - have tourist seasons as well!
Again - his own psychology is a central theme to me.
The desire to quit
The questioning why
Doing without understanding
We can also see that even temporary bonds can be strong.
- I also like that places I would consider FAR off the track - have tourist seasons as well!
January 7, 2020
An adventure epic; beautifully written, honest and inspiring.
March 4, 2022
A brilliantly written sequel to Through Sand and Snow. Charlie Walker is as good an author as he is an adventurer, his narrative is both interesting, informative and entertaining.
On Roads That Echo picks up in Beijing where Through Sand and Snow finished. He travels on his trusty stead Old Geoff across China, Mongolia, through the Stans, Afghanistan, Iran, the Kurdistan region and Turkey and gives a real feel for the history, the dangers (especially in Afghanistan) and the people, most of whom were friendly and generous. On the last leg through Turkey he became despondent and depressed and was on the verge of going home, lucky for the reader he decided to stick to the original plan and continued down into Africa.
He describes how different the peoples were as he crossed borders and headed down the length of East Africa, he covers extensively the verbal and physical abuse he received in Ethiopia which he found overpowering. He describes vividly the genocide in Rwanda and how as a country they are recovering, the abject poverty in some countries and how the atmosphere and culture changed so dramatically when he reached South Africa.
Having ridden Old Geoff from Somerset to Cape Town via Beijing it was stolen in Cape Town, however he cobbled together a replacement, literally made up of parts of three old bikes which he named Old Bastard, like Trigger's broom, following many broken parts and repairs, Old Bastard somehow managed to get him back home to Somerset.
From Cape Town, with his friend Archie, he cycled north to Sandoa in DRC where they bought a pair of dug out canoes and paddled on the Lulua River to Kananga. This part of the journey leaves the reader questioning their sanity. Due to the poor quality of the 'roads' and the ebola endemic in parts of West Africa he was forced to resort to lifts in a stiflingly crowded lorry and a short flight to Senegal.
From Senegal I found the narrative slightly rushed as though the publishers had started to put the pressure on, especially once he had crossed the Straits of Gibraltar before returning to a warm welcome in London and the short ride back home to Somerset.
A great read which I thoroughly recommend, but make sure you read Through Sand and Snow first.
On Roads That Echo picks up in Beijing where Through Sand and Snow finished. He travels on his trusty stead Old Geoff across China, Mongolia, through the Stans, Afghanistan, Iran, the Kurdistan region and Turkey and gives a real feel for the history, the dangers (especially in Afghanistan) and the people, most of whom were friendly and generous. On the last leg through Turkey he became despondent and depressed and was on the verge of going home, lucky for the reader he decided to stick to the original plan and continued down into Africa.
He describes how different the peoples were as he crossed borders and headed down the length of East Africa, he covers extensively the verbal and physical abuse he received in Ethiopia which he found overpowering. He describes vividly the genocide in Rwanda and how as a country they are recovering, the abject poverty in some countries and how the atmosphere and culture changed so dramatically when he reached South Africa.
Having ridden Old Geoff from Somerset to Cape Town via Beijing it was stolen in Cape Town, however he cobbled together a replacement, literally made up of parts of three old bikes which he named Old Bastard, like Trigger's broom, following many broken parts and repairs, Old Bastard somehow managed to get him back home to Somerset.
From Cape Town, with his friend Archie, he cycled north to Sandoa in DRC where they bought a pair of dug out canoes and paddled on the Lulua River to Kananga. This part of the journey leaves the reader questioning their sanity. Due to the poor quality of the 'roads' and the ebola endemic in parts of West Africa he was forced to resort to lifts in a stiflingly crowded lorry and a short flight to Senegal.
From Senegal I found the narrative slightly rushed as though the publishers had started to put the pressure on, especially once he had crossed the Straits of Gibraltar before returning to a warm welcome in London and the short ride back home to Somerset.
A great read which I thoroughly recommend, but make sure you read Through Sand and Snow first.
September 20, 2022
Though not as explicitly meditational as the first instalment (a personal preference), the second manages to squeeze so much cross-continental history into its relatively short ~300 pages, that it provokes a different kind of mindfulness. The author himself states towards the conclusion that he has barely scratched the surface, compounding the reader’s notion that we have seen very little and comprehend less. Packed with romantic descriptions of ancient natural beauty, juxtaposing horrifying journeys into the depths of colonial rule and resulting conflicts; Walker encourages those comfortable, Western readers to contemplate their true fragility. The fast-paced edge-of-seat climax draws to a neat, pensive close as Walker and his readers are welcomed, after 1600 days (or almost 600 pages), into a sense of familiarity and security, with an itch to go exploring again soon.
September 16, 2023
The second half of Charlie’s adventure becomes noticeably grittier, especially through Africa. A fantastic adventure through his journey to adulthood, my only complaint was that each book could have been twice the length with more details, but that is the nature of someone’s account of such an epic journey. How much do you include before you might smother the pace of the story? The bike nerd in me wanted to shout at him and help him so many times throughout the journey, but ultimately, he went out and did it so what would I know.
The return to home had me welling up, a truly inspiring adventure. Thanks for sharing this Charlie
The return to home had me welling up, a truly inspiring adventure. Thanks for sharing this Charlie
October 5, 2023
Great read
I have traveled many miles in my 65 years of life by walking, bicycling and on occasion in canoe. This author took me places and I felt like I was there with him and his companions. There is a lot of bravery here or just plain taking chances and going with it.
Beside the occasional word that required my use of a dictionary I felt the story throughout, the author explains a great historical reference at the many places he traveled which I loved.
I would recommend anyone to get this book and journey with the author.
I have traveled many miles in my 65 years of life by walking, bicycling and on occasion in canoe. This author took me places and I felt like I was there with him and his companions. There is a lot of bravery here or just plain taking chances and going with it.
Beside the occasional word that required my use of a dictionary I felt the story throughout, the author explains a great historical reference at the many places he traveled which I loved.
I would recommend anyone to get this book and journey with the author.
November 8, 2023
This book (and the prequel) is genuinely an incredible feat and adventure. I've read many books about insane cycle adventures but never as crazy or eloquently written as this one. Charlie is a genuinely hardened, gritty explorer who somehow consistently finds himself on the right side of fate and luck. He documents his emotions and histories and cultures with an honest, inquisitive and neutral style whilst offering some intelligent opinions.
With that being said, something about the style of writing and speed of his travels made this book both hard to put down but also difficult to finish, perhaps because so much is packed into so little.
With that being said, something about the style of writing and speed of his travels made this book both hard to put down but also difficult to finish, perhaps because so much is packed into so little.
June 7, 2025
This is an incredible journey. Mongolia. Uzbekistan. Afghanistan. Incredible. Africa was so vast. This part of the journey is uncomfortable for me. Ethiopia. Kenya. The author is lucky to have survived the DRC. I am surprised that he never got hit by a car on his bicycle. Anyway I recommend this book. The journey feels overly long towards the end. I can’t imagine what it was like to actually live the journey every day. I have been I have been a bike rider for over 40 years. Congratulations author on making it home safe!
January 31, 2021
Absolutely astounding story of a multi-year bike ride across the Middle East and down and back up Africa. Unlike so many adventurers, Charlie Walker is an excellent writer (I used the word lookup feature on my iPad and learned lots of new words, including a different use of words I was familiar with, e.g., epithet). Not only are some of the stories harrowing, Charlie’s descriptions of the events really draws you in. A wonderful, absorbing, exciting, incredible and enjoyable reading.
July 16, 2021
The second half of this epic journey, magnificent.
I really enjoyed reading the second-half of Charlies journey. It’s unbelievable that he cycled almost 44,000 miles with very little in the way of support and almost totally reliant on his own self belief and the help of strangers. It seems to me almost incredible what this young man has achieved, I think you need to read his first book to fully enjoy this, the concluding part to his story.
I really enjoyed reading the second-half of Charlies journey. It’s unbelievable that he cycled almost 44,000 miles with very little in the way of support and almost totally reliant on his own self belief and the help of strangers. It seems to me almost incredible what this young man has achieved, I think you need to read his first book to fully enjoy this, the concluding part to his story.
October 21, 2025
I tend to overuse the word 'effortless', but the way Charlie weaves his own story into the history or politics of the places he travels through really is that way.
He's a very graceful writer. You find yourself feeling all of the emotions he is, without him ever explicitly describing them. It's very delicate but very impactful.
Probably the best book I've read all year (not that there's much competition unfortunately), very close to 5 stars.
He's a very graceful writer. You find yourself feeling all of the emotions he is, without him ever explicitly describing them. It's very delicate but very impactful.
Probably the best book I've read all year (not that there's much competition unfortunately), very close to 5 stars.
November 27, 2023
This two-book sequel of a 4 year bike-packing journey across Europe, Asia (there and back), down the eastern coast of Africa, up the west coast, through Spain and back to Charlie’s hometown in the UK inspired me in so many ways. His descriptive writing paints a picture that you the reader can jump into as if you are on the journey with him. I enjoyed every page, and now have been able to embark on wild adventures of my own thanks to inspiration from this book.
April 17, 2024
The book of your travelling adventures and far more. The roads certainly echoed tales I never dreamed of happening. Thank goodness he made it through. I feared for his life at times. But there's a thrill in it, getting through the 'sticks and stones won't break my bones.."
I'll have to read the prequel!
I'll have to read the prequel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2024
This guy has 900 lives
Normally I read a book in 2-3 days but this one took me several weeks because I was always worried about what precarious position the author would be in next.. He described experiences that I couldn’t relate to because I’m not brave enough to study never mind experience for myself.
Normally I read a book in 2-3 days but this one took me several weeks because I was always worried about what precarious position the author would be in next.. He described experiences that I couldn’t relate to because I’m not brave enough to study never mind experience for myself.
January 29, 2025
Lived this book! Walker’s adventures are so captivating that you’re constantly on the edge of your seat. I love that he provides background information about the country and culture he’s currently in - it really helps you get a better understanding of his experiences and is really interesting to learn about too.
March 18, 2025
Fantastic Read
You’d think it would get boring reading day after day of a cyclist. But the author takes you with him on his journey and gives you a sense of the people, history and culture of each place he goes. This book was both an adventure and a lovely look at places I will never see.
You’d think it would get boring reading day after day of a cyclist. But the author takes you with him on his journey and gives you a sense of the people, history and culture of each place he goes. This book was both an adventure and a lovely look at places I will never see.
May 13, 2025
Not a great advertisement for travelling through Africa! At times the author was surviving by his teeth - why would anyone put themselves through this? And why would anyone cycle through Ethiopia (you, you, you!!!) But a deeply engrossing read for anyone travel curious - I loved reading this book every evening.. exactly the mind expanding literature I seek out.
March 16, 2021
One of the finest reads . By the time he reaches London , you get exhausted .. it is a mesmerising travelogue across Asia and Africa. The hardships and joyful moments well captured . Loved every bit of the book!
July 18, 2022
Amazing journey
I heard about Charlie from his JRE episode. His journey is incredible, the book is well written and engaging, as was his previous book. Highly recommended for a bit of escapism.
I heard about Charlie from his JRE episode. His journey is incredible, the book is well written and engaging, as was his previous book. Highly recommended for a bit of escapism.
February 28, 2023
I read this book to pieces. The best adventurer and traveler of our time, Charlie, takes us on a tour of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It feels like you are on the trip with him. I learned a ton about places I would never visit and cultures I’ve never experienced.
March 7, 2025
A slower read for me than the first book, but still such an incredibly told story with a nice blend of knowledge and insight alongside the narrative! He’s a great story teller and I really enjoyed reading about his adventure!
October 22, 2020
Grand Adventure
This book seems at the on set to be informative about different countries and cultures. Historical footnotes may keep you busy looking up information.
This book seems at the on set to be informative about different countries and cultures. Historical footnotes may keep you busy looking up information.
Read
December 11, 2020A wonderful and exciting book. I couldn't put it down. A great adventure and you are a very courageous person. Loved the pictures also.
March 8, 2021
Read it!
Absolutely brilliant!
I felt as though I was part of his journey all the way through. One of the BEST travel books EVER.
Absolutely brilliant!
I felt as though I was part of his journey all the way through. One of the BEST travel books EVER.
July 8, 2021
Great read
Kept me wanting to read more. Felt you were with him on the journey. Makes you want to travel to experience what he had
Kept me wanting to read more. Felt you were with him on the journey. Makes you want to travel to experience what he had
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews