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The Man Who Cycled the World
On 15 February 2008, Mark Beaumont pedalled through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. 194 days and 17 hours previously, he had set off from Paris in an attempt to circumnavigate the world in record time. Mark smashed the Guinness World Record by an astonishing 81 days. He had travelled more than 18,000 miles on his own through some of the harshest conditions one man and his bicycle can endure, camping wild at night and suffering from constant ailments.
The Man Who Cycled the World is the story not just of that amazing achievement, but of the events that turned Mark Beaumont into the man he is today. From the early years of his free-spirited childhood in the Scottish countryside, he had been determined to break records, cycling across Scotland and then from John O'Groats to Land's End by the age of fifteen, raising thousands of pounds for charity. After leaving university, he had been equally determined not to settle for an average existence, but to break free and see the world from a saddle, to follow his dreams.
This is the tale not just of one of the last great circumnavigation world records, and of the incredible endurance it took to accomplish it, but an insight into many of the world's cultures from a unique perspective. From Paris to Istanbul, through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India and south-east Asia to Singapore, then across Australia, New Zealand and the United States before the final legs in Europe, all at hundred miles a day, this is the story of a quite remarkable adventure, by a quite remarkable man.
The Man Who Cycled the World is the story not just of that amazing achievement, but of the events that turned Mark Beaumont into the man he is today. From the early years of his free-spirited childhood in the Scottish countryside, he had been determined to break records, cycling across Scotland and then from John O'Groats to Land's End by the age of fifteen, raising thousands of pounds for charity. After leaving university, he had been equally determined not to settle for an average existence, but to break free and see the world from a saddle, to follow his dreams.
This is the tale not just of one of the last great circumnavigation world records, and of the incredible endurance it took to accomplish it, but an insight into many of the world's cultures from a unique perspective. From Paris to Istanbul, through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India and south-east Asia to Singapore, then across Australia, New Zealand and the United States before the final legs in Europe, all at hundred miles a day, this is the story of a quite remarkable adventure, by a quite remarkable man.
572 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2009
102 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Mark Beaumont
32 books44 followersMark Beaumont is a broadcaster who has been adventuring since an early age. When not travelling on TV projects and expeditions he is often speaking at events, involved in various charity and educational work, book writing or in training.
Mark was first inspired to go on expedition at the age of 12 after reading in a local newspaper about a cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End. For the next decade Mark’s ambitions and experience developed until after leaving University he set out to make a career in broadcasting and adventure.
Mark’s public speaking takes him to many public theatre events as well as businesses and organisations in the UK and abroad. Please get in touch to enquire about availability.
Mark was first inspired to go on expedition at the age of 12 after reading in a local newspaper about a cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End. For the next decade Mark’s ambitions and experience developed until after leaving University he set out to make a career in broadcasting and adventure.
Mark’s public speaking takes him to many public theatre events as well as businesses and organisations in the UK and abroad. Please get in touch to enquire about availability.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
November 2, 2012
This collection of anecdotes that fills out the bare bones chronology of a circumnavigation of the world by bicycle leaves you with an unexpected insight into the shared generosity of humanity. The responses Mark receives to his world record attempt also highlights the different reactions to adventure, pushing the limits and bicycles in general within and between the varied cultures on our planet.
This isn't great literature, the best book you'll ever read or any of that usual hyperbole. It is a good, enjoyable read. To me it's greatest endorsement is that cyclist friends complained it didn't tell you enough about the cycling. Travel bug friends complained it didn't delve enough into the locales. To me it has a little for everyone and allows you to gain some little insight to the insanity that's attempting to cycle 160km a day, every day, for close to 200 days. Well it's as close to an understanding of that experience as I need anyway!
This isn't great literature, the best book you'll ever read or any of that usual hyperbole. It is a good, enjoyable read. To me it's greatest endorsement is that cyclist friends complained it didn't tell you enough about the cycling. Travel bug friends complained it didn't delve enough into the locales. To me it has a little for everyone and allows you to gain some little insight to the insanity that's attempting to cycle 160km a day, every day, for close to 200 days. Well it's as close to an understanding of that experience as I need anyway!
June 27, 2010
A great easy-reading book for anyone interested in monster solo challenges, bicycle touring, or seeing the world from the vantage point of a slow traveller. Really found myself living the journey with him. Left me inspired both on the rising to a personal challenge front and on the getting-out-and-seeing-the-world properly point of view: as slowly as possible, meeting the people, living their lives. None of these city-break weekend trips to tick a place off the list!!
October 9, 2014
I should have loved this book. It's about cycling, which I love. I enjoyed the BBC documentary and I like Mark Beaumont. But the book just didn't capture my attention. It seems impossible that a book about cycling around the world could be boring, but this one is. I would have enjoyed it a lot more and would have finished it if Mark had plunged more deeply into his emotions and presented a more personal account of the journey, and why he was compelled to do this, instead of a fairly dry account of the day to day details of the trip - as if he just stitched together his journal entries and tossed in a few personal anecdotes here and there. I think a bit of editing and the help of a professional writer would have helped immensely.
You might want to give it a try...it's not too bad, and I probably would have finished it and given it 3 stars if I had more time and hadn't seen the documentary first.
You might want to give it a try...it's not too bad, and I probably would have finished it and given it 3 stars if I had more time and hadn't seen the documentary first.
May 12, 2024
Too long and poorly written but interesting story
August 27, 2017
Mark não rodou o mundo de bicicleta porque estava em um ano sabático ou coisa assim. Seu objetivo era se tornar o homem mais rápido a dar uma volta ao mundo pedalando. O livro é um diário dos 194 dias em que rodou quase 30 mil km pela Europa, Ásia, Oceania e América do Norte.
Gosto de ler histórias de pessoas comuns que realizam feitos extraordinários. E o que esse escocês fez quando tinha 25 anos é impressionante. Foram nada menos do que 150km por dia em cima da bike. Não consigo imaginar como um ser humano pode aguentar tamanha carga de atividade por tanto tempo.
No livro, ele conta os detalhes dos apuros que passou, do planejamento para a jornada (que levou três anos), de como teve que deixar de ser vegetariano ao longo da viagem para sobreviver, do apoio que teve de incontáveis pessoas nos quatro cantos do mundo e das reflexões que a mente faz quando se fica tanto tempo isolado e focado em um só objetivo.
É uma história bonita, sobretudo.
E o mais louco é que durante a leitura do livro, publicado em 2009, fui pesquisar pra ver o que Mark estaria fazendo hoje. De lá pra cá, ele rodou a África, as Américas e atualmente está fazendo uma nova volta ao mundo! Mas, desta vez, o plano é ainda mais insano. A meta é imitar o ilustre Phileas Fogg e rodar o mundo de bike em 80 dias. Está no dia 57. E dentro da meta.
Gosto de ler histórias de pessoas comuns que realizam feitos extraordinários. E o que esse escocês fez quando tinha 25 anos é impressionante. Foram nada menos do que 150km por dia em cima da bike. Não consigo imaginar como um ser humano pode aguentar tamanha carga de atividade por tanto tempo.
No livro, ele conta os detalhes dos apuros que passou, do planejamento para a jornada (que levou três anos), de como teve que deixar de ser vegetariano ao longo da viagem para sobreviver, do apoio que teve de incontáveis pessoas nos quatro cantos do mundo e das reflexões que a mente faz quando se fica tanto tempo isolado e focado em um só objetivo.
É uma história bonita, sobretudo.
E o mais louco é que durante a leitura do livro, publicado em 2009, fui pesquisar pra ver o que Mark estaria fazendo hoje. De lá pra cá, ele rodou a África, as Américas e atualmente está fazendo uma nova volta ao mundo! Mas, desta vez, o plano é ainda mais insano. A meta é imitar o ilustre Phileas Fogg e rodar o mundo de bike em 80 dias. Está no dia 57. E dentro da meta.
September 11, 2012
A gift..... not my usual thing as biographies / auto biographies don't usually float my boat, but let's give it a try.
Inspirational. I felt like I was slogging along beside him. Unlike the dreadful '127 hours' this a man who is not full of resentment, self importance or delusional about his social position. Mark Beaumont told the story as it was and in many senses was a fascinating travelogue rather than being about 'him'. Indeed so much so that I was sorry that it simply stopped at the finish line. There must have been some interesting stuff that went on in the immediate aftermath of the ride.
Recommendation? A definite and strong READ
Inspirational. I felt like I was slogging along beside him. Unlike the dreadful '127 hours' this a man who is not full of resentment, self importance or delusional about his social position. Mark Beaumont told the story as it was and in many senses was a fascinating travelogue rather than being about 'him'. Indeed so much so that I was sorry that it simply stopped at the finish line. There must have been some interesting stuff that went on in the immediate aftermath of the ride.
Recommendation? A definite and strong READ
April 19, 2017
This should be described as a log book rather than a cycling book. You are taken on a 18,000 mile journey for the world record in cycling with Mr. Mark Beaumont. He keeps you close with the details and this can be good and bad, he literally recounts each of the 195 days and it can be taxing especially in the beginning. Because it is so detailed you feel how gruelling of a task it was traveling the world, you almost feel like you are on the trip with him. However the diary style of writing can be bland and the book suffers for it. It needed more colorful writing, humor, or just better editing. I enjoyed the book but it was a slog and at times i took breaks with other stuff to read.
August 10, 2014
A really interesting book about one man's attempt to cycle solo around the world. Some criticisms might be that there wasn't quite enough about the cycling, for cyclist readers, and not quite enough about the places, for travel readers - but I thought it was a pretty good blend of both with some fascinating insights - like Thailand seeming more like home than Eastern Europe due to how westernised it was, and the logistical nightmare of getting through the Middle East. I couldn't put it down and found it a really inspiring story of physical endurance.
January 25, 2024
What an incredible performance cycling the world in 195 days. At more or less 100 miles per day in often tough conditions it showed true resilience and persistence. Mark also knocked a couple of months off the previous record. Massive respect!
However, in spite of being a monumental journey, there were two things that made this an ok rather than great book and story. Firstly, he literally just biked from dawn till dusk every day. No visiting of sights and little meeting of people and trying to understand the local cultures. I had the feeling the journey and story would have been much richer if he would have taken a bit of time to experience the journey rather than only making the distance. Secondly, the storytelling was a bit dull. I totally get that the day probably started with a bad night, aching muscles, and a big breakfast followed by a long ride with saddle sores and then a search for somewhere to stay the next night but it’s not that interesting to read that 195 times. It would have been more interesting to put all the data (distances, calories, wind, rain, pain etc) into a set of charts in a chapter at the beginning and get it out of the way and then tell the real story of the journey: what did you see, who did you meet, what did you learn, how did you keep yourself and your support team motivated, how did you feel, what is your code for resilience and so on.
Nevertheless I did enjoy the book and very much respect the achievement.
However, in spite of being a monumental journey, there were two things that made this an ok rather than great book and story. Firstly, he literally just biked from dawn till dusk every day. No visiting of sights and little meeting of people and trying to understand the local cultures. I had the feeling the journey and story would have been much richer if he would have taken a bit of time to experience the journey rather than only making the distance. Secondly, the storytelling was a bit dull. I totally get that the day probably started with a bad night, aching muscles, and a big breakfast followed by a long ride with saddle sores and then a search for somewhere to stay the next night but it’s not that interesting to read that 195 times. It would have been more interesting to put all the data (distances, calories, wind, rain, pain etc) into a set of charts in a chapter at the beginning and get it out of the way and then tell the real story of the journey: what did you see, who did you meet, what did you learn, how did you keep yourself and your support team motivated, how did you feel, what is your code for resilience and so on.
Nevertheless I did enjoy the book and very much respect the achievement.
October 16, 2025
What an inspiration. I'm lost for words. This was an incredible feat of endurance from a fellow Scotsman - Mark, simply incredible.
I will add that this is also a wonderful travel book. Arguably the best I've read. Though Mark did not spend time exploring areas, he did cycle through and gave his perspectives of what he saw and how he felt about the places he was passing though (India, Pakistan, USA and Oz in particular).
I've had the pleasure of since seeing Mark present and it's clear from the book and discussion that he has some unique drivers that culminate in this extraordinary feat and the world is richer for having people like Mark and such achievements.
5 stars all day long.
I'm off for a cycle.
I will add that this is also a wonderful travel book. Arguably the best I've read. Though Mark did not spend time exploring areas, he did cycle through and gave his perspectives of what he saw and how he felt about the places he was passing though (India, Pakistan, USA and Oz in particular).
I've had the pleasure of since seeing Mark present and it's clear from the book and discussion that he has some unique drivers that culminate in this extraordinary feat and the world is richer for having people like Mark and such achievements.
5 stars all day long.
I'm off for a cycle.
September 30, 2018
Hugely enjoyable. Really felt like I was cycling along with him (at zero effort 😁). Very interesting to hear about the culture changes and which countries were surprisingly welcoming vs those that were less so. Inspired me to get out on my bike a little more 😊
August 21, 2025
great read, great cycle! can't help but think how different this trip would be as a woman
August 18, 2011
As somebody who has only recently come back to his long-lost two-wheeled love, this book jumped out at me off of a bookshelf on my last visit to the library. Looked interesting enough and I honestly can't think of any interesting bike books, so this seemed worth a spin. (Ouch. Bike pun.)
I enjoyed this book but wouldn't necessarily recommend it. But if you're interested in travel or athletic pursuits, you might like it.
Beaumont's quest to break the world record for fastest time biking around the world would not have been possible without the help of multiple complete strangers. This facet of the book is what I found most interesting. We live in a world where the local news teaches you that a violent death is always just around the corner, but here's a man biking around the world (usually solo) in strange war-torn countries where people sometimes don't speak the same language as him, and what you find is a reminder that, for all its warts, humanity is basically decent.
Divided up into 25 chapters, I pretty much digested one every evening, always excited to pick up the book and see what would happen in the next batch of miles. By the end (195 days and 18,300 miles), I realized that I was probably enjoying most was that the pace of the book reminded me of a long excursion on the bike. For me anyhow, riding a bike is a pretty meditative experience. Sure, burning a couple thousand calories on one trip has its own physical merits. But with a hectic full-time job and two kids at home, getting away for a multi-hour ride - just you, your bike, and the open road - also puts your mind in a state of calm that's not always easy to find.
There are some that would read this book (or bike 50 miles) and think "Oh my God, this is plodding and dull..." But there are others who are just going to enjoy the ride.
I enjoyed this book but wouldn't necessarily recommend it. But if you're interested in travel or athletic pursuits, you might like it.
Beaumont's quest to break the world record for fastest time biking around the world would not have been possible without the help of multiple complete strangers. This facet of the book is what I found most interesting. We live in a world where the local news teaches you that a violent death is always just around the corner, but here's a man biking around the world (usually solo) in strange war-torn countries where people sometimes don't speak the same language as him, and what you find is a reminder that, for all its warts, humanity is basically decent.
Divided up into 25 chapters, I pretty much digested one every evening, always excited to pick up the book and see what would happen in the next batch of miles. By the end (195 days and 18,300 miles), I realized that I was probably enjoying most was that the pace of the book reminded me of a long excursion on the bike. For me anyhow, riding a bike is a pretty meditative experience. Sure, burning a couple thousand calories on one trip has its own physical merits. But with a hectic full-time job and two kids at home, getting away for a multi-hour ride - just you, your bike, and the open road - also puts your mind in a state of calm that's not always easy to find.
There are some that would read this book (or bike 50 miles) and think "Oh my God, this is plodding and dull..." But there are others who are just going to enjoy the ride.
May 2, 2022
Obviously, the feat this man accomplished was amazing, and I wanted to hear how he did it. But really, the book was never really that exciting. It was most interesting just hearing him describe each of the countries he biked through. But because it was a race, he was so focused on biking that he missed out on so many opportunities to see amazing sites and to visit with interesting people. So many times, he had a chance to spend time with generous people he met, but he always turned them down because he needed to stay focused, or find the next hotel or the next meal, or make his daily mileage goal.
I think a more interesting book would be about cycling the world and taking your time to enjoy it. There just were not enough great stories and interesting characters in this. But again, kudos to him for his accomplishment. Amazing.
I think a more interesting book would be about cycling the world and taking your time to enjoy it. There just were not enough great stories and interesting characters in this. But again, kudos to him for his accomplishment. Amazing.
April 10, 2021
This could have been about 150 pages shorter and have more impact. It needed to be refined from a day to day log book into something more thematic that would grip the reader (or at least have more connections between amazing experiences along the road). I did start this book with big expectations following the BBC series.
August 31, 2011
While I am thoroughly impressed with the feat of riding over 18k miles inless than 200 days, the read was about as monotonous as the ride seemed to be. I learned a bit about some places I'd like to visit, and I learned that 18,000 is a very big number indeed. The book deserves a good skim.
August 19, 2023
It was an amazing accomplishment!
However his writing style isn't for me and that's ok I'd just love to hear about the places or more about the cycling in an interesting way; it has the tendency to be a bit of a repetitive mix between skimming both. Some parts have aged rather poorly too.
However his writing style isn't for me and that's ok I'd just love to hear about the places or more about the cycling in an interesting way; it has the tendency to be a bit of a repetitive mix between skimming both. Some parts have aged rather poorly too.
March 16, 2011
Am I the only one who couldn't stand this guy and how self-absorbed he is? He cycled around the world to chase his 15 minutes of fame
Want to read
July 14, 2014Looking forward to reading my Christmas present. Just need to wait for the wife to finish with it!
November 28, 2014
Way too long and repetitive. Should have summed the most interesting events and elements. Fell asleep many times while reading. Not as interesting as the journey probably was.
October 6, 2014
interesting story, but fairly bland writing. basically a daily diary.
October 12, 2015
Definitely inspired!
May 12, 2019
Throughly enjoyed this, it started slow with all the build up to the event, but worth sticking with it for the sheer endurance feat that this was. Amazing achievement! 🗺
November 29, 2022
I’m a keen armchair cyclist and always enjoy books like this - a bike seem the ideal way to traverse a country. You don’t zip through it, but you don’t tarry either. You get to meet people, but the bike quickly takes you away from them too, sometimes necessarily. Meanwhile the physical feat of it is impressive, and it’s pretty amazing that a two wheeled bike powered by your own body can take you across the whole world in less than 200 days (in this case.)
Mark Beaumont is a Scot from my neck of the woods, and I felt I saw the world from a similar perspective to his own. There was no glorification of other nations and peoples as being friendlier, or simpler, or kinder, or anything else in comparison to others (i.e rich Westerners). Beaumont always gives a straightforward assessment of whoever he meets, warts and all. A man’s a man for aw’ that, which means a man can be a total pain in the arse too, especially as a member of the Pakistani police. One thing that was striking as the ride moved through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and India was that men were all Beaumont saw and met. Women seemingly disappeared off the planet during this stage of the journey. Very young boys and adolescent teenagers always showed an interest in him, but there were no little girls mentioned anywhere. Not that Beaumont really spends time in any one place or community, because his goal was to race across the world, trying to set a new record by averaging about 150km a day, meaning he’d almost no time to dally or spend meaningful time with people he encountered.
In contrast to Ted Simon in Jupiter’s Travels, Beaumont is relieved to depart Asia and arrive in Australia, not dwelling on the poverty versus affluence he sees. It is what it is, seems to be his attitude, but he has a tougher time on the paved roads of Australia than he has had the rutted tarmacs and mud roads of India. This is largely due to the heat and headwind gales that sweep across the Outback, and the monotony of the unchanging scenery where a road can travel straight for 90 miles without a bend on it.
America is next, and the miles and States fly by on paved roads from the West to the East before the final leg from Portugal back to Paris. This is quite a long book, but it’s always interesting and kept me hooked to the end.
Mark Beaumont is a Scot from my neck of the woods, and I felt I saw the world from a similar perspective to his own. There was no glorification of other nations and peoples as being friendlier, or simpler, or kinder, or anything else in comparison to others (i.e rich Westerners). Beaumont always gives a straightforward assessment of whoever he meets, warts and all. A man’s a man for aw’ that, which means a man can be a total pain in the arse too, especially as a member of the Pakistani police. One thing that was striking as the ride moved through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and India was that men were all Beaumont saw and met. Women seemingly disappeared off the planet during this stage of the journey. Very young boys and adolescent teenagers always showed an interest in him, but there were no little girls mentioned anywhere. Not that Beaumont really spends time in any one place or community, because his goal was to race across the world, trying to set a new record by averaging about 150km a day, meaning he’d almost no time to dally or spend meaningful time with people he encountered.
In contrast to Ted Simon in Jupiter’s Travels, Beaumont is relieved to depart Asia and arrive in Australia, not dwelling on the poverty versus affluence he sees. It is what it is, seems to be his attitude, but he has a tougher time on the paved roads of Australia than he has had the rutted tarmacs and mud roads of India. This is largely due to the heat and headwind gales that sweep across the Outback, and the monotony of the unchanging scenery where a road can travel straight for 90 miles without a bend on it.
America is next, and the miles and States fly by on paved roads from the West to the East before the final leg from Portugal back to Paris. This is quite a long book, but it’s always interesting and kept me hooked to the end.
December 13, 2025
It's ironic how it's much more dangerous to cycle in America than in Asia - he got hit and got mugged in the land of the free. lol
You just cannot not root for this man. I just picture out the scenes in my head while I read this book, the closest thing for me in seeing the world.
Also, I shed a tear reading the last sentence of Una's story.
Lines that hit me:
•Rather than ask people for money, ask them who they know (who could offer you money). People are proud of their relationships.
• Fueled mainly by ambition, as opposed to experience.
• Every man’s venture was sacred and not to be questioned.
• Poverty is not really about the line between needs and wants, the dollar or any western standards of living; it is the reality of seeing, hearing and smelling a standard of life that is indescribable.
• When it gets tough, the most important thing is to keep going even more than usual. 'At least if I stay on the bike I am covering ground.’ I kept saying to myself over and over.
• This world felt millions of miles from where I had come, yet because I had travelled mostly by bike since Europe, these once isolated cultures for me now felt so much closer. They were real and accessible variants on the same small world I had lived my whole life on. People are naturally very here-centric, but many of my preconceptions that had painted the world in black and white before were now confused. I could no loger see the world in such isolated sections.
• You can’t focus on winning — there are too many variables out of your control — but you can focus on your best performance; and your best performance, in the right circumstances, will be a winning performance.
• My main goal in business, which I had decided on while at university: to get paid for who I was and not just for wat I did. In my mind this was the only way I could earn true value for time and effort invested in whatever I was doing.
• His stories reflected a life of pursuing random hobbies and a mind allowed to wonder without the constraints of the rat-race mentality.
You just cannot not root for this man. I just picture out the scenes in my head while I read this book, the closest thing for me in seeing the world.
Also, I shed a tear reading the last sentence of Una's story.
Lines that hit me:
•Rather than ask people for money, ask them who they know (who could offer you money). People are proud of their relationships.
• Fueled mainly by ambition, as opposed to experience.
• Every man’s venture was sacred and not to be questioned.
• Poverty is not really about the line between needs and wants, the dollar or any western standards of living; it is the reality of seeing, hearing and smelling a standard of life that is indescribable.
• When it gets tough, the most important thing is to keep going even more than usual. 'At least if I stay on the bike I am covering ground.’ I kept saying to myself over and over.
• This world felt millions of miles from where I had come, yet because I had travelled mostly by bike since Europe, these once isolated cultures for me now felt so much closer. They were real and accessible variants on the same small world I had lived my whole life on. People are naturally very here-centric, but many of my preconceptions that had painted the world in black and white before were now confused. I could no loger see the world in such isolated sections.
• You can’t focus on winning — there are too many variables out of your control — but you can focus on your best performance; and your best performance, in the right circumstances, will be a winning performance.
• My main goal in business, which I had decided on while at university: to get paid for who I was and not just for wat I did. In my mind this was the only way I could earn true value for time and effort invested in whatever I was doing.
• His stories reflected a life of pursuing random hobbies and a mind allowed to wonder without the constraints of the rat-race mentality.
August 1, 2022
This is the story of a man's journey around the world on a bicycle, trying to smash the world record for fastest circumnavigation on a bicycle. After Josie Dew's Wind in my Wheels, books on cycling experiences have captured my attention. This one, however, was slightly different in terms of its objectives, in that the cyclist was just trying to cover 100 miles a day no matter what! The book is a distillation of his thoughts while travelling around the world - absorbing the good, the bad and the ugly that the world has to offer. My key take-aways from the book have been the cyclist's thoughts, struggle and pain when he was cycling through unexplored landscapes of the middle east, (occasionally risking his life), the dry deserts of Australia and numerous "tumbleweed" towns in the US.
As an Indian, I was also eager to know his experience of cycling in India. He describes as a "love / hate relationship" because he loved the country for what it was but was frantically pedalling to leave it behind.
Other things that I enjoyed was the "wisdom of perspective" that his mother had from the base camp, that often saved him from situations taking a downward spiral, and the mention of the lack of emotions when one is really close to achieving a dream of so many years. It was an interesting read.
As an Indian, I was also eager to know his experience of cycling in India. He describes as a "love / hate relationship" because he loved the country for what it was but was frantically pedalling to leave it behind.
Other things that I enjoyed was the "wisdom of perspective" that his mother had from the base camp, that often saved him from situations taking a downward spiral, and the mention of the lack of emotions when one is really close to achieving a dream of so many years. It was an interesting read.
January 25, 2025
I found it really tricky to rate this book. What gripped me was the honest, believable and engaging nature of the challenge. It kept me going to the end of the book with a genuine emotional connection. In fact, the book was bought for me by two lovely friends to mark my own return from a 1000 mile cycle with my wife through France and into northern Spain. Not that that was anything like the scale or pace of this story, although I’m not 25 anymore either - I had my 64th birthday on our own ride! But many of the ups, downs, joys and challenges felt very recognisable. And even a few of the locations.
However, there are times when it feels too much like a collage of logbook entries, social media posts from the journey and traveller’s tales - although some of the latter are quite funny. It ends up being just that bit too long and repetitive, although maybe that’s what the ride felt like as well. A great adventure narrative that that could, in my view, have benefited from some tighter editing.
To anyone who likes to cycle tour, or who simply enjoys an outdoor challenge, it’s nevertheless a book for consideration.
However, there are times when it feels too much like a collage of logbook entries, social media posts from the journey and traveller’s tales - although some of the latter are quite funny. It ends up being just that bit too long and repetitive, although maybe that’s what the ride felt like as well. A great adventure narrative that that could, in my view, have benefited from some tighter editing.
To anyone who likes to cycle tour, or who simply enjoys an outdoor challenge, it’s nevertheless a book for consideration.
September 22, 2019
Mark’s cycling accomplishment is impressive. He has a lot of grit to cycle with inadequate water, food, and persistent saddle sores. I found the description of his cycling in various countries quite interesting. I wAs really Interested to read his thoughts on cycling in the USA, especially this route. I cycled a San Diego to st. Augustine route and agree with him that US drivers are not kind on the road. Having ridden a few weeks in the U.K., I am amazed at the difference.
I’ve rated this 3 stars because the editing could have been better. Select either miles or km...but don’t interchange them. Also use of a name and then initials was annoying. Select one and stick to it. Overall I’d prefer to read about someone’s tour experiences. I think Mark missed quite a bit due to the race aspect of his journey. Overall I consider this book good, but not a must read.
I’ve rated this 3 stars because the editing could have been better. Select either miles or km...but don’t interchange them. Also use of a name and then initials was annoying. Select one and stick to it. Overall I’d prefer to read about someone’s tour experiences. I think Mark missed quite a bit due to the race aspect of his journey. Overall I consider this book good, but not a must read.
November 13, 2024
Amazing true story of a man who road his bike around the world. He did it in 2007. There's been at least 2 others who have done it since then (Jenny Graham--I just finished her book---soooo good) and Lael Wilcox in September 2024 (listened to her podcast).
Mark road around the world before mapping computer existed so he had to use paper maps and his mom to help guide him. I loved his descriptions of cycling thru Iran, Pakistan and India...... really amazing. Mark's goal was to ride 100 miles a day and had to ride 18,000 miles to hit the Guinness Book World Record, which he did in 179 days.
The whole concept of cycling around the world just blows my mind. This is quite the tale. Recommended. And pick up Jenny Graham's book too. "Coffee First--Then the World").
If you do read this book - helpful to have a KM to Miles converter handy.
Mark road around the world before mapping computer existed so he had to use paper maps and his mom to help guide him. I loved his descriptions of cycling thru Iran, Pakistan and India...... really amazing. Mark's goal was to ride 100 miles a day and had to ride 18,000 miles to hit the Guinness Book World Record, which he did in 179 days.
The whole concept of cycling around the world just blows my mind. This is quite the tale. Recommended. And pick up Jenny Graham's book too. "Coffee First--Then the World").
If you do read this book - helpful to have a KM to Miles converter handy.
February 5, 2026
I couldn't put this one down. Here's my notes made while reading.
'Not so much inspired on the cycling front. I'm more mainlining Anxious Mum Emotions:
Stop it!! Get out of there! It's far too dangerous! THERE'S MEN WITH GUNS! YOU NEED AN ARMED GUARD TO RIDE YOUR BIKE THERE??? AND WHAT'S MORE, THEY HATE YOU? And, mostly,
for the love of God, *eat something; drink more water! Not _that_ water*'
and:
'My nerves are shredded. I know he hated the Ozzie wind, but I'm much more worried about the state of Mark Beaumont's poor nose... If he doesn't develop skin cancer in the middle of his face by the time he hits Portugal, he's a lucky man. Oh, and he's just been run over and also mugged in the mid west. I'm torn between carrying on reading, just to get him out of there, and hardly able to carry on because of the tension.'
'Not so much inspired on the cycling front. I'm more mainlining Anxious Mum Emotions:
Stop it!! Get out of there! It's far too dangerous! THERE'S MEN WITH GUNS! YOU NEED AN ARMED GUARD TO RIDE YOUR BIKE THERE??? AND WHAT'S MORE, THEY HATE YOU? And, mostly,
for the love of God, *eat something; drink more water! Not _that_ water*'
and:
'My nerves are shredded. I know he hated the Ozzie wind, but I'm much more worried about the state of Mark Beaumont's poor nose... If he doesn't develop skin cancer in the middle of his face by the time he hits Portugal, he's a lucky man. Oh, and he's just been run over and also mugged in the mid west. I'm torn between carrying on reading, just to get him out of there, and hardly able to carry on because of the tension.'
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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