A Bike Ride: 12,000 Miles Around the World

by Anne Mustoe

Book Overview

When ex-headmistress Anne Mustoe gave up her job, bought a bike and took to the road, she couldn't even mend a puncture. 12,000 miles and 15 months later, she was home. Her epic solo journey took her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0863696503
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: Virgin Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.7" x 0.8" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

For inspiration read this story

If you are feeling tired and weary, take this trip with Mustoe and be inspired. A timeless classic. Should be reissued.

54-Year-Old Historian Cycles Around the World

This was an inspirational book, written by a historian. I enjoyed the book. However, I was disappointed with the book in one way. The author speaks mainly as a historian, taking the reader on a historical tour of all of the places she visted on her bike. Even by the end of the book, we know very little about the author herself, or her personal feelings. There are several very poor, black-and-white photos of places she visited, but there is not even one photo of her! I would have preferred one photo of her, with her bicycle, anywhere, than all of the other photos she included in the book. I would also have liked her to share more of her personal life with the reader, which she seems to have purposely avoided (In the chapter where she travels through the American Midwest, she comments that Americans seem to discuss their personal problems even with strangers, but indicates that she feels that is an oddity. I found that an interesting comment on American culture, and probably very true, when compared with other cultures, especially the British culture.)This one issue aside, I found the book inspiring, for a woman of her age, and poor physical condition (at the outset) to have cycled around the world. I read with great interest her descriptions of the people's behavior (both toward her and toward each other) in various places. I was quite surprised by her descriptions of Pakistanis, Indians, and various Americans (as an American myself). I was both surprised and not surprised by her travels across America--it being the hardest place because of the vast, empty distances (particularly in the West). Disappointingly, the author shared only a few minor details of her life. I am quite a history buff myself, but this book rather overdosed on history. Nevertheless, I did pick up a few interesting historical tidbits. For example, I found it quite interesting that her cycling through Italy was far easier than many other places (in spite of the mountains) because the Romans constructed their roads in such a way as to try to never give up height before reaching the highest point. Therefore, the route gradually climbed, whereas in newer areas (such as America), modern roads repeatedly climb and fall, making it much harder on a cyclist.

A 54 year old Headmistress bikes around the world.

Feeling 50 and old? Stuck in your ways with life a bit monotonous? Read this and feel the freedom of following the trail of Alexander the Great. Ride on the Royal Road through Turkey staying at local Inns and stopping for coffee. A fascinating book!