Over The Hill And Around The World: A Baby Boomer's Ride To The End Of The Earth

by Darby Roach

There's something about starting the day on a bike. There's a feeling of optimism and adventure and the sense that anything's possible and nothing's for sure. It's quiet, and the air is pure like scentless perfume. The dust hasn't kicked up yet, and it's so clear that you can see forever. Whizzing past in a car, you get a rough idea of what it's like but you're separated from the world by so many layers that you never get a real feel for the landscape. Cycling lets you tap into the true nature of a place and experience it with your soul. The sun on your face, the beckoning horizon and the rhythm of your breathing all conspire to fill you with the simple joy of being alive and on the road. Twelve thousand miles, seventeen countries, one hell of a ride! Get your 'round-the-world adventure fix today with "Over The Hill And Around The World."

262 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2016

Reviews

[Angie Brisse]

Pretty darned good.

This book could have used a denouement. He reaches the end of his journey and I guess he must have gotten tired of writing. There's at least another chapter that could have been written about his return to Seattle. He returned a changed man, he said. How did that changed man fit in with his family, etc.? How did he manage the wanderlust he'd developed?

But there are many good stories in this book. Mr. Roach had many wonderful and a few terrifying adventures. So despite what I see as a journalistic lack of balance, I would still recommend this book for a long flight or any idle time you should find, so rare for most of us in this day and age.

[Kurt]

The book makes you feel like you are riding along side, Darby, on his cycling adventure/travels around the Earth. He meets every day folks (strangers) along his journey that are welcoming and caring, and some that invite him into their home for a warm meal, and or, an over night stay. His journey shows that there are kind people everywhere around the earth, and graciously accepting of visitors to their country from somewhere far away. You will be informed, warmed, and inspired by this book.

[Chuck Miller]

I've enjoyed several books about bicycling adventures and this rates near the top (my favorite remains Biking Across America: My Coast-to-Coast Adventure and the People I Met Along the Way). The author's style is interesting and the overall journey is entertaining. I will say that after leaving America the story does seem a little disjointed at times, but it's still a great read.

[Terry Galbraith]

Select Venues on an ATW Jaunt

Writing is pedestrian but details a fellow's hop, skip and a jump around the world by bike, train, bus, ferry and plane. Not a purist's ideal, but a great feat nonetheless.

[richard homan]

I Thoroughly enjoyed the adventure, the right amount of travel and meeting characters.

I enjoyed the adventure of traveling through all the country's and the characters he meets along the way. It's the right combination of travel and Billie touring.

[Peter Dickerson]

The book includes some interesting insights about world travel on a bike. All these world cycling books cover different aspects of the experience. But I must say that with actually getting out there, and then putting the experience down in words, both are great things to do.

[Myra L Rice]

Darby's around the world bicycle trip

The best account of travel I have read! It was a well written memoir of Darby Roach's bicycle trip around the world through three continents. I enjoyed reading about the people he met along the way and those who helped him!

[Beth]

Enjoyable Read

Great story and well written. The ending was a bit abrupt, I expected a bit more but perhaps a sequel is coming.

[Chris Hinks]

Interesting

I'm considering a ride to Spain and Portugal from UK, and this book was quite interesting. It's helped me to forget about going to the Far East

[Steve Bera]

This is quite a guy, but writing is something new to him. The first half of the book was pretty boring. I think he improved, and when he wrote later in the book about his foreign travels it ticks up two notches. I have read 10 of these books about cycling around the world. No more. Great athlete.