Four Cheeks to the Wind: The Story of a Two Year Transcontinental Bicycle Ride

by Mary Bryant

Unfit and overweight at the age of 58 in 2002, Mary set off with her partner Warren to cycle round the world. They cycled for 2 years through 15 countries and 3 continents without backup or support, through areas not usually visited by tourists. Travelling through Europe, Asia and Australia with heavily-laden bicycles (including camping gear), they cycled 9000 miles before their trip was tragically cut short. From France to Turkey, India to Sri Lanka, Japan and Burma to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, from Thailand to Australia - all are described in detail and with humour. Their journey proved that anyone with a dream can make it a reality.Illustrated with colour photos.Several simple recipes are also included, which were collected on their travels, so that readers can enjoy them too.“The book is so well written, and details of places, people, animals, plants and scenery are brilliantly described. I felt I was there without the hassle of having to do the journey for myself.”"I had trouble putting the book down. I found it so much of an escapism from everyday life reading about your travels and adventures. You described everything with so much clarity and detail. I felt I was with you every step/cycle pedal revolution of the way."“Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. It was so descriptive that I felt I was travelling alongside the author, and there are lots of amusing anecdotes. Would definitely recommend this book.”“This book was very interesting with exactly the right amount of information on each place visited. A very good read.”“I think Mary Bryant is up there with Josie Dew, Anne Mustoe. So far I love it.”“Very descriptive book giving you the highs and lows of travelling. I felt as if I was with them sometimes.”"This was bought as a birthday present and was well received. Had a sneaky look myself and found it very interesting.""My congratulations and thanks for sharing your tale with us in ‘Four Cheeks to the Wind’. A thoroughly enjoyable read that you took us along as if we were with you. One of the best travel tales, if not the best, that I have read.""Well done on your wonderful, enjoyable book.""I have loved reading your book. What a wonderful adventure you both had.""I have very much enjoyed reading about your travels at the rate of a few pages of the book a day. It has an appealing freshness of vision and I am struck by your thoroughness in recording your memories.""I didn't start it until last weekend, but then I couldn't put it down.""Mary's account of her transcontinental bike ride is packed with fascinating facts, anecdotes and photographs of the exotic places and people encountered en route. Worth its place on the armchair traveller's bookshelf."

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction, Travel

536 pages, Hardcover

First published July 31, 2009

Reviews

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive travel journal of an 18 month trip by bicycle. The very notion that a retired couple from England would even undertake a journey across the world by bicycle is reason enough to read this fascinating book. The interactions with local people were so very interesting, the almost obsessive accounting for meals and lodging and descriptions of each meal and hotel room were not so interesting.

[Euan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a travel writing junkie and love books like this. Mary's description of her travels was comprehensive and certainly she has a gift for picking out the details of her experience. The journey was cut short in the end due to a bereavement, but all the same a very interesting and enjoyable journey.

[Lonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Bike Ride!

The story starts out as two ordinary people begin a long bike ride. By the time they’re done with the trip, you have slowly learned what extraordinary people they really are.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had travelled to many of the places in this book although we went by plane. Really enjoyed the story and could visualize the little towns and villages.n

[Ronald Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed description of a multi-country bike ride

Well written book from a pair who cycled through numerous countries. The author does a wonderful job describing the places, people, food & sights. Her attention to detail is impeccable. Though the book seemed long at times, I found the authors descriptions made me feel as if I was riding with them.

[Bill Kinman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed

I selected this book because I enjoy reading about cycling. This book however was more of a travel log about tree destinations than about cycling. So if you want to read about cycle touring don't select this book. I was disappointed from the start but struggled to get through it.

[Alison]

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