Customer Reviews

Around the World on a Bicycle

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3 star:		(1)
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I am going to ride a bicycle around the world in the year 2000, so I have been reading a lot of books by people who have done the same. This one is unique because it is about a guy who did it in the 30's on an old "Cruiser" bicycle without any "modern" technology to assist him. It is interesting to contrast his experiences to modern day bicycle touring, to see the differences and feel the almost eerie similarities. One touching moment in it is when he talks in retrospect about "The War," World War I. In his world, WWII has not even happened yet. I look at his young face staring out through old-time, black and white photos and wonder where he is now and what he is doing, or if he is even still alive. I got the book originally from my city's library. It was a first edition (1939). The due date card had date stamps from the 40's and 50's. That "old" and "from the past" feel of the physical book itself was a pleasent aspect. Reading it has been a fun experience on many different levels. It definitely has a different twist than reading the accounts of people who have gone around the world recently. Other good books about around the world bicycling trips: <The Long Ride -- Lloyd Sumner> < Miles From Nowhere -- Barbara Savage> <Seeing Myself Seeing the World -- Sally Vantress> Also highly recommended by other people, and the one that I am going to read next: <The Road of Dreams --Bruce Junek> Happy Reading!! (And Riding!)

I HAD HEARD THE NAME FRED BIRCHMORE FROM MY FATHER AND AUNTS IN ATHENS, GA WHEN I WAS A CHILD. I RECENTLY FOUND A FIRST RUN SIGNED COPY IN OUR OLD FAMILY HOME. WHAT A WONDERFUL ADVENTURE WITH MANY REFERENCES TO HIS HOMETOWN, ATHENS,GA AND HIS BELOVED UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA. IT WAS VERY INTERRESTING TO RELIVE THE WORLD POLITICS AT THAT TIME. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR EVERY CYCLIST. THERE WAS A RECENT FRED BIRCHMORE SIGHTING AT THE WOLF CAMERA STORE AND THE YMCA IN ATHENS.HE AND HIS WIFE CONTINUE TO WALK AND SWIM ALMOST EVERY DAY.

This book first caught my attention in a public library some 40+ years ago, and I have never forgotten it. Birchmore's accounts of exhaustion, danger, exhilaration, and discovery are themselves thrilling, a testament to physical and emotional stamina. For armchair traveler and potential world explorer alike, this is an account to treasure.

The Birchmore family is thinking of reprinting/republishing this book possibly in a less expensive format. I thought I would check to see if there is any demand for this sort of thing and any price suggestions on how much you would be willing to pay to see if it would cover printing costs. Let me know in this review area, I guess, if you can!

I read this book in the LSU library in 1961 and it profoundly influenced my life. It led to my bicycle racing and touring life, the 12 bike shops, importing and distribution and meeting my wife at the Cologne trade show. I ride 10 miles to lunch and then back 4 times a week, but have not yet had time to make a really long trek. It was always my intention to visit Athens, GA to meet Mr. Birchmore, if he were still there. Now, through the magic of the internet, I can tell him this and get a copy of the book. However, I still remember most of the passages well, including the name of his bicycle! It has been very useful to relate current events in the East to the descriptions in his book. Thank you very much, Mr. Birchmore.

Barrett Leibe, New Orleans

I am ordering the book today. I just wanted you to know that Fred is 89, still bicycling, and living in Athens, Georgia. Look him up on the net.

I heard about Birchmore's journey through a friend who read about him in some obscure online news article. I then kept my eyes open on Amazon and jumped at the chance to get a good used copy for 5$. I found the book hard to put down, although I have to say that I felt it only hit it's stride once he got out of Europe and into Egypt. Some of the other reviews mention how it was interesting from a historical perspective, however, I think that's where this book let me down. It hardly mentions anything about the political and economic situation in Europe at the time. It would have been fascinating to hear more about that. Clearly this book is more of a blow by blow account of his journey and really feels a bit like reading someone's travel journal. Having had the chance to do a lot of traveling over the last 6 years, it was interesting to hear of his experiences in some of the exact places I've been. His description of the Banyan trees in Angkor Wat resonate very clearly with what I recall seeing, as was his trip down the Nile and his visit to Petra. The most political and one of the most interesting sections of the book describes the persecution of the Jews who were settling in the area that is now Israel, then Palestine. Very interesting. However, there's no doubt that for me the highlight of the journey is the Afghanistan section and his experience with the people there. Given the strife they've had since the '30s with the USSR, Taliban, and now the war makes it all the more intriguing.

What is obvious beyond a shadow of doubt by the end is that Mr. Birchmore had a reckless sense of adventure and a never die attitude that saw him through tremendous challenges. I came away with the distinct feeling that despite his personal strength and resolve, it was God's grace that saw him through to the end. At the end of the book I had the urge to fly down to Georgia and see if I could find a way to meet and visit with this amazing man.

Ol' Fred really got around!

His story covers his around-the-world-on-a-bike journey - in 1935!

The real interest to me is a description of the pre-WWII world. He describes some of the situation in Germany as things get dark. He visits Palestine and Egypt with comments about his own experience and reactions. He heads across Iran and Afghanistan, down through India and a harrowing voyage through Burma. It is quite a ride!

I have not read the book, but I can tell you Mr. Birchmore is still alive and well in Athens, GA. He begins each day with a 4-5 mile walk, then goes to the YMCA for a walk. Mr. Birchmore's exploits are legendary in Athens. BTW, not only did he ride his bike around the world, he and his wife rode a tandem from Athens to Oklahoma for their honeymoon... 50 or 60 years ago.

His bikes are actually in the Smithsonian. He also walked to the top of the Washington Monument on his hands. I believe he was over 50 when he did that.