Hungry Cyclist [Paperback]

Tom Kevill Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2009

Over 100,000 miles to cover, one man, one bike and one hungry stomach. Having created his alter-ego, the Hungry Cyclist and with thousands of pedal-powered miles before him, Tom Kevill-Davies pushed off from New York City on one of the most ambitious gastronomic adventures ever undertaken. A ballsy travel memoir The Hungry Cyclist follows Tom's adventure into the hearts and minds of the people he meets. Revealing the diverse cultures of the Americas, Tom's journey from over the Rockies to Baja California, through Central America down all the way to Brazil via Colombia, gives the real flavour of this truly extraordinary landmass. This is a tale of death-battles with squadrons of mosquitoes, malodorous public toilets, of galloping dysentery one day, to drowning your sorrows with cowboys and dining with beauty queens the next. But above all it is an ambitious story of getting to where you want to be - even if you have to endure cactus-induced punctures, unforgiving desert heat, uphill struggles through never-ending cocaine plantations, or artfully dodge hungry bears, neurotic RV-driving Americans, angry rabid dogs and run-ins with local law authorities in the process.An amazing tale of what can happen when you get on your bike and go.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An all-you-can-eat-ride-by buffet through lands the bike forgot." Tim Moore "I'm not sure whether I'm more impressed by Tom going solo, slow and through some of the world's most notorious bandit country, or for getting hungry enough to eat a guinea pig." John McCarthy "A glorious account of the madness that lies at the heart of long distance cycling and an intriguing insight into the extra miles we, who are obsessed with pedal power,will go to secure the meal of our dreams." Jon Snow

About the Author

After studying product design at Central St Martins College, Tom went on to work at Christie's, before becoming Creative Designer at advertising agency, Panlogic. The son of two dedicated foodies, and an enthusiastic cook himself, Tom pursued his passion for gastronomy by regularly writing the food editorial for The Season magazine. Since embarking on his trip Tom has made regular appearances on BBC Radio 4's Excess Baggage and LA-based KCRW's The Good Food Show, as well as being a featured writer for Rough Guide. Tom currently lives in South London with four bicycles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Reference Hbacks (April 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007278845
• ISBN-13: 978-0007278848
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book, October 3, 2010

By 

P. Day "Lounge Ax-head" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hungry Cyclist (Paperback)

Not since I was a little girl begging my parents to read me The Little Lamb have I loved a book like this one. I picked it up when I was in Helsinki, Finland in 2009 and read it straight through. Then, I flipped to the first page and read it straight through again. I love to travel. I love to ride my bike and I love to eat. But, I think the Hungry Cyclist loves all three even more than me. His journey from NYC to Vancouver and down to Rio in search of North and South Americas' culinary treasures is an adventure from start to finish. I often go back to it when I want to be inspired in my riding or my eating. Highly recommended. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth reading, July 27, 2009

By 

a teacher (Mozambique) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hungry Cyclist (Paperback)

"The Hungry Cyclist" is a fast and entertaining read. As a reader who has done extensive traveling and taken several long bike trips, I could easily relate to the author's adventures, observations, uncertainties, and frustrations. The food quest was an informative thread that ran through the whole book.

The author has a few factual errors (Ben Franklin was a US president? Bannock bread is found throughout the US?--never heard of it before) and some spelling errors that the editor should have caught. However, they are not enough to detract very much.

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book!, May 16, 2009

By 

Dr. Eva Rockman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hungry Cyclist (Paperback)

I opened the book The Hungry Cyclist at about 10am Saturday morning and closed it that day around 6pm and have seldom enjoyed 8 hours more than this day of reading pleasure. Tom's descriptions of small town America, the highs and lows of traveling alone and of course, the incredible recipes are simply a delight. If you cycle or if you don't, if you enjoy cooking or eating or if you don't, you will enjoy this book!