Miles from Nowhere: A Round the World Bicycle Adventure [Paperback]

Barbara Savage (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1985

This is the delightful and often humorous story of an around-the-world bicycle trip taken by two young people, Barbara and Larry Savage. <P>It took them two years and 25 countries. Along the way, these neophyte cyclists encountered warm-hearted strangers, bicycle-hating drivers, rock-throwing Egyptians, over-protective Thai policemen, and great personal joys. <P>They returned to a new life in Santa Barbara, one Barbara never lived to savor. She was killed in a street accident, Barbara and her bicycle vs. a truck. We are lucky to have this memoir, throughout which her vitality, warmth and compassion glow. <P>Slightly edited for radio presentation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

11 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books (January 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898861098
• ISBN-13: 978-0898861099
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Opens your eyes, but be ready with a tissue October 4, 2000

By M. J. Mccaffrey

Format:Paperback

With all the reviews posted here, it's hard not to sound like a "me-too" reviewer... But there are some aspects of this book that can still be called out. [FIRST] Prospective bike tourists tend to think of equipment, conditioning, and education as the tasks they need to do in preparation. But if you're taking on something as significant as a world tour, you'd better be prepared to trust your touring partner, because the stress will be on your relationship. Barbara brings this out beautifully, both in describing the changes she went through with her husband Larry, and the contrast between their growing partnership and some of the more parasitic folks they picked up along the way. [SECOND] Something Americans don't often "get," even when we take conventional tours, is how very different this country is from other parts of the world. Barbara's graphic descriptions of cycling through Egypt (frightening) and India (just very crowded and no privacy) bring this home in a unique manner. And, were the Savages brave or stupid to travel through bandit-terrorized areas of Thailand? She leaves just enough ambiguity to our imagination so that we have to think it through ourselves. [FINALLY] An activity that was for 10-mile, casual spins became a daily routine, and I hate to see Barbara and Larry boarding that plane for California at the end of their journey. I want to know that they'll continue their ride, seeking further adventures -- and it hits me hard to learn that Barbara was killed in a cycling accident while the book was at press. This book grew on me, as good stories do, and I wanted to believe at the end that I could pick up the phone and somehow invite Barbara and Larry out for a ride. I have to "settle" for doing it myself some day.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wake-up call from your daily routine... October 20, 1999

By Renee Sproles ([e-mail])

Format:Paperback

Having failed to read of Barbara's tragic death until finished with the book, I felt as though I'd lost a friend at the story's end. The spirit with which Barbara and Larry embraced life on their journey makes me look at my world much more thankfully for its simple pleasures. Enduring physical and mental hardships as well as relishing the pleasures of creation and human kindness, Barbara Savage sparked in me a yearning to break free of my daily routine and reach out to others however I can. Perhaps one day our family will create a cycling adventure of our own!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbara and Larry got me started! October 22, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Picking up this book on a whim, I had no idea what impact Barbara and Larry would have on me! Even though the story is 25 years old, it is fresh as can be. Read this book and then read "Hey Mom,Can I ride my bike across America?" and see how Barbara and Larry inspired a middle school teacher, his wife and 5 students to ride their bikes from DC to California. It's amazing how well these books go together.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Two-Wheeled Delight ! September 25, 2000

By "richbike46"

Format:Paperback

I have never laughed as hard as I did as when I read sections of Barbara Savage's "Miles Form Nowhere". I also shed some tears at other sections.

This well-written adventure story, with a woman's touch, is a wonderfully entertaining and emotion-tugging delight. Men and women alike (who bicycle, or care about someone who does) will especially enjoy this book.

The tempo varies, but never drags. The language and the syntax are easy to read, yet not simplistic. This book is definitely one to own, and to re-visit periodically.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Quintessential cyclist travel book July 19, 2000

By zona

Format:Paperback

I read this book 8 years ago. I was about to embark on a journey through Africa on my bicycle and found motivation through Barbara's tale. What struck me the most was that she and her husband were riding 10 speeds! 10 speeds! Imagine. And they did it (imagine "granny gear" on a 10 speed)! Their journey, her words, her life are inspirational. I have my bicylce tales in foreign lands as well, but rather than writing about them, I found myself laughing and relating and thanking her for her anecdotal comraderie. Rest in Peace, Barbara Savage. Your life shines.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Around the world in ten speeds May 3, 2002

By Mark Correal

Format:Paperback

This is a true story of a husband / wife worldwide adventure from 25 years ago. Barbara Savage chronicles a two year long world tour she and her husband, Larry made beginning and ending in their home state of California, on bicycles! This is not your ususal granola eating, wimpy envoirnmentalist travelogue, but a gritty, realistic and at times humerous tale of the people and places they encounter along the way. From friendly ranchers in South Dakota to motorcycle riding bandits in the middle east, this story has it all. It details the efforts of the author and her husband to overcome and survive hard places and unusual cultures. As they go, they strike friendships with other travelers and local residents, and also get in fights with mauraders in cars and on foot. It neither condemns nor sugar coats the locations visited, but paints a true picture of the world from the bicyclists' perspective.
As entertaining and enlightening today as it was when written years ago. Sadly, the author died in a bicycle accident shortly after writing the book. But as readers, we are fortunate that she was able to produce a work recording this adventure. I'll never brag about my 25 mile bike tours again.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars fantastic story, tragic end April 16, 2000

By jeff denis

Format:Paperback

i myself am not a bicyclist, however barb and larry transported me around the world with them, and i didn't want it to end.the part that brings a tear to my eye is that this woman took life by the horns. i was so sad by her tragic death even though she has been gone awhile. i felt i knew this couple personally.goes to show life is a gift, don't squander it.i wish i could get more info on her, i don't want to say goodbye. can anyone tell me what larry has been up to since?