Customer Reviews

The Road That Has No End: How We Traded Our Ordinary Lives For a Global Bicycle Touring Adventure

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

You would think given the subject matter this would be a fascinating travel tale; let's just say it's miles from "Miles From Nowhere". The writing style is brusque, but perhaps most distressingly, lacks soul and the author's expression of emotion.

While I freely acknowledge I'm no author myself and have tremendous respect for those who do actually write a book, this is a commercial venture so I do want to review it as honestly as possible. I did manage to get through it, but I was left feeling very dissatisfied and as though no connection was made with the author as a person. I wanted to know the answers to questions -how did they feel? What were the doubts? How did they get on with each other? How was their interaction with the people around them? All these questions were never raised, never mind being answered. What did come from the book was a never ending series of generic descriptions of "We got up. We cycled through [insert country or region]. We ate [insert food]. We made camp at [insert camping area]."

I'm extremely surprised and puzzled by how many glowing reviews this book received as I gave this book to my neighbor and a friend -both of whom enjoy travel books immensely and without letting them know what I thought about it - and they echoed almost identical criticisms. If you can peek inside the book to see how it's written, do so. It may save you some money.

I have to agree with other writers who have complained about the quality of the writing. I enjoyed reading it because the subject interests me. If you want to read some excellent books about bicycle touring in other countries try the following: "Spokesongs" by Willie Weir, "The Masked Rider" by Neil Peart, "Metal Cowboy" by Joe Kurmaskie, Odysseus' Last Stand" by Dave Sumboulis, or the classic "Miles from Nowhere" by Barbara Savage. Having commented on the less than stellar writing of this book however I would recommend going to their website where there is a wealth of information about the equipment they have used.

Tim Travis's book is an exceptional read. You'll be able to travel along with Tim and his wife Cindy down fabulous roads seldom explored and learn the ins and outs of how to get around in a world sometimes friendly, sometimes hostile. You receive tips not found in bestseller tour guides, and you'll find out where to go and where not. You'll learn to save money on everything from hotel rooms to local food on the steet, and you'll get the feel of what it's like to travel in the rough, on a narrow budget, along with high tech tools, combining the internet, laptop, and digital photography. Tim and Cindy have a detailed website you won't want to miss, chock full of even more tips, tricks, links, and photographs. They continue to make regular entries to journals, keeping you posted on where they are, and answering questions from a huge international audience. This is an 8 year trip around the world, and this book is the first of a long and exciting series. If you're planning to tour professionally anywhere, alone or with a friend, need the motivation to start, or just want to dream about high adventure, this is the book for you. You'll not only have the time of your life, but you'll make yourself two great new friends with Tim and Cindie. Packed with photographs, this book is a best buy!

This book is a great read for anyone concidering a tour in Latin America. The book goes a long way toward dispelling many myths about Latin America. Tim and Cindie went into Mexico on bicycles with little to no ability to speak Spanish and yet got along with the people there very well. The portion of their trip depicted in this book was a very positive cultural exchange. The book really gives the reader the feeling of "I can do this." In support of their book and travels the author maintains an interesting web site and is very accessable to readers that have questions. If you read the book you will find yourself daydreaming about "your" adventure and anxiously waiting for Tim and Cindie's next book.

The Road That Has No End is an amazing travelogue of two people who dared to live their dream, setting aside their ordinary lives to embark on a worldwide cycling adventure. Learning to live frugally on the road while maintaining an internet journal, they observed a religious pilgrimmage in Mexico, ancient Aztec and Mayan ruins, the cloud forests of Costa Rica, survived the attack of a pesticide-spraying airplane in Guatemala and much more. Over 150 black-and-white photographs illustrate this enchanting journey past cultural differences, environmental hardship. Both travelers had to learn how to bribe border guards and avoid thieves, yet the majority of their experience with various cultures exposed misconceptions concerning daily life and motivations south of America's borders. A journey that was neither as dangerous as some fearmongers would claim nor as safe as the overly idealistic would lead one to believe, The Road That Has No End is a unique personal testimony especially recommended for armchair travelers or anyone considering an extended international bicycle tour of their own.

Wow - what an exciting read! I really don't understand all the people here who are complaining about the writing style. They're missing the point entirely. These are *cyclists*, not English professors. The sheer amount of adventure in this book more than makes up for any grammar faux pas. The way Tim relates the stories makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of it all. Some of the things they experienced are just incredible. If you like adventure, get this book - you won't regret it!

Title: I strongly disagree with the negative reviewer below.

The most beautiful aspect of this book is the down to earth writing style
and straight talk from a real traveler. If you are looking for a lofty
writing style that is meant to please high society at the polo club then
this book may not be for you. But if you like to read an epic story written
in plain English, by an out there traveling man, then this is the best book
ever written in this genre.

The greatest book I've ever read! Tim and Cindie paint an inspiring portrait of adventure, compassion and hardship that captures the pioneer spirit. I have now traveled throughout Central America, albeit vicariously through their bicycling adventure. It is a compelling drama that touches the very core of the human need to explore unseen lands. Marvelously written! Captivating!

This is a must read for cyclotourists and book enthusiasts of all genres.

The Road That Has No End is a great travelogue about adventure cycling at its best: selling everything and traveling the globe on two wheels. What Tim and Cindie Travis have accomplished, and continue at this very moment, is an extraordinary feat by ordinary folks. If you want to know what it is really like, and learn what it really takes to accomplish a goal such as theirs, I can think of no volume more essential than this first installment in their globe-trekking adventure. And the fun doesn't have to end there! They also maintain an active web presence with regular photo and journal updates. I have been following their adventures for years. I am looking forward to volume two. I'm sure it will be as entertaining and informative as The Road That Has No End.

Probably the best travelogue I have ever read!
I am into several sports (diving, motorbikes, sailing) and travelogues is my favorite pastime read (both on-line and in print).
Tim Travis' book is enjoyable and captivating! It is very realistically written and with a high level of sincerity with regard to their experience and personal emotions.
The introductory part (before departure) is, also, adding much to the book. The risks associated with abandoning successful careers and lives is probably the reason not everyone is out there chasing secret dreams. Their path towards the decision, the preparation and the departure is very originally written and actually gives the best insight of the personalities that the reader will travel with for the rest of the book(s).
One singe point of criticism: I understand that the book is not a travel guide but I think that colour pictures would be a great enhancement to the book.
Looking forword to their second book!