Review of Around the World on a Bicycle

Around the World on a Bicycle
Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 5
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It profoundly influenced my life.

On: 2006-05-07

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

what an adventure

On: 2000-09-22

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.

Fond Memories

On: 2000-07-03

This book first caught my attention in a public library some 40+ years ago, and I have never forgotten it. Birchmores 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.

Going,going, and still going...

On: 2000-01-08

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.

Common Human Experience from 60 years ago

by: Anonymous On: 1999-09-26

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 30s 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 citys library. It was a first edition (1939). The due date card had date stamps from the 40s and 50s. 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: < Miles From Nowhere -- Barbara Savage> Also highly recommended by other people, and the one that I am going to read next: Happy Reading!! (And Riding!)