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Bicycle Odyssey: An Around-the-World Journey of Inner and Outer Discovery Paperback – October 7, 2020

by Carla Fountain (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 28 ratings
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When author Carla Fountain set off on her year-long cycling journey, she expected new discoveries about the world. But she hadn’t anticipated a shocking rediscovery of herself. Bicycle Odyssey, a travel memoir, follows Carla and her husband, Dermot, as they embark on a challenging bicycling adventure that not only tests their survival skills, but ultimately their relationship. Armed with a will to persevere, they face unexpected danger and a cultural learning curve that nearly costs one of them their lives. In a time before modern conveniences, these two travelers off the beaten path lived disconnected from all communication. No cell phones to call home. No ATM for quick cash. No internet cafes to send a message. Relying solely on themselves, and a few helpful angels along the way, they experienced the lush beauty of Uganda, the welcoming people of Vietnam, the isolated mountains and hill tribes of Thailand, the terror of traffic in India, and the magic of Bali. Their journey did not end the moment they stepped foot at home. In fact, it continued for almost three decades as the couple digested the trip and acted on the lessons they learned. By telling their story, they hope to inspire and give confidence to others in pursuing dreams. Told with vivid observation about the world and the people in it, Bicycle Odyssey shares the story of a rich and enlightening pilgrimage.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    346 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 7, 2020
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.87 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1982256168
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1982256166
  7. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carla Fountain worked in film production and editing, taught elementary school, and has been a massage therapist and yoga/meditation teacher for the past twenty years. As an avid traveler and student of culture and languages, she has traveled the world extensively, both on and off of a bicycle. Currently, she divides her time between France and California.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Balboa Press (October 7, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 346 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982256168
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982256166
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.12 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.87 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

About the author

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Carla Fountain

Carla Fountain

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Carla Fountain worked in film production and editing, taught elementary school, and has been a massage therapist and yoga/meditation teacher for the past twenty years. As an avid traveler and student of culture and languages, she has traveled the world extensively, both on and off of a bicycle.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
28 global ratings
Vicarious Traveling Around the World
5 Stars
Vicarious Traveling Around the World
Because this around-the-world bicycle odyssey was done 3 decades ago, this book is more of an adventure story, than a travel guide. It's like time travel back to when there were no cell phones, internet, or ATMS. International calls were made when you were desperate. You scheduled mail for when you would be in a city where there was an American Express office. I am amazed that the writer could do this, traveling on bikes for a year, from Europe to Africa to India, then Asia. with only 4 changes of clothes! Even when I was younger, I would never have taken a trip like this, so I enjoyed reading about it. I loved how they found off-the-beaten path places, and I am curious what these places are like now, like Kodaikanal in India and the art festival in Hue, Vietnam.I have traveled to Vietnam, Thailand, and Bali in recent years, so I was able to compare the then as she experienced it, and the now, as I experienced it. Vietnam is drastically different, but we both found the people, especially the women, extremely warm and sincere. The best thing about travel is learning about other cultures and seeing life through others' eyes. There is much of that in the different places they went to. There are stories here of the "kindness of strangers." She even mentioned books she was reading in each country, which I will look into. Another story line I thought was interesting was the writer's thinking through, and feeling through, her relationship with her then-husband, her travel partner. I found this book easy to read, inspiring and uplifting. But it was honest as well, she didn't leave out parts that were challenging, like needing to prepare for the various health threats, and having to endure recovery when you did catch something. There is much to like about this book. You will feel like a good friend of yours is telling you about the year she spent bicycling around the world.
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Top reviews from the United States

Lindsay K
5.0 out of 5 stars An epic journey
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2021
Verified Purchase
This was such a beautiful story and was so enjoyable to read. Carla’s vivid descriptions make you feel like you are right there with them on this journey. I loved reading about everything from the big lively events like the week of festivals in Gokarna, Karnataka to the small simple moments like that of bonding with strangers during a downpour in Uganda. This story is a wonderful example of how when you open yourself up to new experiences and follow your intuition you are led to extraordinary things.
One person found this helpful
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Scott Dailey
5.0 out of 5 stars Resourcefulness and resilience on the road
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
The writer's vivid imagery brings exotic locales to life, while she weaves in a parallel narrative of her inner journey, to engaging effect. This book is for those of us who can only dream of such faraway places, and for those of us whose inner journey continues. A high adventure and a great read.
2 people found this helpful
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Suzeebee
5.0 out of 5 stars Travel vicariously during Covid
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2020
Verified Purchase
I love this book! I just started last night, but it so well written that I have to pace myself so I don’t read it all at once. As a traveler who has been pretty much housebound because of the Covid pandemic, I am really enjoying traveling with Carla. She has an inviting style and you feel like you’re right there with her. Five Stars, and I don’t give five stars often.
One person found this helpful
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randie noell
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is an amazing story! Having been a bike rider as well as having spent time in India I was thoroughly impressed with the journey this story takes you on. For anyone who has aspirations of seeing the world this is the perfect travel guide. Thank you Carla for sharing your wonderful trip!!
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John G.
5.0 out of 5 stars A People, Places, and Culture Book, not a "cycling" Book
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
If you don't already know it, you will learn that the world has a lot of poor people in dire circumstances. But you will also come to understand that these same people tend to be extremely generous and empathetic. I attribute that to their deep understanding of hardship. As a cyclist, I learned that the husband and wife team had to fix 50 flat tires in the 7,000 miles they biked. It raises the question as to why the bicycle industry does not develop flat-free tires. I think the obvious answer is that there is no money in it.
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SquareRoot
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating from start to finish
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
I purchased this book at the LA Times Festival of Books out of pure admiration for someone willing to embark on such a challenging adventure. I figured the book would be inspiring and it definitely was!
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Ddkona
5.0 out of 5 stars Vicarious Traveling Around the World
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2021
Because this around-the-world bicycle odyssey was done 3 decades ago, this book is more of an adventure story, than a travel guide. It's like time travel back to when there were no cell phones, internet, or ATMS. International calls were made when you were desperate. You scheduled mail for when you would be in a city where there was an American Express office. I am amazed that the writer could do this, traveling on bikes for a year, from Europe to Africa to India, then Asia. with only 4 changes of clothes! Even when I was younger, I would never have taken a trip like this, so I enjoyed reading about it. I loved how they found off-the-beaten path places, and I am curious what these places are like now, like Kodaikanal in India and the art festival in Hue, Vietnam.I have traveled to Vietnam, Thailand, and Bali in recent years, so I was able to compare the then as she experienced it, and the now, as I experienced it. Vietnam is drastically different, but we both found the people, especially the women, extremely warm and sincere. The best thing about travel is learning about other cultures and seeing life through others' eyes. There is much of that in the different places they went to. There are stories here of the "kindness of strangers." She even mentioned books she was reading in each country, which I will look into. Another story line I thought was interesting was the writer's thinking through, and feeling through, her relationship with her then-husband, her travel partner. I found this book easy to read, inspiring and uplifting. But it was honest as well, she didn't leave out parts that were challenging, like needing to prepare for the various health threats, and having to endure recovery when you did catch something. There is much to like about this book. You will feel like a good friend of yours is telling you about the year she spent bicycling around the world.
Customer image
Ddkona
5.0 out of 5 stars Vicarious Traveling Around the World
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2021
Because this around-the-world bicycle odyssey was done 3 decades ago, this book is more of an adventure story, than a travel guide. It's like time travel back to when there were no cell phones, internet, or ATMS. International calls were made when you were desperate. You scheduled mail for when you would be in a city where there was an American Express office. I am amazed that the writer could do this, traveling on bikes for a year, from Europe to Africa to India, then Asia. with only 4 changes of clothes! Even when I was younger, I would never have taken a trip like this, so I enjoyed reading about it. I loved how they found off-the-beaten path places, and I am curious what these places are like now, like Kodaikanal in India and the art festival in Hue, Vietnam.I have traveled to Vietnam, Thailand, and Bali in recent years, so I was able to compare the then as she experienced it, and the now, as I experienced it. Vietnam is drastically different, but we both found the people, especially the women, extremely warm and sincere. The best thing about travel is learning about other cultures and seeing life through others' eyes. There is much of that in the different places they went to. There are stories here of the "kindness of strangers." She even mentioned books she was reading in each country, which I will look into. Another story line I thought was interesting was the writer's thinking through, and feeling through, her relationship with her then-husband, her travel partner. I found this book easy to read, inspiring and uplifting. But it was honest as well, she didn't leave out parts that were challenging, like needing to prepare for the various health threats, and having to endure recovery when you did catch something. There is much to like about this book. You will feel like a good friend of yours is telling you about the year she spent bicycling around the world.
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3 people found this helpful
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L. Hendrickson
5.0 out of 5 stars Travel Writing at its Best
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2021
I didn’t want to stop reading this account of the adventures, trials, tribulations, and also the joys experienced by Carla and her husband Dermot in their year-long bicycle trip through Europe, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia nearly 30 years ago. Carla vividly recalls the highs and lows of their journey and the cultural, physical, and personal challenges they faced as they bravely followed roads that took them (sometimes far) off the beaten track in the days before cell phones and the internet changed the way we travel. The depiction of Vietnam in 1992 was especially interesting. This is travel-writing at its best.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Monika Weber
5.0 out of 5 stars Just like being on the trip yourself ( as a reader )
Reviewed in Germany on November 22, 2020
Verified Purchase
The language of this fascinating and yery personal story is so vivid and colourful that the reader is step by step drawn into the scenery . As a reader you gradually become the third cyclist that shares the countryside and the adventures of the author and her husband. There are no boring moments as the book is emotional on one hand and very interesting and informative on the other, as far as customs , historical details and human personalities in out of the way places in foreign countries are concerned .
A further advantage is that you can easily interrupt your reading and resume it later because their is no intricate plot you have to memorize to follow the story.
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