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Full Tilt

Ireland to India with a Bicycle

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About this listen

Full Tilt is the inspiring true story of Dervla Murphy's 1963 journey from Ireland to India on an Armstrong Cadet bicycle, and the trials, landscapes, and cultures she encountered along the way. The route takes her through the valleys and snowy mountain passes of Europe and India to the scorching deserts of Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the metal of her bicycle, Rozinante (named after Don Quixote's steed), becomes too hot to touch. She travels alone, without luxuries, sleeping on the floors of teahouses or on blankets outdoors, vulnerable to wild animals, insects, and thieves. However, she is often met with generosity and kindness, and shares many meaningful encounters with the locals. Her portrayal here gives a fascinating insight into the unique communities of the Middle East in the early 1960s.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2019 Naxos Audiobooks Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Travel Writing & Commentary Women Middle East

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For a woman in her 20's to cycle across the world in 1964 was an incredible idea and at times a very dangerous adventure.
The story itself is almost exclusively taken directly from her journal entries.
This was written in the 1960s. The language and terminology used would no longer be considered appropriate or politically correct. However the author does not intend offence and I do not believe it is legitimate to judge by applying current standards of language usage on a book written almost 60 years ago.
What is clear is that the author had extreme fondness, respect and love for the people and places she visited. In addition she makes many astute observations and concerns on the forced westernisation of countries and the negative impact of same.
Apart from all that the struggles of a run woman dragging a bike alone across the world is in and of itself and very interesting.

Amazing story of insane journey

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The description of Afghan culture in the early 1960s is fascinating and I think essential reading.

Amazing story

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I have it in book form and read it when it came out. Loved it then and loved it now. What saddens me to the extreme is that the countries that are written about have changed so completely. I am certain the the good people that Dervla came across in her journey are still there within their own ‘next generation’ but , as we all know, totally submerged by the happenings of the past years of war. It is utterly, utterly heartbreaking. Sickening. But a great book well read.

My second read

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Amazing insight into one woman's solo adventures on her gearless bike! Ahead of her time and a great role model for all adventurers at heart. Takes us back to the days of real travel tales. Loved it.

A Full on Adventure.

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what an amazing accent of a woman travelling alone from Ireland to India on a bike in the early 60s.
enjoy it.. and remember her options and observations are of its time.

humour in bravery

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