Last Updated on 17 March 2026 by Cycloscope
The best books I’ve read about exploring the world by bicycle—timeless stories of adventure and life on the road, some portraying a world that no longer exists.
In recent years, a flood of books by bicycle travelers has hit the shelves. I’ve read a few, but honestly, none particularly resonated with me—perhaps because the stories mirrored my own experiences too closely.
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However, I found the following titles far more compelling, as they capture something deeper than just the miles pedaled. They are original, special, and they are often about a world that existed not too long ago.
All of these books are available online, in both print and digital formats, but some are quite expensive because they are old editions with limited physical copies.
I personally read them on my eBook reader; they are all available to borrow from digital libraries like OpenLibrary.org.
If you prefer a physical copy—which, needless to say, has much more charm—or an audiobook version, I’ll include links to Amazon or other online stores where you can find these titles.
Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy
My first bicycle touring book, written when “bicycle touring” wasn’t really a thing. This isn’t just a cycling book; it’s a masterclass in grit.
Written in 1963, Murphy didn’t have GPS or high-tech panniers—she had a pistol, a map, and an iron will. And apparently, the most frequently asked question cyclists get hasn’t changed in the last 60 years: how many kilometers do you ride in a day?
What makes this book special is her complete lack of self-pity. She rides through the coldest Persian winters and over Afghan mountain passes with a stoicism that puts modern “influencer” travelers to shame. It’s a raw, unfiltered look at a world that no longer exists.
Available on Amazon and AbeBooks.
Into the Remote Places by Ian Hibell
If Dervla Murphy is the grandmother of cycle touring, Ian Hibell is the patron saint of the “impossible” route. Hibell was the first to cross the Darien Gap with a bike, and his writing reflects a man who was only truly comfortable when he was lost.
His prose is evocative because he wasn’t looking for a “finding myself” moment; he was a pure explorer driven by a relentless curiosity about the edges of the map.
He spent decades riding through some of the most remote and politically unstable regions on Earth—crossing the Sahara Desert, traversing Ethiopia during periods of unrest, and venturing deep into Papua New Guinea long before it became a destination for adventurous travelers.
Available on Amazon and AbeBooks.
Moods of Future Joys / Thunder and Sunshine – Alastair Humphreys
Humphreys’ account of his four-year journey is perhaps the most “human” of the epic circumnavigations. He captures the crushing boredom and the soaring highs with equal honesty.
While many writers try to sound heroic, Alastair is comfortable being vulnerable. You feel the weight of the headwind in his words, making the eventual completion of his journey feel like a personal victory for the reader, too.
These are actually 2 books; part 1 (Moods of Future Joys) is the trip across Europe, Africa, and Asia, and part 2 (Thunder and Sunshine) explores Europe and South America.
Available on Amazon and AbeBooks.
Around the World on Two Wheels – Peter Zheutlin
This is a fascinating change of pace because it’s a historical biography. It tells the story of Annie Londonderry, who in 1894 set out to circle the globe to prove a woman could do it. It’s a tale of Victorian-era “fake news,” incredible marketing savvy, and social rebellion.
Traveling alone in a male-dominated world, she not only pedaled thousands of miles but also pushed the boundaries of what society expected from women, inspiring future generations of female adventurers.
It reminds us that the spirit of adventure has always been tied to a desire for personal freedom.
Available on Amazon and AbeBooks.
Nala’s World – Dean Nicholson
This is the outlier of the group, and for good reason. It’s the story of a man who found a kitten while cycling through Bosnia and changed his entire life to accommodate her. What starts as a solo adventure quickly becomes a shared journey, with Nala the cat at the heart of every challenge and discovery.
While cycling serves as the backdrop, the book’s heart is the bond between the species. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes the best thing you find on the road isn’t a landscape, but a companion.
Available on Amazon and AbeBooks.
If you’re interested, and in other adventurous people who haven’t written books, you can check out our interviews with Dino, who cycled across Siberia in winter, and Davide, a visually impaired cyclist who rode through Asia and Africa on a tandem.