The Foyer | What book would you ride (travel)? - Win great prizes by answering this question

WIN the grand prize of the forthcoming new 2019 model of the Nullabor bike from Wayward Bicycle Co.

https://www.waywardbicycle.com (The Bikes of Wrath team rode thousands of kilometres on bikes from Wayward and can vouch for them).

Wayward Bicycle Company

Here's how:

Filmmakers Cameron and Charlie together with Leon, Oliver and Red designed a trip inspired by Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath. They followed the same journey as the fictional Joad family and kept the discipline of the same amount of money (in today’s dollars). The result is the multiple award winning and critically acclaimed The Bikes of Wrath.

The Bikes of Wrath Riding Across America

Cameron and Charlie’s next film is Floatin’ with Huck. Yes they did indeed built a raft a la Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and did float down the mighty Mississippi. Look for that film later this year. Their third adventure is hush hush (not a book called hush hush, but still top secret).

So the question is What book would you ride or float, or walk? And a second question Why?

Your answer can WIN you a weekly prize of a premium membership to https://www.bikemap.net where you can also see The Bikes of Wrath journey laid out.

https://www.bikemap.net/en/r/4751728/

The Route of The Bikes of Wrath - courtesy of Bikemap.net

You can also win other cool stuff from https://www.dirtworks.com.au

And you can WIN the grand prize of the forthcoming new 2019 model of the Nullabor bike from Wayward Bicycle Co.

So is it On The Road by Jack Kerouac, Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson, The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux or Venice by Jan Morris?

All you need to do is put your answer in the comment section of this post.

So register on Demand Film as part of that process and give us your suggestions.

Each week we will award prizes for the best post - funniest, wittiest, most poignant, unique. You get the idea this is a game of skill.

Click here to view the Terms & Conditions

Comments

Rick Hays

Around The World On A Bicycle by Thomas Stevens

5 years ago

Peter Hernaman

The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow by AJ(Sandy) Mackinnon. I might not use the mirror dinghy the whole trip though. 👍

Glenda Kirkby

Gone with the Bike An epic journey through Georgia following the steps of Shermin and the turmoil of the Civil War. I would style myself as Scarlett O’Hara (give or take a decade), pursue every Rhett Butler I might find and each day sit on the porch (any porch) sipping mint julep and contemplating the moss hanging from the wild oak trees saying to myself "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!"

Hamish Lamb

The all time cycle travel experience would be to follow in the footsteps of 'Don Quixote' -the ingenious nobleman of La Mancha. A commoner such as myself have read so many cycle tour adventures e.g. Mustoe, Stevens, Humphreys, Fraser....(chivalric romances) that I have lost my sanity and wish to serve my master with the company of my Surly Long Haul Trucker (Rocinante) and long suffering cycle buddy Sancho. I would start each day with a generous portion of balm of Fierabras.

RUSSELL MCGILTON

Book to ride to: ‘Bombay to Beijing by Bicycle’. Amazing ride!

Naked Lunch - William Burroughs

jack lucas

Endurance. One of the greatest failed expeditions of all time.

cazz clarke

I'd love to do a ride following "Notes from a Small Island" by Bill Bryson, as the book is both heartwarming and hilarious, I could only hope that the ride would be equally entertaining!

Angus Watson

I would love to retrace the ride of Arthur Richardson who was the winner and also the first person to circumnavigate Australia. It is a remarkable story yet probably difficult to recreate as today would pass through many private properties and places that no longer exist. A truly incredible feat and story of not only Arthur but as well as his competition- brothers Frank and Alex White.

David Doepel

Angus - congrats you are the winner of week one of our competition. I had heard of this ride and thought that there was a book and indeed there is - The Story of a Remarkable Ride; As Related to “Pedal” of The West Australian; The Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. of Australasia, Melbourne 1900. The Dunlop Tyre company no less (I guess the more you ride the more tyres you need). I found this reference on a great website http://historicalcycleclub.com.au/news/2017/2/27/geoff-owens-books that lists a whole bunch of journeys on bike. Although in the end a very tragic end for Arthur after what seems a remarkable traveling global life (rare for 1900) - Again well done.

Thanks David that’s awesome! Yes there is a book recently written called “Tour de Oz” by Brett Harris - compelling reading. I will look up your links. Thanks again for the tickets and a great competition- lots of inspiring ideas.

Ronda McCallum

My book, my ride, French Revolutions by Tom Moore. Rereading it for the 3rd time, it is my inspiration to stay on the trainer, for hours if necessary, to eventually get back on my bike proper after being hit by a wallaby and flung on the road at about 50klm/hr. A back broken in 5 places has slowed me down but Tim has helped me keep my spirits up, my sense of humour intact and my butt on that trainer working as hard as I can. I'm on my way back...slowly.

Alison Kalajzich

After 200 years of its publication, I would have to say Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. From the Swiss Alps all the way to Scotland, along the river Rhine to London via Germany and France, it would be a European tour of a lifetime ... please devise such a tour someone! No-one flew anywhere in those days so it is very much a tour of the land. The story ends somewhere in the Arctic Circle but I am prepared to overlook that bit. Cheers! Alison

Erika Nardozzi

It was a terrific winter afternoon when I began a journey across the skies with William Fiennes, and with his novel "The Snow Geese" excitedly held in my grasp, I was lifted into an elegant sense of wonder. His novel inspires a great walk across a great landscape and one which shall surely provide great challenge, and great reward. This would be my choice of trip as it offers opportunity to be inclusive of our natural world, it provides connection to our gifted birds, and it may also unfold curiosities we are yet to discover, as well as a damn fine experience in an exceptionally beautiful pocket of our world. "I share it, this urge to go" with Fiennes and his snow geese. Happy travels and I look forward to the screening of "The Bikes of Wrath". Regards Erika

Bruce Hayllar

Book: The Dig Tree by Susan Murgatroyd. We were two near 70 year olds who in 2015 rode our bikes, unsupported towing our trailer, across Australia from South to North - up hill! The Dig Tree is the story of two ill-fated explorers, Robert O'Hara Burke and William Wills, who tried to do exactly the same thing and tragically died in 1861 on Cooper Creek on their return journey. A story of triumph and tragedy. We took one copy of the book with us on our 2,500k journey. Each night in our tent, camped in the desert, we would take turns in reading out aloud to one another Murgatroyd's book. Good friends sharing an heroic past and a modern day odyssey. A wonderful book and a wonderful journey.

Bruce, what an incredible adventure thank you for sharing. Will send you a couple of comp tickets to The Bikes of Wrath. As someone turning 60 this year you have inspired me to ride further (but maybe not not bottom to top) - David for Demand Film.

Darcy Cook

Definitely ‘Overlander’ by Rupert Guinness. A story about Rupes attempt at the Indian Pacific Wheel Race from Perth to Sydney. You ride with him through his highest of highs and lowest of lows. Makes you want to jump out of bed and go ride 300km.

Ashley Jordan

Fantastic idea for a film. I hope you listened to Springsteen's Ghost of Tom Joad to tug at the ol heart strings. I got into Steinbeck big time after living near Salinas for a time. So my book pick is is another Steinbeck classic, Travels with Charley. Although it is probably largely fictional – like Mark Twain said "never let the truth get in the way of a good story – the characters and dialogue are so engaging. Reading it would probably inspire me to emerge from my introversion and talk to the locals more, which could only be a good thing by the looks of your film.

Jake France

Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks - (look it up!!!). Only a mighty Wayward Nullabor would be able to get me round! I'm sure I could hook it up somehow. Might have to do an Aussie version.

Louis de Villiers

Che Guevara: Motorcycle Diaries

Lucy Pote

The Great Railway Bazaar on bike...it would be a long ass walk and I don't think they would let you take a raft on the trans-Siberian. Going through that many continents you would need to carry a bit of gear, so bike touring would also be most practical. ...let's face it, I just love bikes. Second why; that is a dream route. The diversity of culture and landscape would be magnificent! The great railway bazaar on bike would be living the dream of touring!

Robert Davies

"Long Road to London" by my late Uncle, Peter Jeans. In the 1960's he rode a motorcycle from Perth to London - his book about the trip is an incredible chronicle of his travels. It would make an amazing story to re-create.

Brian Frisch

I would ride, float and walk 'Around the World in 80 Days' by Jules Verne! There would be no better way to see the world then attempting to circumnavigate the world by the same path, attempting the same adventures, and by the same budget as Fogg and Passepartout! Minus the 80 day goal!

Shane O'Brien

A few years ago we were staying with some friends in the Netherlands, preparing for five months cycle touring on our four person tandem. We had the time to read an autobiography of a guy that cycled on a Penny Farthing from California though to Russia in the 1880s. He only had luggage strapped to the handle bars! Had a revolver and some gold pieces to pay his way. Negotiated mountain ranges, defended against wild animals and brigands... Now that would be a tough trip to reproduce!!!

Harvey Yates

I’d walk and float Farley Mowat’s ‘Lost in the Wilds’. A childrens’ adventure book that really touched me as a growing boy and caused me to pester my ever willing father to venture out into the ‘wilds’ of North Wales.

Astrid Koger

I would definitely ride the book "Tracks: A Woman's Solo Trek Across 1700 Miles of Australian Outback" cos it's just so inspiring and cycling is much more fun then walking. :-))

William Goodwin

I think i would ride the journey from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Being able to ride through Spain down to Gibraltar then float/paddle across the strait to Morocco then along the northern coast all the way to Cairo. Being able to ride and float would be so fun as well as being able to see diverse cultures and landscapes.

mark d

Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance by Robert pirsig - to ride. Why - the journey physical and philosophical would be as amazing on a bicycle and as relevant today.

Michael James

I would float Three Men in a Boat. Sure, it's been done before, but myself and two mates (plus maybe a dog?) floating through the English countryside would be great! I'm also lead to believe that all of the pubs in the book are still open so many warm beers could be consumed en-route. I'd also get bonus points if I took my fiancée (who is British) and we visited her parents while we were in the area.

John Roberts

What book: A book by the Bush Tucker Man Les Hiddins. Why: I would love to take a self sufficient cycle/hike trip living off the land through Northern Australia (at least as much as possible, would probably need an expert companion so not to accidentally eat something deadly)...

Lars Kjaersgaard

What book would I ride? That's easy - The Motorcycle Diaries - the story of Ernesto "Che" Guevara and his life-changing trip through South America. Why? What better way to enjoy a little ride, than following in the footsteps of this icon of history, enjoying the diversity of scenery, climate and cultures of South America. Comparing the South America of Che's trip in 1951, with the South America of today would be fascinating. Trip 2: Tracks by Robyn Davidson Why? When I read the book, I thought - I'd like to do that. Doing it on a bike might be a lot more challenging. I might have to take a camel with me to carry supplies.

Joe Cuthbertson

The adventures of Marco Polo, it would be great to recreate his over sea and over land expedition

Graeme Thompson

Oops that was meant to read Mamil but the auto spell had me riding in Manila 🤣

Felicity Organ-Moore

I've always wanted to take a Short Walk in the Hindu Kush (Newby). It was one of the first travel books I read after I started hiking and has stuck with me in the back of my head ever since.. I'm not sure that I could manage to be as lucky/unlucky as that pair however it would be fun to find out!

HUGH WATSON

The Diceman published in 1971 by George Cockcroft under the pen name Luke Rhinehart and tells the story of a psychiatrist who begins making life decisions based on the casting of dice. A confronting and controversial book, it would also make the journey confronting and challenging, but exciting.

jack beltane

Foreign Devils on the Silk Road by Peter Hopkirk, written almost 40 years ago will inspire you to explore the silk road which runs from Beijing to Istanbul. Plenty of other books written on riding this trail, its epic, its dangerous and its the Mt Everest for bike riders.

matt holligan

2001-A Space Odyssey by Arthur C Clarke -- Cyclists are sent on a mysterious mission when their on board computer Hal sends them on a mind bending trek through dirt roads, single track , space and time -

Terese Smith

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. This was a laugh out loud adventure (better then the film) set on the Appalachian Trail and a fascinating insight into the local communities and the motivations of the people walking the Trail. .

Jane Lodge

Sicily by John Julius Norwich -- what an island! what a history! Amazing.

Mark White

I would love to retrace the journey of Laura Ingalls Wilder as told in the “Little House “ books, starting in the US northeast and out into the midwestern prairie. These books were favourites of my childhood and I still love them half a century later. How much has changed since those pioneers made their dramatic journey?

Kate Moody

Like Billy Parham in Cormac McCarthy’s novel ‘The Crossing’, I would ride from New Mexico to the mountains of Mexico as Billy did to take the wolf which had been marauding his father’s cattle, home. Billy meets an old man who tells him that ‘one needed to know the country and not simply the landmarks therein’ - the bicycle lets you do this in so many ways; through the roads travelled and people and places along the way. Starting at Santa Fe, I would ride south to Sonora before striking east for the desert plains and dunes of Chihuahua where the Sacramento and Chuviscar Rivers collide. Then on to Monterrey and the Sierra de la Madera - the home of the wolf.

Kate, congratulations you are this week's winner - I love the phrase you quote ‘one needed to know the country and not simply the landmarks therein’ It embodies so well the film The Bikes of Wrath. Any journey that begins or ends in Santa Fe is already special too. Best David

Hi David Thank you! I think Cormac McCarthy’s books might have some great routes for bikes not to mention great quotes! Looking forward to watching The Bikes of Wrath - retracing the Joad family’s trip is such a cool concept! Thanks once again. Regards, Kate

A book which isn't in the list of four but I would love to do myself is the alchemist. The places he visits just sound incredible...the people he meet even more so! It's a book everyone should read, and to retrace his steps would be life changing.

Laetitia Grisetto

I would absolutely be delighted to walk the Bundian Way "On Track: Searching out the Bundian Way" by John Blay. Being new to Australia, it would be a beautiful opportunity to connect with the Aboriginal heritage and discover gorgeous Australian landscapes. Why not to top up that by cycling from Twofold Bay to Melbourne ?

chris burgess

"Full Kilt" retracing Dervla Murphy's classic route (Full Tilt) from Ireland to India on a postie bike - wearing a kilt :-)

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What book would you ride (travel)? - Win great prizes by answering this question

WIN the grand prize of the forthcoming new 2019 model of the Nullabor bike from Wayward Bicycle Co.

Here's how:

So the question is What book would you ride or float, or walk? And a second question Why?

All you need to do is put your answer in the comment section of this post.