Where the Pavement Ends: One Woman's Bicycle Trip Through Mongolia, China, & Vietnam

The good news is, I really liked this book. The bad news is that when I finished it I quit my job, sold the house, drained my IRA and bought a bicycle.If you have ever traveled in the third world and experienced the mixed emotions of being a rich American in a poor country you will recognize yourself in this story. From the priceless experiences she has with people who let her into their homes and into their worlds, to those who have had much more experience with wealthy Western travelers and make their livings from them, she captures the two sides of this kind of travel. This is a book about a journey, not an expedition. Unlike so many books of this genre, the author parks her ego at the door. While riding a bike, especially as far as she does, is an athletic accomplishment this is not a book about an athlete. She does not try to impress us about how many kilometers she rides a day or how difficult a particular mountain pass was to climb. This is the story of a journey by an intelligent and introspective woman who is interested in getting away from the hippie travel circuit and seeing places she is told not to go and learning about people you will not see from the train or meet in the tourist hotel.How wonderful it must be to have all you really need with you on your bike and not really care that you don't know exactly where you are.

Erika's story is inspiring. The amazing people she met all along her trip, the problems she encountered all make for fascinating reading. She so wonderfully puts into words an amazing experience. Regardless of if you like to travel to foreign countries, bike long distances, or just to read a great book, you'll love this one. I found myself just stopping to think, "Wow" so many times. Absolutely wonderful!

The author did a wonderful job of describing the people, places, and different foods that she encountered on her trip into Mongolia, China, and Vietnan. After reading this book, I became slightly envious of the author having the guts to make such a trip. I wish I had it in me to pack up my things and venture out on a bicycle into the far-off regions of the Far East. If you like positive roadtrip stories, check this one out. You won't be disapppointed!

I was so absorbed by this book from the first page that I didn't want it to end. Not only does Ms. Warmbrunn have a gift with words that captivates you from the beginning, she obviously has an insight about people that will make you understand cultures that are worlds away. I highly recommend this book!

This book is wonderful, I was entranced it was like being there, a definate must read!