I’m not sure that I’d want to cycle in the Siberian winter, and even if I did, I’m quite sure I wouldn’t simply rely on an untested postie pair of winter over-trousers to keep me warm. Clearly, Lilwall and I have different approaches, but I’ll freely admit his approach makes for a better story.
Camping. At -40 Celsius
Can you imagine camping in temperatures of -40 Celsius? No, me neither! But that’s exactly what Lilwall, and his friend Alistair Humphreys (yes, him of microadventures fame) did, when they set off in October, to cycle back to the UK.
Humphries was already most of the way around the world on his own adventure, when Lilwall joined him. As you’d expect, tempers can fray a bit when things get really tough, and really tough is what they were faced with.
Conflict
With Humphries having been cycle touring for a long time, and therefore already developed habits necessary for efficiently making, or breaking camp, Lilwall was struggling to find his feet, so to speak. After suffering through the Russian cold, the crossed the sea to cycle the islands of Japan.
It was in Japan where their friendship nearly came to an end. Japan is also where they managed to save their friendship, by splitting up, and travelling on two separate, solo adventures. Humphries, by now almost on the home stretch of his adventure, got back to the UK long before Lilwall did.
A solo adventure
Lots of adventurers write books in which they try and portray how they found love (of some kind). Lilwell actually found love on the road, but you will have to read the book to find out.
I found the book a very easy read, and a real page turner. Lilwell is remarkably honest throughout the book, which I found refreshing. I have no doubt you will enjoy this book just as much as I did. Highly recommended!
Get your copy here, or from any good bookseller.