Do a Bernie, get off your backside, and buy it! - Rated 
I bought this book whilst living in Spain, at a time when my life was about to change. Bernie, so full of fears, takes on a massive challenge, in the face of all his fears, at the hardest of times, following the loss of his dear Mum.
The way he opens his soul for all to see is awe inspiring, you desperately want him to succeed as he pedals against all the elements and are delighted with the characters he entertains and is entertained by on his trip.
You will constantly be flipping through the pages of your atlas (or the map kindly provided at the front) either to find the places you didn't know existed, or to get off your own backside, and do a 'Bernie' yourself!
Intriguing and Inspiring - Rated
Having never read any travel books before, I wasn't sure what to expect from Cycling Back to Happiness, but it sounded intriguing so I thought I'd give it a go. It begins by painting a picture of the author, Bernie Friend, and his life and fears before the journey and reasons for doing it, which completely pulled me in.
I've never been to any of the countries along the North Sea Cycle Route (apart from the UK of course!), so it was a very insightful look into how the people of these countries live and how they treat visitors to their lands while also describing the scenery, landscapes and animals (lots of sheep!) encountered along the way.
However, the book wasn't just about the route itself, but also of Bernie's journey to conquer his fears and fight some of the demons that have long lived inside of him and I felt quite privileged to be allowed to follow him along the way.
Cycling Back to Happiness doesn't just appeal to those who are interested in travelling or cycling, but anyone who likes a well written, often comical, yarn filled with adventure!
First class debut and saddle sores to prove it. - Rated
Bernie Friend a first time travel writer captures the full glory of exploration in his `trails'& tribulations along the North Sea Cycle Route, in this quite wonderful light hearted and equally touching travelogue. Peppered with historical fact, geographical insight and humorous trappings, it catapults the reader from page to page with the steady propulsion of a `Halfords' finest mountain bike on a mission. Hooking up with a mate part way through, you capture a relationship between author and chum, not dissimilar to Hunter S. & his attorney, although stimulants never exceed a strong cup of coffee & a few Tuborg's.
Driven to take on a trip well outside of his comfort zone for reasons that are both touching and heartfelt Bernie peddles his way through personal demons and hang up's and brings the reader along with him, safely tucked in his saddlebag. Cycling back to happiness is a debut that hopefully will be the first of many more adventures, and why not? After all there's a coastline round every continent waiting to be explored and here we have an environmentally friendly travel hack who whilst green in his mode of transport is no longer green in penning a decent yarn.
Uplifting travelogue with a difference - Rated
Inspired to literally get on his bike following the tragic death of his mum, Bernie Friend, author of Cycling Back to Happiness, is not your typical travel writer.
An exhausting 6,000 kilometer cycle ride around the coasts of the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Scotland and England would be a daunting task for the fittest survivalist.
For Bernie, a lifelong hypochondriac with a morbid fear of dying horribly on foreign soil, it was an immense challenge.
Travel-phobic Bernie can't set foot on a plane, finds boats a terrifying prospect, and hasn't cycled since childhood. But in a last-ditch bid to take control of his fears he sets out from his home in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on an epic adventure with just a borrowed bike and a one-man tent for company.
With his well-tuned nose for nutters, Bernie soon sniffs out the strange characters who populate the coastal route and discovers the healing power of travel along the way.
Bernie is joined in Germany by a travelling companion. While Phileas Fogg had Passepartout and Ewan McGregor had Charley Boorman, Bernie is saddled with agoraphobic hermit Rhys as a peddaling partner.
Together they cycle on through Scandinavia, the perfect double act of tortured souls seeking a pine-scented salvation in the land of trolls and Vikings.
The result is an uplifting tale of one man's battle with his inner demons.
Bernie's startlingly honest peeks into the darkest corners of his own fractured mind are contrasted with many painfully funny observations on the weird and wonderful people and places that cling to the coastal journey around the North Sea.
Join Bernie on his journey, and be inspired to face your own fears head-on.
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