Mud, Sweat and Gears: Cycling From Land's End to John O'Groats (via the Pub) cover art

Mud, Sweat and Gears: Cycling From Land's End to John O'Groats (via the Pub)

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Mud, Sweat and Gears: Cycling From Land's End to John O'Groats (via the Pub)

By: Ellie Bennett
Narrated by: Nicola MacKenzie
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About this listen

As Ellie’s 50th birthday approaches and her ambitions of a steady income, a successful career and an ascent of Everest seem as far away as ever, she begins to doubt she’s capable of achieving anything at all. So when her best friend Mick suggests a gruelling cycle ride from Land’s End to John o’Groats, she takes up the challenge. They opt for the scenic route which takes them along cycle paths, towpaths and the back roads and byways of Britain, unable to resist sampling local beers in the pubs they pass along the way.

But as the pints start to stack up faster than the miles they’re putting under their tyres, Ellie wonders if they’ll ever make it to the finishing line....

©2012 Ellie Bennett (P)2012 Audible Ltd Adventure Travel Cycling Europe Food & Wine Travel Writing & Commentary Wine & Beverages Adventure Western Europe Outdoor Wine Funny Witty Cycling Adventure

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Critic reviews

"Nicola MacKenzie lends a variety of intonations - frustration, anger, and satisfaction - all of which pals Ellie and Mick encounter along the way. MacKenzie's voice keeps a steady pace along the duo's journey - one that blends historical facts in an irreverent travel story." ( AudioFile)
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A wonderful account of two ordinary people who achieved a great journey (End to end) which others only dream of. A really nice story!

Should be called 'Guts & Grit'

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I felt like I was part of the tour with Ellie and Mick, loved the story with the bits of history, geology, wildlife information thrown in. I love that they took their time to cycle the route, making it a proper tour. Even as a non-beer drinker, the book made me want to start actually liking beer! The narrator fits the story well.

Great story, easy listening with some good info!

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From bicycles to ferries, hotels to camping, b&b to waterproofs but keeping going we made it

Realistic statements on a journry

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Story ok, could be humorous read by the right narrator, definitely made me turn it off

Harder than cycling

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Enjoyable and entertaining LEJOG tale from two pretty clueless cyclists in the pre Google Maps era. Lots of history and some cutting Brysonesque comments about the places they visit thrown in.

I didn’t mind the narration, the voice is quite posh and doesn’t quite fit the character. Not as bad as the Salt Path where the narrator's voice is much older than the author's but I get the sense that the narrator's voice that doesn’t quite match the author's. The pronunciation of some of the places is a bit off too, e.g. Sti-perstones not Stip-perstones I think.

Enjoyable cycle adventure by an ordinary couple

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Really enjoyed it, and excellent narration. A good story and kept me entertained all the way through.

Great

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I really like this audio book.

I have the paperback as well but never seem to have the time to actually finish reading it so I was really pleased to see this audiobook version. I’m currently doing a virtual LEJOG running challenge and love listening to this book while I’m running, it’s well written, funny and well read.

I don’t understand the negative reviews regarding the choice of narrator and her voice etc, I can only assume that some kind of inverted snobbery is at play?

I think it’s a very entertaining listen and thoroughly recommend it :o)

I love this book!

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One of my favourite books in Audible. The cycling adventure had me laughing and kept me entertained from start to finish.

Excellent funny cycling tale

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felt like I was taken on the trip with them. Great read and beer guide.

kept me entertained while walking The Downs.

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The narration of this book was way off. This made it difficult to determine if the story itself was poorly written or simply down to the reading.

I think the author is in her late fourties so why use someone who sounds in their late seventies? It gives the impression the book is aimed at the older generation which I am not. Also the narrator uses a fake sounding posh voice which sounded ridiculous when swearing and guzzling down beer. It just did not seem plausible.

The pronunciation of places was way off too.

I am sure her narration style would be perfect for some stories but not this one.

Maybe give someone else more appropriate a chance at reading this and my star rating may improve. Sorry to seem harsh but I say this with the best intentions



Lacklustre

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