Danny Bent

Has Shirley been on any adventures since the trip?

Danny — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:52:17 +0000

So Shirley arrived safely back in the UK. I cycled out of the airport into the arms of my Mum, Dad, Steve and Fi and Fergie – as in Royalty (who ended up writing the foreword to my book.)

I then was asked to do a couple fo talks and stuff. I was going to the outdoor show in Durham and thought Shirley would be a good distraction from my rosy face when giving the talk so took her along with. i also had some posters that Interhealth had made up as marketing using my photo’s so took a few of those along too.

I was so sure I’d leave the rolled p photo’s on the train (like I have done every umbrella I have ever touched) and when changing at doncaster was super pleased to feel them in my grasp.

I got on my second train and the guy picking me up the other end said he’d sorted a big car to pick Shrley and up in.

“Oh shit!!!”

“What?”

“I’ve left Shirley on the other train.” I’d remembered my posters but forgotten my beloved. I’d managed to get her all the way to southern Indian in one piece but could manage two train rides with her. I gues bikes aren’t meant for trains. Neither am I.

So I went on to give the talk without my Shirley – but with an awesome tale to get the ball rolling. Shirley had her own adventure in Glasgow but is safely back in my house now!!

I’d like to think I’d learnt my lesson but suspect she’ll be on another solo adventure before time is out!!

Did you leave Shirley in India?

Danny — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:12:03 +0000

Almost. It’s a beautiful story.

Fully intending to bring Shirley home with me back to England for another adventure I packed her up and stood in line at the airport at Mumbai Airport.

At the front of the line I was joined by the manager of BA who said I had to pay to take Shirley on the plane. Bummer. I had almost no money left when on the way home.

I changed up all the random currency I had left – Kroner, Rubles, Dollars and Pounds but was still short so I emptied my bank account of every penny I had. I was getting stressed because the flight time was getting so close.

And I still didn’t have the necessary cash.

The manager said, “You’ll have to leave the bike.”

I explained my story and untouched she repeated, “You’ll have to leave the bike.”

Close to tears I asked, “So I have spent 9 months of my life trying to raise money for people in your country and now you won’t let me off the small amount of money I was short.

Again. “You’ll have to leave the bike.”

I was thinking that the last person I meet in India is going to ruin my memories of the amazing Indian people.

Last calls were made for my flight. I stood there numb. Not wanting to leave my precious Shirley but knowing my family and friends were waiting at the other end of this flight with unlimited cuddles!!

Another call for last minute passengers.

Then the baggage boy, someone earning so little, started loading my bags and bike onto the conveyor belt. With sorry eyes – I said, “Dude, I haven’t paid, you can’t do this.”

His response a memory that will last forever…

“I’ve paid the extra.”

Talk 17th October – London

Danny — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:41:56 +0000

To the crazy, the adventurous and the curious,

I thought a few of you might be interested in coming along to a talk that I’m giving about my 9000mile cycle ride from London to Southern India last year.

The lovely people at National Geographic (83-97 Regent Street) asked if I’d give a talk there about my journey – and a little of what has been happening since!! I’m talking at 18:30 on Monday the 17th October – it’ll last about 45mins to an hour and then we’re all heading found the corner to the pub!!

Would be abso-blinkin-lutely brilliant if some you came along to hear the uncut versions of events that happened along the way and to get a feel for how it made me feel. And to ask a few awkward questions.
I’ll also have my photo’s on display too which is groovy.

If you’ve been thinking about taking on a crazy challenge from the London Marathon to pogo-sticking through Africa this could be just the motivation you need and if you require more there’ll be wine available for some Dutch courage too!!

I think you can click on here to join the event on Facebook!!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=177281879015564

Few Amazon Reviews

Danny — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 08:47:29 +0000

There’s 94 reviews of my book on Amazon now!! I thought I’d share the last few posts as they are so friggin lovely!!

“Best book I have read in years. Inspirational. Great story of the authors travels across the continents. Colourful and wonderfully descriptive. Would love to read more, what happened next for the following months? Please let us know with a follow up.”

“I got this because it was a free download on kindle, but would have been worth paying it was that good. I loved it and laughed, cried and went through everything with the book. The author gave brilliant visual images to go with all the ups and downs of one persons trip and his bike.”

“a truly insperational read something here for everyone light easy going pace lots of humour very much a diary of a most epic trip most of us can only dream of trying.not just for keen travellers but for anyone who likes to laugh.”

“What a journey! Danny, you are an inspiration to us all. An extremely well written account of your epic journey. A must for anyone seeking something from the mundane to mindblowing.”

“This was not only inspired but also funny, realistic and revealing. I actually didnt want Danny to reach his final destination and felt that he really should have gone the long way round. All the characters he met along the way were written about so descriptively you felt as if you met them yourself.”

“Quite easily one of the best books I’ve read on Kindle so far. Interesting, at times heart-warming and sometimes shocking, the story of Danny’s journey from British surburbia to India via some incredibly dangerous and exotic lands is a superb non-fiction read.

The writing is honest and straightforward, and Danny comes across as an enthusiastic and warm character and his sympathetic conscience shines through – I was sorry when I finished the book. “

Are you normal?

Danny — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:03:57 +0000

Book Six goes kayaking in Colombia

Danny — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:00:09 +0000

Sophie is friggin awesome!!!!

Book Six at Machu Picchu

Danny — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:59:21 +0000

Sophie and Michael Jackson took book 6 to Machu Picchu and got it officially stamped as having been there!

Loving this!!

Danny — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:35:23 +0000

Natalie finds book four in in a Canyon

Danny — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:02:41 +0000

Book four gets to fly high with the Condors in Peru:

Name: Natalie Melton

Here’s our story.: Book 4 was given to me by my friend Huw in Cuzco, Peru. It previously enjoyed time with him in Wasi Masi Hostal in Sucre learning Spanish with Isaac the Bolivian teacher before journeying on to La Paz. It crossed Lake Titicaca in Huw´s backpack and landed up in Cuzco! Now with me it has been to one of the deepest canyons in world, the Colca Canyon, to watch condors soaring around, tried a go at sandboarding in Huacachina and has celebrated the Peruvian elections in Lima.

YGTFTTS was a very inspiring read and quite a tear jerker when Danny finally reaches Chembakolli. It shows what you can achieve if you have a dream, well done Danny!
Which book have I found? (1-7): Book 4
Where is it?: Lima, Peru
How is it looking?: Not too shabby

Book 5 enjoys a sunbathe – Lake Titicaca

Danny — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 06:56:24 +0000