Dervla Murphy · 1965 · overland

Dervla Murphy's 1965 travel classic, drawn from the diary of her 1963 journey. On a single-speed bicycle and through the coldest European winter in decades, she rode alone from Ireland to India, across a frozen continent and through Persia, Afghanistan, and the mountains of the north, armed with a revolver and an almost reckless faith in human kindness.

1. 1
   Ireland

   In the bitter winter of 1963, Dervla Murphy sets off from Ireland on a single-speed bicycle, bound improbably for India.

2. 2
   Holyhead

   The ferry across the Irish Sea puts Dervla and her bicycle Roz ashore in Wales, into a Britain locked in the same savage freeze.

3. 3
   Dover

   Across Wales and southern England through the snow to Dover and the cliffs above the Channel.

4. 4
   Calais

   A short crossing of the Channel to Calais, and the first pedal-strokes onto the frozen Continent.

5. 5
   Istanbul

   Across a continent buried in snow to Istanbul, the gateway between Europe and Asia.

6. 6
   Tehran

   Through Turkey and into Persia, fending off wolves, thieves, and the occasional amorous official.

7. 7
   Kabul

   Over the deserts into Afghanistan and the great wall of the Hindu Kush.

8. 8
   Lahore

   Through the Khyber Pass and down into the plains of Pakistan.

9. 9
   Delhi

   And at last to India, the long road run out at Delhi.