Cycling Book Review: ‘Llamas and Empanadas’

As the title suggests, the setting for this book, is South America.

The other two main ingredients, are an over-burdened mountain-bike called ‘Vagabunda’, and its Kiwi rider, Eleanor Meechan.

Yes, you picked-it, Eleanor, is a chick and yes, she did go solo through the dubious back-blocks, barren wastes of this vast continent.

In this 260 page book, Meechan colourfully describes her 2004, five thousand kilometre biking-journey which zigzags between Argentina and Chile.

This is more than ‘just another travelogue‘, of interest to the few other unique souls who would consider an arduous & potentially dangerous journey of this nature .

Some authors have an ability to engross their readers, not just with pictorial and introspective writings - but recreate the characters of the people they meet.

Meechan is one of those gifted authors, who extends her recollections beyond the share trials and tribulations of her bicycle journey.

The appeal of Llamas and Empanadas is broad.

It is not just a non-fiction adventure title, for those who like cycling.

It’s a book you could pass onto your partner to read, knowing they would get something from its inspirational pages.

This is a book, worthy of your investment.

ISBN- 9780143006404.

It came out in 2007 and I got my copy at Whitcoulls.

PS: In case you needed any more encouragement take a look at Eleanor pictorial record of the journey at her flickr site.