One man's quest for happiness
Around the world on a bicycle

Scott Stoll dipping the front wheel of his bicycle in the Pacific Ocean after riding across the country in the summer of 1997 -- the test ride for his upcoming world trek.

In one week, Scott Stoll lost his job, his best friend, his girlfriend and his confidence. Disillusioned with society, full of angst, a lost and wandering soul with nothing left to lose, Stoll asked himself a question:

If I only have one life, one chance, if I could do anything, what would I do?

His answer resulted in an odyssey around the world by bicycle, seeking answers to the great mysteries of life, vowing to find happiness or die trying.

After many years of preparation, and only 5 days before the 9-11 attack in NYC, he began his first pedal stroke and eventually cycled every inch to meet his goal of circumnavigating the globe under his own power. (The equatorial circumference of the planet is 40,077 KM.) And, that’s not including his 10,609-Kilometer warm-up ride across the USA from border to border and coast to coast. Scott was the only American to complete a round the world bicycle tour during those interesting times.

The quest wasn’t easy. He was imprisoned, held hostage, mugged, run over, suspected of terrorism, accused of espionage, trampled, diseased, heartbroken—he nearly died a dozen times. But more importantly, in the most unlikely places, he also discovered the wonders of the world, kindness among strangers, the meaning of life, peace, love and — Yes! — happiness — and much more than he imagined possible.

Re-live and re-imagine a journey around the world on a bicycle as a man stumbles through moments of pure survival and moments of pure enlightenment in Scott's best-selling independent book Falling Uphill.

See a Map and read more about why and how Scott rode a bicycle around the world.

Falling Uphill:
One man's quest for happiness around the world on a bicycle.

Re-live and re-imagine bicycling around the world in quest of happiness. I've traveled the world by bicycle to discover the "secrets" of life, and I've spent many more years to digest my trip, exemplify the lessons learned and create a book that I believe is both entertaining and enlightening: I almost die, fall in love, find "God" and discover the meaning of life — what more from a story could you ask for?

Falling Uphill:
Dreams for the young adventurer

The young adult's edition of Falling Uphill is here. Hundreds of photos and frequently asked questions. Plus advice how to make your dream a reality right now!

Falling Uphill: The Secret of Life

Now the best-selling independent book has been re-imagined and illustrated by Poplar Creek Elementary School. Also in Spanish.Illustrated by the schools of Argentina.

Cayendo Hacia Arriba: El Secreto de la vida.

By the Seat of My Pants
Lonely Planet

Scott has a co-starring role in Edwin Tucker's "Let the Buyer Beware". This story is based on the funniest chapter in "Falling Uphill" but from Edwin's POV.