A Ride Across America: Small Towns, Big Issues and One Epic Adventure
Original price was: $27.95.$24.82Current price is: $24.82.
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(as of Nov 09, 2024 13:36:23 UTC – Details)
On the eve of the 2024 election, a fascinating – and frequently funny – tale of one man cycling the breadth of America.
‘Finally, I emerged onto a sealed asphalt walkway, with twigs in my hair and blood streaming down my legs. Feeling like David Livingstone without a machete, I had tamed the impenetrable woodlands of Eastern Mississippi. Hurrah! But then my sense of adventure sobered suddenly, when a woman in yoga pants and flipflops wandered past, walking a Bichon Frisé.’
Frustrated by the shallow headlines focusing only on Trump, guns and divisions, award-winning travel writer Simon Parker decided that to better understand the USA he would have to travel across it, slowly.
Did the America of his teenage dreams really exist? And was it really as fractured as the headlines suggest? On his journey to find out, Simon cycled 4,373 miles through eleven states and numerous extreme weather events, via mountains and prairie lands, forests and freeways. Along the way he visited homes, schools, churches and rodeos, meeting hundreds of (extra)ordinary Americans behind the clickbait news posts to discover a nation whose portrayal has become vastly oversimplified.
Praise for Simon Parker’s previous book, Riding Out:
‘A truly inspiring journey that celebrates the healing power of adventure. A must-read.’ – Levison Wood
‘Simon’s cycle ride around his own country is a fine demonstration that adventure and transformation begins on your own doorstep.’ – Alastair Humphreys
From the Publisher
Publisher : September Publishing (UK) (October 8, 2024)
Language : English
Hardcover : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1914613597
ISBN-13 : 978-1914613593
Item Weight : 1.05 pounds
Dimensions : 5.7 x 1.2 x 8.7 inches
5 reviews for A Ride Across America: Small Towns, Big Issues and One Epic Adventure
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Original price was: $27.95.$24.82Current price is: $24.82.
J. Brennan –
I really enjoyed this book. The author comes across as likeable and entertaining but he describes the variety of Americans he meets in a very clear and non judgmental manner.You could read it as guide to cycling across America or as an extended essay of the â how we live now varietyâ.All in all highly recommended if you like cycle books such as French Revolutions you will also enjoy this page turner – I look forward to his next book.
MarkyB –
A great holiday read. After reading his âRiding Outâ book previously I pre-ordered this book. I struggled to get into it at first, but after the first few chapters the pages soon flew by. As the author inferred I was waiting for the big finale and final message to take away â¦however it is fitting that there wasnât one and we have to make up our own minds on the future of the US, it politics, gun laws and seemingly the control of stray dogs! Also some really good perspective on moving into parenthood and what the future might hold for a traveller. A great little read in the end.
Tim Fogarty –
Read this book on holiday in Suffolk â undoubtedly not as flat as the American Mid-West. Really enjoy it. Inspiring and fascinating stuff. Very well written. Vividly transported me to the US and gives a fascinating insight into the people – all be it from a British perspective. Makes the USA a tempting destination â but perhaps not on a bike like the author. Definitely worth a read.
Kevin –
The insights into US life and culture using random conversations and observations, whilst obviously limited, are fascinating. The author allows those he meets to express themselves without too much analysis or the patronising humour and irony sometimes found in this style of travel writing. His daily journeys on the bike and nights in good and bad motels make you feel you are travelling with him. For cyclists the preparations, kit and amazing distances are very well described.
jofer –
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interestedNot only in the cycling but in the culture of theSo called United States.Brilliantly written. It’s a hard to put down book.The gun culture is so succinctly explained as are otherStrange American customs especially if your European.