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Going Somewhere: A Bicycle Journey Across America
Brian Benson has a million life plans but no sense of direction. So when he meets and falls for Rachel, he's ready to go wherever she'll take him. In a whirlwind of new love, they embark on a bicycle trip from northern Wisconsin to western Oregon. As the pair progress through stunning landscapes, they contend with merciless winds, vivid characters, broken bikes and bodies, and the looming question of what comes next. Funny, reflective, and candid, Going Somewhere invites bike enthusiasts, twenty-somethings, and armchair travelers alike to join Brian as he learns, mile by mile, how to move forward.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2014
39 people are currently reading
937 people want to read
About the author
Brian Benson
2 books23 followersBrian Benson is the author of Going Somewhere (Plume, 2014) and co-author, with Richard Brown, of This Is Not For You (OSU Press, 2021). He lives in Portland, Oregon, where he teaches at the Attic Institute and facilitates free workshops in schools, treatment centers, and affordable housing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
June 28, 2014
So there's a problem with trying to review great writing: not being a sufficiently great writer to articulate WHY that book is so incredible. Stick with me, folks.
I think there's such an incredible beauty to words that are put together just so -- hilarity that makes you giggle and grin, scenes so clearly written that you can feel all the details, and then that perfect mmm that comes with a bite of masterfully made food or a perfectly crafted phrase (literary dork much?). For me, Going Somewhere was filled with these moments of literary delight as we follow Rachel and Brian on their journey.
I ride my bike daily, but I've never gotten in to bike touring as my thing. To me, the strong appeal to this book has nothing to do with bikes or chain grease or the horrid nature of lycra or the unfair reality of headwinds -- none of this is about the mode of travel or the weight of the panniers. Brian's incredible voice and strong characters (carefully reconstructed from his journals and research; see notes in book re: how he ground-truthed his memories) makes this an utter joy to read.
I highly recommend this, particularly for a large block of available time if you're a binge reader. (Perhaps some of you can ration your literary delicacies into reasonable portions; I'm the lady on the porch wolfing down prose in absurd quantities when it's just that good.) Cliche truth: I picked up this book and put it down only when I ran out of daylight or, sadder still, pages.
Brian is off on a bike tour of book promotion and readings now; I'm hoping somewhere in there he manages to write another book or two as I believe this book will create a crowd of readers hungry for Brian's way of serving up words.
I think there's such an incredible beauty to words that are put together just so -- hilarity that makes you giggle and grin, scenes so clearly written that you can feel all the details, and then that perfect mmm that comes with a bite of masterfully made food or a perfectly crafted phrase (literary dork much?). For me, Going Somewhere was filled with these moments of literary delight as we follow Rachel and Brian on their journey.
I ride my bike daily, but I've never gotten in to bike touring as my thing. To me, the strong appeal to this book has nothing to do with bikes or chain grease or the horrid nature of lycra or the unfair reality of headwinds -- none of this is about the mode of travel or the weight of the panniers. Brian's incredible voice and strong characters (carefully reconstructed from his journals and research; see notes in book re: how he ground-truthed his memories) makes this an utter joy to read.
I highly recommend this, particularly for a large block of available time if you're a binge reader. (Perhaps some of you can ration your literary delicacies into reasonable portions; I'm the lady on the porch wolfing down prose in absurd quantities when it's just that good.) Cliche truth: I picked up this book and put it down only when I ran out of daylight or, sadder still, pages.
Brian is off on a bike tour of book promotion and readings now; I'm hoping somewhere in there he manages to write another book or two as I believe this book will create a crowd of readers hungry for Brian's way of serving up words.
December 12, 2014
Author Brian Benson skillfully presents himself as a self-absorbed twenty-something sometimes obnoxious jerk, which is the key to the book's success. Instead of reading the book and thinking, "This guy is annoying," the reader can smile as the author paints a portrait of a young man trying to find his way on a bicycle. I picked up this book because I did a similar cross-country trip and wanted to see how the author approached condensing months of sometimes-tedious travel into an entertaining narrative. He weaves the story of his trip with the intrepid Rachel with his own struggles with identity and what-do-I-want-to-do-with-my-life questions. Brian visited many of the same places I visited on my cross-country trip (I recall similar feelings of joy upon reaching Sand Point, Idaho), so I enjoyed revisiting them. The book will definitely appeal to bikers who have completed or considered long road trips, but I think it also has a wider appeal, especially to 20-somethings and 50-somethings asking the question, "What will I do with my life when I grow up?"
June 17, 2014
"Wild" [Chery Strayed] on a bike only from a male POV with more sex and no drugs--unless you count getting high on endorphins as drug use.
January 2, 2015
An emo rides with his girlfriend from Wisconsin to Portland. Overloaded panniers contain a fraction of the weight of the insecurities, guilt and lack of direction that go along for the ride. Just reading about the author's relationship with his girlfriend was smothering; I kept waiting for her to dump him, hoping it would force a meaningful catharthis and make the book more interesting in its aftermath. No such luck.
August 1, 2014
A seminal piece of the millennial generation! A view inside the brain, relationship, and cycling experience of an incredibly witty, hyper-aware, delightfully indecisive twenty-something chasing something. I could not put it down, it belongs in the upper crust of all the other page turning fun memoirs that have surprised me in the past. Benson has this ability to describe indescribably hilarious things, from what his parents dumb golden retriever is thinking, to harnessing the points of joy when he achieves micro-victories on the bike and with Rachel, his lover/road partner. He also captures the moments of disappointment and anxiety felt when the reality of the ride and the reality of his relationship with Rachel does not meet the framed vision formulated in his mind… His way of writing is so incredibly open and honest and the depth of what he shares… I came away feeling like this guy shared EVERYTHING, and I related to it all… well, I’ve never biked half-way across a continent, I’m sure most of you haven’t either, but don’t worry, he explains all that techno-bike-babble stuff along the way. This book is symbolic of many of the trials and tribulations many of us senior members of the millennial generation have undergone. Especially in regards to the want for genuine, organically created adventure in both our relationships and on machines like a road bike. It is a must-read for those of you who have ever dreamt of going on an adventure without a destination. Check it out, it will not disappoint!
February 11, 2024
Quick, entertaining, account of a couple’s bike journey from Wisconsin to Portland. I really tried to like this book. I appreciate Brian’s introspection and reflecting on being a white male as well as his relationship, but as I came to the end of the book, I was just annoyed at his almost selfish, never-being-satisfied-attitude. Like bro, you should’ve just went on your own solo ride to begin with if you wanted to ~find yourself~. I guess it took him 2 months of riding with Rachel to figure that out. Every chapter I was wishing this was written by Rachel instead and that she’d dump him halfway and live happily ever after.
September 10, 2020
This book, Going Somewhere, by Brian Benson, is a finely detailed description of the author's bicycle journey across a northern tier of western states in the not too distant past. He and his partner, a girlfriend, are pedaling from east to west and against the prevailing winds, leaving from his childhood home and ending at hers in Portland, Oregon. The dream is hers to make the journey by bicycle. Benson doesn't want to be without her. He follows along. They plan the route together, shop for gear together, and depart from his parents' rural Wisconsin home together. Then, they ride, day after day on a two-month journey through wind and rain, good times and bad, balanced on the bicycle seats and with the City of Portland as the motivational carrot at the end of the stick.
For this reader the emotion climax of the book unexpectedly appears in Sandcreek, Idaho where the young cyclists seem to enjoy a shared happiness together at a summer beer fest and unplanned overnight stop. The author even describes wanting to stay longer, maybe even relocating there at some undefined point in their unspecified future. The scene has all the potential for some realistic conflict. But, that doesn't happen. Sandcreek isn't Rachel's destination. She not going to change. Or maybe the author never even brings it up. They drink beer instead. They have make up sex. And they arrive in Portland on schedule and as planned.
There is no surprise in reading that the relationship goes south after their arrival in Portland, a city filled with her friends and family. Still, I wonder. Why isn't Benson in Sandcreek without her? And maybe that's the sequel.
For this reader the emotion climax of the book unexpectedly appears in Sandcreek, Idaho where the young cyclists seem to enjoy a shared happiness together at a summer beer fest and unplanned overnight stop. The author even describes wanting to stay longer, maybe even relocating there at some undefined point in their unspecified future. The scene has all the potential for some realistic conflict. But, that doesn't happen. Sandcreek isn't Rachel's destination. She not going to change. Or maybe the author never even brings it up. They drink beer instead. They have make up sex. And they arrive in Portland on schedule and as planned.
There is no surprise in reading that the relationship goes south after their arrival in Portland, a city filled with her friends and family. Still, I wonder. Why isn't Benson in Sandcreek without her? And maybe that's the sequel.
June 17, 2015
It was like talking to any of my funny and thoughtful friends about what kind of adventures they have been up to. It made my cabin fever act up, and now I want to ride bike for days and weeks and months.
July 23, 2016
I received a free copy from First to Read in exchange for an honest review.
This is a true story--as true as a memory recreated from interviews and diaries can be—told looking back on the events, which gives it a nostalgic feel.
Brian has an aimless life until he meets Rachel. She isn’t quite available, but he’s patient, and eventually that patience is rewarded with a relationship. When she tells him about a dream of hers—to ride a bicycle across the US, he encourages those dreams and hitches along on them. They set out together, heading west from Brian’s hometown, with no clear plans for exactly where they’ll end up, or even all the stops along the way. Their idealized dream of adventure soon founders in reality—burning muscles, headwinds, tall hills, passing cars, thirst, bicycle repairs, hunger—and having to deal with each other at their worst. The further they go, the more they think about the future at the end of this ride, a future they can’t quite agree on.
Since Brian is telling the story, you mostly get what he thinks and feels, and sometimes what he thinks Rachel feels. And much of what he shares made me not like him very much. In his defense, they were putting the relationship and themselves under a lot of stress, though much of it was self-inflicted due to poor planning. Still, it feels as if, from his perspective of hindsight, he’s excusing some of his behavior. And everything does feel very much like hindsight is involved, reflective and not in the moment, with hints about the future that create a sense of what’s going to happen before it happens.
However, the sensory involvement is spot-on. Many readers won’t have done anything so grueling as this ride, but they may have ridden a bike up a hill. The push, legs burning, to the top, and then the glorious, effortless flight down. This book is like that—some places are work, others are beautiful. As the couple explores the areas they pass through, the book explores other parts of life--the kindness of strangers, discovering what you want, and the many opportunities for something wonderful, large or small, that happen when you least expect them.
Recommended for bicycle enthusiasts and fans of life’s little adventures.
This is a true story--as true as a memory recreated from interviews and diaries can be—told looking back on the events, which gives it a nostalgic feel.
Brian has an aimless life until he meets Rachel. She isn’t quite available, but he’s patient, and eventually that patience is rewarded with a relationship. When she tells him about a dream of hers—to ride a bicycle across the US, he encourages those dreams and hitches along on them. They set out together, heading west from Brian’s hometown, with no clear plans for exactly where they’ll end up, or even all the stops along the way. Their idealized dream of adventure soon founders in reality—burning muscles, headwinds, tall hills, passing cars, thirst, bicycle repairs, hunger—and having to deal with each other at their worst. The further they go, the more they think about the future at the end of this ride, a future they can’t quite agree on.
Since Brian is telling the story, you mostly get what he thinks and feels, and sometimes what he thinks Rachel feels. And much of what he shares made me not like him very much. In his defense, they were putting the relationship and themselves under a lot of stress, though much of it was self-inflicted due to poor planning. Still, it feels as if, from his perspective of hindsight, he’s excusing some of his behavior. And everything does feel very much like hindsight is involved, reflective and not in the moment, with hints about the future that create a sense of what’s going to happen before it happens.
However, the sensory involvement is spot-on. Many readers won’t have done anything so grueling as this ride, but they may have ridden a bike up a hill. The push, legs burning, to the top, and then the glorious, effortless flight down. This book is like that—some places are work, others are beautiful. As the couple explores the areas they pass through, the book explores other parts of life--the kindness of strangers, discovering what you want, and the many opportunities for something wonderful, large or small, that happen when you least expect them.
Recommended for bicycle enthusiasts and fans of life’s little adventures.
April 22, 2014
Okay, here's the thing: I like bikes, but I only ride mine to work and I'm that girl you see walking it up a hill sometimes. I like the outdoors, but I'm a glamper, not a camper, and mountains scare me. So Going Somewhere was not my usual type of book to read.
Once I started it, though, I couldn't put it down. I absolutely had to know what was going to happen at each mile.
I’ve never traveled across America by car or bike. But with each word of Brian's inviting prose and brake-tight descriptions, I felt like I was there with him: staring at gorgeous canyons with mouth agape, feeling disappointed at yet another broken spoke, swooning at the kindness of strangers, and riding the emotional peaks and valleys of growing together with someone, only to grow apart.
He does this all so expertly with raw, insightful humor, oscillating between vulnerable mush ( a friend describes him as "schmoopy") and impatient jerk. It's honest. And that's what I love about it.
It's also a book that's as nostalgic for the reader as it is for Brian. Anybody who's traveled will recognize landscapes that are as harsh as they are inviting, logistical decisions that make the journey as frustrating as it is invigorating, and people who are soul-crushing in one place and soul-warming in another.
Ultimately, Going Somewhere is about the thrill of saying 'yes' and the difficulty of saying 'no.' At the end, I wanted to hop on my beach cruiser and just go, somewhere, anywhere, and love fiercely, make mistakes, and let it all go.
Once I started it, though, I couldn't put it down. I absolutely had to know what was going to happen at each mile.
I’ve never traveled across America by car or bike. But with each word of Brian's inviting prose and brake-tight descriptions, I felt like I was there with him: staring at gorgeous canyons with mouth agape, feeling disappointed at yet another broken spoke, swooning at the kindness of strangers, and riding the emotional peaks and valleys of growing together with someone, only to grow apart.
He does this all so expertly with raw, insightful humor, oscillating between vulnerable mush ( a friend describes him as "schmoopy") and impatient jerk. It's honest. And that's what I love about it.
It's also a book that's as nostalgic for the reader as it is for Brian. Anybody who's traveled will recognize landscapes that are as harsh as they are inviting, logistical decisions that make the journey as frustrating as it is invigorating, and people who are soul-crushing in one place and soul-warming in another.
Ultimately, Going Somewhere is about the thrill of saying 'yes' and the difficulty of saying 'no.' At the end, I wanted to hop on my beach cruiser and just go, somewhere, anywhere, and love fiercely, make mistakes, and let it all go.
June 30, 2014
I have a chronic case of wanderlust, so GOING SOMEWHERE was an easy choice for me and a relatable read the whole way through. Brian writes with wit and honesty, showing us a twentysomething's open-hearted tenderness. I, too, hail from Wisconsin, have adopted the West my home-away-from-home, and have traveled a handful of times (by car) the distance between the two.
Imagining myself along similar roads traveled, Brian's landscape descriptions trump anything stored in my memory. His writing is stunning, easily transporting the reader to Midwestern lake-chains, peaceful Northwoods, and formidable mountain ranges. Just as the reader settles into the dreamy magic of Brian's cross-country travel, he introduces the brutal headwind, which sets the tone for much of the journey (and convinced me that Westbound travel on bike is frankly unreasonable).
Brian also dares to tell us, via self-depricating stories and a healthy dose of profanity, the challenges of traveling in often unforgiving conditions: on-road ruptures with his girlfriend-travel-companion, lost chocolate, equipment malfunctions, and familiar, tough questions about life's many paths and where to go from here.
Throughout the book, I was inspired by the genuine goodness and generosity Brian encountered across the land--an important reminder in today's fear-oriented culture, and a message I will take to heart. Overall, GOING SOMEWHERE is a beautiful portal to believing it IS possible (but take note: it will probably be easier if you work your way East).
Imagining myself along similar roads traveled, Brian's landscape descriptions trump anything stored in my memory. His writing is stunning, easily transporting the reader to Midwestern lake-chains, peaceful Northwoods, and formidable mountain ranges. Just as the reader settles into the dreamy magic of Brian's cross-country travel, he introduces the brutal headwind, which sets the tone for much of the journey (and convinced me that Westbound travel on bike is frankly unreasonable).
Brian also dares to tell us, via self-depricating stories and a healthy dose of profanity, the challenges of traveling in often unforgiving conditions: on-road ruptures with his girlfriend-travel-companion, lost chocolate, equipment malfunctions, and familiar, tough questions about life's many paths and where to go from here.
Throughout the book, I was inspired by the genuine goodness and generosity Brian encountered across the land--an important reminder in today's fear-oriented culture, and a message I will take to heart. Overall, GOING SOMEWHERE is a beautiful portal to believing it IS possible (but take note: it will probably be easier if you work your way East).
May 15, 2014
What an amazing journey! Have you ever sat on a bike for more than an hour? I know that I could not ride the distances that Brian and Rachel did in this book. More important than the fitness necessary for the journey are the life lessons that are learned throughout Going Somewhere.
Brian had to deal with many facts that float in his head as he is mostly leading the two of them on the almost 2,500 mile trip from Wisconsin to Oregon. On top of the environmental issues of heat and wind, there are occasional bike issues and then there are the emotional issues that both are thinking of as the ride progresses.
My belief that people really are good was renewed as the two of them managed to rely a lot on the goodness of strangers to make the trip. People that did not know Brian and Rachel did everything from providing them with routes to allowing them into their homes.
As a long distance runner, I would love the freedom of such a trip. As a person, I am envious of the trip these two take.
Brian had to deal with many facts that float in his head as he is mostly leading the two of them on the almost 2,500 mile trip from Wisconsin to Oregon. On top of the environmental issues of heat and wind, there are occasional bike issues and then there are the emotional issues that both are thinking of as the ride progresses.
My belief that people really are good was renewed as the two of them managed to rely a lot on the goodness of strangers to make the trip. People that did not know Brian and Rachel did everything from providing them with routes to allowing them into their homes.
As a long distance runner, I would love the freedom of such a trip. As a person, I am envious of the trip these two take.
January 25, 2016
This sits right in the middle at 3 stars. I loved the telling of the journey, but I did not like the mood and emotional setting of the book. While of course I understand what a hard trip this would be and what it would do to your personal relationship with someone, it made for bleak reading. Oftentimes I had to push myself to pick the book back up to get a little further. I couldn't enjoy the travel-reading due to them either fighting, silently hating each other, or just being pessimistic in general. I don't necessarily regret reading it, but damn am I glad to be done.
June 8, 2016
Travel, adventure is probably my favorite genre right now. I liked the book enough, because of the adventure, but it was obviously written by a young man without a lot of life experiences-for example how was the trip even being supported financially and through his writing you could tell that.
July 16, 2014
ARC provided by NetGalley
Everyone, regardless of where they are in the world or the path they’re going down, eventually takes a path that leads them to figure out what they should be and how they should be. Many try to write their tale down, not always succeeding, but Brian presents his story well and is different from the usual coming of age story. Brian and a young woman he meets named Rachel, decide to bicycle across northern Wisconsin to somewhere west and enjoy the world that they see. They are both idealistic young people, full of hopes, and dreams...and as they ride mile after mile they discover that the world is not always nice, but that it can give you life. In these pages Brian accurately captures not only the scenery and the world they pass by, but himself as well. He is honest, and can be brutally so in describing himself, particularly when he made mistakes. But he can also be funny and creative in sharing the journey he and Rachel were on. If you like the outdoors, traveling, bikes, and witty writing as a young man navigates love and life, then this is the book for you. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Everyone, regardless of where they are in the world or the path they’re going down, eventually takes a path that leads them to figure out what they should be and how they should be. Many try to write their tale down, not always succeeding, but Brian presents his story well and is different from the usual coming of age story. Brian and a young woman he meets named Rachel, decide to bicycle across northern Wisconsin to somewhere west and enjoy the world that they see. They are both idealistic young people, full of hopes, and dreams...and as they ride mile after mile they discover that the world is not always nice, but that it can give you life. In these pages Brian accurately captures not only the scenery and the world they pass by, but himself as well. He is honest, and can be brutally so in describing himself, particularly when he made mistakes. But he can also be funny and creative in sharing the journey he and Rachel were on. If you like the outdoors, traveling, bikes, and witty writing as a young man navigates love and life, then this is the book for you. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
July 25, 2014
an enjoyable, entertaining read. a crisp, fresh, honest, sexy, funny writing voice. we too struggle with "where ARE we going?" and "what do we do after this?" even as we so thoroughly experience the moment in the journey "along the way". I could relate to some of the trials and tribulations of travelling such distances on a wing and a whim, some of the serendipitous encounters and joys. however, I can NOT imagine riding 80 to 100 miles on a bike! day after day. uphill and down. up mountain and down. we see bicycle travelers often on the routes we take. brian's book gave me greater insight and connection to their experiences. and while I once dreamed of bicycle trips, his book made it clear for me--that'll have to wait for my next go around here, some next lifetime when i'm in my twenties again. even then, if I return with close to the same level of wimp-iness I know now, it likely won't be happening. if you've ever contemplated such a journey, this would be a good eye-opener. the book is also about relationships, maturing, finding your way, not just your route.
August 17, 2014
Oh my gosh. This book was so lovely. I was a little worried that since I've had it on hold at the library forEVER and I've been looking forward to it forEVER it would have a hard time living up to my overinflated anticipation. But heck no. I loved it.
First of all, I'm a sucker for a bike story. And a love story--romantic love, sure, but also just fricken love of life. And even if it were neither of those, I'm definitely a sucker for well-written, which this is in spades. I tried really, really hard not to read it too fast, but mostly failed. I kind of couldn't help myself. And now I feel all gooshy and I think of all my own bike trips and my own existential crises about where I'm going and why and if it's the right place or the right way to get there, I think about the allure of being constantly in motion and the concurrent and conflicting desire to lay roots and foundation and community, and Brian Benson got all of this SO RIGHT in his book.
Awesome.
First of all, I'm a sucker for a bike story. And a love story--romantic love, sure, but also just fricken love of life. And even if it were neither of those, I'm definitely a sucker for well-written, which this is in spades. I tried really, really hard not to read it too fast, but mostly failed. I kind of couldn't help myself. And now I feel all gooshy and I think of all my own bike trips and my own existential crises about where I'm going and why and if it's the right place or the right way to get there, I think about the allure of being constantly in motion and the concurrent and conflicting desire to lay roots and foundation and community, and Brian Benson got all of this SO RIGHT in his book.
Awesome.
August 8, 2014
First, anything with A Bicycle Journey Across America in the title and I'm in. It's a story about boy meets girl with a 2,000+ mile bike journey as the centerpiece. I quickly found myself turning pages at a rapid rate (a personal best type of rate). Easily getting immersed in the authors description of his surroundings and the phases of his relationship with the girl. I found I wanted to be a "third wheel", literally, in their journey at times. Brain Benson's writing style is clever in it's transitions and phrases, the flow of the book is easy, leaving you wanting to read just one more chapter. Through the tale of his relationship with Rachel, you learn how Brian reflected on his journey, his young adult self-obsession and the trials and tribulations along the way. It's a great read for those that dream about taking an adventure in hopes of finding something more on the other side.
August 15, 2014
I was excited to read Going Somewhere because it’s been compared to Wild by Cheryl Strayed, which I enjoyed. (There’s even a blurb from her on the cover.) Sadly, I was disappointed.
It’s not that Going Somewhere was bad. It just wasn’t what I was hoping for. It felt shallow somehow, immature, like the book was supposed to be profound somehow, but it never really was. It also felt repetitive.
The redeeming characteristic was Benson’s writing style. He truly has a way with words, simultaneously playful and profound. Without that aspect, I’m not sure I’d have kept reading, honestly.
Full review is posted on Erin Reads.
It’s not that Going Somewhere was bad. It just wasn’t what I was hoping for. It felt shallow somehow, immature, like the book was supposed to be profound somehow, but it never really was. It also felt repetitive.
The redeeming characteristic was Benson’s writing style. He truly has a way with words, simultaneously playful and profound. Without that aspect, I’m not sure I’d have kept reading, honestly.
Full review is posted on Erin Reads.
January 27, 2015
I found Brian Benson's memoir on the "new" shelf at the library.
His trip with Rachel (they met in Guatamala while he tried to find himself and she worked and sang and then they both made music)is a fine one. I wasn't bothered by the privileged college grad sans direction who decided to bike with Rachel from his home in Wisconsin to her home in Portland, Oregon.
Tough trip; enlightening trip. The highs and lows are visceral.
And yet the questions persist.
Benson readily sees his own joy and stupidity and raves and moves. He has a clear eye for scenery and people.
I loved the descriptions of everything from roads to plains to mountains, from flat spaces to butt-killing high rides.
It read honestly to me.
Really did.
His trip with Rachel (they met in Guatamala while he tried to find himself and she worked and sang and then they both made music)is a fine one. I wasn't bothered by the privileged college grad sans direction who decided to bike with Rachel from his home in Wisconsin to her home in Portland, Oregon.
Tough trip; enlightening trip. The highs and lows are visceral.
And yet the questions persist.
Benson readily sees his own joy and stupidity and raves and moves. He has a clear eye for scenery and people.
I loved the descriptions of everything from roads to plains to mountains, from flat spaces to butt-killing high rides.
It read honestly to me.
Really did.
November 27, 2022
I read this book on the final 2 days of a 2 week road trip, and it really grew on me. At first, I was just intrigued with the idea of riding across the country on a bike. And while the author came across as a little flat to me in the first third, there was eventually enough humor, drama and introspection to keep me propelled through the book.
I can't help but wish that I could hear what the road trip was like from Rachel's view however, as the author is admittedly a bit self focused. Her character is somewhat two dimensional, which I suppose may have been necessary for Benson's goals. Anyhow, a worthwhile read for those who find people who do this kind of thing fascinating.
I can't help but wish that I could hear what the road trip was like from Rachel's view however, as the author is admittedly a bit self focused. Her character is somewhat two dimensional, which I suppose may have been necessary for Benson's goals. Anyhow, a worthwhile read for those who find people who do this kind of thing fascinating.
August 12, 2017
Fantastic read because of its honesty and lovely character. My copy is dog eared with cities to someday visit!
October 5, 2021
This is not a book about cycling across the country. It is about a narcissist who rides his bike from Wisconsin to Oregon. There is a difference, and if you're looking for the former you'll be sorry you picked this book up.
January 1, 2015
I received an advance copy of this book from Penguin's First to Read.
This story is primarily about the bike journey of Brian and Rachel from northern Wisconsin to Portland, Oregon. The first part is Brian finding and winning the affections of Rachel, which requires some work on his part, but mostly seems a matter of persistence. You definitely see that he doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, but feels that Rachel does and that she can help him find his way. I won't spoil the end but the writing was on the wall for me before he lets you know where he's going to end up.
Rachel wants to bike to her hometown of Portland and he thinks this is a great idea, but he doesn't want to do too much planning and is jeoulous of a friend, Galen, an avid and experienced biker who is making the trip unfettered and independent. So off they go, with not enough training and stuff they don't need. As well as no practical experience about how far they can realistically expect to get in any given day based on their current surroundings. Brian's inner thoughts can be a bit irritating at times, and sometimes you wonder why he says some things to Rachel and keeps other thoughts to himself.
The help they get along their trip makes you feel good about the kindness of strangers, the descriptions of the land is evocative and the problems / difficulties they experience seem realistic, especially for those readers who are not planning a two thousand mile bike road trip.
Overall it was a good read, good for people who are outdoorsy or adventurous.
This story is primarily about the bike journey of Brian and Rachel from northern Wisconsin to Portland, Oregon. The first part is Brian finding and winning the affections of Rachel, which requires some work on his part, but mostly seems a matter of persistence. You definitely see that he doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, but feels that Rachel does and that she can help him find his way. I won't spoil the end but the writing was on the wall for me before he lets you know where he's going to end up.
Rachel wants to bike to her hometown of Portland and he thinks this is a great idea, but he doesn't want to do too much planning and is jeoulous of a friend, Galen, an avid and experienced biker who is making the trip unfettered and independent. So off they go, with not enough training and stuff they don't need. As well as no practical experience about how far they can realistically expect to get in any given day based on their current surroundings. Brian's inner thoughts can be a bit irritating at times, and sometimes you wonder why he says some things to Rachel and keeps other thoughts to himself.
The help they get along their trip makes you feel good about the kindness of strangers, the descriptions of the land is evocative and the problems / difficulties they experience seem realistic, especially for those readers who are not planning a two thousand mile bike road trip.
Overall it was a good read, good for people who are outdoorsy or adventurous.
June 20, 2016
So, travel books are one of my favorite genres, I love reading about other people's adventures and getting all their trip details and this book was very specific and didn't go too fast or skip over parts of the author's journey which was fantastic. But I loathed the overly dramatic introspective bits the author kept sticking in at the end of every single anecdote. He's in his early 20's, why was he waxing poetic about Wisconsin like he'd never have another chance in his life to be there again. I mean, his parents live there, I'm sure he'll get back for a visit now and again right? And the whole welfare traveler thing, "lets look pathetic so someone will take pity on us and aren't we cool for being sneaky and stealing toilet paper and coffee refills and butter packets etc." got a little old as well. But I enjoyed the book more than I was annoyed by it and it did make me feel inspired to get on the bike more. And I'm super impressed with their trip, I seriously doubt I would have been able to stick with it and accomplish what they did. Overall I was torn between giving it a 3 and 4, I wish we could give half stars because this was a solid 3.5 for me.
December 20, 2016
"That morning, we might have learned a boring lesson about foresight and preparation. We did not learn such a lesson. We did not learn so much anything, actually. But we did remember, both of us having long ago imagined the best thing about growing up would be getting to eat candy whenever we wanted. And now, we agreed, we'd been so, so right."
–Brian Benson
Picked up this book at the PDX Powell's while I was going somewhere. (Little Rock, I think) I will read most any given book about people challenging themselves to some sort of unconventional journey. Biking the perimeter of Africa. Walking the Appalachian Trail. In this case, biking from Wisconsin to Oregon.
As you might imagine, the Northern Plains offer large stretches of nothing, and this book was pretty tightly focused on the two characters' journey. Minimal flashbacks, spiritual themes, or side encounters with characters possessing crazy life stories. In most cases I'd like more of those.
To Benson's credit, his writing is skilled enough to still keep me engaged and empathetic throughout the story. The agonizing Montana winds felt very real, as did the evolution his romantic relationship took on the road.
–Brian Benson
Picked up this book at the PDX Powell's while I was going somewhere. (Little Rock, I think) I will read most any given book about people challenging themselves to some sort of unconventional journey. Biking the perimeter of Africa. Walking the Appalachian Trail. In this case, biking from Wisconsin to Oregon.
As you might imagine, the Northern Plains offer large stretches of nothing, and this book was pretty tightly focused on the two characters' journey. Minimal flashbacks, spiritual themes, or side encounters with characters possessing crazy life stories. In most cases I'd like more of those.
To Benson's credit, his writing is skilled enough to still keep me engaged and empathetic throughout the story. The agonizing Montana winds felt very real, as did the evolution his romantic relationship took on the road.
June 21, 2014
With honest and candid prose, Brian Benson allows his readers to travel with him and his girlfriend Rachel on cycling odyssey. The author does a wonderful job in describing the scenic stretches of road from lush forests and lakes of Wisconsin and Minnesota to the stark plains of the North Dakota to the glorious mountains of Montana and beyond to their final destination of Portland, Oregon. They also meet an astounding number of kind and hospitable people who help them in their journey which includes many mechanical failures. While being drawn into the grueling miles of the physically demanding cross-country trek, one can also not help but wonder about whether this passionate couple will survive in their relationship. An amazing tale of resilience and self-discovery.
Note: one caveat is the copious use of the f-word which I think distracts from the narrative. It might be the way Brian usually talks, but it's a little like seeing roadside trash next to a breathtaking mountain view - a part of life that spoils the moment.
Note: one caveat is the copious use of the f-word which I think distracts from the narrative. It might be the way Brian usually talks, but it's a little like seeing roadside trash next to a breathtaking mountain view - a part of life that spoils the moment.
August 16, 2015
Once again, I really enjoyed the part of the book where Benson describes the scenery he's biking through, the people he meets, the "experience." Less interesting is the over-the-top self analysis and indecision he describes - so much so that I nearly put the book down several times. And after spending so much time talking about the relationship with the woman that was the impetus for the ride, and updating us through the book about the relationship status(es), to simply say "we got to the end. The End" with a quickie wrap-up in the Epilogue is disconcerting. I feel like the last 4 chapters got condensed into 3 pages. Not the best bike touring book I've read, not the worst, but I feel it probably accurately describes trying to do a cross-country bike ride with a partner - and all the joys and pitfalls therein.
July 7, 2018
Brian definitely thinks a cross country bike trip is extraordinary and it probably is, but this book did not draw me in like I wanted it to. There are some moments where I felt a connection to Brian as he discovers more about himself and his relationship with his girlfriend. However, many times Brian’s words did not connect with me or he used a let-me-create-an-adjective-here word. Many cities and many characters fail to be memorable and end up blurring together by the end. The Epilogue is my favorite part of the book and I would have liked to read more of Brian’s reflections on how the bike trip has affected his life.
August 6, 2014
Brian and Rachel set off on bikes across the country, testing their strength and relationship during the thrilling and grueling days in the saddle. Written from Brian's point of view, he spends a lot of time being apologetic for his white maleness and inspecting his interactions with Rachel. I loved the descriptions of the ride and both the good and bad feelings (physical and emotional) that went with it. However, Brian's voice got a little whiny at times and I often wished that Rachel was the voice of the story.
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