A Ride Across America: A 4,000-Mile Adventure Through the Small Towns and Big Issues of the USA

by Simon Parker

344 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Tim Warke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given that two of the things I really like are riding my bike and travelling in the USA, this book was pushing against an open door with me. Riding from the most northwestern point to the southeastern provided a varied and fascinating backdrop to one British man's interaction with people from all backgrounds, beliefs, hopes and opinions. The descriptions of the scenery, the challenging cycling, the encounters he has along the way was thoroughly enjoyable and made this an easy read. My tiny one criticism might be that I felt he 'speeded' up towards the end - not the cycling pace, but the chapters felt a bit smaller and rushed. That may understandably reflect the author/cyclist's desire to get to his goal after such an epic trip.

If, like me, you like cycling and/or USA travelling, then I think you'd enjoy this book too.

[Robbie Tyrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, but confirmation that America is screwed and more than likely to self implode any minute.
You cannot beat books on travel, and travel by bike are usually the best type of travel book. This one doesn’t disappoint. It didn’t take too long to read, just a couple of days, which should tell you everything you need to know how good it was.

[Joanna Petty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read!