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

by Simon Parker

'Parker magnificently chronicles the America he encounters, a divided, disfranchised collection of states he fears for but comes to love for their generosity, community spirit and sense of hope' Ben East, Observer

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.

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.

[Iris k · Rating 3 out of 5]

sloooooog as long as the midwest bike ride to finish. really enjoyed every chapter just long as hell. no more travel memoirs for a bit i fear. anyways, very good writing, just not super diverse but what can be expected when it’s a singular theme! would give 3.5 stars if i could.

[Joanna Petty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read!