Pilgrim Wheels: Reflections of a Cyclist Crossing America

Cycling Reflections #1

by Neil M. Hanson

WINNER - National Indie Excellence Book Awards FIRST PLACE - Next Generation Indie Book Awards FIRST PLACE - Independent Publisher Living Now Book Awards SILVER HONOREE - Benjamin Franklin Digital Award SECOND PLACE - Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award SECOND PLACE - Great Southwest Book Festival SECOND PLACE - CIPA EVVY Awards An engaging and reflective story woven around the western half of Hanson's bicycle journey from the Pacific to the Atlantic, exploring an America that can only be discovered on winding backroads from the saddle of a bicycle. More than just a travelogue of a bike ride across the country, Hanson's delightful and beautifully written story takes the reader on a journey that is engaging and insightful, often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and always inspiring. It's a must-read adventure that will stir your soul.

Genres: Travel, Cycling, Nonfiction, Biography, Adventure

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

A lifelong cyclist, Neil Hanson's two-wheeled adventures have taken him across America, along the Natchez Trace, and throughout northern Italy. Originally from Kansas, Neil currently lives in Colorado, where he navigates his bicycle up and down the inclines of the Rocky Mountains. His books include Pilgrim Wheels, part one of the deep and introspective journey story woven around his cross-country trip that concludes in Pilgrim Spokes, as well as a how-to minimalist-touring guide, The Pilgrim Way.

Reviews

[Madalene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this bike touring memoir, but the author's preoccupation with the looks of each woman he meets was pretty distracting (he doesn't review how the men look, just the women). There are better bike touring books out there.

[Neil Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

AUTHOR REVIEW: Just getting that out there - I'm reviewing my own work here. Of course, I want folks to read it, so I'm likely to cheat my stars up a little bit, right? But I really do feel good about this work. As an author, I'd probably go back and keep re-writing it forever, and even doing the final review for the interior book designer, I found myself want to go back and rewrite entire sections of the book. I recognize this as the perfectionist in me, and I'm fine with it. I feel good about standing back and saying that I feel good about what I've written here, and I feel like it's something that a lot of readers will really enjoy.

A little history on the edits and revisions that will probably make sense to readers once they're finished. After I had this ready for an editor, I decided to try a new editor, (who will remain nameless), and it turned out to be a disaster. As an author, I REALLY want to listen to what an editor says, since they're professionals, and I wanted to listen to this editor. She kept the work for a couple months, and when she gave it back to me, she'd rewritten in significantly, including a wholesale change of verb tense. I worked my way through several chapters before finally realizing that her edits were not good for this work, and that our styles just don't mesh. The bottom line to this is that the first several chapters reflect a slightly different tone as a result, and if there is one thing I would do, it would be to go back and restore "my" tone and cadence to those chapters.

I think most readers will pick up on this, and will sense the change in style or cadence as the work moves along. I'll be interested to hear from readers on this, and see if they see this and pick up on it, and what your thoughts are. A final note on editing: In the end, I turned the work over to Erin Willard for editing, and she did a FANTASTIC job.

I expect that some readers will question why this book takes us only halfway across the country. Why not tell the story of the whole trip? Here's how I made my judgement call, and some folks will agree while others disagree. The book as it stands is 232 pages in length. While the next book (the eastern half of the trip) is in early draft stages, it's likely to be about as long. I figured a non-fiction book 400 - 500 pages long is just too much. It would be too much for me as a reader, even though I love the topic. Once I get 400 or 500 pages into a book, even if I really like it, I'm wanting it to be over so I can try something else for a while. Change up the cadence a bit. :-)

For any reader who likes the book, and feels like they shouldn't have to pay again just to read the next half of the journey, just get in touch with me and we'll work something out when the next book comes out. All I really care about is that folks enjoy the story, and I worked hard to make it the most enjoyable story I could.

Then, there's the issue that the ride itself evolved significantly as I traversed Kansas, and Medicine Lodge is the perfect place to punctuate that evolution. From the time I left the Big Sur coastline in California, all the way across the western half of the country, I was nearly always riding in some form of “The West.” The landscape varied from semi-arid to deep desert, the air was always dry, the views and landscape big and sweeping. The Great American West. Medicine Lodge is where that changed.

I swept down into Medicine Lodge out of the big Medicine Hills, with vast views across landscape that is iconic American West. After a wonderful chicken fried steak breakfast in Medicine Lodge, we made our way east into rapidly increasing humidity and rich farmland. From that point all the way to Annapolis, the journey took me through various forms of the “Old America”, one made up of lush farmland, deep woods, humid air, wide rivers, and more history.

Thanks for reading!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!! First off I received this book from the author through Good Reads First reads> (I hate that I have to even say that!!) This book is not just about a cyclist making a cross country trek, It's WAY MORE!! Neil has written beautifully!! Not only does this book talk about his journey and the people he meets along the way, It reminds you to slow down, to stop and smell the roses so to speak. I learned many things about myself while reading this WONDERFUL book. Things in life often slip right past us because we are caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I am very glad I chose this book as my vacation book. In this story you not only can vividly picture the description of the trip but you can feel the heat of the hot desert sun, hear the wind blow and feel the pain Neil felt. I could go on for days talking about this FANTASTIC book. It is certainly a book I will keep in my personal library until it falls apart or until I do one. I will reread it over and over again. Small town America is where I want to be for sure!! Thanks Neil for an OUTSTANDING read!!

[Rosieposie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to provide an honest review of Pilgrim Wheels: Reflections of a Cyclist Crossing America by Neil Hanson. Truth be told, this is not my ordinary genre of choice, but I wanted to step out of my comfort zone a bit and give it a try. Nonfiction novels are more my husband's forte and I usually find it safer to stay with fictional works. Reading is my form of escapism and my preferred leisure activity when I want to get away from the stresses of life. It is true that many things can be learned from non-fiction. They can be exciting, educational, and sometimes sad. Because of the "sad" factor, I tend to stay away from them.
But Pilgrim Wheels was a surprisingly refreshing read. I'll never cycle farther than my nearest bike trail here in Ohio, but as I read the book, I was taken to a place that was exciting and new. Part cyclist, part philosopher, Mr. Hanson, at 57 years old, traveled alone through the desert. With each chapter he provides an overview of how far the trail has taken him and the interesting people he meets along the way. The isolation offers him reflections and insights of what he has learned thus far in life, of ways he still feels he needs to change, and a unique observation of others. His writing is soothing and peaceful, open and honest.

You can't help but giggle when the author meets the Scooter Folks, and for a moment you see the author can just be as elitist as the next guy. Here he is riding alone on a bike across the west, and these people are riding scooters with a truck following them. If they get tired, they just take the scooter and put it in a truck and drive off in an air conditioned vehicle. But the author catches himself before becoming that person. He sees that we all have a road to travel, and it was just their way of traveling. It doesn't make it any better, or, any less valid than his trip. If it was up to me, I would do the scooter way too.
But I suppose the lesson in the case of the desert scooters, is that we all have a story. We all have differences. Perhaps those people were not physically capable of being out in the open road like the author, and it was there way of being just as free as the author, even if it was just for a little while.

Another poignant chapter was when he stopped to see one of his closest friends. This chapter was the most important to me. Although I do feel like a hermit at times, and I am not the most social of butterflies, this chapter reminds me to reconnect with friends. It can be difficult though because life just pulls you so many different ways.

I especially appreciated the quotations at the introduction of each chapter. You can tell that the author took his time picking and choosing the most appropriate quotes. There are many reasons to revisit this book when one has finished, and the quotations are one of those reasons.

You don't have to be a cyclist to read this book. In fact I recommend it to everyone who is not able to cycle. The cycling terminology does not confuse one, and the good part is you can just live through the author. One day, I plan on taking a Scooter.

[Paul Kiczek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book without hesitation to anyone interested in bike touring. It's an easy read and offers a different perspective on what touring is like, especially solo touring. Neil's approach is to ponder and share what the rider is feeling over long grueling days, easy enjoyable rides and while interacting with the place and people around you.

True story: I just finished my first solo, 1-month, 1600-mile tour of the East Coast from Key West to my home in NJ just one week ago. I'm 70 years old and an experienced cyclist but not one that did any touring up to this point. This seemed like the perfect adventure for an aging guy still in good shape.

My preparation for the journey consisted of Internet fact gathering and YouTube videos on the method and gear to use. This was all great and necessary but it did not prepare me for the real pleasure and personal experience you get from flying solo on the road. You can read some of my personal thoughts on the ride at http://myplanc.blog.

Neil talks about the concept of hozho, a Navajo word for finding perfect balance and harmony. For all the discomfort, danger, uncertainty and fear that a solo tour can offer, there are moments of hozho that can be found in a sunrise, scenery, tailwind, food, water and meeting people that balance everything to create an unforgettable lifetime experience. In one month, my senses became more acute and my attitude affected so that as much as I missed home, I missed the adventure on the road almost as much.

In a fitting connection of "magic" with Neil's story, I was staying at an Airbnb place in Chesapeake, VA with a nice young couple. I was discussing my trip when Hannah mentioned her stepdad, Neil had authored a few books on the subject. That night she offered to let me browse the books and I became a fan. Much of what I was trying to briefly convey in my blog and share was there in Neil's own words. I felt I had a comrade in arms that could understand what I was experiencing and successfully told the tale. That's been an incentive for me to continue exploring the experience in many ways through my blog.

To summarize, this is a book of very personal experiences that cyclist go through. It is told in a very personal and philosophical way. it is not a book of facts or methods to use. The point is to maximize the experience and explore the journey and the adventure - not where you are going or how you get there.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a touring cyclist, I really wanted to like this book but it wasn't to be. In the context of the author, I was bonked with a headwind on a false flat the last 70 pages or so.

He definitely has a self conscious thing about how he looks wearing 'spandex' as it comes up 7-10 times in the book. (For synonyms try cyclists, cycling gear, Lycra shorts, cycling jersey, sports outfits, high performance clothing, oddly dressed, etc.)

He objectified every single woman mentioned in the book and generally stereotyped people by their outfits throughout. Instead of wondering about 'Cowboying', or Indian life on the reservation or cycle touring while carrying sleeping/cooking gear, he could have just asked and documented what he learned in the conversation.

This book is more of a scattered philosophical(ish) mind dump than cycling journal, how-to book or travelogue.

At one point, he discussed drafting off his riding partner but hadn't had a discussion about it beforehand. Then he wheel sucked and baited the poor guy on the road who was obviously a bit miffed. No wonder most of his journey is alone.

Nonetheless, anyone who has ridden across the country deserves some credit. Well done on that front.

[Viktoria Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neil Hanson has once again authored a book, Pilgrim Wheels, which hits one deep in the soul requiring introspection as one joins him in his journey. I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the wind in its various presentations, the changing and challenges of landscape, the people and Neil’s thought provoking observations. Day 11 - Sedona – strummed my heart strings reminding me of how fleeting life is; how our pursuit of external objectives can and often does result in missing life’s priceless moments. Sadly, we seem to be in too often in big gear during our travels that we don’t even recognize the missed opportunities. I will remember Dale. I will widen my observations not just breeze unseeing through life. I look forward to the Neil’s remaining story and the life lessons that I can glean from his journey that will enhance my own journey.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of Neil Hanson's "Pilgrim Wheels: Reflections of a Cyclist Crossing America" from the Goodreads.com website. The author of this book has done something I always wanted to do - he has taken a bike ride across the country. I always thought it would be a great way to explore the nation's backroads and scenery....
Mr. Hanson travelogue takes place in 2011, when the author was 57 years old (what is my excuse...) It's a great blend of humor, seriousness and insight. It makes me want to try even harder to get to where I can take a trip myself.
I love, love, love this book and would recommend it to anyone who has considered a cross-country bike ride or walk themselves, or those who simply love well-written travel tales.

[Mike Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilgrim Wheels is an amazing story of a bicycle journey and so much more. I appreciated Neil Hanson's stories of all the joys and challenges with the ride itself through areas of the country I am familiar with. I then enjoyed his observations from the saddle about people, "places", history, culture, the scenery, and himself (since a ride like this gives a person so much time to think). I found myself, smiling, laughing, and shaking my head. After being reminded it really is about the journey and not the destination, I'm eagerly anticipating the second half of his journey.....

[Susan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book of the author's experiences, thoughts, and reflections while cycling from California through Kansas. As a cyclist myself, I found myself identifying with Hanson's thoughts and emotions. Having ridden across Kansas 6 or 7 times, I pretty much knew every mile he covered while in the state, and knew most of the places he stopped along the way. I also found myself thinking, "I'm not the only one who has these wild thought tangents while on the bike."

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

PILGRIM WHEELS: REFLECTIONS OF A CYCLIST CROSSING AMERICA

Neil Hanson
High Prairie Press (2015)
ISBN 9780982639122
Reviewed by Christine Watson for Reader Views (12/15)

“Pilgrim Wheels” by Neil Hanson is a beautifully written memoir of the author’s journey by bike across the country. Not only does the author create such breath taking scenery through his words, the lessons he shares that he learned along the way are powerful and life changing. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish!

Early on in the journey, Mr. Hanson realizes that lightening his load is freeing and cleansing. He likens it to life, and how so many of us work so hard to accumulate “stuff,” making our paths difficult. Instead, when people do not spend so much of “life’s energy” accumulating things, it can be cleansing for the soul. The author also defines “edge” in a way I have never thought of before. As part of a compilation of different sources, he says “…(the edge) is a place where something is likely to begin…” He goes on to talk about how life takes place on the edge, and that means being uncomfortable and taking risks. He later ties in Helen Keller’s famous quote, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Mr. Hanson has a beautiful way of integrating incredible life lessons throughout this book, lessons that have found their way to my soul.

Not only are the life lessons powerful and impactful to the reader, I also was able to take in his physical journey alongside him, as his descriptions are breathtaking. I have never been much of a cyclist, but I have a much greater appreciation for them now. Growing up in Arizona, I was taken back to the desert as the author described his experience of riding through it. The unforgiving heat, sun, sand, and dryness reminded me of my days of running in the desert as a teenager.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Pilgrim Wheels” by Neil Hanson. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautifully written memoir of a cyclist, as he captures his experience and finds meaning and purpose in the big things, as well as the simple moments of life. I will keep this book to read again. It will remind me of how beautiful life is, and how much I can learn in each moment.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so looked forward to reading this book. My father had undertaken a coast-to-coast bicycle trip in the late 1980s and had always referred to it as a life-changing adventure. This book chronicles one half of just this sort of adventure: from the California coast to central Kansas. Travelling alone at the start and later joined by a good friend, the author captures the spirit, hardships and joys of travelling the deserts and back-roads of the West with a 20 lb pack in a spandex outfit. The author has a great affection for the lands he traverses and shares his appreciation for the uniqueness of the American western terrain in short, well-styled essays that follow the route of his journey. So many of his insights are pertinent and keen, but there is a disheartening undercurrent of modern elitist assumptions that took away from even the best of his lessons learned on the journey. Cowboys, Southerners, car-riding travelers and others are subtly, and sometimes not-so-subtly, ridiculed and judged as inferior due to no personal fault revealed about them, but rather some bias or prejudice interpreted and expressed by the author. At one point, the author draws parallels between landowners and slave-owners that seemed a bit extreme to this reader. Though many of these judgmental statements are lightened by an admission that the author suffers from similar weaknesses as the objects of his criticism, the intolerant worldview so prevalent in our society today diminishes the otherwise insightful expression of a learned truth that is being expressed. What might seem clever and be politically-correct to some can be hurtful and unfair to another who has not been properly considered. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter are beautiful and well-conceived. I learned a great deal about biking for which I was grateful. And I look forward more than ever to my next stops in small-town America that gave the author's journey such texture and warmth!

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll often refer to a travel goal or a travel memoir chronicling a trip with a specific goal (in this case to ride a bike from coast to coast) as a quest. What I'm thinking when I say that fits one of the dictionary definitions which is what a medieval knight was doing when he set out to accomplish a specific goal, for example finding the Holy Grail or to go on an adventurous
expedition. But usually there is another level to this whether the traveler knows it or not. That's the act of searching for something, another definition of quest.

In the introduction to Pilgrim Wheels Neil Hanson talks about this same concept in different terms, describing the progression of a trip starting out as an adventure, turning into a journey, and eventually becoming a pilgrimage. While I enjoy getting a sense of the difficulties and logistics involved in a trip like this, the main thing I'm looking for is to understand what the author got out of the trip. It could be internal (understanding themselves better), it could be external (understanding their world, its history, and their place in it). The list of possibilities is long, many of which I've seen in various travel memoirs over the years. A long trip taken at the speeds you'll reach on a cycle give the traveler time to really see the country they're travelling through with lots of time left to ponder many of the questions of life. To say that Hanson grew from his trip is an understatement. As a reader, we can hitchhike with him and share in those insights without a single turn of the pedal.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[chris chatelain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilgrim Wheels took me on a journey so see America and its quirky complexities through the eyes of a cyclist. The author hops on his bike in Monterey and pedals his way across the country. His reflections on life add nuance to the ride, and his obvious quest for connectedness with nature and spiritual harmony keep the reader constantly invited to see things from a new and different angle. The author’s journey—both inward and outward—draw the reader along a highway filled with a unique and wonderful perspective that is probably only possible on a bicycle. I suppose that spending that many hours by yourself on a bicycle riding across deserts and prairie leaves a lot of time for thinking and reflecting, and I felt privileged to be allowed to share in the kind of deep reflecting that the author shares in this book.
I think it would have been better if the entire journey had been in a single book instead of making me wait for the next one to come out!

Overall, a great read that’s both fun and thought-provoking.

[Karl O · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, just it just wasn't happening for me. The prose reminded me of something you'd write for a college creative writing class. The overblown descriptions were tedious to the point of being nauseating. A couple times I almost quit reading the book but somehow I managed to persevere through to the end without losing my lunch. To top it off, this book only covers half of Hanson's bike trip across the USA and leaves the reader stranded somewhere in Kansas. You have to buy another book if you want to know how the rest of his bike journey ends. No thank you, my stomach had all it could handle getting through this book.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am obsessed with books about bike touring because that’s where I want to be. I liked this book but I could not relate to the author’s daily mileage and speed (between 90 and 150 or so miles). This may seem trivial but I’m looking for inspiration on the road. Someone who cycles 40-75 miles a day at around 10-12 miles an hour. The author’s schedule was too ambitious and unrealistic for the average Joe or Josephine. I’m still going to read the second book. There’s not that too many books in this genre and I like this one well enough.

[Carol Rode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure enjoyment

A good read of a travel book. I enjoyed his take with the town dinners and the foods he ate. Getting into it for the inns he stayed at and the fun he found in people. Simple people just making a living and there are still many kind and helpful people still out there. No acts of violence which Was just great. To many people in today's world are to busy but when you decide to just take it slow and enjoy the ride you will find a wonderful world out there with lots of wonderful people. Thank you for a wonderful book.

[Barry Mann · Rating 2 out of 5]

yawn, i love cycling and this just didnt hit the level of detail about the ride that i would like to hear about. For exmple, he writes "i took in calories and fluid" so many times when i would love to hear about the assortment of snacks and meals had in the various mom and pop stores and diners. Non-Spoiler alert, this is only the first half of his ride across america, but after slogging to Kansas, i have no interest in continuing!

[Mia Michalek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me want to ride more

I'm getting ready for a bike across kansas trip and needed some motivation to get ready! I bought this book hoping it would give me a little bit of an insiders tip of the amazing trip ahead of me and it's exactly what the author did for me! Great book for anyone who loves to cycle!

[Brian Kopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving story

The book is has a great balance of personal insights, inspiration and story telling. He writes in a way that makes you feel you are riding beside him throughout his journey.

[Myra L Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cycling from California to Kansas

I read the second half first and was curious about what the author witnessed at the beginning of his journey! The first part is as interesting and puts the whole adventure in perspective! Well written and emotional at times!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and a great uplifting read. Keep up the good writing and I can't wait to read your next book!

[Joyce]

Neil will be speaking at the Fort Collins REI on June 24.

I hope I win the book through the Goodreads giveaway!

[Don Paske · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much, too much "jibber jabber" about anything and everything and not about cycling. If you condense the good cycling sections, it could comprise only one or two chapters.

[Brian Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful word pictures of the country.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good pre ride read

I plan to go on a bike trip. This book has brought realty to my plans. I to think about "stuff" while I ride. I'm looking forward to the second book.

[Marvin P. Glyzewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of thoughts

Feels like a real bike ride. Philosophical thoughts and feelings. Starts with quotes and proverbs that add to the journey.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author writes about a trip he made by bike across the US from the West Coast to the East Coast. In this book, he leaves Monterey, California and ends in Kansas. The book narrates his journey, the easy friendships of fellow travellers and the scenery and small towns he goes through. Throughout the book, he uses quotes, some of which are meaningful. He peppers his descriptions with ideas and thoughts which I assume form his philosophy of life. Some chapters are quite interesting, and I admire his courage and stamina, especially at his age (he turned 57 during this trip). However, I found a lot of his descriptions of riding with and against the wind repetitive. This is an interesting book but I am not tempted to read about the rest of his journey to the East Coast.

[Salena · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book turned me off from the beginning. It's just a guy saying quasi-deep things because he went on a long bike ride. And he kept talking about how attractive women are. But I was going to give it a chance because I like bikes. But then there was this weird part about how the more Scandinavian people are, the more polite they are, and described a rude person as clearly having grown up on the opposite side of the universe from Scandinavia. I don't know what race the rude person was, but I didn't like the racial implications of that, or the fact that he clearly had no idea he was even making such an implication, so I gave up on it. I only made it about 10% of the way through the book.

[Terri Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pilgrims Wheels is indeed as the subtitle states—reflections of a cyclist crossing America—a lovely, meandering tribute to his time in the saddle crossing our diverse country. This is not a 'how to' of cycle touring but rather the author reflecting his thoughts and views on his experience, our people and country, as he rolls through. Whether the reader agrees with his views or not, we can agree that Neil clearly touts the virtues and worthiness of such a self-propelled pilgrimage. Looking forward to reading the second book!