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Travels with Surly: Cycling across the USA
A solo and unsupported cycle from San Francisco to Boston to celebrate retirement, with all the trials and tribulations of the uninitiated. This trip was made manageable through the kindness of strangers, the brief company of new friends and the emotional support from home.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2016
42 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 21, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed Travels with Surly: Cycling across the USA by Mick Dolan. Cyclists often chronicle riding coast to coast in the USA in a journal format. That is the case in this book. The result is often reformatting the cyclist's daily journal entries into chapters of a book.
Mick Dolan was able to add a good amount of self-reflection to the pages. This made the days’ entries come to life. He told a good story of the people and places he encountered and how these chance encounters enriched his life on the bike.
The theme that carried through this book was the effect that relationships have on our lives. He thirsted for cycling companions at times cycling solo. He found that companionship several times and built relationships with fellow cyclists. He experienced what life is for most of us. There is value in quiet times alone and also in interactions in a group that propel us forward. There are costs and benefits to be weighed on both fronts. His thoughts on this topic evolved as the miles went by.
Mick Dolan was able to add a good amount of self-reflection to the pages. This made the days’ entries come to life. He told a good story of the people and places he encountered and how these chance encounters enriched his life on the bike.
The theme that carried through this book was the effect that relationships have on our lives. He thirsted for cycling companions at times cycling solo. He found that companionship several times and built relationships with fellow cyclists. He experienced what life is for most of us. There is value in quiet times alone and also in interactions in a group that propel us forward. There are costs and benefits to be weighed on both fronts. His thoughts on this topic evolved as the miles went by.
August 9, 2020
This was an excellent diary of a transam bicycling experience. The authors description of his body conditioning responding to the rigors of the pace at the beginning of the trip to the accommodation that he made to be able to maintain a pace that still made the journey fun was fascinating. I was very able to identify with his balancing the challenges of loneliness vs. having too many demands put on him from riding companions. His simile of the trip being like a string of pearls with the ride the string and the experiences the pearls being the pearls was thought provoking. I have read several stories about cross country cycling and learned from each account. I found that I could identify the best with this telling and will use it in planning my own trip.
May 30, 2023
This book had everything I'm looking for in a cross country bicycling story. The route was explained so I could follow him on a map, along with road conditions, weather conditions and most importantly the people he met along the way. I really enjoyed the personal insights and the thoughts he had about solo cycling and the need to travel with others at times. Highly recommended for those who like to read bicycling adventures.
February 25, 2018
An Irishman Cycles Across the US
Very well written account of cycling across the US from San Francisco to Boston! The author included the best information and his interactions with cyclists and locals along the way which I think are the best memories! I didn't want his journey to end!
Very well written account of cycling across the US from San Francisco to Boston! The author included the best information and his interactions with cyclists and locals along the way which I think are the best memories! I didn't want his journey to end!
July 27, 2021
Good
I enjoyed the way you described the people you met, the roads you traveled and your good and bad days. I have done 2 multi day trips myself and always marveled at how traveling on a bike is so different then by car. I remember getting to my stopping spot for the day and then having to ride more miles to find something to eat. Got better at making better decisions.
I enjoyed the way you described the people you met, the roads you traveled and your good and bad days. I have done 2 multi day trips myself and always marveled at how traveling on a bike is so different then by car. I remember getting to my stopping spot for the day and then having to ride more miles to find something to eat. Got better at making better decisions.
June 10, 2018
SURLY CYCLING
It was well written holding my interest from the first page to the last. He also gave the reader a total of expenses to have an idea of how much it would cost for a trip across the US
It was well written holding my interest from the first page to the last. He also gave the reader a total of expenses to have an idea of how much it would cost for a trip across the US
September 6, 2021
I felt like I was on the journey too.
Solid read. Total enjoyment. I also found interesting the perspective as he traveled west to east. I found myself looking up terms and items used and ‘learnt’ quite a few interesting things.
Solid read. Total enjoyment. I also found interesting the perspective as he traveled west to east. I found myself looking up terms and items used and ‘learnt’ quite a few interesting things.
November 19, 2021
Great narrative on an epic adventure
Very well written. Good humor while offering insights as to what really is involved in successfully completing a cross country cycling tour. I appreciated the candor and detailed descriptions.
Very well written. Good humor while offering insights as to what really is involved in successfully completing a cross country cycling tour. I appreciated the candor and detailed descriptions.
March 28, 2025
Captivating Read
I appreciated your narrative, and being grateful to those the themes you. I had a similar post retirement cross country bicycle ride in 2016 between Cape Flattery WA then picked up the ACA Northern Tier but went further east to Quoddy Point ME. Also on a Surly.
I appreciated your narrative, and being grateful to those the themes you. I had a similar post retirement cross country bicycle ride in 2016 between Cape Flattery WA then picked up the ACA Northern Tier but went further east to Quoddy Point ME. Also on a Surly.
December 16, 2020
Enjoyable read
Mick did a good job writing about his bike ride across the U. S. He is from Ireland so his travels seen through his take on places and peope
Mick did a good job writing about his bike ride across the U. S. He is from Ireland so his travels seen through his take on places and peope
May 1, 2022
Great read
Good info on both the trip details and the logistics of the trip. Congrats to Mr. Dolan on a great book, and happy retirement.
Good info on both the trip details and the logistics of the trip. Congrats to Mr. Dolan on a great book, and happy retirement.
December 8, 2020
Awesome Adventure
Thoroughly enjoyed the cross country adventure. Well written. Grabbed my attention and held it till the end. Loved the humor and the realism.
Thoroughly enjoyed the cross country adventure. Well written. Grabbed my attention and held it till the end. Loved the humor and the realism.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews