The Fun Mover Chronicles: Biking the Northern Tier

by Tim Fahey

Imagine you’re a middle-aged man who just discovered that the “golden years” you’ve heard about aren’t necessarily that “golden” after all—and, worse yet, aren’t guaranteed. The sudden loss of both parents provided the author proof positive that life IS unfair. His personal countdown clock began ticking all the louder with both of his parents gone. The author suddenly understood the importance and the urgency of enjoying life all along the way. So what did he do with his new perspective on life? Buy a Ferrari? Run with the bulls? Start doing sit ups and wearing tight shirts in an attempt to look young again? No, he didn't. Your humble author re-prioritized his Bucket List by putting a decades long dream at the top-- riding a bicycle from one side of America to the other. Armed with a burning desire to ride a really long way on a bicycle, he mounted up and pedaled onward across the United States as a newly minted orphan. Along the way he met new people, saw new places, and discovered a hidden strength masked by his grief. He also discovered a nearly endless parade of characters that together underscored how terrific it is to be above ground and riding a bike. There is fun and adventure to be had when you’re cruising across the country, and the daily dose of random was just what the doctor ordered. "Take two wheels and call me in the morning." Since the whole thing—the bike trip, life—is all just a tad absurd in the first place, why not name your bike The Fun Mover and write a book about the stars of the show--the people met along the way? Middle-aged guy gets off couch and rides bike in the face of pending death. Adventure and hilarity ensues. Bike travel can be grueling, physically and mentally. The loss of your parents can be devastating. And getting older ain’t no picnic. But obstacles can be overcome and goals can be reached if you keep trying and just keep pedaling.

Genres: Travel

439 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2018

Reviews

[Petesea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny, keen observation of America during a coast to coast bike tour. The funniest book that I have read in a very long time. Tim Fahey has a wonderful turn of phrase and a keen eye for interesting subject matter or, perhaps, he is a magnet for interesting people. If you were planning to bike across America, what would you do to prepare? Probably take more than ONE spin class like the author did. If he had not gotten lost so many times, it would have been a quicker trip for him. But, then we would have less of his take on the American experience.

[Don Lubach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read so many bicycle touring books. I appreciated this one for a number of reasons:
* The author followed a route I am very interested in riding
* The author toured during the same month I had planned to start -- so the book gave me a window into what I missed
* The lighthearted writing was nice compared to deeper, more reflective touring diaries, and...
* The author was humble. Very little training and prep, and he shared all mistakes freely.
For those who like to read touring diaries, this one will NOT dissapoint.

[Michael T Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing was well done and the writer held my interest through out the book, but his attitude needed some adjustment. I did not like how he mocked people that are less fortunate, he has never walked in their shoes.
Free Dog

[Tom Bilcze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy bicycle touring books. Touring books that tell the memorable story of the people and places along the tour earn a place my best reads shelf. Tim Fahey’s Fun Mover Chronicles describes the essence of bicycle travel in his book.

“My cross-country journey was a bike tour not a bike race. Rushing headlong through a bike tour would make about as much sense as speed-dating a supermodel. Who in their right mind would want to do that?”

I put Fun Mover Chronicles on my best reads shelf. It is a good story of a man achieving a goal by overcoming obstacles and having fun along the way. His sense of humor and personality came to life through his words. I often laughed at his choice of words describing the mundane and ordinary, He did a sublime job of describing his time in the saddle into words that took me on his journey.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Laugh Out Loud Adventure

It's rare that I find a book that I actually laugh out loud while reading it. This book is a great read for those that love to live vicariously through others adventures. The stories of the people met along the way was most enjoyable. The only improvement I would ask is more information on the route taken and the condition of the road. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in bike touring and a good laugh along the way.

[LL · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great adventure

This is well written and humorous. Who are the people you meet on such a bike tour? The difficulties on the author in the beginning of his tour is a testament to his fortitude. The ending of the ride is heart warming , the friends and family moment. Nice journey ( you may say sublime).

[Terry Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pedaling Puns

What's not to like, reading of a man's journey of self discovery while pedaling across a continent? The author enjoys word play and provides the reader with interesting insights into encounters he has across the States. Not so much a how to bicycle tour manual, more a how to enjoy life guide.

[martha lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humor across USA

I enjoyed his humor, his ability to describe the unique characters he met each day, and his endurance through the pain at times. I am a cyclist and he vividly shared why we enjoy riding regardless of circumstances.

[Jim Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fun mover Chronicles is a laugh a minute, really enjoyed the book, as I rode the Northern tier in 2019.
Can relate to the experience. The author is a good writer, with great insights to the daily grind of bicycle touring.

[Lester · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author constantly tries to be funny. Sometimes it worked, but most of the time, it didn't work for me. Aside from that, the author came across as judgemental the way he referred to some people. Again, maybe he was just trying to be funny, but it didn't work out for me.

[Timothy J Goggin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, light read

I enjoyed traveling with Tim. I took a similar journey on my bike 41years ago. It reminded me how much fun I had.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read from a cyclist crossing the country from Washington state to Maine.

[Sandy Murrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Fahey is a very entertaining author.

[Patricia Lazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great humor good fast read

Good humor
The book moved along fast pace
I sent out multiple copies to friends who would be healed by the humor good job of writing.

[Carl A. Hubel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining book. I was actually sad when my reading journey ended.

[Sidney E. Carlstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, well written, funny book about his ride & observations about everything & everyone. He tells it like it is & doesn't hold back by giving honest comments as he sees it.

[Bob Rapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

Though a bit corny at times I enjoyed the author’s sense of humor and amusing way of looking at things. The book was entertaining.