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50 Shades of the USA: One woman's 11,000 mile cycling adventure through every state of America
"Just then, a train of thought rumbled into motion and a soft voice asked me a question. It was almost a whisper. ‘What are you doing here?’ it said. ‘You are building a career, Anna,’ came the reply from another more sinister voice. ‘But are you building a life?’ said the soft voice again. And for that I had no answer."
Disillusioned with corporate London life and with no previous experience as a long-distance cyclist, Anna decides to clamber atop a beautiful pink bicycle (named Boudica) and set out on an 11,000-mile journey on her own, through each and every state of the USA. Dodging floods, blizzards and electrical storms, she pedals side by side with mustangs of the Wild West, through towering redwood forests, past the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains and on to the volcanos of Hawaii.
Along the way, she meets record-breaking grandmas, sings with Al Green at a gospel service and does her best to avoid becoming a grizzly bear's dinner. 50 Shades of the USA is a down-to-earth, heartfelt and hilarious account of an adventure through a country well-known, but far less well-understood. It is a stunning tale of self-discovery told through the eyes of a woman who couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to life, and more to America too.
553 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
258 people are currently reading
939 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
January 19, 2019
A question struck me as I started to write this review: do I lead with the rating or the disclaimer? The answer was easy. Wow! What a book! Solid 5 stars. I’d give it 6 if I could. OK, now the disclaimer: I’m an avid cyclist and I’m also kind of obsessive about reading cycling adventure books. That said, this book is so well written, with a message that would appeal to anyone with even the slightest bit of wanderlust in their heart (isn’t that all of us?) that I can unequivocally recommend it to everyone.
Anna McNuff has a keen eye and a deft way with words. This book describes an adventure that I would so love to be able to do – a bike ride through all 50 states – and in a way that I would love to be able to write. I know I should “never say never” but I really doubt either of those will ever happen, so it was a real treat to read her account of her epic ride. There were many ups and yes, some downs, too, but through it all her spirit and zest for life really shone through. I plan to read this one again when my wanderlust starts to get the better of me, as it so often does. Bravo, Anna! Great job on your ride and book!
Anna McNuff has a keen eye and a deft way with words. This book describes an adventure that I would so love to be able to do – a bike ride through all 50 states – and in a way that I would love to be able to write. I know I should “never say never” but I really doubt either of those will ever happen, so it was a real treat to read her account of her epic ride. There were many ups and yes, some downs, too, but through it all her spirit and zest for life really shone through. I plan to read this one again when my wanderlust starts to get the better of me, as it so often does. Bravo, Anna! Great job on your ride and book!
December 20, 2022
5 Stars for 50 Shades of the USA: One Woman’s 11,000 Mile Cycling Adventure Through Every State of America (audiobook) by Anna McNuff read by the author.
This was an amazing adventure. It was extra fun because I’ve been to several of the places that Anna McNuff was visiting. It was a nice reminder of my own adventures.
I really liked the writing style, it seemed very conversational. I can see why the people she met along the way wanted to sit down and talk with her. And the author narrated the audiobook which makes me feel like I’m along on the journey. I can’t wait to read more of her adventures.
This was an amazing adventure. It was extra fun because I’ve been to several of the places that Anna McNuff was visiting. It was a nice reminder of my own adventures.
I really liked the writing style, it seemed very conversational. I can see why the people she met along the way wanted to sit down and talk with her. And the author narrated the audiobook which makes me feel like I’m along on the journey. I can’t wait to read more of her adventures.
February 16, 2019
Anna is one of those undislikeable people. If you've got a problem with her, sorry, you're the one with the problem. Her positive attitude is positively scary sometimes.
Anna is a British twenty-something who had an epiphany one day over a marketing spreadsheet, and decided to ditch her office job and bicycle through the USA, hitting each one of the fifty states. Now I like bikes, and I like my dear old country, but this adventure sounds like a whole lot of not-fun to me. And indeed she ran into a lot of rain, a lot of pain, a major flood, an earthquake, a freak blizzard, a polar vortex, and a few sketchy guys she met out in the middle of nowhere who wanted to date her.
Thank you, all you people who do crazy things and then write books about your experiences! Thanks to you, I don't have to climb Mt. Everest, watch everything on TV for a year, spend a year without producing any garbage, live on McDonalds food exclusively, take up ballet at age 60, washing dishes professionally in all 50 states, or do any or the other million audacious, ambitious and annoying things people do before writing this sort of book. Thanks very much, people, I'll just read the damn book!
I did wonder why she started in June. Her visa only gave her six months, and her finances were limited. If you have to make it in half a year, wouldn't it make more sense to start in California in April, rather than Alaska in June? The way it ended up, she was making her way down the east coast in late Autumn, then bumping up into Missouri and Arkansas in the dead of winter, all of which got kind of messy. I'm guessing it's just that Brits don't really get the whole winter thing. Her native weather did, however, prepare her to bike through way more than her fair share of rain.
Anna takes all the weather and everything else in good humor, and that's the main thing. I would recommend this book for a stiff shot of positivity.
Also because it added the word "faffing" to my vocabulary.
Anna is a British twenty-something who had an epiphany one day over a marketing spreadsheet, and decided to ditch her office job and bicycle through the USA, hitting each one of the fifty states. Now I like bikes, and I like my dear old country, but this adventure sounds like a whole lot of not-fun to me. And indeed she ran into a lot of rain, a lot of pain, a major flood, an earthquake, a freak blizzard, a polar vortex, and a few sketchy guys she met out in the middle of nowhere who wanted to date her.
Thank you, all you people who do crazy things and then write books about your experiences! Thanks to you, I don't have to climb Mt. Everest, watch everything on TV for a year, spend a year without producing any garbage, live on McDonalds food exclusively, take up ballet at age 60, washing dishes professionally in all 50 states, or do any or the other million audacious, ambitious and annoying things people do before writing this sort of book. Thanks very much, people, I'll just read the damn book!
I did wonder why she started in June. Her visa only gave her six months, and her finances were limited. If you have to make it in half a year, wouldn't it make more sense to start in California in April, rather than Alaska in June? The way it ended up, she was making her way down the east coast in late Autumn, then bumping up into Missouri and Arkansas in the dead of winter, all of which got kind of messy. I'm guessing it's just that Brits don't really get the whole winter thing. Her native weather did, however, prepare her to bike through way more than her fair share of rain.
Anna takes all the weather and everything else in good humor, and that's the main thing. I would recommend this book for a stiff shot of positivity.
Also because it added the word "faffing" to my vocabulary.
April 17, 2024
Rounding up to 5. Easily my favorite book I’ve read so far this year. I didn’t know I needed a British cyclist to teach me a few new things about my country. I really enjoyed her positive attitude and adventure craving spirit.
January 14, 2019
Wow! Just wow! I had a feeling I would like this book, but I didn't think I would LOVE it and LOVE it I did. I just starting following her and she posted something on Instagram about getting an autographed copy of the book. So, I bought one and Pants of Perspective for my friend for Christmas. Needless to say, the books never made it, but she and her assistant worked me as quickly as possibly to send me a new set. It was really awesome of her and I loved her note.
But back to the book. I loved her writing style. I loved her humor and random references to pop culture that I love, as well. I got angry when people did something negative like the "spirit warrior" DB. I felt for her when the weather Gods descended upon her with punishment, which consequently, I was on the edge of my seat wondering if she would make it to Dallas on time. I seriously have a girl crush on her and it makes me want to take the road of my own country. I even slowed down my reading of the last two chapters, because I knew I would be sad to finish and I was...so sad. But I loved how she ended the book with her dad and that she decided to open a group for girls/women doing their own adventures. We need more of that in our world.
The only thing I wished that I could have seen were the pictures of her with each state sign. I didn't follow the blog and never got to see it (I will now). Oh and the fact that she went to Dallas instead of Houston and had Mexican food in Arkansas instead of Texas. But those are stupid, minor gripes that I would dare not lower stars.
Anyways! I can't recommend it enough and if she came through Houston, she would definitely have a place to stay.
But back to the book. I loved her writing style. I loved her humor and random references to pop culture that I love, as well. I got angry when people did something negative like the "spirit warrior" DB. I felt for her when the weather Gods descended upon her with punishment, which consequently, I was on the edge of my seat wondering if she would make it to Dallas on time. I seriously have a girl crush on her and it makes me want to take the road of my own country. I even slowed down my reading of the last two chapters, because I knew I would be sad to finish and I was...so sad. But I loved how she ended the book with her dad and that she decided to open a group for girls/women doing their own adventures. We need more of that in our world.
The only thing I wished that I could have seen were the pictures of her with each state sign. I didn't follow the blog and never got to see it (I will now). Oh and the fact that she went to Dallas instead of Houston and had Mexican food in Arkansas instead of Texas. But those are stupid, minor gripes that I would dare not lower stars.
Anyways! I can't recommend it enough and if she came through Houston, she would definitely have a place to stay.
November 12, 2019
Found this treasure on a google mission to find books about cycling adventures in order to inspire my search for the next epic cycle challenge. Whether you are a distance road cyclist and therefore understand first hand the challenges of unexpected weather conditions or the concept of “inhaling” food or are just looking for an easy well written read that will remind you of the kindness of humanity and leave you with a profound respect for the author and her intent to inspire people, women in particular, to set off on their own adventures, then this is the book for you.
Some authors over indulge their descriptive skills with very long drawn out, sometimes accurate but mostly unnecessary reams about scenery. Not Anna. Simple, straight and descriptive enough for you to get the picture and allow your imagination to fill in any blanks. Enough to entice you to want to visit all these places but not so much that there’s no point going.
My personal favourite term from the book: “poopometre”!! Am SO using that 🙃
Most useful bit of information which I hope to use and may even sign up to (if I can get hubby to agree), warmshowers.org Amazing global community of people, often cyclists themselves, willing to host cyclists whether just giving them a patch of grass to pitch a tent on right through to housing & feeding them during their cycling adventures.
I’d love to meet Anna some day and while I’m thinking big, even have a ride with her followed by dinner together to hear her tell some of her stories first hand. She sounds like just the sort of cooky, can do, must do, practical friend everyone needs.
I will say that the book tends a little to the misleading in that the impression at the beginning is given that a normal, averagely fit desk bound twenty something realised she’s not happy with the daily grind and sets out to challenge and find herself. The fact is Anna comes from a family of Olympians and herself grew up training properly as a high performance athlete and I can tell you, having the privilege of the friendship of a few such “athlete types”, they are not physically “normal” in any way. Beyond their natural sporting talent, the professional coaching and training from an early age gives muscle compositions that the rest of us will simply never achieve. Their aptitude for endurance is on an entirely different level, as is their concept of physical pain. And that’s before you consider the mental strength that such athletes develop.
That said, this does not, in any way, diminish Anna’s achievement and intent and should not put you off either reading this book or tackling your own epic physical challenge. Our bodies are remarkable and can be trained to do almost anything as many completely non sporty people who have completed amongst other challenges, Threshold Sport’s Ride Across Britain event, will attest to.
Some authors over indulge their descriptive skills with very long drawn out, sometimes accurate but mostly unnecessary reams about scenery. Not Anna. Simple, straight and descriptive enough for you to get the picture and allow your imagination to fill in any blanks. Enough to entice you to want to visit all these places but not so much that there’s no point going.
My personal favourite term from the book: “poopometre”!! Am SO using that 🙃
Most useful bit of information which I hope to use and may even sign up to (if I can get hubby to agree), warmshowers.org Amazing global community of people, often cyclists themselves, willing to host cyclists whether just giving them a patch of grass to pitch a tent on right through to housing & feeding them during their cycling adventures.
I’d love to meet Anna some day and while I’m thinking big, even have a ride with her followed by dinner together to hear her tell some of her stories first hand. She sounds like just the sort of cooky, can do, must do, practical friend everyone needs.
I will say that the book tends a little to the misleading in that the impression at the beginning is given that a normal, averagely fit desk bound twenty something realised she’s not happy with the daily grind and sets out to challenge and find herself. The fact is Anna comes from a family of Olympians and herself grew up training properly as a high performance athlete and I can tell you, having the privilege of the friendship of a few such “athlete types”, they are not physically “normal” in any way. Beyond their natural sporting talent, the professional coaching and training from an early age gives muscle compositions that the rest of us will simply never achieve. Their aptitude for endurance is on an entirely different level, as is their concept of physical pain. And that’s before you consider the mental strength that such athletes develop.
That said, this does not, in any way, diminish Anna’s achievement and intent and should not put you off either reading this book or tackling your own epic physical challenge. Our bodies are remarkable and can be trained to do almost anything as many completely non sporty people who have completed amongst other challenges, Threshold Sport’s Ride Across Britain event, will attest to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2019
Every year I read several sports adventure books like the famous one, "Wild". I suppose I wish I had the dedication and grit of people who are able to achieve great things. This one about traveling on a bike through all 50 states was fun and easy reading. I highly recommend it. Other sports adventure books I have loved are:
4 Mums in Boat,
What you find when hiking the Appalachian Trail
Hiking Kilamajaro at 300 pounds
Rowing the Atlantic by Roz Savage
Old Lady on the Trail: Triple Crown at 76
Granny D: walking Across America in my 90th Year
Grandma Gatewood's Walk on AT
Some day I hope to do something amazing like all of these women!
4 Mums in Boat,
What you find when hiking the Appalachian Trail
Hiking Kilamajaro at 300 pounds
Rowing the Atlantic by Roz Savage
Old Lady on the Trail: Triple Crown at 76
Granny D: walking Across America in my 90th Year
Grandma Gatewood's Walk on AT
Some day I hope to do something amazing like all of these women!
June 25, 2019
Good write about a good journey
As a cycle tourist myself I know the good story is not about the ride but about the journey. It is a tale that cannot fully be understood until you make the journey yourself. However, Anna does an excellent job of drawing you into the forecourt of an excellent experience. To know the rest of the story you will have to take you're own ride.
As a cycle tourist myself I know the good story is not about the ride but about the journey. It is a tale that cannot fully be understood until you make the journey yourself. However, Anna does an excellent job of drawing you into the forecourt of an excellent experience. To know the rest of the story you will have to take you're own ride.
January 9, 2022
Amazing book. I'm so glad she took me on this ride along with her through this book. That's what it feels like. Also great sense of humor!
March 29, 2021
I absolutely loved this audiobook. What an inspirational journey! Anna is such a brilliant narrator and this book is funny as well as being engaging and descriptive. I’ve like this so much I have downloaded the next book to listen to. :)
April 18, 2024
Loved every minute of it! I liked that I could picture some of the places she cycled through and the stories of the wonderful folks she met along the way. I appreciate the spirit of adventure, the lessons she learned about herself and the inspiration to adventure myself! Having her read the audiobook really added to her story.
February 27, 2024
Could I do it? That is what I kept thinking as I read about Anna McNuff's experience bicycling through all 50 states. I was impressed by her positivity. She only had one encounter with others which would be described as negative. She was also very positive about the various towns she biked through. Her only complaint being the fact that some roads were not idea for bike riding as she was competing with large trucks and fast cars. I was awed by her independence. Despite meeting many people along the way, this was most definitely a lot of alone time. I was left thinking the real question is "Do I want to do it?'. No, I don't. But I absolutely loved reading about it.
October 25, 2020
What bothered me: the mysterious injury the writer didn't take seriously, which she ignored until it went away. It's the part of sports stories that I find problematic.
In general, though, it was a sweet ride through the U.S., with a few new facts I hadn't been exposed to before.
In general, though, it was a sweet ride through the U.S., with a few new facts I hadn't been exposed to before.
December 26, 2019
5 Stars for 50 states
This book has been on my radar for some time. As an armchair adventurer, these are the books that get you thru until it's your turn. I dearly loved this book, mostly because of her sense of humor,but also for her energy. Do yourself a favor and take this one for a spin.
This book has been on my radar for some time. As an armchair adventurer, these are the books that get you thru until it's your turn. I dearly loved this book, mostly because of her sense of humor,but also for her energy. Do yourself a favor and take this one for a spin.
January 19, 2019
An easy and enjoyable read, 50 Shades of the USA is packed with humorous anecdotes and thought provoking reflections. I recommend this un-put-downable book not only for the adventurous at heart, but especially for those who want to be inspired to take a fresh approach to life or reach seemingly insurmountable goals.
50 Shades of the USA is an honest and compelling read, flooded with vivid impressions of the land and urban scapes that Anna rides through: from the endless Wyoming sky with clouds "smeared across it, like paint smudges left from the work of a hasty artist on a canvas of blue" to the Chicago skyscrapers which "cut black silhouettes against a golden sky".
Read more of my review here: https://anethicalyarn.com/2019/01/17/...
50 Shades of the USA is an honest and compelling read, flooded with vivid impressions of the land and urban scapes that Anna rides through: from the endless Wyoming sky with clouds "smeared across it, like paint smudges left from the work of a hasty artist on a canvas of blue" to the Chicago skyscrapers which "cut black silhouettes against a golden sky".
Read more of my review here: https://anethicalyarn.com/2019/01/17/...
May 27, 2019
Laugh out loud adventure book
I’ve read several cycling stories looking for inspiration to take an adventure on two-wheels. 50 Shades of the USA is my favorite so far. Anna has a wonderful sense of humor that she shares throughout her 50 state journey. Her perseverance and fun-loving personality along with Anna’s gifted writing style combined to make this one of the most entertaining books of this genre I’ve ever read. I look forward to reading more adventures from Anna and creating a few of my own.
I’ve read several cycling stories looking for inspiration to take an adventure on two-wheels. 50 Shades of the USA is my favorite so far. Anna has a wonderful sense of humor that she shares throughout her 50 state journey. Her perseverance and fun-loving personality along with Anna’s gifted writing style combined to make this one of the most entertaining books of this genre I’ve ever read. I look forward to reading more adventures from Anna and creating a few of my own.
August 8, 2019
Must read
I truly enjoyed this book. I can't believe she went on her own, well not in the beginning but still any place is dangerous and to go alone, well you sure need a lot of good nerves. She never mention meeting up with any untrustworthy people, she was very lucky. And to go thru some of theses states during winter, wow. She has no fear. This would be a dream trip for anyone who has the nerve and she did. I would never be able to do this alone. This took a lot of guts. Good for you Anna, way to go.
I truly enjoyed this book. I can't believe she went on her own, well not in the beginning but still any place is dangerous and to go alone, well you sure need a lot of good nerves. She never mention meeting up with any untrustworthy people, she was very lucky. And to go thru some of theses states during winter, wow. She has no fear. This would be a dream trip for anyone who has the nerve and she did. I would never be able to do this alone. This took a lot of guts. Good for you Anna, way to go.
June 21, 2021
Over The Top Portrayal Fails to " Influence:
Before getting into this book I searched the author's bio and discovered that she proudly described herself as an "influencer". That's a bummer because an Influencer is highly motivated into profit from a dramatic, self aggrandizing portrayal of themself in social media. I found this to influence this book at every turn, where an understated or even a plain description would have sufficed, the reader is lambasted with a verbose dramatized rant.
So I won't be "following" the author or purchasing recommended products. :(
Before getting into this book I searched the author's bio and discovered that she proudly described herself as an "influencer". That's a bummer because an Influencer is highly motivated into profit from a dramatic, self aggrandizing portrayal of themself in social media. I found this to influence this book at every turn, where an understated or even a plain description would have sufficed, the reader is lambasted with a verbose dramatized rant.
So I won't be "following" the author or purchasing recommended products. :(
November 28, 2018
Power of the human spirit.
Very well told story of personal triumph and the power of the human spirit. The insights around the friendliness of all the hosts across the USA resonated with my own visits to the USA and how passionate the Americans are about their country and how easy they are to get on with.
Very well told story of personal triumph and the power of the human spirit. The insights around the friendliness of all the hosts across the USA resonated with my own visits to the USA and how passionate the Americans are about their country and how easy they are to get on with.
December 11, 2018
Smart, funny and thrilling. Very much enjoyed this read and love the inspirational tales of Anna McNuff. She tells it just as it is. From the bad times to the amazing, everyone in detail and with a light heart. Looking forward to her book on her South American adventure! Come on Anna get writing! Your fans await.
December 27, 2018
I read this sitting next to Lake Bled in Slovenia whilst on my own, much smaller adventure, and loved it every bit at much as the first. Anna has a truly infectious sense of humour which comes right off the page, the journey (and almost as importantly the people she met) comes off the page to meet you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2019
McNuff's accomplishment...nearly 12,000 miles ridden through all 50 states (in 6 months) is astounding! Her positive attitude is even more astounding! If you're looking for a book filled with anguish and despair and inner demons, this isn't it. If you're looking for a book that is filled with the joy of touring and the goodness of people, mostly strangers, this is it.
April 4, 2019
I love the way Anna writes about her adventures. Her style is super fun but also natural, and she beautifully describes the details. I enjoyed her account of her run in New Zealand a bit more than this book. Maybe it's due to the freshness of that experience, while this was written much later. Still, I do recommend this.
May 18, 2019
One Great Read
I found this book to be thoroughly interesting to follow her adventures through each state in the USA. Nothing here not to enjoy, as it was written with enough candor and wit to keep me turning pages to see what was coming next in her adventures. Well done, Anna McNuff!
I found this book to be thoroughly interesting to follow her adventures through each state in the USA. Nothing here not to enjoy, as it was written with enough candor and wit to keep me turning pages to see what was coming next in her adventures. Well done, Anna McNuff!
November 24, 2019
I really enjoyed reading about Anna’s adventure cycling through the 50 states. She is right, the USA is a very varied country...in geography and lifestyle. But at the heart are the people. I’m glad she experienced that at the heart of things, American’s do care for others. I hope she gets to visit the USA again to visit more of this great place.
December 1, 2019
Wish I could meet her. An inspiration
A fabulous journey that would make an epic film. Anna oozes everything of how a person should be. The task was awesome in its scope, awesome in its telling and awesome in its doing. Fortunately I read it a little quicker than I should have and wished I had followed the route on a map and googled the places!
A fabulous journey that would make an epic film. Anna oozes everything of how a person should be. The task was awesome in its scope, awesome in its telling and awesome in its doing. Fortunately I read it a little quicker than I should have and wished I had followed the route on a map and googled the places!
November 16, 2018
Inspiring!
Makes me want to up sticks and go adventuring! Or at least get out on my bike more 😊. I really enjoyed her other book (The pants of perspective) and this definitely did not disappoint.
Makes me want to up sticks and go adventuring! Or at least get out on my bike more 😊. I really enjoyed her other book (The pants of perspective) and this definitely did not disappoint.
April 19, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable upbeat adventure book
Anna shared her journey cycling across the 50 states of the US. It is an awesome feat on its own. I really enjoyed the humour and descriptions that she has in the book it really took you there with her at times.
Anna shared her journey cycling across the 50 states of the US. It is an awesome feat on its own. I really enjoyed the humour and descriptions that she has in the book it really took you there with her at times.
June 2, 2019
50 shades of fun
This was a thoughtful read about a fun journey. Not a lot of details on logistics which was fine. But an interesting look inside the author as she discovered herself and the USA
This was a thoughtful read about a fun journey. Not a lot of details on logistics which was fine. But an interesting look inside the author as she discovered herself and the USA
Read
July 26, 2019I had to laugh when I read the Author Note that said "you must be feeling rather tired now." That was my exact sentiment every night after reading. Now, after a week of being immersed in Anna's 6-month challenge I can finally get some sleep!
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