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The Buddha and the Bee #1
The Buddha and the Bee: Biking through America's Forgotten Roadways on an Accidental Journey of Discovery
I will ride my bike down a never-ending ribbon of asphalt wearing a backpack.
A solo bike ride across the country will be filled with sunshine, lollipops, rainbows, and 80 degree temps every day, right? Not so much. The Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, an alkaline desert, and the Sierra Nevadas lay miles and days ahead. Disappointment with unrealized potential, and the thirst for what’s next drew farther away in the rotating wide-angle shockproof convex rear-view mirror.
Cory Mortensen began his bike ride across the United States from Chaska, Minnesota, to Truckee, California, without a route, a timeline, or proper equipment. Along the way, he gained more than technical skills required for a ride that would test every fiber of his physical being and mental toughness. Ride along as he meets “unusual” characters, dangerous animals, and sweet little old ladies with a serious vendetta for strangers in their town.
Humor ■ Insight ■ Adventure ■ Gratitude ■ Peace
From long stretches of road ending in a vanishing point at the distant horizon, to stunning vistas, terrifying close calls, grueling conditions, failed equipment, and joyous milestones he stayed the course and gained an appreciation for the beauty of the land, the genius of engineering and marvel of nature.
A solo bike ride across the country will be filled with sunshine, lollipops, rainbows, and 80 degree temps every day, right? Not so much. The Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, an alkaline desert, and the Sierra Nevadas lay miles and days ahead. Disappointment with unrealized potential, and the thirst for what’s next drew farther away in the rotating wide-angle shockproof convex rear-view mirror.
Cory Mortensen began his bike ride across the United States from Chaska, Minnesota, to Truckee, California, without a route, a timeline, or proper equipment. Along the way, he gained more than technical skills required for a ride that would test every fiber of his physical being and mental toughness. Ride along as he meets “unusual” characters, dangerous animals, and sweet little old ladies with a serious vendetta for strangers in their town.
Humor ■ Insight ■ Adventure ■ Gratitude ■ Peace
From long stretches of road ending in a vanishing point at the distant horizon, to stunning vistas, terrifying close calls, grueling conditions, failed equipment, and joyous milestones he stayed the course and gained an appreciation for the beauty of the land, the genius of engineering and marvel of nature.
354 pages, Paperback
Published August 11, 2020
411 people are currently reading
2247 people want to read
About the author
Cory Mortensen
4 books200 followersBorn in the small town of New Prague, Minnesota, and raised amidst the sun-soaked landscapes of Scottsdale, Arizona, Cory Mortensen embarked on a unique journey that shaped both his life and literary career.
Choosing an unconventional path, his journey began with dropping out of college to immerse himself with a job on Wake Island, gaining valuable experiences that would later infuse his writing with a distinctive perspective. Returning to the United States, he started a dynamic career as a project manager for several prestigious architecture firms, coupled with a venture into real estate by flipping houses.
The allure of exploration took center stage when Cory made the bold decision to sell everything and traverse the globe for two transformative years. This period of travel not only broadened his horizons but also laid the foundation for a successful entrepreneurial endeavor. Cory established and grew a business into a multimillion-dollar venture, eventually selling it to pursue a shared dream with his wife, Kate.
Marriage to Kate marked the beginning of another adventure as the couple once again divested themselves of possessions to embark on a two-year journey through South America. During this time, Cory and Kate not only explored the breathtaking landscapes but also dedicated themselves to volunteering and trekking, fostering a deep connection with the communities they encountered.
In 2020, Cory Mortensen penned "The Buddha and the Bee," a captivating work that became a bestseller and earned acclaim with numerous book awards. This success was followed by the publication of "UNLOST," a top 100 bestseller and recipient of multiple book awards, further establishing Cory as a notable voice in contemporary literature.
Cory's writing seamlessly weaves together the threads of personal experience, cultural exploration, and a profound sense of purpose. Their work continues to resonate with readers worldwide, offering a unique blend of storytelling that transcends boundaries and inspires a deeper understanding of the human experience.
Choosing an unconventional path, his journey began with dropping out of college to immerse himself with a job on Wake Island, gaining valuable experiences that would later infuse his writing with a distinctive perspective. Returning to the United States, he started a dynamic career as a project manager for several prestigious architecture firms, coupled with a venture into real estate by flipping houses.
The allure of exploration took center stage when Cory made the bold decision to sell everything and traverse the globe for two transformative years. This period of travel not only broadened his horizons but also laid the foundation for a successful entrepreneurial endeavor. Cory established and grew a business into a multimillion-dollar venture, eventually selling it to pursue a shared dream with his wife, Kate.
Marriage to Kate marked the beginning of another adventure as the couple once again divested themselves of possessions to embark on a two-year journey through South America. During this time, Cory and Kate not only explored the breathtaking landscapes but also dedicated themselves to volunteering and trekking, fostering a deep connection with the communities they encountered.
In 2020, Cory Mortensen penned "The Buddha and the Bee," a captivating work that became a bestseller and earned acclaim with numerous book awards. This success was followed by the publication of "UNLOST," a top 100 bestseller and recipient of multiple book awards, further establishing Cory as a notable voice in contemporary literature.
Cory's writing seamlessly weaves together the threads of personal experience, cultural exploration, and a profound sense of purpose. Their work continues to resonate with readers worldwide, offering a unique blend of storytelling that transcends boundaries and inspires a deeper understanding of the human experience.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
August 24, 2020
As for the day, Vernal, Utah was my goal, just seventy-one more miles. None of it really mattered. I didn’t care. I wanted to throw my rear wheel as far into the desert as possible, followed by the whole damn bike. Then I would just lay there on the side of the road waiting for somebody — no idea who — to pick me up and drive me directly to Truckee.
In August of 2001, Cory Mortensen decided to take a two month leave of absence from work and ride his bike across the United States from Chaska, Minnesota to Truckee, California; no set schedule or reservations set up along the way; very little gear (no spare socks, cell phone, or even a helmet); just a wedding to get to eventually, and what he figured was plenty of time to test himself on the open road. Naturally, as these things go, Mortensen faced unexpected obstacles — from mechanical failures to hostile small town inhabitants to mental stress — but he overcame everything and better liked the person he was by the end of his trip. It’s not explained why it took him nearly twenty years to make The Buddha and the Bee out of his adventure (or even where the title comes from), but now that it’s out...it’s just okay. The writing is fine — generally the tone is sarcastic and self-deprecating — and not terribly introspective; this is a light and breezy read about a mentally and physically tough challenge; interesting if not exactly inspirational. (Note: I read an ARC and passages quoted may not be in their final forms.)
One could prepare for many things. One could prepare for climbing hills by doing hill repeats or for wind by riding in it. One could even build up a resistance to rain and snow. I, of course, spent no time training or preparing for any of these things. However, what I was completely unprepared for was the overwhelming sense of loneliness.
Mortensen wasn’t completely unprepared for his journey: he had run several marathons, was an Eagle Scout, had a history of cross-country motorcycle and international backpacking adventures, and owned an expensive (if not completely suited to the task) bicycle that he had used in road races before. Whatever the office job was he was taking a break from, it would seem it paid well: at thirty-one, he owned two houses (which, yes, he had bought cheaply and fixed up), and after selling one of them and renting out the other, it seems he had plenty of money for motel rooms and diner meals along the way; this is not an “everyman” story. On the other hand: he left home without proper tools, only four spare inner tubes, and when the pack he thought he’d be carrying on his back bumped up against the rear of his helmet, it was the helmet he left behind. (By the second day Mortensen reduced the contents of the backpack to the minimum so he could strap it to a rear carrier.) It would seem that this trip should have been much harder on Mortensen, but as a fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants kind of guy, things just kept working out for him and he met all of his difficulties with the following humour:
I was exposed, helpless, naked, an innocent lamb in search of my shepherd. The dogs — maybe five, maybe ten, it was hard to tell in a quick, terrified glance over my shoulder — were fast and agile. Hellhounds, their hot breath straight from the fiery pits. Your hero was slow, weighed down, unprepared. The beasts could smell my fear, no doubt. My only hope for survival was the adrenaline now surging through my body — nature’s nitrous oxide. I sprinted. I reached twenty-eight miles per hour, heart racing, lungs wheezing, drool hanging from my lower lip, snot pouring from my nostrils, legs burning from lactic acid. In just twenty seconds — though it felt much longer — it was over. The dogs suspended their chase and stood in the street barking, the littlest one out front.
And again, I found this writing to be just okay (did not think it was okay that he kept using the phrases “dear reader” and “your hero” throughout). I had noted at the beginning that Mortensen would be on the road over Sept. 11th, and while he does relate how he learned of the terrorist attacks and how he reacted (a distanced reaction at first that slammed him later), even this part of his story didn’t really land with me. Throughout, as he writes about what little town he is biking through, he’ll wedge in some factoid that reads as interestingly as a condensed wikipedia entry; this is not first rate travel writing. And while Mortensen does eventually come to an epiphany about himself, it’s pretty much summed up here:
The road freed me from the daily chaos and doldrums of life. It freed me from everything. I had spent the last few weeks recreating who I was, without knowing it was happening. I realized now I could be anywhere and anyone or nowhere and no one.
I’ve read better memoirs about using a physically tough journey to transform yourself (Cheryl Strayed’s Wild:From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, for one) and better on an epic bike trip (Lands of Lost Borders: Out of Bounds on the Silk Road by Kate Harris), so maybe I was expecting more from this? At any rate, I did think this was fine: the journey was interesting and I found Mortensen likable; looking at the website for this book, I’m glad to see that he continued to find adventure in his life and wish him well.
August 18, 2020
Oh, this was so much more than I expected!
This book was the perfect escape from pandemic isolation and a billion Zoom meetings. Cory Mortensen's account of his spur-of-the-moment bike ride from Minnesota to California in 2001 made me feel like I was outside in the sunshine, heading for the next little town. Whether you bike, run, walk, or drive, this book captures the lure of movement - to crest the next hill, to press on until dark, to chase that vanishing point on the horizon.
There's a lot about biking in this book (and about not biking, as tire-fixing and beer-drinking are also persistent themes), but the book is also a genial travelogue about the states the author crossed. Tidbits about history and landmarks pop up here and there, as though the author is whizzing by them. It's disconcerting at first, especially as the voice tends to shift from raconteur to instructor, but by the middle of the book, I found I was looking forward to it.
I really enjoyed the author's accounts of what he saw and experienced on the trip, from the acres of terrifying corn, to the cowboy boots on posts, to the heartbreaking days after 9/11, to the grandeur of the Rockies, to all the scuzzy motels he stayed in, to the aliens he may or may not have encountered. (Yep. Aliens. You try riding/driving through the Salt Flats at night.) He's particularly lyrical about the scuzzy motels, which have magnificent names and similarities in décor: chained TV, plastic-wrapped cups, mold lurking somewhere in the shower.
Great book. Once I read the footnote, even the pretentious spelling of "tire" made me laugh.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was the perfect escape from pandemic isolation and a billion Zoom meetings. Cory Mortensen's account of his spur-of-the-moment bike ride from Minnesota to California in 2001 made me feel like I was outside in the sunshine, heading for the next little town. Whether you bike, run, walk, or drive, this book captures the lure of movement - to crest the next hill, to press on until dark, to chase that vanishing point on the horizon.
There's a lot about biking in this book (and about not biking, as tire-fixing and beer-drinking are also persistent themes), but the book is also a genial travelogue about the states the author crossed. Tidbits about history and landmarks pop up here and there, as though the author is whizzing by them. It's disconcerting at first, especially as the voice tends to shift from raconteur to instructor, but by the middle of the book, I found I was looking forward to it.
I really enjoyed the author's accounts of what he saw and experienced on the trip, from the acres of terrifying corn, to the cowboy boots on posts, to the heartbreaking days after 9/11, to the grandeur of the Rockies, to all the scuzzy motels he stayed in, to the aliens he may or may not have encountered. (Yep. Aliens. You try riding/driving through the Salt Flats at night.) He's particularly lyrical about the scuzzy motels, which have magnificent names and similarities in décor: chained TV, plastic-wrapped cups, mold lurking somewhere in the shower.
Great book. Once I read the footnote, even the pretentious spelling of "tire" made me laugh.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2020
It's difficult to describe the experience of reading Cory Mortensen's "The Buddha and the Bee: Biking Through America's Forgotten Roadways on a Journey of Discovery," a never less than engaging collection of roadside musings and nostalgic factoids that meanders nearly as much as did Mortensen himself during his 2001 solo bicycle trip from Chaska, Minnesota to Truckee, California.
The truth is that "The Buddha and the Bee" is more an entertaining read than an inspiring one, Mortensen's charismatic personality shining through his written pages as we join him on a journey that would have likely been ill-advised by just about anyone with a lick of common sense.
Aren't those the best kind?
I couldn't help but reflect upon my own life while reading "The Buddha and the Bee," a life that has been certainly less far-reaching but a life that has included my own weird journey when in 1989 I embarked on a 41-day, 1086-mile wheelchair ride around the border of Indiana with a handful of zigzags included just for fun. It was the first of what would become a 30-year journey in social justice for me, while Mortensen's journey led to a detoured life and a semi-impulsive but lifelong commitment to living life on his own terms.
At times, "The Buddha and the Bee" feels like what would happen if Jeff Spicoli, Sean Penn's iconic anti-hero from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," had taken up biking and set his sights on San Francisco.
Dude.
"The Buddha and the Bee" sort of turns the idea of the inspirational memoir upside down, a few obscenities here and there joined at the hip by an occasional joint and near daily rural roadside Chinese dinners and overnight stays in forgotten America's roadside motels.
It is true that the journey that unfolds here was incredibly impulsive and lacking in what most people would consider common sense or adequate preparation, though it's worth noting that Mortensen was no stranger to bicycling and he had adequate personal funding to allow for overnight motel stays when available and ample restaurant meals and bicycle repairs for which he'd been woefully unprepared. Granted an extended leave of absence from his employer with certainty of employment if he so chooses, it's zero surprise when the experience of riding across a good majority of America changes the directionless young man and sends him off toward a more meaningful life.
The truth is that you root for Mortensen throughout "The Buddha and the Bee," though you really don't get to know him all that well. In a certain way, this is actually rather refreshing as "The Buddha and the Bee" is devoid of the usual self-congratulatory narcissism that often accompanies this type of book. Mortensen has an almost dry humor throughout "The Buddha and the Bee," from snarky memories of personal encounters to not always so gentle opinions about these roadside destinations where sometimes the stranger isn't exactly always welcome.
For the most part, "The Buddha and the Bee" is quietly endearing. Mortensen is that rare soul who embarks on a weird journey and learns from it in tangible ways that impact his life. While the book itself doesn't expand upon Mortensen's life beyond this journey, a quick web browse reveals that Mortensen has ridden his bicycle over a million miles throughout his lifetime while traveling to over 55 countries and completing marathons on five continents. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a thirst for adventure, it's clear that Mortensen has lived a life far beyond that for which he was destined prior to this 2001 trip including being in rural America when the 9/11 attacks occurred.
"The Buddha and the Bee," which was released just this week and is Amazon's #1 new release in Sports Travel," is more likely to appeal to the adventurous spirit than those seeking another pure-hearted inspirational tale. It's an honest sports travel memoir, Mortensen unreservedly sharing his impulsive behaviors, equipment breakdowns, unusual encounters, body odor, and aliens.
Of course, there are aliens.
You might be inspired anyway, but for the most part "The Buddha and the Bee" will engage you and entertain you and cause you to reflect on your own life journey and, just perhaps, your bucket list of life experiences and personal/professional goals. You can't help but appreciate Mortensen's sharing of a wide variety of small-town factoids and historical reflections even when they occasionally seem to replace what would have been greater character depth and a greater connection with the man who serves as our guide in a weird and wonderful way.
With ordinary insights and a strong sense of gratitude, Mortensen has created a not so inspirational memoir filled with humor, insight, honest reflections, and the knowledge that sometimes it's those unplanned moments of uncommon courage that define us for the rest of our lives.
"The Buddha and the Bee: Biking Through America's Forgotten Roadways on a Journey of Discovery" is available now and most certainly worth your time.
The truth is that "The Buddha and the Bee" is more an entertaining read than an inspiring one, Mortensen's charismatic personality shining through his written pages as we join him on a journey that would have likely been ill-advised by just about anyone with a lick of common sense.
Aren't those the best kind?
I couldn't help but reflect upon my own life while reading "The Buddha and the Bee," a life that has been certainly less far-reaching but a life that has included my own weird journey when in 1989 I embarked on a 41-day, 1086-mile wheelchair ride around the border of Indiana with a handful of zigzags included just for fun. It was the first of what would become a 30-year journey in social justice for me, while Mortensen's journey led to a detoured life and a semi-impulsive but lifelong commitment to living life on his own terms.
At times, "The Buddha and the Bee" feels like what would happen if Jeff Spicoli, Sean Penn's iconic anti-hero from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," had taken up biking and set his sights on San Francisco.
Dude.
"The Buddha and the Bee" sort of turns the idea of the inspirational memoir upside down, a few obscenities here and there joined at the hip by an occasional joint and near daily rural roadside Chinese dinners and overnight stays in forgotten America's roadside motels.
It is true that the journey that unfolds here was incredibly impulsive and lacking in what most people would consider common sense or adequate preparation, though it's worth noting that Mortensen was no stranger to bicycling and he had adequate personal funding to allow for overnight motel stays when available and ample restaurant meals and bicycle repairs for which he'd been woefully unprepared. Granted an extended leave of absence from his employer with certainty of employment if he so chooses, it's zero surprise when the experience of riding across a good majority of America changes the directionless young man and sends him off toward a more meaningful life.
The truth is that you root for Mortensen throughout "The Buddha and the Bee," though you really don't get to know him all that well. In a certain way, this is actually rather refreshing as "The Buddha and the Bee" is devoid of the usual self-congratulatory narcissism that often accompanies this type of book. Mortensen has an almost dry humor throughout "The Buddha and the Bee," from snarky memories of personal encounters to not always so gentle opinions about these roadside destinations where sometimes the stranger isn't exactly always welcome.
For the most part, "The Buddha and the Bee" is quietly endearing. Mortensen is that rare soul who embarks on a weird journey and learns from it in tangible ways that impact his life. While the book itself doesn't expand upon Mortensen's life beyond this journey, a quick web browse reveals that Mortensen has ridden his bicycle over a million miles throughout his lifetime while traveling to over 55 countries and completing marathons on five continents. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a thirst for adventure, it's clear that Mortensen has lived a life far beyond that for which he was destined prior to this 2001 trip including being in rural America when the 9/11 attacks occurred.
"The Buddha and the Bee," which was released just this week and is Amazon's #1 new release in Sports Travel," is more likely to appeal to the adventurous spirit than those seeking another pure-hearted inspirational tale. It's an honest sports travel memoir, Mortensen unreservedly sharing his impulsive behaviors, equipment breakdowns, unusual encounters, body odor, and aliens.
Of course, there are aliens.
You might be inspired anyway, but for the most part "The Buddha and the Bee" will engage you and entertain you and cause you to reflect on your own life journey and, just perhaps, your bucket list of life experiences and personal/professional goals. You can't help but appreciate Mortensen's sharing of a wide variety of small-town factoids and historical reflections even when they occasionally seem to replace what would have been greater character depth and a greater connection with the man who serves as our guide in a weird and wonderful way.
With ordinary insights and a strong sense of gratitude, Mortensen has created a not so inspirational memoir filled with humor, insight, honest reflections, and the knowledge that sometimes it's those unplanned moments of uncommon courage that define us for the rest of our lives.
"The Buddha and the Bee: Biking Through America's Forgotten Roadways on a Journey of Discovery" is available now and most certainly worth your time.
August 11, 2020
Pretentious spelling of tire aside. Excellent story highlighting the virtues of learning by doing.
Some adventures need not be planned like the invasion of Normandy. Humorous tale of journey vs destination.
Some adventures need not be planned like the invasion of Normandy. Humorous tale of journey vs destination.
October 2, 2020
This book gave me the refreshment I needed; to put it more precisely, it was a short vacation from everything that I was reading and living. While reading this memoir, I went through the myriads of experiences with the author and lived the lives and places I have no connections with. It triggered some suppressed desires that I'd buried deep down in my mind and compelled those emotions that were just too surreal.
This memoir is about the author Cory Mortensen's liberating adventure on his bicycle from Minnesota to California (approx. 2000 miles) and as basic as it may sound, it was much more than one can even think of. When I started this book, I had no idea how it would go or if it would come close to my most favorite book ever—Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer. It did come close to it and that's why I enjoyed and loved reading it. The only difference is that Author Cory Mortensen had well-planned intentions for the adventure, he kept his family and friends in contact, he did use money, and had no intention to abandon society. But I saw the cards changing in the end when the author decides a whole new fate for his life and quits his job after finishing his cross-country adventure on a bicycle.
The most agitating parts of this book were whenever the author passed from rural towns and deserted roads, whenever he was alone on the road for miles and at the end of the day stayed in some low-key motel. It wasn't a picture-perfect ride as it may sound because he had his down-times as well; tires getting punctured and flat in the middle of nowhere, many troublesome ascends, demotivating loneliness, heat, and wind—oh, did I mention aliens? Lol— all these things were the major obstacles in his journey. I remember when even I doubted the author's intentions and motivation when on just the third day of his journey, he decided to call it to quit and go home. He couldn't bear that loneliness and isolation, his all excitement seemed pointless, but the thought of going back to the ordinary life and job he had was something that held him and made him even more determined to finish what he'd started.
'The Budhha and The Bee' is a well structured and perfectly paced memoir and the author's unctuous narration makes it even more invigorating. He used humor in the most unusual situations and that made the reading experience even more entertaining. But hey! Was the intention of this book was to entertain? Of course not! Along the way he realized, learned, and shared some insights about life. He explored and lived those moments that many can only hope. His description of all the places he visited and came across provided a vivid imagination where I—as a reader— lived and experienced the same.
His struggles with ascending roads and then the fun with the descending ride, all the beautiful landscapes of Nebraska and Nevada, Mountains and breeze, the countryside of Colorado, his days on road and nights in camps, kind people and car lifts, heat and cold, longing for companionship to embracing solitude, deserted roads and crowded bars, from that ephemeral company of coyote to the bikers brothers in Reno, Nevada, from his first day's uncertainty to the last day's fulfillment—I lived it all. From all those cafes, restaurants, bars, and hotels to each and every person he crossed the paths with—I experienced it all.
If it wasn't the author's brilliant way of putting things in the right order and placing mandatory details in necessary places, then this book may not have the impact it had on me. For some reason, I could relate to the author's desires and perspectives about life. This book has a very sentimental and courageous end. The Author's decision to resign from the job and continuing life on his terms was commendable and does take a lot of strength, and I appreciate that he could do that.
I have never been to America but because of this book, I experienced all those rural roads, deserted highways, villages, ghost towns, and the countryside. I felt various emotions while reading it; I felt frustrated every time the tires went flat and I felt happy whenever the author covered some distance and called it a day with some beers in some motel room. I felt goosebumps every time he started his new day's journey, I felt anxious whenever he passed through the miles-long deserted roads and I felt inspired every time he kept going even if he had many reasons to take breaks.
The author and his bee (bicycle) were my comrades from the last two weeks and after this overwhelming reading experience, I am still longing to read more. Hopefully, the author is already working on his other book and that's very exciting because I am curious to know what he did after this adventure and resigning from his job. I hope I will get the paperback or hardcover of this book very soon, I want to put it in my special collection of books with 'Into The Wild". I will highly recommend this book for the author's mesmerizing narration and thrilling adventure. It's flawless and full of experiences that one should experience once in a lifetime.
To the author Cory Mortensen: Thanks for writing this book and putting so many efforts to make it full of life. I will always be grateful for this reading experience and more power to you.
This memoir is about the author Cory Mortensen's liberating adventure on his bicycle from Minnesota to California (approx. 2000 miles) and as basic as it may sound, it was much more than one can even think of. When I started this book, I had no idea how it would go or if it would come close to my most favorite book ever—Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer. It did come close to it and that's why I enjoyed and loved reading it. The only difference is that Author Cory Mortensen had well-planned intentions for the adventure, he kept his family and friends in contact, he did use money, and had no intention to abandon society. But I saw the cards changing in the end when the author decides a whole new fate for his life and quits his job after finishing his cross-country adventure on a bicycle.
The most agitating parts of this book were whenever the author passed from rural towns and deserted roads, whenever he was alone on the road for miles and at the end of the day stayed in some low-key motel. It wasn't a picture-perfect ride as it may sound because he had his down-times as well; tires getting punctured and flat in the middle of nowhere, many troublesome ascends, demotivating loneliness, heat, and wind—oh, did I mention aliens? Lol— all these things were the major obstacles in his journey. I remember when even I doubted the author's intentions and motivation when on just the third day of his journey, he decided to call it to quit and go home. He couldn't bear that loneliness and isolation, his all excitement seemed pointless, but the thought of going back to the ordinary life and job he had was something that held him and made him even more determined to finish what he'd started.
'The Budhha and The Bee' is a well structured and perfectly paced memoir and the author's unctuous narration makes it even more invigorating. He used humor in the most unusual situations and that made the reading experience even more entertaining. But hey! Was the intention of this book was to entertain? Of course not! Along the way he realized, learned, and shared some insights about life. He explored and lived those moments that many can only hope. His description of all the places he visited and came across provided a vivid imagination where I—as a reader— lived and experienced the same.
His struggles with ascending roads and then the fun with the descending ride, all the beautiful landscapes of Nebraska and Nevada, Mountains and breeze, the countryside of Colorado, his days on road and nights in camps, kind people and car lifts, heat and cold, longing for companionship to embracing solitude, deserted roads and crowded bars, from that ephemeral company of coyote to the bikers brothers in Reno, Nevada, from his first day's uncertainty to the last day's fulfillment—I lived it all. From all those cafes, restaurants, bars, and hotels to each and every person he crossed the paths with—I experienced it all.
If it wasn't the author's brilliant way of putting things in the right order and placing mandatory details in necessary places, then this book may not have the impact it had on me. For some reason, I could relate to the author's desires and perspectives about life. This book has a very sentimental and courageous end. The Author's decision to resign from the job and continuing life on his terms was commendable and does take a lot of strength, and I appreciate that he could do that.
I have never been to America but because of this book, I experienced all those rural roads, deserted highways, villages, ghost towns, and the countryside. I felt various emotions while reading it; I felt frustrated every time the tires went flat and I felt happy whenever the author covered some distance and called it a day with some beers in some motel room. I felt goosebumps every time he started his new day's journey, I felt anxious whenever he passed through the miles-long deserted roads and I felt inspired every time he kept going even if he had many reasons to take breaks.
The author and his bee (bicycle) were my comrades from the last two weeks and after this overwhelming reading experience, I am still longing to read more. Hopefully, the author is already working on his other book and that's very exciting because I am curious to know what he did after this adventure and resigning from his job. I hope I will get the paperback or hardcover of this book very soon, I want to put it in my special collection of books with 'Into The Wild". I will highly recommend this book for the author's mesmerizing narration and thrilling adventure. It's flawless and full of experiences that one should experience once in a lifetime.
To the author Cory Mortensen: Thanks for writing this book and putting so many efforts to make it full of life. I will always be grateful for this reading experience and more power to you.
September 13, 2020
A laugh out loud memoir about how to just jump head first into things and make it through with a smile
April 10, 2022
Biking America
Oh to be young and adventurous. Take leave of absence from your job, and decide to cycle across America. To go to a wedding. Well, Cory wasn't an experienced cyclist. He didn't really have the proper bike, and he was sure that four replacement tire tubes would last him. And on day three he was ready to quit. I loved this book: a ramshackle melange of history, biking, and meditative thoughts, coupled with cheap motel rooms and lots of Subway sandwiches. And beer. I look forward to reading more about Cory's adventures in his next book.
Oh to be young and adventurous. Take leave of absence from your job, and decide to cycle across America. To go to a wedding. Well, Cory wasn't an experienced cyclist. He didn't really have the proper bike, and he was sure that four replacement tire tubes would last him. And on day three he was ready to quit. I loved this book: a ramshackle melange of history, biking, and meditative thoughts, coupled with cheap motel rooms and lots of Subway sandwiches. And beer. I look forward to reading more about Cory's adventures in his next book.
March 5, 2023
Wouldn’t it be nice to take a leave of absence from work and just take a solo trip of self discovery? Well that’s exactly what Cory does in this book, one man and his bike discovering some history, cheap, sometimes grotty, motels and lots of junk food. Hilarious in parts but also interesting to read about his changes of attitude towards the ride all through the book, makes you want to keep reading to the end.
September 25, 2020
I was in just the right mood to read a book like this. Different from my usual fiction, mysteries, etc, The Buddha and the Bee is the story of Cory Mortensen, who decides to make his way by bicycle from Minnesota to California with almost no supplies, no helmet, and practically no plan. Along the way, he meets his share of characters, eats a ton of Subway Italian sandwiches and Chinese food, stays in some of the country's sleaziest motels and takes in the sights in every town he visits - like the giant stuffed polar bear - The White King in Elko, Nevada. His bike breaks down multiple times, but he finally makes it to California.
Cory Mortensen is a true free spirit. I have never done anything like he's done and I am envious I hope he continues to have adventures and write about them! This book was a great change of pace for me from my normal reads and I enjoyed it immensely.
Cory Mortensen is a true free spirit. I have never done anything like he's done and I am envious I hope he continues to have adventures and write about them! This book was a great change of pace for me from my normal reads and I enjoyed it immensely.
November 21, 2020
I enjoyed reading this for its grueling cycling adventures and trip notes. Kudos for mentions about ghost bikes, blue highways, cowboy boot tributes, and a truly cool encounter with a coyote. But I have to say, this persona the author chose to represent him as narrator pissed me off throughout the book. I admit that I giggled at a lot of his references, but I groaned at just as many. Plus, he disrespects just about every local he meets, either not bothering to listen to their advice or flat out denigrating them (though never to their faces). The first rule of being a gracious traveler is assume the locals have a rationale for doing (or pronouncing) things as they do, Righteous behavior isn't cool and it makes you look like as ass. I mean, maybe it's a little funny that the author refers to himself as "your hero" and then behaves more like a low-key villain.
[I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.]
[I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.]
August 21, 2022
I did not finish this book. I made it halfway through trying to ignore the author’s overall do*chiness, but by the time he went on a tirade about Indian vs Native American, had referred to his girlfriend as “the rebound girlfriend,” made jokes about Kathy Bates naked, commented on other women’s looks, and included rambling trivia that just sort of showed up in the narrative but didn’t really connect it to anything, I’d really chalked this up to a book written by a self-assured dude bro for other self-assured dude bros who want to out dude-bro each other. Have a drink every time he talks about himself in third person refers to himself as “your hero” or “yours truly.” The buzz will be far more enjoyable than this rambling tale.
August 26, 2020
Cory takes the reader on a journey into the vast landscapes of the American West and into his deepest thoughts. Told from an honest, emotional, funny, self-depreciating perspective, it gives the reader pause to reflect on their own life and perhaps light a fire or at least stir some dormant embers of a quest for adventure. If you are a fan of Blue Highways, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, On the Road, Into the Wild, A Walk In the Woods or other similar tome, then you should put The Buddha and the Bee on your reading list.
July 28, 2021
Entertaining
What an adventure! Loved Cory's (our hero's) sarcasm and wit. He's a great story teller. Laughed the whole way through the book!
What an adventure! Loved Cory's (our hero's) sarcasm and wit. He's a great story teller. Laughed the whole way through the book!
August 28, 2020
What can go wrong or right in a short bike ride? A lot. What can go wrong or right on a 2,000 mile cross country trek? Also a lot.
As a cyclist myself and lover of random trivia bits, I enjoyed watching Mortensen’s quick evolution from novice to sunburnt chaffed road veteran. I’ve read quite a few journals of similar journeys and this one is easily one of the most humorous; plus Mortensen is a bit of a maths nerd, computing for fun when times are rough.
The journey did change our “hero” but the self revelations are gentle, tinged with humor and it doesn't feel like they are laid on too thick. Especially in a time of Covid it was a welcome distraction to spend a few evenings reading of Mortensen’s adventure and I wouldn’t mind reading about more - where did our intrepid hero go next?
As a cyclist myself and lover of random trivia bits, I enjoyed watching Mortensen’s quick evolution from novice to sunburnt chaffed road veteran. I’ve read quite a few journals of similar journeys and this one is easily one of the most humorous; plus Mortensen is a bit of a maths nerd, computing for fun when times are rough.
The journey did change our “hero” but the self revelations are gentle, tinged with humor and it doesn't feel like they are laid on too thick. Especially in a time of Covid it was a welcome distraction to spend a few evenings reading of Mortensen’s adventure and I wouldn’t mind reading about more - where did our intrepid hero go next?
September 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! Cory Mortensen writes about his journey biking from Minnesota to California. I "oh, no'ed" everytime a car pulled up. And, I had a mini-anxiety response everytime he blew out a tyre! What really caught my attention were the historical aspects of the towns he went through. Interesting, engaging, entertaining! Well written and witty. Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review. 4 Stars
March 1, 2024
Not sure how I came about this book but I really enjoyed the ride :) Amazon probably recommended it because I recently read a book about hiking New Zealand, and this is in that same vein except Cory Mortensen road a bicycle from Minnesota to Truckee, CA, essentially unprepared. So, he had experiences, circumstances and adventures as he made his way. He's a good writer and adds a very enjoyable level of humor. The book is not really "Buddha-ish". No real deep contemplation, and actually, there was plenty of beer and weed throughout. I think its just a cute title.
September 3, 2020
Perfect book for an escape. Mortensen’s story of his trip from Minnesota to California is engaging. It’s fun to see how he progressed from enthusiastic to almost quitting to not wanting it to end. Makes me want to do a similar ride, but also also glad that I haven’t!
December 29, 2023
Mortenson's storytelling felt like campfire stories, approachable yet with a twinge of snark that made you feel like you were in on a fun secret. I love when authors weave in small nuggets of facts about parts of the stories and Mortenson did not disappoint! A fabulous read!
August 29, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this over a couple of evenings this week.
Well written, some humour and let's you go to place we'll away from Covid.
Recommended and not just for cyclists.
Well written, some humour and let's you go to place we'll away from Covid.
Recommended and not just for cyclists.
Read
November 17, 2020Loved your adventure. Hope you have found the happiness you were looking for.
Christine Nickols
Punta Gorda Fl
Christine Nickols
Punta Gorda Fl
October 25, 2020
The fact that the author got on his bike in Minnesota and cycled to California to attend a wedding speaks to his spirit of adventure. He did this with minimal planning and making decisions on the fly as he pedaled from town to town. Along the way, he met an interesting assortment of characters. Cory had an amusing way of describing his adventure, places, and people. He often wove in some local and personal history. He set off into the unknown and found himself on the bike. It’s a story of changing your life by opening your eyes and world to new experiences.
December 12, 2023
This book describes Cory's bicycling adventure from Minnesota to California. He describes a wide variety of things that he encounters during this trip. Cory's cross country trip was seemed like an incredible adventure. He met many different people along the journey.
I really enjoyed reading this book since it was inspiring. Cory did something that required a lot of courage. In the beginning, he felt a little bit depressed when he was alone. Over time, he learns to accept the feeling of loneliness. It was awesome to read about his adventure. Each chapter was full of something unexpected.
I would definitely recommend this book. This book highlights the fact that people can reach their goals, even if it seems impossible from the beginning. It is important to be persistent and not give up.
I really enjoyed reading this book since it was inspiring. Cory did something that required a lot of courage. In the beginning, he felt a little bit depressed when he was alone. Over time, he learns to accept the feeling of loneliness. It was awesome to read about his adventure. Each chapter was full of something unexpected.
I would definitely recommend this book. This book highlights the fact that people can reach their goals, even if it seems impossible from the beginning. It is important to be persistent and not give up.
October 18, 2020
Changing life
Cory was going to a wedding in California from Minneapolis. No problem except he decided to ride a bicycle. Not being a biker he didn’t realize what he was getting into. After the first day he was ready to quit but surprisingly he didn’t. To me it was insane riding up mountains (I couldn’t do it). With no cell phone and only using pay phones and computers at the library to let his dad know he was oK he actually made it. A lot of mishap along the way. A lot of history of the different places he stopped. Cory had a two month leave from work but by the end of his ride his life had changed. He called his boss, quit his job and let the wind take him onto his next book—can’t wait
Cory was going to a wedding in California from Minneapolis. No problem except he decided to ride a bicycle. Not being a biker he didn’t realize what he was getting into. After the first day he was ready to quit but surprisingly he didn’t. To me it was insane riding up mountains (I couldn’t do it). With no cell phone and only using pay phones and computers at the library to let his dad know he was oK he actually made it. A lot of mishap along the way. A lot of history of the different places he stopped. Cory had a two month leave from work but by the end of his ride his life had changed. He called his boss, quit his job and let the wind take him onto his next book—can’t wait
May 10, 2023
Funny and unexpected-- I mostly read travel/hiking memoirs by women, so this was of a different flavor. Cory weaves fun facts and historical details through his adventure, bringing an interest to places that would probably not otherwise be terribly interesting. His approach to the bike ride itself is also refreshingly non-competitive and practical. As somebody who has long had long-distance bike-packing on the to-do list, this is as much a travelogue as a short list of things not to do and to watch out for along the way.
October 31, 2021
An incredible journey.
Cory decides to cycle from Minneapolis to California; this is an excellent account of his journey, including all of the highs and lows.
He describes each place he visits, adds some history of the location, and includes reflections from his past.
The memoir is well written, informative and related with a touch of humour.
A thoroughly enjoyable memoir which I am happy to recommend.
Cory decides to cycle from Minneapolis to California; this is an excellent account of his journey, including all of the highs and lows.
He describes each place he visits, adds some history of the location, and includes reflections from his past.
The memoir is well written, informative and related with a touch of humour.
A thoroughly enjoyable memoir which I am happy to recommend.
October 27, 2020
What is life without experiencing the dimensions of the globe? Reading a book that encourages you to know more, learn more, explore more and be better, that is the goal.
The Buddha and The Bees is a book of pure enlighten according to my perspective. It is about getting a bike ready and travelling across your country, not in search of answers of life, but just to add another momentous page in your life’s memoir. The lessons, the answers all follow as an outcome of that little plan.
I was really worried if I will find it good, intellectual but boring and I was so happy to be proved wrong. I liked it, I enjoyed this book from the very first page. It is like talking to a friend after he has come back from a trip, listening to his stories and living through those stories.
As someone who is a history enthusiast, I loved the tiny history lessons, information about the old traditions and some very random facts about the Roman goddess of the hearth, Madonna del Ghisallo,the Patron Saint of Cycling and many such touches, I Feel like I know everything about the world.
The book depicts the harsh reality of travelling across a country, travelling alone especially on a bicycle. The fun, adventurous will look dreadful and never-ending. You would be forced to doubt all the decision that led to this particular point of the trip. A road trip is not all wine and roses: it is more like porridge and thorns.
I like little snippets of past, the story behind our hero’s decision to go on a road trip, I like the pictures from the journey like catching the lobster,or the home wanted for orphans news articles. It was a personal book with extensive details and well-narrated stories.
This book introduces you to the population surrounding you and the lessons that are waiting to be learnt in life. You don’t have to an exceptional human being, but just a decent person next door. We as human make existence bearable, everything else is just perk or downfall.
This is journey covered by the author himself, so it gives some real instances of life in 2001, and how it was different from 2020, how people on road react, and what goes in your head when someone wants to help you.
It further talks about the very delicate situation after 9/11 and how peoples attitude change in seconds.
The author has not painted a rosy picture of a road trip, it is as raw as possible, which sometimes does feel dull(road trips are), but it is what it is.
To add some pop there are images in the book, which prompt you to pack your bags and start your voyage.The author also quoted "100years are long in the USA, and 100 miles in Europe" which is a bit similar to India and I was immediately in awe of the line,(this was completely unrequired, but well my review, my words).
I think this book should be read by every person once, this was a long journey and there were so many tiny lessons for everyone
To end, I would like to say to live a complete life, do not be stagnant, Read the Viking sagas in Iceland,read Hemingway in Paris and east the Gelatos in Italy.
The Buddha and The Bees is a book of pure enlighten according to my perspective. It is about getting a bike ready and travelling across your country, not in search of answers of life, but just to add another momentous page in your life’s memoir. The lessons, the answers all follow as an outcome of that little plan.
I was really worried if I will find it good, intellectual but boring and I was so happy to be proved wrong. I liked it, I enjoyed this book from the very first page. It is like talking to a friend after he has come back from a trip, listening to his stories and living through those stories.
As someone who is a history enthusiast, I loved the tiny history lessons, information about the old traditions and some very random facts about the Roman goddess of the hearth, Madonna del Ghisallo,the Patron Saint of Cycling and many such touches, I Feel like I know everything about the world.
The book depicts the harsh reality of travelling across a country, travelling alone especially on a bicycle. The fun, adventurous will look dreadful and never-ending. You would be forced to doubt all the decision that led to this particular point of the trip. A road trip is not all wine and roses: it is more like porridge and thorns.
I like little snippets of past, the story behind our hero’s decision to go on a road trip, I like the pictures from the journey like catching the lobster,or the home wanted for orphans news articles. It was a personal book with extensive details and well-narrated stories.
This book introduces you to the population surrounding you and the lessons that are waiting to be learnt in life. You don’t have to an exceptional human being, but just a decent person next door. We as human make existence bearable, everything else is just perk or downfall.
This is journey covered by the author himself, so it gives some real instances of life in 2001, and how it was different from 2020, how people on road react, and what goes in your head when someone wants to help you.
It further talks about the very delicate situation after 9/11 and how peoples attitude change in seconds.
The author has not painted a rosy picture of a road trip, it is as raw as possible, which sometimes does feel dull(road trips are), but it is what it is.
To add some pop there are images in the book, which prompt you to pack your bags and start your voyage.The author also quoted "100years are long in the USA, and 100 miles in Europe" which is a bit similar to India and I was immediately in awe of the line,(this was completely unrequired, but well my review, my words).
I think this book should be read by every person once, this was a long journey and there were so many tiny lessons for everyone
To end, I would like to say to live a complete life, do not be stagnant, Read the Viking sagas in Iceland,read Hemingway in Paris and east the Gelatos in Italy.
July 7, 2023
The Buddha and the Bee: Biking through America's Forgotten Roadways on an Accidental Journey of Discovery
By
Cory Mortensen
Rating:5/5
Description:
Life-Changing Journey... but this is NOT a typical blah-blah-blah memoir
Planning is for sissies. A solo bike ride across the country will be filled with sunshine, lollipops, rainbows, and 80 degree temps every day, right? Not so much. The Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, an alkaline desert, and the Sierra Nevadas lay miles and days ahead. Disappointment with unrealized potential, and the thirst for what’s next drew farther away in the rotating wide-angle shockproof convex rear-view mirror.
I will ride my bike down a never-ending ribbon of asphalt wearing a backpack.
Cory Mortensen began his bike ride across the United States from Chaska, Minnesota, to Truckee, California, without a route, a timeline, or proper equipment. Along the way, he gained more than technical skills required for a ride that would test every fiber of his physical being and mental toughness. Ride along as he meets “unusual” characters, dangerous animals.
Review:
👉Talking about the title of the book, the title of the book is really so interesting to read.
👉The cover is appealing and attractive as well. Writing style is awesome.This book is a page turner. I found myself lying in bed at night laughing aloud at the situations the author experienced, while biking across the country. And at the same time, distilling life lessons that we all encounter into compassionate and simple statements that reminds us that we're all human, living life and wanting to be happy and smile... even when hardships come our way.I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the sequel. I love this book, he told of all his ups and downs. Every problem he had and how he worked it out to carry on. It was a long journey for him, I was surprised he did have any more problems with people along the way. It was a great book and kept my I interest all the way to the end.
For complete read do order 👇
For book link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/173549...
Wow! What a book! I am in love with the book
👉I just loved reading the book ...
Happy reading
By
Cory Mortensen
Rating:5/5
Description:
Life-Changing Journey... but this is NOT a typical blah-blah-blah memoir
Planning is for sissies. A solo bike ride across the country will be filled with sunshine, lollipops, rainbows, and 80 degree temps every day, right? Not so much. The Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, an alkaline desert, and the Sierra Nevadas lay miles and days ahead. Disappointment with unrealized potential, and the thirst for what’s next drew farther away in the rotating wide-angle shockproof convex rear-view mirror.
I will ride my bike down a never-ending ribbon of asphalt wearing a backpack.
Cory Mortensen began his bike ride across the United States from Chaska, Minnesota, to Truckee, California, without a route, a timeline, or proper equipment. Along the way, he gained more than technical skills required for a ride that would test every fiber of his physical being and mental toughness. Ride along as he meets “unusual” characters, dangerous animals.
Review:
👉Talking about the title of the book, the title of the book is really so interesting to read.
👉The cover is appealing and attractive as well. Writing style is awesome.This book is a page turner. I found myself lying in bed at night laughing aloud at the situations the author experienced, while biking across the country. And at the same time, distilling life lessons that we all encounter into compassionate and simple statements that reminds us that we're all human, living life and wanting to be happy and smile... even when hardships come our way.I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the sequel. I love this book, he told of all his ups and downs. Every problem he had and how he worked it out to carry on. It was a long journey for him, I was surprised he did have any more problems with people along the way. It was a great book and kept my I interest all the way to the end.
For complete read do order 👇
For book link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/173549...
Wow! What a book! I am in love with the book
👉I just loved reading the book ...
Happy reading
February 28, 2023
Cory Mortensen’s The Buddha and the Bee is the epic chronicling of his thirty-four day ride from Minnesota to California on his bicycle in hopes of escaping his mundane life for a little while. On the journey, he finds small towns and the people who inhabit them, along with some shady motels. While many of us were dealing with the heartache of 9/11, Cory was seeing a world many don’t see on the interstates and planes. Often he finds himself questioning this not so planned out journey as unforeseen obstacles like numerous flats, broken spokes, and dogs plague him. Along the way, he discovers himself in the simplicity of America’s highways and finds enjoyment in just existing.
Mortensen is kind enough to take us with him each day of his journey, with some extra adventures after the initial ride. We get to really be part of his struggles and triumphs, down to the search for what to eat. He lays his route out so well one could follow it if one should wish. He even alerts the potential traveler to the trouble spots. He flavors the journey with tidbits and facts about places and things he comes across on the journey. I gained so many new wrinkles in my brain on this journey. I also loved the humorous tone the book had, which set it apart from other nonfiction pieces. Mortensen keeps readers riveted with his wit and observations. Included in this book are several lists that those looking to take a journey like this will find helpful.
The Buddha and the Bee is an entertaining memoir and dramatically different from what readers typically find. Mortensen gives us an in-depth and funny look into his journey through America’s roads. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a not-so-average travel read. With his wit and facts, he gives us a superb read that you don’t want to put down.
Mortensen is kind enough to take us with him each day of his journey, with some extra adventures after the initial ride. We get to really be part of his struggles and triumphs, down to the search for what to eat. He lays his route out so well one could follow it if one should wish. He even alerts the potential traveler to the trouble spots. He flavors the journey with tidbits and facts about places and things he comes across on the journey. I gained so many new wrinkles in my brain on this journey. I also loved the humorous tone the book had, which set it apart from other nonfiction pieces. Mortensen keeps readers riveted with his wit and observations. Included in this book are several lists that those looking to take a journey like this will find helpful.
The Buddha and the Bee is an entertaining memoir and dramatically different from what readers typically find. Mortensen gives us an in-depth and funny look into his journey through America’s roads. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a not-so-average travel read. With his wit and facts, he gives us a superb read that you don’t want to put down.
October 15, 2020
What a capture of the journey by Cory Mortensen. Loved the way the journey begun and moved from Minnesota to California.
The story starts with the father son duo relation and the way they understand and care for each other. Really liked the part where author's dad takes him to the police for small mischief and the way police gives him a guidance in a notorious ways.
It takes that one moment to take the decision and lots of efforts to keep up to that decision until it fulfils, is what we can learn from the long distance bike riding (cycling) theory.
Author has nicely captured the moments, conversations which he had with many people of different age and gender.
Travelling 1000 miles on a cycle, the gears, the wears, the ass burns are relatable for a long distance cyclist which are captured in a captive way by the author. Seeing new places , meeting new people gives lot of strength to the mind and cycling is given sport for the strength. The author feels motivated when compared with "Lance Armstrong" and said even he doesnt ride that much. This shows the courage and efforts will not go waste when you have decided to achieve something and you move towards it day by day.
I feel the story of his journey is very captive and keeps you bind to check what happens next and what he finds next. Its a long journey and meeting with people.
The journey of American rural and spoilt roads, his trouble through those while crossing makes you emotional as well as engrossed, about to understand when will he rush through this patch and move to his next destination.
All - in - all a very nicely written journey and with the apt title. "The Buddha and the bee (his bicycle)" on which he rides totally. Loved the way journey was captured.
The story starts with the father son duo relation and the way they understand and care for each other. Really liked the part where author's dad takes him to the police for small mischief and the way police gives him a guidance in a notorious ways.
It takes that one moment to take the decision and lots of efforts to keep up to that decision until it fulfils, is what we can learn from the long distance bike riding (cycling) theory.
Author has nicely captured the moments, conversations which he had with many people of different age and gender.
Travelling 1000 miles on a cycle, the gears, the wears, the ass burns are relatable for a long distance cyclist which are captured in a captive way by the author. Seeing new places , meeting new people gives lot of strength to the mind and cycling is given sport for the strength. The author feels motivated when compared with "Lance Armstrong" and said even he doesnt ride that much. This shows the courage and efforts will not go waste when you have decided to achieve something and you move towards it day by day.
I feel the story of his journey is very captive and keeps you bind to check what happens next and what he finds next. Its a long journey and meeting with people.
The journey of American rural and spoilt roads, his trouble through those while crossing makes you emotional as well as engrossed, about to understand when will he rush through this patch and move to his next destination.
All - in - all a very nicely written journey and with the apt title. "The Buddha and the bee (his bicycle)" on which he rides totally. Loved the way journey was captured.
October 12, 2024
Cory Mortensen's The Buddha and the Bee is an inspiring and heartwarming journey of self-discovery that proves the most transformative experiences often arise from life's simplest moments. Mortensen’s tale is more than just a cycling adventure across America—it’s a story about taking chances, embracing the unknown, and realizing that personal growth comes in unexpected ways.
One of the most profound aspects of the book is how ordinary people can thrive and blossom when they take the leap into something different, no matter how simple the experience may seem. Mortensen masterfully weaves moments of humor, hardship, and reflection as he pedals through small towns, scenic landscapes, and diverse communities. Along the way, he uncovers life’s simplest pleasures—like the quiet joy of a meal after a long ride or the beauty of an open road—and the difficulties that accompany even the most spontaneous adventures.
His wisdom to take chances is a reminder that sometimes, the greatest discoveries come not from a grand plan, but from allowing ourselves to wander, to be vulnerable, and to embrace the unexpected twists of the journey. If you're looking for a book that not only entertains but also encourages you to reflect on your own life and its untapped possibilities, The Buddha and the Bee is a beautiful, enlightening read.
One of the most profound aspects of the book is how ordinary people can thrive and blossom when they take the leap into something different, no matter how simple the experience may seem. Mortensen masterfully weaves moments of humor, hardship, and reflection as he pedals through small towns, scenic landscapes, and diverse communities. Along the way, he uncovers life’s simplest pleasures—like the quiet joy of a meal after a long ride or the beauty of an open road—and the difficulties that accompany even the most spontaneous adventures.
His wisdom to take chances is a reminder that sometimes, the greatest discoveries come not from a grand plan, but from allowing ourselves to wander, to be vulnerable, and to embrace the unexpected twists of the journey. If you're looking for a book that not only entertains but also encourages you to reflect on your own life and its untapped possibilities, The Buddha and the Bee is a beautiful, enlightening read.
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