Momentum Is Your Friend: The Metal Cowboy and His Pint-Sized Posse Take on America

by Joe Kurmaskie

Most people bring their inner child on an epic adventure. Joe “Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie actually took his two kids along. For a 4,000-mile bicycle ride across America, Joe’s seven-year-old son, Quinn, rides a tagalong bike attached to his dad’s; and behind that is five-year-old Enzo in a bike trailer.
Our hero the Metal Cowboy answers the question “What are you, crazy?” with a resounding and cheerful “Yes.” Unassisted—with no support crew except his boys’ comic relief and the periodic kindness of strangers—he pedals hundreds of pounds of gear and offspring over mountain passes, across the wide plains, through thunderstorms, and into the heart of what it means to be a dad. Along the way they encounter everything that makes up America—small-town kindness and inner-city heart, wild horses and highway roadkill, a?bitter Vietnam vet and a hopeful young inventor, grizzly bears and bison roaming free, cyclists and monstrous RVs, a very peppy cheerleader and a visitation from the ghost of the author’s father, horrible traffic and serene dirt roads, a monastery and a distillery, baseball, and yes, lots of pie. By the time they reach Washington, DC, two months after leaving Portland, Oregon, they’ve bonded in a rare way. Kurmaskie
writes, “We share a secret, the three of us; one permanent summer in our hearts now, where we’re never apart.”

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction, Memoir, Travel, Sports, Adventure

318 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

Joe Kurmaskie, dubbed the "Metal Cowboy" by a blind rancher he encountered one icy morning in Idaho, has been addicted to the intoxicating freedom and power of the bicycle ever since he "borrowed" his big sister's banana-seat bike at the age of five. As he careened down the neighborhood hill, much to his parents' dismay, Joe set in motion what has become a lifelong love affair with the road and the wheel.

-from metalcowboy.com

Reviews

[Jeff Rosendahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far and away the best touring book I've read! Love that Kurmaskie tells about the ride itself, the people he meets, his own life philosophies/"A-HA" moments, and his kids reactions. A bit preachy sometimes but always with a large helping of humor. It could have been longer, I think I would have enjoyed more if it was. I believe there's another book by the same author - that'll have to be my next "To-Read."

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun "bike across America" story. Kurmaskie mixes it up by taking along his two young sons, one on a tagalong bike and the other in a kid trailer. His stories are humorous, one that I liked involved him riding up a very steep hill, he turned around and discovered his son had his feet up on the bar and was not pedaling. Son, 7 years old, says "dad, I haven't pedaled for two days. I honestly don't know how he did it or how the two kids did it.

[Joelle Tiessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining read from the Metal Cowboy. He's funny and unbelievable!

[Meg Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the stories Joe tells, they are fun, humorous, it’s like hearing the best life stories around a campfire. How kids are so lucky!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guy is hilarious! (And a tad crazy ... But in a good way.) What an incredible adventure for his kids! And an amazing learning and bonding experience like no other. All parents should read this. Not so they too will pack up their kids and bike and take off cross-country. But how about taking them out fly-fishing? Or hiking? Or helping out at Habitat for Humanity? Something, anything that keeps them from having nothing but childhood memories of Barney and Guitar Hero. It's all about experiencing life and people, and being able to laugh while doing so. Great book ... two thumbs up! :)

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First you're struck by the enormity of the undertaking: biking solo across the U.S. with your two sons aged 7 and 5. He tells the tale with lots of humor, making the reader feel he is right along with them, seeing through Joe's eyes and the eyes of his boys. Second, what I'd give for his ability to recognize and surrender to "the moment", whenever and wherever it comes. And finally, as a parent, wow, what an amazing extended bonding experience to have with one's children. A fun fast read, and one whose images will stay with me for a long time.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had been sitting on my shelf for awhile. I wanted something light to read so decided to go for it. It's a bit dated now with some of the references and humor, but it's still fun. And the life lessons with his two young sons still hold. Some cringe-worthy language around folks with dwarfism that could be offensive (and somehow comes up multiple times...) But overall a fun and quick read about a long haul bike tour that both inspires and makes you realize that type of adventure is probably not for you.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicling an epic 4,000 mile summer ride across America, Kurmaskie shared a hilarious tale. His adventure started in Oregon, snaked back and forth across Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado then on through the Midwest, and into West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and finally Washington D.C. all while pulling 14 feet of bike, tagalong bike, kiddie bike trailer and TWO SONS. I spent most of the book laughing and the rest envying his wife's summer vacation.

[Sahil Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book about a dad who takes his two sons across the US via bicycle. He is a little heavy-handed with his political opinions and morals (even if I agree with the large majority of both) but the stories with his kids are exceptional. The best story is one involving his younger son and a watermelon. Also good is the story about meeting his dad at an overnight break (can't say anything more lest I spoil the book).

[Paulcbry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world as seen from a bicycle by an author who bravely takes his kids with him on a cross country trip. What makes it interesting is the people they meet on the way. When you first meet someone you register an opinion of them that often stands to be corrected once you get to know them better. The author also pulls out all the stops with witticisms that will either grow on you or grow old depending on your perspective.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was a gift two years ago, but I just got around to reading it. I plan on checking out the author's other books I loved this book so much.

It's laugh out loud funny and thought provoking. If you are of the same generation as the author a lot of the cultural references will ring a bell. (Seriously, anyone who quotes Lloyd Dobbler from "Say Anything" is worth a read.)

[Ronald Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Amazing and insane, are both my first reactions to this book. The book is about a cyclist who takes his seven and five year old sons on a coast to coast journey. The book describes their daily activities, sites seen and mishaps along the way. The story is both funny and serious, but all inspiring, for cyclists and non-cyclists alike.

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have to be a cyclist to read this book, although you will appreciate his efforts more if you are. He is a funny guy and a good writer. I loved his choices about what to include in the book - more about the people they met along the way and life from the lips of his boys than anything else.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time, the Metal Cowboy, Joe Kurmaskie rides over 3,000 miles across America with his two young sons, Quin, 7 and Enzo, 5. Their ride, 1 14' combination of bike, trailer bike and trailer. Joe's homespun writing style and natural wit takes the reader on a fun-filled trip across our country and into the lives and homes of so many truly unique and wonderful individuals.

[Ken · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a great idea for a book. This is the narrative of a father and sons as they bike their way across the U.S. Unfortunately, the writing style is near-unreadable. The author constantly attempts to be flashy when he should really just be telling the story.

[Mr. Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the highlights of a trip across the country with the author's two boys. Another inspiring book that can give you the travel bug. The stories are disconnected but that can be good if you take your time reading a book. Definitely worth the read.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great adventure book on two wheels (well 5 wheels actually). It's funny, it's engaging, it's inspiring but there's no way I'd ever drag 2 small kids behind me and ride 4,000 miles across country. The guys a nut-job albeit a funny one. Good, light Summer reading.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It would be a good one to read with your kids. A fun filled and often hilarious adventure for these two boys with their dad. It's full of laughs and surprises. Joe's wife must be a very open minded woman to allow her young sons to go off on such an adventure.

[Jodi]

I enjoyed this authors, wit, charm and humility. I especially enjoyed reading about him and his boys on this journey. It reminded me of our family trips and backpacking adventures. Got me pretty nostalgic.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy is nuts. Biking cross country dragging his two little boys behind him. But the kids were a hoot and I really enjoyed this book. Thanks for letting me read this, Kelley.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Kurmaskie is a kindred spirit. I'm inspired by how he just goes for it. I hope to emulate his cross country gaunt less at least one attachement to the bike.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preachy and unsubtle, but still amusing enough to keep me going. Too much about family bonding, not enough about the actual bike touring.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hysterical story of a bicyclist who pulls his 7 year old and 5 year old across the country. Very readable. A nice light read.

[Salem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining, but I didn't love it. Sort of sorry I bought this for my dad last Christmas. I hope he didn't hate it.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a journey! Would that I had the ambition/ability to make this ride 1 up. But with 2 kids in tow? That's courage.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and funny family trip memoir even if you are not into cycling. By local Portland author.

[Janette Mcmahon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy, motivating, and again crazy! What a funny and motivating read about family, biking, and adventure.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy is super funny. I loved all his pop culture references and the quotes at the beginning of every chapter. This story really inspired me to get on the road by myself and with my nieces.

[Zach]

If you like true stories and want to be inspired, you should read Momentum is Your Friend.