Riding Outside The Lines: International Incidents and Other Misadventures with the Metal Cowboy

by Joe Kurmaskie

Like a modern-day Don Quixote, Joe Kurmaskie—bike adventurer, writer, and twelve-year-old boy trapped in a man’s body—wanders the world on two wheels, often with hilarious results, in Riding Outside the Lines.

A jaunt through such far-flung locations as Ireland, Australia, Mexico, South America, and beyond, here is a collection of tales woven together with one central the world is a much smaller place when you view it from the seat of a bicycle.

Whether he’s weekending in the buff after accidentally stumbling into a nudist colony wedding, knocking back red wine in tin cans with a gun-toting ex–bounty hunter, combing the countryside in a quest to find the all-girl bagpipe squad he met in his dreams, or playing a rousing game of ice golf on the frozen tundra, Joe Kurmaskie writes of his gonzo global trek in a spirit infused with insight, good humor, and optimism . Riding Outside the Lines encourages travel buffs and armchair explorers alike to get on your bike and see the beauty of our planet and the colorful souls who populate it.

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction, Bicycles, Travel, Adventure

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2003

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

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a fun book. what a storyteller. i don't think i believed all the stories--maybe. but if i believe them, then i believe they could have happened to joe. i want to go where he went and see what he saw. i still don't want to do it all on a bike though.

[Li · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know it was written in 2003, but this book is filled with so much male chauvinistic bullshit I could not finish it. I have no respect for this book or the author for putting these words to paper.
It does not happen just once, but over and over again throughout the book. I just finally had to stop reading it. I could not consciously support the author in his thoughts about women.

[Beth Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories about riding a bike in unusual places.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so great! Didn't want it to end the stories are so fantastic.

[E. L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book makes me want to go ride.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I meant to read Metal Cowboy first, but grabbed this on impulse off the library shelf. The book jumps around A LOT from chapter to chapter, and even within each amazing tale from the road. At times this bothered me immensely, and I almost set it down a few times. Thankfully I found the book's meaning in the final few chapters, and I finished the book with a warm regard for a lifestyle I just can't live myself!

I don't know if I believe everything I read- particularly the stories from the teen years. I'm just a little bit younger than the author, yet I definitely did NOT have as adventurous youth. Maybe I regret that?!

[Kobeest · Rating 4 out of 5]

i took this one with me on my last long tour...some very funny stories, written with a witty eye and voice.

a chapter here, a chapter there...it was a good rest day read! while there might have been some anxiety in these stories--the huge vigilante guy in full cowboy regalia!--it didn't seem as introspectively heavy as some of the other bike books. still, i sometimes get the feeling that stories of putting yourself through misery must sell...

[Mr. Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

My expectations for this book were not what was in the book. This book is chock full of interesting anecdotes from the author's life. Most are about human contact and his experiences growing up. It was interesting and his writing style is engaging, but it had very little about biking. I'm looking forward to his next book, Momentum is Your Friend, which focuses on one big trip.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Kurmaskie's original book, "Metal Cowboy: Tales from the Road Less Pedaled" and was excited when I found he'd written more. Anyone who loves to travel and explore other cultures and countries should enjoy this book. Of course, if you enjoy bicycle riding, and particularly to experience the world as opposed to racing, you'll get a hoot out of Joe's stories.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written without structure and can seem fragmented at times, but it's exactly the way the author wants it to be. The writing is like the author's rides, unplanned and carefree. It was extremely entertaining and refreshing to see things from his perspective for a while.

[s-b-t]

Recommended by Jim.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe's books always inspire me to get out and have a good time. I like the way he writes.

[Michelle Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Kurmaskie's writing style. Looks like I may now have to add 'Metal Cowboy' to my ever growing "to read" list.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I didn't like this one as much as Metal Cowboy, Kurmaskie's sense of adventure and good writing still kept me turning pages.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

More good stories from the Metal Cowboy.

[Corrina]

Another fun book about bicycle touring without a plan. I can't do anything without a plan so reading JK's books are a real vacation for me.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

More tales from an intrepid pedal traveler.

[Molly · Rating 1 out of 5]

i keep putting this book on hold and picking up a new one... maybe that says something about it.