Read what readers have to say about Pilgrim Spokes
Reviewed by D. Donovan for Midwest Book Review
Hanson’s story takes the time to capture subtle nuances within his journey, and this sets it apart from other travelogues. Pilgrim Spokes is a vivid read filled with personal reflection, philosophical insights, physical challenges, and a dose of spirituality that immerses the reader in an exhilarating ride.
Pilgrim Spokes: Cycling East Across America continues cyclist Neil Hanson’s story of his journey across America via bicycle, and begins where the first book (Pilgrim Wheels) left off as he rides from Medicine Lodge in Kansas to Annapolis on the east coast.
At 60 years old, Hanson is beyond the age when most people would take on this sort of self powered cross country adventure. He averaged 100 miles a day in the course of his ride, traveled alone for part of his journey and then continued on with a fellow cyclist. Pilgrim Spokes delivers a delightful blend of travelogue, cycling insights, and reflections on his journey along America’s byways.
Pilgrim Spokes and Pilgrim Wheels adopt such a similar tone that one might wonder why the two books weren’t merely incorporated under one cover; but as Hanson explains in his introduction, “the complete answer revolves around things like taking the time for deep and meaningful reflection, transforming the pace of a bicycle ride into a book, and wanting to tell a more complete story.”
Not a hasty rush through America, his journey allowed a deep and meaningful embrace of the experience as he meandered from the Pacific to the Atlantic. It would have thwarted the spirit of this journey to have edited out many of these experiences for the sake of cramming them all into one book. Reflecting the slower pace of a bicycle ride, Pilgrim Spokes indulges the reader within a journey that fully explores the sights, sounds, sensations, and encounters of the road.
Readers need not be avid cyclists in order to appreciate Pilgrim Spokes. The focus is on the experience and the journey, not just the destination or the mechanics of getting there. Armchair readers will be as enchanted with this book as will be the cyclist who contemplates this sort of epic journey.
Hanson immerses the reader in the cultures and experiences of the communities who invite him in to their world: “It’s late in the night when the music gets underway down in the living room. The cool September night air feels good creeping in through my open window, the quiet disturbed only by wonderful sounds from the living room below, filling the air with the songs of musicians expressing themselves through the souls of their instruments. Their music drifts out through the windows downstairs, across the old porch, and folds itself luxuriantly around me in my bed above. Music has been an unexpected and delightful surprise to me as I’ve crossed Missouri.”
The introspection prompted by Hanson’s encounters is wonderfully done — “I lay awake, watching lights from outside the partially closed curtain playing across the ceiling. I’m a lucky man to have the solid oak planking of a friendship with Dave in my life. I’m a lucky man to have been part of a marriage that lasted 30 years. I hope to be wise enough to recognize and appreciate the wise and imperfect people I will cross paths with as I continue down this road I’m on.” They blend nicely with the pedaling progress of his road trip: “This old secondary road may very well be the Old Old National Road, hinted at by an old covered bridge sitting by itself in a city park in the town of Lewisburg. I ride over to and around the bridge, a feeling of disappointment hanging over me. The bridge is clearly out of place here in the dry park, like a once-proud lion panting on the concrete in a cage at the zoo.”
While Hanson’s story shares many moments of joy and sweet reflection, there are also darker experiences, including physical exhaustion and pain, deadly attacks from passing thugs, and deep personal regret. Many of the obstacles that he discovers emerge as much from emotional psyche, the need for flexibility, and gaps in comfort as they do from physical effort.
Hanson’s story takes the time to capture subtle nuances within his journey, and this sets it apart from other travelogues. Pilgrim Spokes is a vivid read filled with personal reflection, philosophical insights, physical challenges, and a dose of spirituality that immerses the reader in an exhilarating ride.
Reviewed by Kirkus Reviews
Hanson is a thoughtful narrator, using many of his encounters as excuses to wax philosophical. Readers will consequently feel fortunate to find themselves immersed in meditations about “a basic difference between the right-wing mindset and the left-wing mindset” in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, “the state of civility in our nation” en route to Ottawa City, Kansas, and how some people attain “that perfect balance of comfort and adventure in their marriage” on the road to Warrensburg, Missouri. As a result, this isn’t just a book for bicycle enthusiasts; it’s also for any fan of the examined life. “The spokes stretching out in front of me are connected to the ones that got me here by the hub that is the here and now,” Hanson notes toward the end of his journey, and by then, readers will know more than a little about where he’s coming from.
At nearly 60 years of age, and only a few years after his divorce from his wife of three decades, Hanson attempted a feat that would daunt a young man: he pedaled clear across the country, with his friend Dave, from the west coast to the east—a total of 3,400 miles. The author’s previous memoir took readers from Monterey, California, to Medicine Lodge, Kansas. This second and final volume of his adventures begins on the 20th day of his trip. Readers find him making friends with bikers over chicken-fried steak somewhere in Kansas, “gawking at every marsh hawk that glides across the fence line,” and making his peace with all sorts of difficulties, including pouring rain, baking sun, and a hotel “dripping” with cats. Some adventures are unpleasant and even dangerous. At one point, a pair of nameless hooligans in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, hurl a beer bottle at his back from a speeding truck. Nonetheless, he and his companion, Dave, decide against reporting it, reasoning that “if this is like most places in the country, they don’t take attacks on cyclists seriously.” Hanson is a thoughtful narrator, using many of his encounters as excuses to wax philosophical. Readers will consequently feel fortunate to find themselves immersed in meditations about “a basic difference between the right-wing mindset and the left-wing mindset” in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, “the state of civility in our nation” en route to Ottawa City, Kansas, and how some people attain “that perfect balance of comfort and adventure in their marriage” on the road to Warrensburg, Missouri. As a result, this isn’t just a book for bicycle enthusiasts; it’s also for any fan of the examined life. “The spokes stretching out in front of me are connected to the ones that got me here by the hub that is the here and now,” Hanson notes toward the end of his journey, and by then, readers will know more than a little about where he’s coming from.
A book that offers plenty of “shared sojourner’s camaraderie” in the company of a happy, philosophical companion.
Reviewed by Faridah Nassozi for Reader’s Favorites
This is not just a recounting of how he got from city A to city B and who/what he may or may not have seen there. It is a journey of reflection and realization. The beautiful style and visual descriptions bring forth the essence of his whole being as he savors the magic of it all.
Ever wondered how it would feel to travel across America on a bicycle? Well, wonder no more. Neil Hanson gives you a chance to enjoy this incredible experience through his eyes and soul. Pilgrim Spokes (Cycling East Across America) is the second and final installment of his bicycle pilgrimage across America in just over 30 days. But his is no ordinary narration. It goes beyond merely telling a story of the places he visited and the people he met along the way, to give you his thoughts and feelings as he threw his heart into the journey and the profound way the experience touched his soul. This second part of his tale is a seventeen-day ride through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Maryland, and he takes you beyond the surface of the journey into life itself.
Pilgrim Spokes (Cycling East Across America) is more than just a physical journey. Neil Hanson gives you more than the usual “sights and sounds” narration and takes you into his mind and soul. This is not just a recounting of how he got from city A to city B and who/what he may or may not have seen there. It is a journey of reflection and realization. The beautiful style and visual descriptions bring forth the essence of his whole being as he savors the magic of it all. For me, it was especially inspiring when he mentioned that work interrupted the journey. Right there and then I realized that he did not wait to retire or use any of those excuses many of us usually give to put off things that we desire to do outside our everyday routines. This was a optimistic reminder that, as long as you are passionate enough about something, you can make time for it without necessarily putting the rest of your life on permanent hold. A blissful and captivating read.
Review by an Amazon reader — Loved this book… Read It!
Neil’s book is a truly great read… and it went by too fast! The stories he shares along the way make the reader experience pedaling along with a new friend out on the road. Descriptions of the small towns, rural roads and landscapes he cycled through paint a great visual image of America from the saddle. Neil shares his unforeseen challenges and their unexpected rewards, both internal and external, along the way in an honest tone and, as great story teller’s do, allows us to not only share the adventure, but also feel that adventure along with him. Thanks Neil… I can’t wait for the next book!
Review by John Grimsrud–A philosophical journey across America’s highways and byways by bicycle,
The thing I loved the most about the book was the author’s gifted ability to relate his astute observations…definitely a five star book.
Excerpt: “Time for reflection was one of the many gifts I discovered on my pilgrimage across America. Reflection on myself, the places I rode through, the people I met, the things I discovered. My sojourn wasn’t about the million-and-a-half pedal strokes it took me to get from one coast to the other, or about the route I took, or about the places I slept at night. It was a wonderful adventure of discovery, and I want the story I share with readers to expose as much of that discovery as possible.”
Reviewed by Richard William Ray–Five Stars, November 18, 2016
Long distance touring is an activity that most people never experience. It’s not so much because of the physical challenge, it just that most of us convince ourselves we don’t have the time. Everyone I’ve ever talked to who rode a long distance on a bicycle described it as life changing in positive ways they never imagined. This, and Neil’s second book are some of the best descriptions of the experience I’ve heard. Fine writing worth reading.
Reviewed by Stonewort–Go along for the ride. You’ll feel better for it., July 30, 2016
After reading Neil’s book about the first half of his cross-country bike ride, I was eager to read this one about the second half, though I wondered if it would be as good. Turns out it’s actually better. In this tale, recounting the ride from the Midwest to points east, Neil has honed his observational skills and does an even better job of blending in-the-moment travelogue with cogitations on the bigger meaning of it all. What I liked best about both books is that they allowed me to join the trip vicariously and experience the road as Neil and his cycling buddy did. I could relate to the joys and miseries he details and felt the pleasure of recognition when he described places I have been. I particularly liked reading about his encounters with the people along the way, often fellow travelers, waitresses, motel proprietors, and the like. It still amazes me that Neil had the stamina and overall fitness to undertake this ride. It inspires me to know that at an age when many men morph into couch potatoes, Neil is still out there facing the same physical challenges that he undertook 35 years ago.
Review by Roadrider–every person he met and you might even feel like you’re his part time riding partner Dave
Having read Neil’s first chronicle about his cross country trek, Pilgrim Wheels, I was expecting at least the compelling narrative that put me on the road right with him. In Pilgrim Spokes, you will feel not only on the road with him but pedaling every mile he traveled, every hill, every person he met and you might even feel like you’re his part time riding partner Dave.
Pilgrim Spokes is brilliantly written in the first person account only Neil could have done for this exciting adventure from coast to coast. I actually met Neil in Denver at the REI flagship store a few years ago and looked forward to reading his books. Now that I have followed him across the country in book form, I will highly recommend you do the same with this and his first book. Neil is an amazing rider and writer who not only captures his bike dreams but gives you insight to his life and probably yours too. Pilgrim Spokes is a “I can’t put it down” book and you might even shed a few tears as you read certain sections. It’s that good. And you’ll smile. And if you get up and your legs are sore, well, that is how good he is in telling his story. Well done, Neil!
Reviewed by Richard D Pynn–Go along for the ride
Pilgrim Spokes picks up where Pilgrim Wheels left off and continues the journey to it’s conclusion. You should read “Wheels” before “Spokes” to get to know Neil (and Dave) because we are picking up in Medicine Lodge Kansas and riding to Annapolis Maryland. There is a companion book “Pilgrim Way” that details the specifics of the ride from the detailed route, mileage logs, gear, etc. that is interesting for the serious cyclists who can get into those statistics. In “Spokes”, as in “Wheels”, Neil continues in his stream of consciousness style of reflecting on things around him, in front of and behind him, his life, society, history, the people he meets and the natural world around him, capturing well the stream of thought one experiences while out on a bike for an extended time and which experienced cyclists know well. It’s one of the perks of getting out on a bike.
Neil is a skillful writer and the book reads easily from place to place. It is not just for cyclists, but reading it makes a strong case for becoming one. I think most cyclists have a dream of one day doing what Neil did, and unless you are in your 20’s and can ride with big panniers and sleep in parks, Neil’s minimalist approach is the way to go. I understand there is another book in the works on a South to North journey along the Natchez Trace. Can’t wait.