Tag: bicycle touring

Day 5, Pilgrim Spokes – Off The Road and Onto the Katy Trail

From a crummy morning in rain and heavy traffic to a delightful coast onto the Katy Trail

Now in Missouri, my day starts in Warrensburg, along a very busy US-50 into Sedalia. My day ends well into the Katy Trail, with friends who I’ll spend the next couple days with at a leisurely pace along this national treasure of a rail trail.

  • I’m once again impressed by the warmth and friendliness of Midwesterners, as a young woman stops her car in the rain and offers to help me as I fix a flat.
  • Breakfast at the Sunrise Cafe reminds me that I’m entering a part of the country where cigarette smoking in a diner is socially acceptable.
  • A missed shift causes me to get help, taking me back to a bike shop in Sedalia before moving along to Hartsburg.
  • I meet Dan and Susan who’re traversing the Katy Trail on their Tandem, and we chat about careers and marriage, and what it takes to make either last.
  • Arriving at The Globe Hotel, I meet Rick, who doesn’t have a thing for cats, and for whom cats likewise have no thing.
  • I’m pleased to recall the story of “please” in Cincinnati… Please, you say?
  • It’s Thursday, so no food is available in town. Well, except the pizza. Because it’s Thursday.
  • Did I mention the cats?

A cross-country bicycle adventure is the canvas for this tale of discovery along the winding backroads of America’s heartland. The second book in the “Cycling Reflections” series, Pilgrim Spokes tells the story of the eastern half of the trans-American trek, continuing the saga begun in Neil’s award-winning previous book—Pilgrim Wheels—which reconnoiters the western half of the journey.

More than just a journal of a bike ride across the country, Hanson’s delightful and beautifully written story takes the reader on an engaging pilgrimage of observation and reflection. Often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and always inspiring, it’s a must-read adventure that will stir your soul.

Three Top Images From The Day

Sunrise along US-50 after riding through drizzle for the first hour of pre-dawn light.
Onto the Katy Trail
One of many cut banks along the Katy Trail

Pilgrim Wheels Honored as INDIEFAB Finalist

Foreword Reviews Picks Pilgrim Wheels as Finalist in Adventure & Recreation, Body, Mind & Spirit, and Travel categories.

We’re delighted and honored that Foreword Reviews has picked Pilgrim Wheels as a finalist in three categories for the 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award. There’s an impressive array of what appear to be really high quality indie books on their finalist list, and I feel great to be among them.

Thanks to the team at Foreword Reviews for this really excellent recognition! I really appreciate it.

A cross-country bicycle adventure is the canvas for this tale of discovery along the winding backroads of America’s heartland. The second book in the “Cycling Reflections” series, Pilgrim Spokes tells the story of the eastern half of the trans-American trek, continuing the saga begun in Neil’s award-winning previous book—Pilgrim Wheels—which reconnoiters the western half of the journey.

More than just a journal of a bike ride across the country, Hanson’s delightful and beautifully written story takes the reader on an engaging pilgrimage of observation and reflection. Often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and always inspiring, it’s a must-read adventure that will stir your soul.

Day 4, Pilgrim Spokes – Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri

Out of the prairie, into the woods

Though this is the fourth day of riding recounted in Pilgrim Spokes, it’s the second day of riding for me on this final leg of the journey. I begin my day at Ottawa in eastern Kansas, and make my way east into hills that roll a bit more and trees that are less and less sparse with each mile.

I meet some fun people on this day, including my first encounter with fellow cross-country cyclists. Highlights include:

  • A young couple who run a convenience store in Harrisonville who struggle with the concept that someone would be riding their bicycle 100 miles, let alone across the country.
  • James and Lei, a couple of fellow cross-country cyclists, one of whom had never ridden a bike in his life before having a new bike shipped to the west coast, flying out to meet it, strapping gear on it, and beginning the punishing trek east. Really.
  • Jeremy at the bike store in Warrensburg, who’s takes my blog information to pass onto his folks, (who’re my age presumably), thinking they might get out and exercise more. Apparently he’s astounded that an old fart like me can gather the wits to make a bike stay upright, not to mention ride it across the country.
  • Several miles of unintended gravel road – big chunks of gravel that are awful on road tires. (One of the disadvantages of picking routes myself rather than using routes from somewhere like Adventure Cycling was that I ended up on a couple sections of road like this for short distances.)

A cross-country bicycle adventure is the canvas for this tale of discovery along the winding backroads of America’s heartland. The second book in the “Cycling Reflections” series, Pilgrim Spokes tells the story of the eastern half of the trans-American trek, continuing the saga begun in Neil’s award-winning previous book—Pilgrim Wheels—which reconnoiters the western half of the journey.

More than just a journal of a bike ride across the country, Hanson’s delightful and beautifully written story takes the reader on an engaging pilgrimage of observation and reflection. Often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and always inspiring, it’s a must-read adventure that will stir your soul.

Three Top Images From The Day

Another beautiful sunrise in Kansas - My last Kansas sunrise as I cross the border into Missouri.
Typical small midwestern town, this one is Harrisonville I think.
The advantage of picking routes myself is I get to end up on beautiful backcountry roads like this.

Day 3 – Cottonwood Falls to Ottawa

Out of the Flint Hills and into eastern Kansas

A fog hangs just above us as we begin our next day before dawn, continuing north in the heart of the Flint Hills along K-177. It’s a chapter of transition in Pilgrim Spokes, as the actual chronology of the ride was such that 2 years elapsed between the morning ride and the completion of the day in Ottawa. I couldn’t take the month+ off work to complete the cross-country journey in a single year, so needed to split it up. Dave had the same issue, so our miles across the country were broken chronologically in such a way that we rode about half the journey together and about half of it alone.

But this day of transition is more than just about chronology, as I explore in Pilgrim Spokes. Highlights include:

  • A foggy start through the beautiful Flint Hills shrouded in mist.
  • Breakfast at the Saddle Rock Cafe.
  • That point of transition where on Ride 1 Dave and I continue north through the Flint Hills, and back out into Western Kansas.
  • Ride 2 which I pick up in this section, experiencing a second Kansas sunrise, this time alone.
  • Riding east out of the Flint Hills on the first day of the final leg of the journey.
  • Talking to Jeff in Osage City, and his experience getting hit by a pickup truck while cycling.
  • Dinner with Bubba in Ottawa.

A cross-country bicycle adventure is the canvas for this tale of discovery along the winding backroads of America’s heartland. The second book in the “Cycling Reflections” series, Pilgrim Spokes tells the story of the eastern half of the trans-American trek, continuing the saga begun in Neil’s award-winning previous book—Pilgrim Wheels—which reconnoiters the western half of the journey.

More than just a journal of a bike ride across the country, Hanson’s delightful and beautifully written story takes the reader on an engaging pilgrimage of observation and reflection. Often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and always inspiring, it’s a must-read adventure that will stir your soul.

Three Top Images From The Day

Morning ride through the Flint Hills
Flint Hills farmstead
Sunrise in eastern Kansas headed east on the final leg of the journey

Day 2 – Pilgrim Spokes, Wellington to Cottonwood Falls

Into the Flint Hills

Our morning ride east from Wellington along 160 is treacherous with morning traffic and thick fog. We enjoy breakfast at a diner in Winfield, then let the south wind decide our route for the rest of the journey at this fork in the road. Admittedly, the Flint Hills feel like “home” to me, and I really want to share this wonderful region with Dave.

The heat and traffic lead us to ask for a little help across the busy section of US-77 through El Dorado. Starting to pedal again on the NE side of El Dorado, we journey forth into the July Kansas swelter and through the Flint Hills. A wonderful ride through this gorgeous region leads us to Cottonwood Falls, where we decide to end our day at the Millstream Resort Motel along the Cottonwood River.

The next day is a wonderful rest day there in Cottonwood Falls, and we enjoy the local color and style. I spend a good deal of time talking about this color and style in Pilgrim Spokes, along with discussions with several of the people we met along the path from Wellington to Cottonwood Falls. I learn that pie fixes everything, catfishing is alive and well, and spend a little time hunting with Beethoven. I also introduce readers to the concept of tennis on the back porch.

A cross-country bicycle adventure is the canvas for this tale of discovery along the winding backroads of America’s heartland. The second book in the “Cycling Reflections” series, Pilgrim Spokes tells the story of the eastern half of the trans-American trek, continuing the saga begun in Neil’s award-winning previous book—Pilgrim Wheels—which reconnoiters the western half of the journey.

More than just a journal of a bike ride across the country, Hanson’s delightful and beautifully written story takes the reader on an engaging pilgrimage of observation and reflection. Often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and always inspiring, it’s a must-read adventure that will stir your soul.

Three Top Images From The Day

Foggy start to the morning out of Wellington
Highway 177 in the Flint Hills
Back veranda at the Millstream Resort Motel in Cottonwood Falls

Midwest Book Review Thumbs Up for Pilgrim Spokes

Thanks to D. Donovan for a very nice review

 

Midwest Book Review had some very kind words for Pilgrim Spokes in their June issue. Check out the review at MBR’s June online site, or at the reviewers site, but below are a couple of highlights:

  • “Pilgrim Spokes delivers a delightful blend of travelogue, cycling insights, and reflections on his journey along America’s byways.”
  • “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.”
  • “Hanson immerses the reader in the cultures and experiences of the communities who invite him in to their world…”
  • “The introspection prompted by Hanson’s encounters is wonderfully done…”
  • “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.”

A cross-country bicycle adventure is the canvas for this tale of discovery along the winding backroads of America’s heartland. The second book in the “Cycling Reflections” series, Pilgrim Spokes tells the story of the eastern half of the trans-American trek, continuing the saga begun in Neil’s award-winning previous book—Pilgrim Wheels—which reconnoiters the western half of the journey.

More than just a journal of a bike ride across the country, Hanson’s delightful and beautifully written story takes the reader on an engaging pilgrimage of observation and reflection. Often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and always inspiring, it’s a must-read adventure that will stir your soul.

Pilgrim Spokes Day 1 – Western Kansas

Out of the Medicine Hills and onto the humid southern Kansas farmland

Pilgrim Spokes opens with Dave and I sharing some friendly banter and chicken fried steak with a couple bikers in Medicine Lodge after riding about 40 miles before breakfast. This 40 miles section through the Medicine Hills was covered in Pilgrim Wheels, so we begin Pilgrim Spokes at the diner over chicken fried steak.

We glide from there out into the humid farmland of southern Kansas, enjoying the ongoing good nature and hospitality of the wonderful Kansas folk we’re privileged to meet. The heat is oppressive, and we wallow in the AC at a diner in Harper, where we launch into dialogue about the Jedi powers of women and the magical formulas for making relationships last through life.

Thunderstorms building around us convince us to stop after about 115 miles for the day in Wellington, where the AC in the room can’t keep up with the heat, but this doesn’t seem to bother anyone but Dave and I. We have supper at a little 50’s theme diner, and suffer through a hot night’s sleep with a freight train of an AC unit trying in vain to manage the heat.

A cross-country bicycle adventure is the canvas for this tale of discovery along the winding backroads of America’s heartland. The second book in the “Cycling Reflections” series, Pilgrim Spokes tells the story of the eastern half of the trans-American trek, continuing the saga begun in Neil’s award-winning previous book—Pilgrim Wheels—which reconnoiters the western half of the journey.

More than just a journal of a bike ride across the country, Hanson’s delightful and beautifully written story takes the reader on an engaging pilgrimage of observation and reflection. Often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and always inspiring, it’s a must-read adventure that will stir your soul.

Three Top Images From The Day

Sunrise in the Medicine Hills
Southern Kansas Farm Country
The AC didn't work well in 100 degree heat and 100% humidity

Pilgrim Spokes First Release Today

eBook Format Released Today

Hopefully I get better and better each time at estimating and predicting timelines for book releases with each book I release, and someday I’ll actually get it exactly right… While I’m hitting my predicted release date for Pilgrim Spokes in eBook format, it looks like I’m still a couple weeks out for the paperback format. However, it’s available today for pre-order from Amazon, and they’ll be able to ship them out about June 15 on the paperback release date. I’m planning a series of posts to correspond to the route I followed on the bicycle ride that story in Pilgrim Spokes is woven around, along with images for each post.

Stay tuned for more information, and for some periodic specials on both the paperback and the eBook.

A cross-country bicycle adventure is the canvas for this tale of discovery along the winding backroads of America’s heartland. The second book in the “Cycling Reflections” series, Pilgrim Spokes tells the story of the eastern half of the trans-American trek, continuing the saga begun in Neil’s award-winning previous book—Pilgrim Wheels—which reconnoiters the western half of the journey.

More than just a journal of a bike ride across the country, Hanson’s delightful and beautifully written story takes the reader on an engaging pilgrimage of observation and reflection. Often hilarious, sometimes poignant, and always inspiring, it’s a must-read adventure that will stir your soul.

The Beginning and The End

Sunrise on the morning in the Medicine Hills of western Kansas where Pilgrim Spokes begins
Getting ready to start the final leg in the pre-dawn darkness in Kansas
Sunrise in Kansas on the first morning of the last 10 day leg of the journey
Moonrise Over The Chesapeake
Celebratory toast in Annapolis at the completion of the ride.

Pilgrim Spokes – ARC Update

Pilgrim Spokes ARCs Available In April – Options 

If you’ve signed up for an Advanced Review Copy of Pilgrim Spokes, a couple of things:

First and foremost: Thank You! Each book I publish teaches me a little more about the publishing industry. The big gorilla in the business are those 5-star reviews you see as soon as a book is released. While obviously every review isn’t 5-star for any book, if my writing wasn’t your cup of tea you probably wouldn’t want to do an advanced review for my next book. Advanced readers are a foundation of folks who generally enjoy what I write, and I treasure your fine literary taste. 🙂

Availability and format. The book is complete and “in production” as they say in the publishing world. It’s in various stages of design and layout, and in the coming weeks will go to the printer. However, the manuscript itself – the content – is complete, and I will have the following formats available to send for review by 4/20:

  • PDF. The old standby that can be read on any device, though it’s really only practical if you’re going to read on something like a computer screen or an iPad.
  • ePub. This is the format that is used by iBooks and Nook.
  • Kindle. The MOBI file is Amazon’s proprietary format, and while it’s a more convoluted process for me to get a MOBI file to your Kindle for you, I can surely do it if Kindle is your preferred format. (Amazon has the lion’s share of the eBook market, so most of us-including me-use this format as our primary e-reading platform.)

If you prefer a printed copy, I hope to have those available for advanced reviews in early to mid May. If you choose an electronic file for the advanced review, but want a printed copy when they come out as well, just let me know and I’m happy to send that to you when it releases.

Cyclists Changing The World Two Wheels At A Time

A friend (Ross Del Duca over at JustAnotherCyclist.com) sent me this link to a story about some courageous Afghan women who are breaking boundaries down on their bicycles. I’m not sure how this works, but they were one of a handful of folks who were nominated to be the National Geographic People’s Choice 2016 Adventurer of the Year.

“In Afghanistan, a woman riding a bicycle is culturally taboo. But in 2012, a group of brave Afghan women began working toward a goal: to compete internationally as the Afghan Women’s Cycling Team. Their passion for cycling has sparked a cultural debate about women’s rights as additional women’s cycling clubs have begun to pop up around the country.” See photos from the adventure.

As-if that’s not enough, they’ve also been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize!

Changing the world, two wheels at a time. Next time I’m doing something that feels like adventure, I’ll remember these women, and put my little escapade into perspective. 🙂

And I do have another little escapade coming up, albeit small in comparison to this story. My next book will release in Q2. A date hasn’t been set, but I’m currently targeting sometime in May. It’s the second half of the journey story behind my bicycle sojourn across America.

More to come in the next few weeks as a schedule crystalizes. Thanks in advance to those who will be reading advanced copies – I hope to have those available soon.