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..”Â
- “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.