in 1976, the TransAmerica coast-to-coast cycling trail was launched, as part of the USA’s bicentennial, and since then, many thousands of cyclists, from around the world, have cycled the route. One such cyclist is the ever-amazing Juliana Buhring (who makes a cameo appearance in this book).
However, the most remarkable stories about the TransAm comes not from elite ultra-distance athletes, but rather from normal people. People like two middle-aged blokes, who packed up their jobs, to go experience some trail magic. People like Paul Dunt, and his friend, Terry Wooller. This book tells their story.
Not all adventurers are the same
Dunt and Wooller weren’t evenly matched on this ride. Wooller was fast and fit, as well as well-organised. Dunt was the polar opposite of all that. As someone who tends to limit cycling adventures with others to no more than 3 days, I sensed trouble from the outset.
Here’s the thing: most men are rubbish at communication, especially with other men, but somehow Dunt and Wooller sidestepped that. Between them, from the start, they agreed on a policy of complete honesty about how each made the other feel. Things did get a head, but because of that policy, they managed to deal with it, instead of having a massive row, and parting ways.
The frustrating part
We live in the digital age, and there really is no excuse for making very poor navigational decisions. Despite this, the pair made several poor decisions, and at times, had an extremely unconcerned approach to routing, and the weather.
In the UK, the weather is not nearly as severe as it can be in the USA, and their approach was as if cycle touring in the UK. That could easily have led to deadly outcomes, but they were saved a few times by sheer luck. Or trail magic!
The USA today
You don’t have to be glue to the news to read about some very alarming things happening in the USA today, but the USA they experienced in this book is an amazing place. They were met with kindness from complete strangers throughout, and along the way, they made what I suspect will be lifelong friends.
The verdict
Dunt is an exceptional storyteller, and is helped by having an exceptional story to tell. Theirs was a fantastic adventure – the stuff that dreams are made of – and the manner in which Dunt regales it is refreshing, honest, and extremely entertaining.
This book I now rate as one of the very best cycle touring books I ever had the pleasure of reading. Dunt never bores you with detail, yet he also expertly weaves side-stories into the narrative in a manner that shows they were always part of a greater whole.
Full disclosure: Dunt sent me a pre-production copy of the book, and I didn’t buy it. However, I would gladly have bought this book, without a moment’s regret. I enjoyed reading it so much that I’m now impatiently waiting for his next book to be released.
Do yourself the favour of buying this book. You can get your copy here, or at any good book store.