Customer Reviews

A Bicycle Journey to the Bottom of the Americas: Being a True Account of a Bike Adventure from Alaska

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is delightful. I looked forward to getting in bed each night to read it. I almost felt like I went along with him on his amazing adventure, and what a time he had! I laughed out loud a number of times. Other times it provoked deep thinking. The chronicle of this odyssey is fun and inspirational as well. Very satisfying.

Being a true account, this book is an "I can't put it down" exciting adventure! A bicycle tour from Anchorage, Alaska to the tip of South America. The people Mr. Hawkins meets, has dinner with, stays with, all portray the human experience in each country. Greatly varyied are the geography and weather. Mr. Hawkins includes photos and descriptions of the personal challenges of surviving through mountains, rain, freezing cold, theft, and more. His writing made it easy to picture and feel the struggles and the joys. A great read!

Adventure at its best-on the seat of a bicycle! I loved reading this book! I especially enjoyed reading the day to day challenges George was faced with on his trip.- The diary form in which the book is written made me feel like I was there experienceing everything- which made it difficult to put the book down. So, if you are looking to experience adventure but don't have the time right now to actually leave your house, read George Hawkin's book.

in reading george hawkins book, a bicycle journey to the bottom of the americas. i found it very deep and rivitting. it was a good account of his incredable bicycle trip in the americas. his style of wrieing is very down to earth, and easy to relate to. i especialy liked his discription of his trip to machu picchu, i could almost feel the spiritulness and tranquility of one of the most beautiful places in the world. i have suggested it as a must read to all my friends.

While Hawkins a times tells an interesting tale, there are indications that the book is sloppily written. I know Alaska and the Yukon quite well, having cycled and worked there, and therefore couldn't help noticing all the errors in Hawkins' descriptions of his travels. Every few pages, for instance, there is an incorrect mileage, or a lodge misplaced or misnamed. The people of Juneau might be surprised to learn that they live along an "Inland Passage", and somehow the Yukon is now a Province. Mostly innocuous errors to be sure, but the sheer number of them left me wondering what else Hawkins got wrong. Also, Hawkins seems to ride a lot of buses and trains, usually in the most scenic places! In Chile, he goes from Antofagasta to Temuco, about half the length of the country in a couple weeks, with no explanation as to how he covered the distance; obviously he didn't bicycle. I was left wondering why he just skips over what I consider one of the most interesting areas in the world in which to cycle tour. In short, hard core cyclists might find the book interesting, but there are better books out there on this subject.

I loved this book and would recommend it to both seasoned adventurers and "armchair travelers" alike! George captured my attention from beginning to end. I "showed up for life" with him page by page. His journey is a great example of what can happen if you are open, travel alone and do not have a firm plan. It may have been a low budget tour but meeting so many unique characters such as the alluring Josephine and the blind whistling Senor Guzman it seemed more like George traveled as a VIP! I felt sad when I reached the end of the book. At the same time I was filled with inspiration and motivation "hit the road".

How many people on this planet -in their middle age, no less- can ride a bike from Alaska to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, and then have enough energy left over to tell dozens of amazing stories gathered all along the way? This book was utterly delightful, and is told in a narrative fashion that makes you feel as though the writer is in the room with you sharing a cup of good coffee (or a cold glass of ale!) Mr. Hawkins is quite engaging, to say the least. Every single anecdote in this book is full of humor and keen observations. The reviewer who made some derogatory comments about spelling and grammar is just jealous. I found this book to be a breath of fresh air, and will appeal to both non-bicyclists and long distance bikers alike. Buy it, read it, and enjoy!

I thought this book was amazing! I origionally started reading it for the section on Peru because I'm going there this winter, but once I started reading, I realized I had to start from the beginning because I was getting so into it. I thought George's adventures were funny, informative, and just plain fun! I gained a lot of knowledge that I will take with me on my trip that I don't think I could have gotten from any old travel book. I'm really glad I got the opportunity to read this book...you don't have to be a cyclist to find it interesting! I reccomend it to anyone interested in traveling!

George not only made one of the epic bicycle tours around but wrote about it in a way that makes a great read. He spun his pedals from one interesting event to the next without dwelling on the hills, headwinds and rain; which are just some of the less interesting points of bicycle touring. He takes you with him on his adventure in a way that makes you want to get on your bike and go for a ride. I wish I could follow in his tracks.

Jim Foreman

Having personally hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, bicycled across the U.S., and kayaked the Inside Passage of Alaska, I can say from experience that George Hawkins "Has been there: to that place in one's soul where adventure is not a matter of counting miles, staying on schedule, or planning outcomes." George's book allowed me to relive the delights of strenuous travel. I laughed, cried, felt the rain and mud, bites of bugs, sips of wiskey, and words of wisdom from this delightful narative. Mr. Hawkins' story flows as a stream meanders, as real life adventure is truly lived. If you want a taste of what you're missing, being stuck at the office in front of a computer all day, give this book a glance. If you're an experienced outdoor adventurer revive the joy and hardships once felt through George's wimsical humor. Or, if your're simply bored or lonely, vicariously enjoy passing the time Journeying to the Bottom of the Americas; you won't regret it.