Changing Gears: Bicycling America's Perimeter [Hardcover]

Jane Schnell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

On her retirement from the CIA, the author and a companion, Bea, set out to travel the perimeter of the U.S. by bicycle, starting west from Detroit in July, 1986. When Bea gave up in Tucson, Ariz., Schnell continued the journey alone, at 57 becoming the oldest person and the only woman to make the 12,000-mile tour. Bicycling for eight and one-half months of the 13-month trip, she camped, stayed in motels and with friends, took side excursions and accepted an occasional ride. Her journal is a lively record of life on the road--encounters with helpful people, observations of wild animals, weather and scenery. Becoming a connoisseur of local bakeries, Schnell gives them cream-puff ratings from California to Maine. In addition to the satisfaction of completing the tour, she discovered a fresh appreciation of her native land. Photos.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 397 pages
• Publisher: Milner Press; First Edition edition (October 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962611204
• ISBN-13: 978-0962611209
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #574,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It was hard to put this book down!, July 11, 1999

By 

[e-mail], L. Montgomery (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Changing Gears: Bicycling America's Perimeter (Hardcover)

I stumbled across this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I could relate to the states & routes they rode through. After reading and enjoying this book, I recommended it to a friend, David, who was heading cross country himself. Amazing as it was, he accidently ran into the authors riding partner in Florida. As this woman related "her" cross country trip, it sounded so familiar to my friend. This woman turned out to be Jane's riding companion and didn't even know the book was written! What a small world!! I still highly recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great bicycling book, January 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Changing Gears: Bicycling America's Perimeter (Hardcover)

This Author has written several books on her bicycle travels. They are all great books but Changing Gears is the greatest. Ms. Schnell makes you feel as if you're strapped on the back of her bike. Rather than a boring "How to" book on touring, this book makes the trip come alive with details and comments that even the non cyclist can relate to.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is what it is really like to live on a bike for a year., May 16, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Changing Gears: Bicycling America's Perimeter (Hardcover)

Jane is able to effectively relate her experience of bicycling around the country over a year long period. After reading this, I think I know what it's like to ride on an extended tour on a day to day basis. The author is likeable and you can easily relate to her since she seems very ordinary (like most of us). Her book is very encouraging and created a desire to do what she has done