Customer Reviews

Changing Gears: Bicycling America's Perimeter

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

 

 

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.

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.

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

This is more than a ride. It is an experience with America's landscape and the country's generous and gregarious people.

I bought this on the recommendation of a friend, but found it hard to read. I kept falling asleep.

Jane's book is like a newsy letter from a friend.
When she undertook her journey, she was just a bit older than I am now. I too am a lifetime traveller, and a single 50+ female one at that. And sure, I own a bike (every creature still breathing in Missoula Montana owns and rides a bike!).
What interested me most, however, were the human dynamics: the road adventures; the quite critical elements (sensitively understated) of early social exchanges: decisions of whether to rest or pedal another 20 miles, camp out or book a room, sightsee an extra day or hit the road... and, later on, while pedalling 'alone' the delights and challenges of wholly independent travel. These are what fascinate me most.
Jane is intuitive enough to sense that we WANT to know what's on the menu at the traveller's cafe and who was there and how they were attired. How petty it sounds; yet how genuine are such 'issues' when on the road-- whether with chance acquaintances or longtime friends.
Go ahead! Read and relish the details of this remarkable courageous journey but take note of the 'other stuff' as well.
My only criticism? I winced at Jane's self-identification as an "old lady". Late 50s?? "Old" is decades away from us, girl.

I was not able to complete this book because I grew increasingly annoyed with the simplistic writing style of the author. She had a way of making potentially interesting events sound boring. Her voyage was admirable, and the title is excellent, but I didn't like the writing.