Customer Reviews

Mud, Sweat, and Gears: A Rowdy Family Bike Adventure Across Canada on Seven Wheels

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read one of the author's other books (Momentum is Your Friend) and really enjoyed it. Then I saw that he had just had another one published and thought I had to get it! Mostly because I enjoy his style of humour, but also because it was written about a trip across the country I live in, and finally because I support parents who spend so much quality time with their kids.

Rarely do I read books that are not technical in nature. A soft spot exists for cyling books, though. That is why I bought Momentum is Your Friend. This book is just as good, if not better. In fact, I have convinced my non-cyclist wife to read Mud, Sweat and Gears on account of the fact that the author's wife adds her own comments here and there. By the time I was done reading the book, I felt as if I knew the family on a friendly basis. I'm not a speed reader, and didn't have a solid block of time to read the book, but it was so hard to put down that I finished it in a couple of days, anyway.

If you enjoy cycling, camping, families, or just a humorous read, this book is fantastic -- and priced at a true bargain!

When Joe Kurmanskie took off from the west coast of Canada with his wife Beth beside him and their three boys Quinn, Enzo and Mateo in tow you knew it would be a good story. Joe writes like he is telling stories around a campfire. Beth contributed footnotes scattered through the book like fairy dust adding life balance and humor to the tale. The boys ages 10, 7 and 1 adapt to daily life on a bicycle as only boys will. Joe and Beth see the story, beauty and humor in everything they do. A great tale whether you love bikes as I do or not.

The best part about reading this book is that it made me feel like I, lazy little me, could and should do a bike tour. And this is thanks to my new hero Beth. I am married to my own bike touring cowboy, and never dreamed that I could join him until I read about Beth doing so, while breastfeeding even!, through this book. We are looking forward to our own family bike trip.

I grabbed this book because my husband likes cycling, and has been pulling us along, and I wanted to know what cycling with a family might mean. After finishing, I feel as if I have a clearer picture into my own husband's heart. Joe presents a realistic picture of cycling with a family - not just cycling / touring, with family interests thrown in as an aside - the family aspect is the main thrust of the book. The footnotes by Beth are much more than a simple addition, they are the grounding glue that gives the rest of the novel its balance - and they are the reason I laughed out loud as I read. I came away not only knowing more about biking with a family, but wishing I could get to know this couple in person - I know they'd be a blast to be around.

Highly recommended reading if you enjoy books about connecting with family, kids, and people. Oh yeah, it's a great story about cycle touring as well.... This story had my gut hurting from all of the laughing I did and yet still made me pause to think when reading the chapter about Wendy and how each of us can all do our share in making this world a better place like the Metal Cowboy family did. I really enjoyed Mrs. Metal Cowboy's footnotes and hearing her side of the adventure. I think I'll re-read of all Metal Cowboy's other books with a different perspective now ;-). Get it and enjoy!

I loved this book! I'm not much of a bike tourer, but do like to cycle. I'm not a gear head, and frankly it took me years to warm up to the cycling culture in my area and I still don't like the prevailing holier than thou attitude of many cyclists. I've read Lance's books/biographies and those of other professional cyclists with interest but can't, and don't want to, connect to the world view represented in those books--this is a gross generalization, but the narcissism tends to overshadow the storyline.
My point with the above negativity is to juxtapose that sort of book with this one. Joe Kurmaskie is an excellent writer--he actually is a writer and his books reflect that. Everything I've read by him has been entertaining and has shared alot about the places he's traveled through and the people he meets. He also has lots of great bike stories.
And with this newest book we get to learn about his childhood and his wife and his past. When I first received this book as a gift, I actually thought, this will be annoying--a long bike ride with all the crazy antics of what will turn out to be cute, highly gifted and talented children. Instead, it wasn't, the kids were there, but they were real, and with all of his other books, the stories were more about the personal interactions with interesting people met along the road.
Lastly, Joe has a big heart and it shows in his writing. He is actively trying to make the world a better place.
I highly recommend all of his books, they are funny and interesting, and deserve a place on the bookshelf of not just bike-enthusiasts but anyone who wants a good story.

I can't pretend to be a book critic, but I had given up on several before this one, let alone wanted more. If you enjoyed "Momentum is your friend", I'd say this is a safe bet. With the help of Beth's perspective in the footnotes, the book took me along- many times I laughed (sorry, neighbor), was touched, and got revved to roll. The Kurmaskie family's adventure makes a fine example of how to live for the moment, pedal hard for what you want, and seek the good in people and challenging times. They help remind us of what we have inside ourselves and around us to be thankful and fight for.

I have read all of Joe Kurmaskie's books and have enjoyed them all. Without a doubt my favorite is Momentum is Your Friend so I was so excited to read this next adventure. But, as I was reading it felt disjointed to keep switching from Joe's version to his wife Beth's version in the footnotes. Finally, when she corrected his retelling of the man handing them a baseball cap filled with thimbleberries I decided to quit reading the footnotes. I just wanted to read the story of their trip across Canada and I decided I only wanted the Metal Cowboy's version. In this story, I missed more of the details of his kids and the adventure through their eyes. It also felt like Joe was, well, not quite as likeable as in his other stories. If you love Joe Kurmaskie's stories like I do, then definitely read it. But, if you are just looking for one great story read Momentum is Your Friend.

I found the book tough to get through. Not to get personal, but it's hard to believe the author's a professional writer. It's poorly written, full of largely uninteresting anecdotes and jokes that are so bad, they don't even merit a groan. Ever been caught at a party by a guy who can't stop talking about himself? I felt the same way about this book. It's also strangely disjointed. He takes a big interlude in the middle telling us about how he met his wife some ten years back. Why? I understand the need for some background but 30-40 pages worth??? Also, why does he tell us his adventure in detail up until Saskatoon and they skip all the way to the finish line in Nova Scotia? Wasn't there anything interesting in the middle of country? Or, as a I suspect, was the editor also fed up and simply threw away some 300 extra pages so the book would finally come to an end???

So if I hated the book so much, why did I give it even two stars? Because I love and totally agree with his theme, which is, let's get out from in front of our TV and computer screens. Instead of experiencing virtual life, let's start experiencing real life. Let's interact with our children rather than simply chauffering them around their overscheduled lives. Let's get our nature deficit children back out into the outdoors. Let's talk with each other rather than "communicating" via social networks, an oxymoron if there ever was one. Everytime I take my kids on a bike ride, or a hike, or a road trip, I find myself thinking of Mr Kurmaskie and his grand adventure.

Some folks might argue that adventuring can and SHOULD wait until after you are done parenting young children. The Kurmaskie's real-life road-novel makes a good case otherwise. You'll be amazed by the people, the drama, and the shenanigans they encounter while hauling an infant and two youngsters across Canada (unassisted) on a bicycle train.

It is fun to read and inspiring (regardless if you are cyclist). I enjoyed it so much that the pages turned quickly and it took less than a week to read (which is fast novel for me)

One great element is the regular footnotes written by the author's wife Beth. She helps complete the picture especially from the mom/female perspective.

The stories are sometimes deep, sometimes fun, and almost always hillarious. You will laugh out loud and you will be inspired to find your own adventure.