Dwight Smith lost two sons and his wife in separate incidents. The cumulative impact of these losses spurred Dwight to retire and embark on a healing solo bicycle journey---13,784 miles around the perimeter of the U.S.
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About the Author
Dwight R. Smith is professor emeritus at Colorado State University, where he taught wildlife biology and ecology, and the author of Above Timberline: A Wildlife Biologist's Rocky Mountain Journal.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Preface
This book tells the story of a 13,784-mile bicycle journey through thirty-four states. It is based on personal observations and facts recorded in ninety-four hours of taping, depicted in 2,500 photos, jotted in a notebook, and learned from research in libraries and other sources along the way and after I returned home. But did they accurately describe America and its people? Probably not. I am skeptical of politicians or tourists who go abroad for a few weeks, then return to describe a vast country and its people. They can’t do it and neither can I.
What I can do is describe what I saw, heard, or otherwise discovered while biking around the perimeter of the United States. I might have encountered vastly different scenes and people had I traveled by auto or cycled on different roads. Which story would hold the truth about America and its people?
As a cyclist I experienced landscapes and people more intimately than if I had been isolated by two tons of glass and steel, comforted by heater or air conditioner, and distracted by radio or cell phone while hurtling along at seventy-five miles per hour. Weather influenced my descriptions more when riding a bicycle. On days bookended by gorgeous sunrises and spectacular sunsets, I was sometimes so stimulated by sights, sounds, and smells that my journaling became euphoric. When it was stifling hot, miserably humid, or cold, wet, and windy, my mood-driven outlook might plummet with my physical comfort.
Seeing America from the seat of a bicycle, however, offered benefits far outweighing disadvantages. I traveled slowly, stopped often, and frequently followed secondary roads. In campgrounds I met new friends who strolled over to inspect my bicycle and tent or to share a campfire and stories. At other times I spent a night, a weekend, or more, with impulsive folks attracted by my heavily loaded and travel-worn bicycle. A multitude of opportunities to learn the country and meet a rich diversity of people resulted from these chance encounters.
I purchased the bicycle and all equipment, and paid for film, tapes, and all other expenses; I was not financially obligated to anyone. No sponsor influenced where I rode or what I wrote. I asked no favors but received many from unbelievably generous strangers who received only my gratitude in return.
All events happened. All places exist. All names are of real people. In a few instances, when no good would be served and people might be harmed, I recorded what they did or said without mentioning their names.
This account, as honest as I can tell it, is about what I discovered in these incredibly diverse United States of America. I described photos, events, and conversations promptly on tape. This helped greatly to preserve accuracy over the long interval between their occurrence and writing this book.
Large cities often received scant attention as I competed with heavy traffic on narrow streets; I was more concerned with survival than getting acquainted. But I must admit to a preference for natural landscapes, other rural areas, and small towns. Those are the places I love most, know best, and wrote more about. Mostly, though, this is a story about people and relationships.
I began this solo journey in search of healing and returned home rich in new friendships, renewed faith, and improved physical and emotional health. At all four corners of the United States and along the paths connecting them, the kindness, concern, and warmth for a stranger were overwhelming. The hugeness of the American spirit touched me daily and I am the better for it.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Old Faithful and Dwight,
By
This review is from: One Mile at a Time: Cycling through Loss to Renewal (Paperback)
One Mile at a Time is a unique chronicle of the cycling journey of a man in his 60's who decides to take a ride around the perimeter of the U.S. after enduring tragic family losses. Smith used a throat mike while he was riding, thereby adding a fresh perspective to his descriptions. His dry humor and broad-minded outlook on our country is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking. The physical and mental stamina required to complete such a journey is inspiring and will make the reader want to drag his/her bike out of the dusty, old garage and take a spin - at least around town.Lynnita Mattock, author of Abductee
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific read,
By Rose-Dawn "a reader" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
This review is from: One Mile at a Time: Cycling through Loss to Renewal (Paperback)
This book has some of everything. As he cycles around the perimeter of the U.S. (he was in his sixties, so that is incredible), he describes a lot about the environment and the people he meets. It is amazing all the different climates, weather patterns, cultures, fears, beliefs, and animals there are in this country. There is also interesting info about "Old Faithful" his bike, how he took care of it, and prepared for the trips. This book is amazing.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bill Lentz,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: One Mile at a Time: Cycling through Loss to Renewal (Paperback)
Some will see this as an interesting story concerning one man's ride around the perimeter of America. Most will find in these pages, the story of how a man faced some of the most discouraging challenges life presents and worked through them. Dwight Smith writes about his journey in a manner that is as interesting as it is inspirational.
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