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The Buddha and the Bee: Biking through America's Forgotten Roadways on an Accidental Journey of Discovery Paperback – August 10, 2020

by Cory Mortensen (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 760 ratings
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Life-Changing Journey... but this is NOT a typical blah-blah-blah memoir

Planning is for sissies. A solo bike ride across the country will be filled with sunshine, lollipops, rainbows, and 80 degree temps every day, right? Not so much. The Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, an alkaline desert, and the Sierra Nevadas lay miles and days ahead. Disappointment with unrealized potential, and the thirst for what’s next drew farther away in the rotating wide-angle shockproof convex rear-view mirror.

I will ride my bike down a never-ending ribbon of asphalt wearing a backpack.

Cory Mortensen began his bike ride across the United States from Chaska, Minnesota, to Truckee, California, without a route, a timeline, or proper equipment. Along the way, he gained more than technical skills required for a ride that would test every fiber of his physical being and mental toughness. Ride along as he meets “unusual” characters, dangerous animals, and sweet little old ladies with a serious vendetta for strangers in their town.

Humor ■ Insight ■ Adventure ■ Gratitude ■ Peace

From long stretches of road ending in a vanishing point at the distant horizon, to stunning vistas, terrifying close calls, grueling conditions, failed equipment, and joyous milestones he stayed the course and gained an appreciation for the beauty of the land, the genius of engineering and marvel of nature.
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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Buddha and the Bee
  2. Print length
    351 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    August 10, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.88 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1735498122
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1735498126
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

  • 2023 The Bookfest Award - First Place
  • 2022 Best Indie Book Award (BIBA) - Winner
  • 2022 Literary Titan Award - First Place
  • 2023 Pencraft Award - Winner
  • 2023 Pinnacle Book Award - Winner
  • 2023 Firebird Book Award - Winner
  • 2023 Eric Hoffer Award - Honorable Mention
  • 2023 Eric Hoffer Award - Grand Prize Short List
  • 2023 First Horizon Award - Finalist
  • 2022 Wishing Shelf Book Award - Finalist
  • 2021 The Independent Author Network - Finalist
"​The Buddha and the Bee sort of turns the idea of the inspirational memoir upside down." - Devon Street Review

"This book gave me the refreshment I needed; to put it more precisely, it was a short vacation from everything that I was reading and living." - The Lectorem & Books

"What I enjoyed the most about this memoir were the author's philosophical and existential reflections." - OnlineBookClub.org

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ White Condor, LLC (August 10, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 351 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1735498122
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1735498126
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.14 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.88 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 760 ratings

About the author

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Cory Mortensen

Cory Mortensen

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Born in the small town of New Prague, Minnesota, and raised amidst the sun-soaked landscapes of Scottsdale, Arizona, Cory Mortensen embarked on a unique journey that shaped both his life and literary career.

Choosing an unconventional path, his journey began with dropping out of college to immerse himself with a job on Wake Island, gaining valuable experiences that would later infuse his writing with a distinctive perspective. Returning to the United States, he started a dynamic career as a project manager for several prestigious architecture firms, coupled with a venture into real estate by flipping houses.

The allure of exploration took center stage when Cory made the bold decision to sell everything and traverse the globe for two transformative years. This period of travel not only broadened his horizons but also laid the foundation for a successful entrepreneurial endeavor. Cory established and grew a business into a multimillion-dollar venture, eventually selling it to pursue a shared dream with his wife, Kate.

Marriage to Kate marked the beginning of another adventure as the couple once again divested themselves of possessions to embark on a two-year journey through South America. During this time, Cory and Kate not only explored the breathtaking landscapes but also dedicated themselves to volunteering and trekking, fostering a deep connection with the communities they encountered.

In 2020, Cory Mortensen penned "The Buddha and the Bee," a captivating work that became a bestseller and earned acclaim with numerous book awards. This success was followed by the publication of "UNLOST," a top 100 bestseller and recipient of multiple book awards, further establishing Cory as a notable voice in contemporary literature.

Cory's writing seamlessly weaves together the threads of personal experience, cultural exploration, and a profound sense of purpose. Their work continues to resonate with readers worldwide, offering a unique blend of storytelling that transcends boundaries and inspires a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
760 global ratings
You will not be disappointed!!
5 Stars
You will not be disappointed!!
I don't read many books, and I have to say, I am really enjoying this piece of work! This book is definitely worth reading! I highly recommend this to anyone who is considering it!
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Top reviews from the United States

Sam
5.0 out of 5 stars Great escape!
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
Fantastic story teller! Fun read with incredible positivity. The author has a knack for painting pictures in few words. Simple and fun, profound at times. Definitely worth picking up.
3 people found this helpful
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E.R.
4.0 out of 5 stars Everyday guy without a plan
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is the story of an everyday guy trapped behind his desk and his bike ride. His planning goes as far as the next day. There is plenty of history and humor, but it is NOT your typical memoir. I have read a few of these bike travel stories (trying to motivate myself). This is the first book to address some of the realities of biking across country...the mental exercises, self-motivation necessary for a solo bike ride. The first book to address the loneliness and depression, the first to address poor planning (there are a few examples in here). All too frequently, the author of a bike memoir is a super athlete or former military special forces. Cory Mortensen was a desk jockey, more of an everyday guy.
I thoroughly enjoyed Buddha and the Bee. Very impactful, very relatable.
16 people found this helpful
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Rick Meyers
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy, fun read.
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
The Buddha and the Bee is a fun read about a biking trip from Minneapolis to California. I enjoyed Cory's recount of his ride and some of his offerings of local trivia. At times I'd preferred more of the biking story and less trivia, but it was fun nonetheless.
Thanks for sharing your story.
3 people found this helpful
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Tom Bilcze
3.0 out of 5 stars A not so typical tour through America
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
The fact that the author got on his bike in Minnesota and cycled to California to attend a wedding speaks to his spirit of adventure. He did this with minimal planning and making decisions on the fly as he pedaled from town to town. Along the way, he met an interesting assortment of characters. Cory had an amusing way of describing his adventure, places, and people. He often wove in some local and personal history. He set off into the unknown and found himself on the bike. It’s a story of changing your life by opening your eyes and world to new experiences.
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Gypsy Grandmum
5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Life Lessons
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2022
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If I needed to go from Minneapolis to California, I'd try to go by train, but might have to fly. I certainly wouldn't consider driving or biking, neither of which I'm very good at. The thought that this author biked all that way is daunting. He writes so simply and honestly about his journey, the good and the bad, the physical and mental challenges, the towns and folks along the way. I'm well into his second book now (Unlost), both highly recommended. You'll be surprised how much you can learn from a guy who just wanted to go for a long bike ride.
4 people found this helpful
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Jeri
4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun and Readable Vicarious Ride, Personal and Personable
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
I am more of an arm chair biker than a long-distance bike rider, nor am I as impulsive as Mr. Mortensen, but I thoroughly enjoyed his amusing and meandering account of what I wish I could do--an almost impromptu ride from Minnesota to Lake Tahoe. His breezy style is both personal and full of fun factoids about the blue highways he rode and the small, forgotten towns he stopped in. He proves that those who treat these places as only worthy of fly-over are missing a lot. A bike-level view gives new perspective. Mr. Mortensen lets us feel the tired muscles and pain in his loins as he takes on the plains, the Rockies, the mesas and the climb to the top of the Sierras, but we also feel the exhilaration. A fine read.
7 people found this helpful
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mkral
5.0 out of 5 stars ireverent book on long distance bicycle travel
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2023
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I really enjoy books about long distance cycling, mostly ones about riding across the US (because that seems to be the most popular book of the type out there).

Many of them seem to fall into the same format, primarily listing the starting & ending city of each days ride, plus what they ate & a description of where they stayed. This book is a little more fleshed out than that, with some interesting side discussions on related topics.

Author is entertaining & the book is a quick read. I do wish the ride were longer to make for a longer book, but it's enjoyable as is.
2 people found this helpful
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Valuegal
4.0 out of 5 stars it kept me reading
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2023
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This surprised me. I enjoyed it but I don’t know why. The author is truthful, and oh so reckless. I really wonder if I would like him in the flesh, but he kept me reading.
One person found this helpful
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