A ride across the backroads of the USA.

Johnm, Many thanks for posting this. I'm a big fan of American travel-writing (notwithstanding Pirsig's book being more Philosophy than any other genre) and still harbour a desire to ride from Boston to California along what's left of Route 66, trying to capture, a lingering scent of Kerouac, William Least Heat-Moon, Robert Leonard Reid, Bill Bryson, et al. Your chum and his travel companions achieve a good balance between incorporating Pirsig's observations from the book and their own reactions and thoughts on the landscape that they travel through. When did they make this trip? Warmest wishes from Hong Kong.
 
Incredible!!

I mean the timing - because I was just reading this article in a mag this morning whilst scoffing my breakfast!

A ride across the  backroads of the USA.
That's Des. A very nice bloke. Very calm. You need to be to handle the challenges in the places he has visited.

An incredible ability to get another 100 km out of a machine that is totally utterly worn out. 🤓🤓🤓
 
Johnm, Many thanks for posting this. I'm a big fan of American travel-writing (notwithstanding Pirsig's book being more Philosophy than any other genre) and still harbour a desire to ride from Boston to California along what's left of Route 66, trying to capture, a lingering scent of Kerouac, William Least Heat-Moon, Robert Leonard Reid, Bill Bryson, et al. Your chum and his travel companions achieve a good balance between incorporating Pirsig's observations from the book and their own reactions and thoughts on the landscape that they travel through. When did they make this trip? Warmest wishes from Hong Kong.
I would have to think hard to guess the timing. His daughter has her own children now.

Perhaps 15 years ago? It was after he did the Beijing to Eindhoven ride and before the ride all the way around Australia. Both of those were on Penelope the Panther bike.

He has published books about his journeys that might interest people. I'll look up a link.


Incredibly positive sort of guy. Rides his 1930s BSA all around NZ. He's retired now but worked for years in the construction industry in QS , contracts controller, project manager kinds of roles.
 
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I found this interesting

Wow. That's an amazing woman and an amazing adventure. And an amazing life as well.

Her skill as an architect and draftperson is evident too. Great records and photographs.

Thankyou for posting.
 
Riding the road less traveled is some of the most gratifying time I've spent.
(this, from a guy who drives 60,000 highway miles per year for field service work)
 
Hope to do the Rocky Mountain half of the country this year

 
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