Roadworthy

As a rider who enjoys flying in to a state and then renting a bike, I enjoy his story. I can relate to many of his travails although I don’t camp or do multi states. I’m troubled by another reviewer thinking this is a work of fiction. If it is a work of fiction, then this guy must have interviewed a ton of riders because it is highly representative of one who travels by bike. A very good read and a page turner. Happy I bought it but I’m a sucker for motorcycle travel books and this is worth a read.

From the back of his Vulcan Nomad, the author describes his pilgrimage across the western United States. He describes how the journey is more important than the destination and how his travels helped him gain new views on life. In this book, he philosophizes on the importance of understanding yourself, dealing with the unknown, and taking chances to experience something new.The author's life gets turned upside down after his girlfriend breaks up with him and he moves back to the United States. At the time his old high school friend is planning a month-long motorcycle trip across the western USA. The author gets invited along as a sort of pilgrimage to find new meaning and find himself. The story describes the challenges a new motor cycle rider faces as he learns to ride through storms, construction zones, night time highways, mountain passes at 10,000 feet, endless expanses, and his own fears and anxieties.The author writes about how life always changes: sometimes a 2x4 is lying in the middle of a blind turn, your tires find loose gravel in the road, or people you love leave you. It's in these moments you have to consider what your next turn will be because how you handle the current situation might define how the rest of your life goes.I read this book when I was going through my own changes in life and found many parallels with my own situation. I can recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone that is experiencing major life changes.

I've had this book twenty four hours and have already finished reading it. I have literally never done that before. The story and description of how he started out, his fears, concerns, excitement and experience that ensued are all so relatable.It was so gripping that by the time he talked about the caravan crowd in the diner, I decided I was gonna do it. So I sold my car, bought a bike, and I've been happier ever since.What a sense of humour coming through, so entertaining. This guy is like Jesus. He just rides on pavement rather than walking on water. That, and the Bible has a higher readership - for now.Reading this book made me want to take a month off work and ride across New Zealand, Australia or America... I need this adventure in my life!It brought back so many memories of the good times that I had on my bike and really made we want to get back into itThis book is like an undiscovered gem that every biker should read. Actually - Even if you're not a biker but know someone who is... read it! Great insight ...It's like being emersed in his world the way you do when watching Harry Potter, or reading Spud - a window into a world, John's world.I really am looking forward to sequels to this book...Come on - On yer bike!

A fun adventure with more then just a good friend. Looking forward to another book from him. Thanks for sharing

This book was a good page turner, it made a good read while using the bathroom. Made doing that bit a little easier, while being entertained, unless it was extremely offensive to the senses. Speaking about being offended to the sense, the fact that this book ended and there hasn't been a second one written. I hope one day the author of this little hidden gem, writes a second book of his exploits.

Thoroughly enjoyed the direct, abbreviated approach to the chapters of the book. Demarcated by miles, not a number!I recently read a quote to “Live life by a compass, not a clock.” Fits with this story of two mates traveling together, but separately.I recently completed my own 8,500 mile solo motorcycle tour looking for some answers to life and ticking off some bucket list items for me. I found this story highly interesting.

I liked the writing style and that it didn't get bogged down anywhere. Some more descriptions of the travel and scenery would have been nice. But overall I'd buy his next book. Thanks for writing!

A true life road story in which an inexperienced rider goes adventuring on a bike which was (initially) far too big for him. He could easily have been killed (a fact of which he was well aware)but he wasn't, and over thousands of tentative miles he mastered the huge machine. The bike,a 1600cc Kawasaki Vulcan, was chosen for him by his more experienced riding mate as an easier long distance cruiser than something smaller. While the friend's advice was a bit brutal, it was true, as I know from personal experience with the same bike. There were plenty of spills (none serious)terror on corners and magnificent scenery along the way. Well written. My only question is: Why didn't his mate teach him how to counter steer? It's the easiest way to turn terrible corners into loveable ones.

I’ve read many, many motorcycle travel books and this was an easy read. There was something unusual though, that I could not put my finger on that made me feel that it could have been a work of fiction; contrived?! As I say, I do not know what and understand that these were actual events, just always had a doubt in back on my motorcycle mind. Anyway, an easy read, cheap, buy it if you fancy.