TRANSAM GOES LIVE!
Well, it's finally here! 'TRANSAM - Cycling Coast to Coast on the Trail the US Loved First' has been published and is now available to buy on Amazon across the world! Just go to your country's page, type in the title and it will appear in both in paperback and Kindle versions.
Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. What has been unexpected and humbling is the number of readers who've told me it has given them the confidence to get out on their own bikes and take to the trails. One reviewer said she loved the book so much she went straight out and bought a Surly Disc Trucker and is planning a cross-country trip! I had no idea the book would have this sort of impact and I couldn't be happier.
The first person to review the book in the US listed five lessons he'd learnt from reading 'TRANSAM'. The fifth made me smile — 'Everyone Needs a Terry' — "That person who operates on a different level. The one who expands your definition of what's possible. The one you measure yourself against, even if you never fully catch them. If I started a ride like this as 3% Terry, I'd hope to finish as 19% Terry".
I couldn't agree more. I may have written the book, but without Terry none of this would have been possible. For the record I'm currently 7.5% Terry. Don't worry, I'm working on it!
Can I ask a very quick favour? If you do buy a copy (and many thanks if you do!) it would make a world of difference if you could spend a few minutes leaving a review on Amazon. It will tickle the algorithms and hopefully lift it higher up the rankings so it can be seen by more people who like this kind of book.
On the other side of the mic with the Outspoken Cyclist
Diane Jenks, presenter of ‘The Outspoken Cyclist’
As a former journalist, I'm used to interviewing people, but the cables were reversed last week when I found myself as a guest on The Outspoken Cyclist, a US podcast presented by Diane Jenks. Diane's knowledge of cycling is encyclopedic, having been an independent bike shop owner from 1974 to 2012, a ride and race director and a published author. Along with her husband Brian she has also built custom bicycles as well as developing several new products for the cycling industry.
I don't mind admitting I was rather nervous, but we had a great chat about the joys of the TransAm, why it's as important today as it was when it was created 50 years ago, and the differences between cycling in the UK and US.
The Outspoken Cyclist has been on the air since 2012, racking up 660 episodes and almost 3,000 interviews. Although US focused, there's lots to interest a wider audience as well. A recent edition includes an interview with Chuck Marohn, founder of the Strong Towns movement in the US, which champions local initiatives to make the places where we live safer, healthier and more affordable. As you would expect cycling, infrastructure is high on Strong Towns agenda. Another interview highlights the benefits cycling can bring to children with ADHD. It's well worth a listen.
The episode featuring TRANSAM will land next week. You can find out more here: https://outspokencyclist.com/
A new look for the Best by Bike website!
With the launch of the book, it was high time to give the Best by Bike website a complete refresh. The initial aim of the site was to journal the TransAmerica Trail in 2014 and subsequently the Southern Tier in 2019. It's been neglected a little of late, but with the publication of 'TRANSAM' the hope is to revitalise it with more cycling related news and articles. It's also the place to go if you want to see photos of some of the amazing places Terry and I passed through on the TransAm— and to see what some of the extraordinary people we met look like. If you want to see Terry wearing a plastic bag as a hat, or want to meet Jonathan, Jerry and Mike, then fill your boots!
Alice Hale
A big shout out to Alice Hale of Appleseed Digital Design, who transformed my clunky and dated website into something that looks fresh, bold and exciting. I can thoroughly recommend her services. (In the spirit of full disclosure Alice is a relative of mine). Check out her website.
https://www.appleseed-digital.com/
If you go down to the woods today...
Bluebells in Hockley Woods, Essex (and a bike of course)
Finally, I do hope you've been able to get out on your bike, or however you exercise, to enjoy the best that Spring has to offer. We are very lucky in our part of Essex to be surrounded by some of the country's very best ancient woodlands, which at this time of year are carpeted in bluebells.
As children we used to pick huge bunches of them for home and school. Nowadays, quite rightly, they are a protected species and look far better in the ground than in a vase. I really should have left my Salsa Fargo out of the picture, but I'd not ridden it in a while and remain amazed at what a comfortable and capable bike it is. If I ever get to ride the Great Divide from Canada to New Mexico, the Fargo will be the perfect companion.
If you've enjoyed this newsletter then please feel free to share the link to my mailing list (below) with anyone who you think might enjoy it. And if you've got any cycling stories to share, then feel free to contact me on bestbybike@gmail.com and I'll do the best to include them.
In the meantime, happy cycling and may the wind be on your back!