Rating: 
Summary: At least she went
Review: Approach this book mainly as a "what it's like..." journal. What is it like to be in your late 40s, terminally bored with your profession, and looking for some life in your life? What is it like to get off that department-store clunker and onto a serious touring cycle? What is it like to sleep in tent cities, eat from tractor-trailers, and pedal up to 120 miles per day across the continent? Hanner tells us, but despite her best attempts (and, perhaps, because of all those soul-deadening years as a stockbroker), she misses every chance to explore what it all means. Since the book promises "an examination of career and values and what to do with the second half of life," this is a disappointment. But, if you want to know what it's like to prepare for and participate in a large, organized, transcontinental tour, this is a good bet.
Rating: 
Summary: Shallow and Empty
Review: As an avid bike rider who has undertaken a similar journey I kept expecting the writer would have some sort of "epiphany" for her lifes purpose. Instead I found the writer empty and shallow, and her accounts "whiney" at times. The author is definately in search of an identity as her career choices would display, Peace Corp vs. Stock Trader, but never finds one. There are hardships she faced, but instead of becoming a stronger individual, she learns how much easier it is to lean on the resources of others. Isn't that what a leech does?
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Story
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am a senior citizen and not a bicyclist, so I wondered if I would find it interesting, but I found every page to have something new that held my interest. I enjoyed the descriptions of training, the sights across the country and the friendships that developed. I felt like I had gone on the ride myself. I can recommend it for any reader, young or old, bicyclist or non-bicyclist.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Story
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am a senior citizen and not a bicyclist, so I wondered if I would find it interesting, but I found every page to have something new that held my interest. I enjoyed the descriptions of training, the sights across the country and the friendships that developed. I felt like I had gone on the ride myself. I can recommend it for any reader, young or old, bicyclist or non-bicyclist.
Rating:
Summary: Shallow and Empty
Review: Ms. Hanner has written a great story about her bicycle trip across the country.in seven weeks. At the age of 48 she was a business woman who had never done serious cycling. A superb description of her months of trainng, getting the right bike and equipment, including sleeping bag and tent and a thousand items required for the trip. Her battles with weather from the cold and snow of the Rocky Mountains to the heat and humidity of the Midwestern states. This book is an inspiration to ordinary people with a yen to do the impossible. Difficult to put down.
Rating:
Summary: A Great True Story
Review: Ms. Hanner has written a great story about her bicycle trip across the country.in seven weeks. At the age of 48 she was a business woman who had never done serious cycling. A superb description of her months of trainng, getting the right bike and equipment, including sleeping bag and tent and a thousand items required for the trip. Her battles with weather from the cold and snow of the Rocky Mountains to the heat and humidity of the Midwestern states. This book is an inspiration to ordinary people with a yen to do the impossible. Difficult to put down.
Rating: 
Summary: Wouldn't It Be Nice ? An Inspiring Story
Review: One true ruler by which to measure a book is how you feel when you've finished reading it.When I finished "The First Big Ride" I felt happy. That's always a good sign. I also felt satisfied that the person I just "met" (through her writing) was a real and genuine person. That helps. This book covers the cross country bicycle ride (for charity) of the author and her husband. It's written in very readable passages ( not at all journal-entry like ). We join the author at the beginning of her adventure....in a job that no longer inspires her. From there, the revelation that a cross country bike trip is a possibility. We're taken along on this journey, from the earliest tentative steps ("We won't be able to do it") to the ride itself. Included are the practice rides around the block, their first "century" and the all important facets of finding a bike that fits you properly. I get the impression, especially after reading the entire book, that these are generally, and sincerely, good people. They're doing something more here than simply doing a trans-am. It's a good book to read. You may just be inspired to do something with your own life that you thought might never be possible. Best Regards, turtlex
Rating:
Summary: Wouldn't It Be Nice ? An Inspiring Story
Review: One true ruler by which to measure a book is how you feel when you've finished reading it. When I finished "The First Big Ride" I felt happy. That's always a good sign. I also felt satisfied that the person I just "met" (through her writing) was a real and genuine person. That helps. This book covers the cross country bicycle ride (for charity) of the author and her husband. It's written in very readable passages ( not at all journal-entry like ). We join the author at the beginning of her adventure....in a job that no longer inspires her. From there, the revelation that a cross country bike trip is a possibility. We're taken along on this journey, from the earliest tentative steps ("We won't be able to do it") to the ride itself. Included are the practice rides around the block, their first "century" and the all important facets of finding a bike that fits you properly. I get the impression, especially after reading the entire book, that these are generally, and sincerely, good people. They're doing something more here than simply doing a trans-am. It's a good book to read. You may just be inspired to do something with your own life that you thought might never be possible. Best Regards, turtlex
Rating:
Summary: Big Ride-Good read
Review: Similar to Barbara Savage's "Miles from Nowhere", this book documents a husband / wife long distance bike tour. Although the author and her husband "only " do a trans-USA supported tour, the writing is excellent as the author recounts her adventures in making the journey. In the book the author focuses on the hard times and with the people and places encountered along the way. She also relates the techincal and physical challenges faced by the riders in a highly readable and enjoying format. I especially enjoyed the chapter where the author, her husband and a small group of riders make it over a mountian where all other riders were transported by the ride sponsor to avoid the storm. A small victory over a large foe. This book embodies the spirt of a person who, bored with her routine life, tackles a challenging adventure, unsure of her ability and prevails. Although the book is subtitled "A Woman's Journey", the author is successful in producing a story which will appeal to both men and women. If you are thinking of doing a long distance bike tour, read this book first. Then show the same courage that the author and her husband displayed and do it.
Rating:
Summary: Big Ride-Good read
Review: Similar to Barbara Savage's "Miles from Nowhere", this book documents a husband / wife long distance bike tour. Although the author and her husband "only " do a trans-USA supported tour, the writing is excellent as the author recounts her adventures in making the journey. In the book the author focuses on the hard times and with the people and places encountered along the way. She also relates the techincal and physical challenges faced by the riders in a highly readable and enjoying format. I especially enjoyed the chapter where the author, her husband and a small group of riders make it over a mountian where all other riders were transported by the ride sponsor to avoid the storm. A small victory over a large foe. This book embodies the spirt of a person who, bored with her routine life, tackles a challenging adventure, unsure of her ability and prevails. Although the book is subtitled "A Woman's Journey", the author is successful in producing a story which will appeal to both men and women. If you are thinking of doing a long distance bike tour, read this book first. Then show the same courage that the author and her husband displayed and do it.
| 
