Picture this: no maps, no deadlines, just you, a backpack, and endless ribbons of American asphalt stretching into the horizon. That's exactly how Cory Mortensen kicked off his solo bike trek from Chaska, Minnesota, to Truckee, California. What started as a gut feeling to shake off disappointment and chase something real turned into a grueling, eye-opening odyssey that redefined his world.
Cycling thousands of miles solo means confronting the unforgiving side of the landscape head-on. The vast Great Plains baked under relentless sun, the Rocky Mountains demanded climbs that burned like fire, and the alkaline deserts left him parched and doubting. Throw in mechanical breakdowns, sudden storms, and wildlife encounters that had his heart pounding, and it's clear this wasn't some leisurely spin. Cory's story dives deep into those moments of sheer exhaustion, where every pedal stroke felt like a battle against doubt and fatigue.
But it's not all sweat and struggle—far from it. Along those forgotten roadways, Cory crosses paths with an eclectic cast: suspicious small-town elders guarding their turf, kind strangers offering hot meals, and even a few four-legged surprises that add a dash of danger. These interactions, woven with his wry humor, highlight the quirky soul of America's backroads. As the miles add up, so do the insights—on resilience, the marvels of natural engineering like wind-sculpted canyons, and finding peace in the simple rhythm of the ride.
For anyone feeling tethered by routine or yearning for a spark of adventure, The Buddha and the Bee delivers tangible inspiration without the preachiness. It's like chatting with a buddy over coffee about his wild trip, sharing the highs of golden-hour sunsets over sagebrush and the lows of pushing through when your body screams to quit. Readers often find themselves mentally mapping their own mini-escapes, whether a local trail ride or a bigger leap. With its blend of adventure, introspection, and light-hearted anecdotes, this Kindle edition makes for perfect downtime reading—curl up after a long day and let Cory's journey transport you. At around 400 pages of vivid storytelling, it's the nudge you need to appreciate the road right in front of you.
