Writing and biking

I've cleared out the Seattle Public Library's collection of bike trip narratives, and bought a couple of books in London to see how others have written about their experiences.

So far I've finished Eloise Hanner's The First Big Ride: A Woman's Journey [2000]. It's interesting to read a first hand account of doing a cross country charity ride, back when these rides were novel. Sincere and nicely written account of a ride that started in Seattle and ended in "the other Washington," as we call it around here.

Perhaps it will be as wonderful as Erin Warmbrunn's 2001 Where the Pavement Ends: One Woman's Bicycle Trip Through Mongolia, China and Vietnam.

Next it's on to Gwen Maka's Riding with Ghosts: An Englishwoman's 4,000 mile solo ride from Seattle to Mexico [2000] and Anne Mustoe's Lone Traveller: One Woman, Two Wheels and the World [1998].

Hmm. Is this possible? Eloise started in Seattle, as did Erin and Gwen. Dare I look at Chapter 1 of Anne's? Who knows, maybe she also started here.

Must be something in the water around here. I'm in good company.