Debbie Bishop (2)

Two Are Better is a wonderfully told story of Tim and Debbie’s adventure- both as cross country cyclists as well as a newly married couple! I don’t read many non-fiction books- I admit, I’m more of a fiction gal, however, after reading Two Are Better, I just may make a change. There are many aspects of their book that I really enjoyed- from the beautiful photos to how Debbie would interject her own observations and thoughts providing a multi-dimensional perspective on life, marriage, show more and cross country cycling.
The book itself is very uplifting and inspirational. Tim begins by giving a bit of background on himself and what leads up to he and Debbie’s marriage and ultimately their decision to embark on a daring honeymoon trek across the United States by bicycle. The payout of this book as a reader is two-fold. First, it is a great travelogue of a journey across the country. As an avid traveler and someone who has driven across most of the United States I was intrigued by the route and the scenery that Tim and Debbie took on their journey. I loved Tim’s vivid descriptions of the different regions and states. It was interesting to think about a familiar location – say Montana- and see it in terms of the challenges it would present to someone who is traveling outside the norm of a motorized vehicle. Dangerous inclines, declines, curves, crazy dogs and wildlife are all things you have to consider when on bicycle, not to mention strange men in vans in the middle of nowhere. I cringed with sympathy pains when Tim and Debbie talked about the ‘saddle sores’ from long distance riding. Overall, it was an exciting journey to read and really ‘see’ through their eyes.
The second payout comes in the form of a wonderful inside view into the trials and celebrations of a new marriage. I loved watching the evolution of their relationship bloom. From cycling buddies to life partners, they are a great team. The strengths that each bring to their marriage are very apparent by the end of the book. Tim is very cautious and keeps things ‘real’ and make sure to weigh the pros and cons of the situation. Debbie is the free spirit- she is ready to jump in and then ask questions or figure things out as needed. There is one part of the book that truly illustrates these traits. They are riding down out of the hills and it is getting dark. Tim, being cautious, takes his time and uses his brakes- always aware to the possibility that something unexpected, like a deer, might pop up and cause injury. Debbie, on the other hand, lets it all go and enjoys the rush of racing down the hills and (at least to Tim) doesn’t worry about the ‘what if’s’. Romantic spirit that I am, I loved this journey of two people who find each other and through triumphs, time, and divine inspiration are able to become each other’s perfect match. Their story is a true testament to my own personal faith that God indeed does have a plan for each of us and that if we open our minds and hearts we will be shown the way.
* A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review on Tracy Riva Books and Reviews. TracyRiva.com show less

This book makes you think about your dreams and priorities in life. Is it time to get out of the rut and pursue something different? What is your focus and how can you pursue life in a balanced and healthy way? What does that look like for you? While Tim & Debbie focus on telling the story of their bicycle cross-country trip, they also share the life lessons they learned during preparation for and fulfillment of their dream. They are real people who share their vulnerabilities and mistakes show more as well as their hopes and passions in life. Their belief and trust in God is a large part of their lives, but it does not come across as preachy, rather, as a genuine and real aspect of how they proceed in life.

The story feels a bit like a cross between a blog and a person sitting across the room telling you the story. The photographs in the book are beautiful and really add to the telling of the story. I am not a fan of the magenta ink (that indicates it is Debbie who is writing). It is a little harder on the eyes, so I would prefer black ink with some other way of indicating a change in the storyteller. Those who enjoy blogs of adventures and are interested in bicycling or cross-country travels will likely enjoy the style of this book.

I am giving this a 4 out of 5 star rating because while it was well written and I did like and enjoy it:
- it was easy to put it down
- it seems more of a niche book that is not in my niche
- it is a book that I will not likely read many times
- it is not a book that I feel is a “must read” for the genre.

The messages about the bigger picture in life were great and important, however if bicycling or traveling is not your thing, you can probably find other books that are more of your interest that have similar messages about life. show less

Tim and Debbie Bishop were 52 before they married — for the first time! Then to add to the adventure of starting a brand new life after years of singleness they chose to fulfill the long held dream of a cross country bike trip, a honeymoon designed to fast forward the learning curve of marriage. What they learned about themselves and God can be experienced in their book about the life-changing challenge in Two Are Better. What you get is a first hand, up-close-and-personal account of the show more highs and lows of new starts and life lessons on the open road.

The book is written primarily from Tim’s perspective, with thoughts from Debbie interjected in the narrative. Photos from their 50+ day trip across America provide glimpses of the majesty of America. There are some serious and humorous accounts along the way. But what stands out most is their reliance on God before, during and after the trip that started them on their new life.

The Bishops were dedicated bikers before their trip, but it was amazing to me the lack of planning they undertook for the adventure of a lifetime. They started their journey with a goal to reach the Atlantic before Debbie needed to go back to work, but they soon found that what they expected was not always what they experienced. Too much weight on the bikes, sore bottoms and differences in approaches all caused some slow going at first, but the Bishops’ determination and commitment saw them through. Many of their experiences can serve as metaphors for the Christian life.

If you are interested in bicycling, adventure or if you are wondering what God may have in store for the second half of your life, you should check out Two Are Better – a quick read with great insight.

Recommended.

(Thanks to the authors for my copy of Two Are Better. The opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

I absolutely loved this memoir. Inspirational in a real way! This couple , after each almost write off the idea of finding "the one", meet online and begin with a long distance relationship. They have a short engagement and for their honeymoon decide to travel across the country coast to coast on their bicycles. Through trials and sometimes painful (saddlesores) near medical emergencies they begin their married life in a most extraordinary way. Through their shared love of the Lord and their show more great determination their story is one of inspiration, love and life.

A must read!

I received this ebook through LibraryThing giveaway for my honest review which I have given here. show less