You & a Bike & a Road

Eleanor Davis kept a sketchbook diary during a cross-country bicycle trip and the end result is an inspiring and insightful look at aging, depression, immigration, the beauty of the American landscape and the great kindness of which humanity is capable. I've read 286 graphic novels so far this year, and this one is the best.

These are often very simple stylized drawings that originate from the author's cross-country bike trek from her parents' home in Tucson, Arizona to her own home in Athens, Georgia in 2016. Eleanor Davis documents her daily travels along the planned 2,000 mile or so journey through border states such as New Mexico and Texas and the people and events she encounters along the way.

The impact and the stories behind the pictures are not simple at all though and often have dark underpinnings such as the "I saw a man get arrested in Fort Hancock yesterday" sequence which can be seen excerpted at
Slate online May 15, 2017.

There is joy and exhilaration alongside the occasional pain and darkness. You are left understanding why the cover image, show more which could have been an all bright and sunny bike ride panorama, is left somewhat obscured by the black stylized trees. show less

I really enjoyed this book. A quick read, I read it all in one sitting, which is unusual for me.

The author really captures what bicycle touring feels like. Everything from the good parts, to the bad parts, the insecurities and the joys felt, to me, just like being there. Wonderful, and inspiring.

Ms. Davis chronicles her cycling journey across the southern US in words and sketches. The book is mostly sketches so it's not a big time commitment. But it's worth going back to focus on the details and mood from each day noted int he book.

You can see when she had a good day or a bad day, by the tone and quality of the artwork for that day.

This makes me want to get into bike riding...for all of Davis's external and internal struggles, this was really quite a lovely little big adventure.

A book which has encouraged me to face the challenge of a bike tour. Realistic, perhaps random, yet ultimately satisfying (both the tour and the book).

Really lovely illustrated journal of one woman's planned bicycle tour from her parent's home in Tuscon to her home in Georgia, on the bicycle her dad made for her.