Biking is akin to flying. The simple act of
bicycling reminds us to move forward with both excitement and balance.
Bicycles are not designed to move backwards;
they do not pollute the air, and they help us stay fit, strong and healthy.
What’s not to like about them?
I reflected
on the wonders of my biking experiences when I wrote about the book Ride Cycle the World, but 100 Bike Rides of a Lifetime published by National Geographic is ten times better. The quality of the stunning
photographs will empower your imagination to travel to distant places across
the world.
You
will be enraptured by the artistic sceneries created by Mother Nature. You will
ride through history as well.
You may find yourself hovering along the
Underground Railroad, roaming by the Berlin Wall, and trundling through the most
pristine places of every continent.
You may take a jaunt through the beauty of
Medieval European towns like this one in Germany: Nordlingen. This one “has the
distinction of being among the very few German towns whose complete Medieval
walls are still standing.”
You will admire the vibrant views of
Mediterranean scenes from islands and towns in Spain and France. You will
encounter islands you've never heard of, and may even discover hidden "gems" or reunite with towns you’ve only seen in your dreams.
Did you know that Slovenia is one of the
greenest places in Europe? “It holds the continent’s record for carbon dioxide
absorption with its forests absorbing nine metric tons of carbon dioxide per
hectare per year. “
Just
like me, you will be tempted to explore this cozy bookshop in Wales, but, hold
on, you can't jump in… You will make up for it, however, because Roff Smith has some
book suggestions that will mesmerize your reader’s heart…I will let you find them...
You may be enchanted by mysterious elves in
Iceland… or simply revel in the spellbinding imagery of your choice. There is
no need to read this book in order. Flip through the pages and settle where the
photographs seize your curiosity.
There is so much to learn and read about. We
are short of photographs after all…
Dive into the magic of this book, and then get
on your own bike and dream on. Celebrate the beauty of Mother Earth. The more
we learn, the more committed we become to protect her precious body, the home
we inhabit together, the home that is part of who we are as people of the Earth.
May our actions honor her wonders and our duty to live in harmony together.
If you appreciate this post, feel free to read
my reviews on these books as well:
