I Brake For Strangers

A young man's quest for adventure and independence starts with a single bike ride that leads to years of bicycle travel, misadventures, and an appreciation for the kindness of total strangers.



"Push with the right hand to turn left. Push with the left to go right! Remember how to use your brakes?" I nodded but I wasn't listening. Mom let go of the seat. I promptly took off like a jet...right for the metal, rusted fence that surrounded our back yard. Just before hitting the fence head-on, Mom saved my new bike and me by somehow reaching out and grabbing the seat from behind. My first brush with death.Thus started a love affair with bicycle travel that spanned more than 40 years and thousands of miles. It's also a story about the power of kindness and generosity from complete strangers that remained a constant for Paul throughout every adventure. Driving wind and rain, mechanical issues, sickness, self-doubt, cultural and language barriers are all countered with friendly smiles and genuine curiosity from the people Paul meets along the way. He makes his share of mistakes in each trip with sometimes hilarious and sometimes life-threatening results. But throughout the adventures he finds over and over again complete strangers willing to be a friend if even for a moment. If you love stories of adventure and self-discovery, this book is for you!