It’s 1973. Our nation is torn apart by the Vietnam War, and the massacre of unarmed students at Kent State. The Vice President has resigned for bribery and tax evasion. The President is being investigated for engaging in criminal activity. At twenty-three, David Reed has become embittered by political strife and corruption. Disenchanted with his future, he wants out. Along with new friends Rusty and Susie, David leaves everything he knows to cross the United States with little more than his bicycle and camera.
The trio gets more than they bargain for, with menacing animals, extreme weather, and astonishing encounters. Uphill and Into the Wind recounts an odyssey that spans 5420 miles on bicycles. It chronicles the sudden and surprising glories of nature, the raw beauty of the land, and the majesty of the mountains. But that is just the start. Through it all, the three are changed forever, in ways they did not expect, by their long journey into the unknown.
Reviews (3)
David Reed’s fine book reminds us of what was unique and often forgotten
about the generation that came of age in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The freedom,
the love of country, a kind of patriotism rare today; the romanticism,
the saying ‘yes’ to life; and most of all, the hope.
David’s book reminds us of the America we went looking for, and, with courage
and faith, might once again seek.”
RICHARD LOUV, INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF “LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS”, “OUR WILD CALLING” AND
“THE NATURE PRINCIPLE”
“An exuberant trio takes to the road and invites us to cycle along with them.
Together we climb mountains, brave icy storms, wonder at wildflowers and
pronghorns, and drift peacefully into a night sky of a million billion stars. From
the mundane (PB&J sandwiches, fixing spokes) to the spectacular (lyrical descriptions that do justice
to the magnificent scenery), riding along with David
Reed as he and his friends pedal across America is to see this country through the
eyes of discovery and reverence.”
Judy Reeves, AUTHOR of A Writer’s Book of Days,
Wild Women, Wild Voices
Having traveled by bicycle across the United States in the 1970’s and again in the 1980’s , I anticipated reliving the shared experiences through David Reed’s odyssey. Instead, Uphill and Into the Wind was a mind blowing surprise with Mr. Reed blending natural history, cultural history, hardships and bliss of the road while moving through a landscape at the pace of a bicycle. The incredible surprise was for me was the backpacking and hiking expeditions that took place during his 5 month expedition thanks to pay phones, general delivery and the kindness of strangers. An Epic Adventure that puts your mind and soul in a quiet place, sensing the smell of the tall prairie grass, pulsing with the wind, the heavens revealing their stars by the millions and ………the drone of millions of mosquitos in a feeding frenzy, grinding up a climb without end, into a headwind.
