The Buddha and the Bee: Biking through America's Forgotten Roadways on an Accidental Journey of Discovery

PLANNING IS FOR SISSIES.

A solo bicycle ride across the country should be filled with sunshine, lollipops, rainbows, and eighty-degree temperatures every day.

Right?

Not so much.

Cory Mortensen left Chaska, Minnesota, on a bicycle bound for California with no real route, no cell phone, four spare tubes, a forty-two-pound backpack, and considerably more confidence than preparation.

I will ride my bike down a never-ending ribbon of asphalt wearing a backpack.

That was pretty much the plan.

Ahead wer...