Look Ma, No Hands

by Christina Laflamme

On Saturday, June 27th, 2020, after 105 days of Covid-isolation alone in my tiny, single-souled apartment in Toronto, I took off on my old Raleigh bicycle, packing nothing but some bike tools, camping gear, and a change of clothes. In search of some personal sanity amidst a global pandemic, I headed for Vancouver, by myself, nearly five thousand kilometers away. The day after I left, however, my mother died. My relationship with my mother had been complicated. Her sudden death was completely unexpected and left me with many unsaid words, unanswered questions, and unfinished business. Mom, how do I write our final chapter and find peace for us without your help or input? I hadn't a clue. However, with her ashes in tow (mom riding VIP up front on the handlebars), somehow I was - we were - going to have to figure it out. And this is how my solo journey from Toronto to Vancouver became a bicycle ride for two.

But could I, at the age of forty-five, after not having been on a bike for four years, just get up and ride thousands of kilometres across the country and then up the skyscraping mountain range of the Canadian Rockies? Especially after only three training rides to prepare? There was only one way to find out. Ready, Mom? Let’s go...

366 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2022

About the author

Christina Laflamme was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, studied french literature at York University, is an elementary school french teacher, and has called Toronto home for nearly thirty years. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2020 and is a proud member of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Christina enjoys hiking, biking, camping, climbing, running, singing, reading, and writing. Her motto is "tout est possible." She has written and published two books: "Flip Flop Fantasy" in 2017 and "Look Ma, No Hands" in 2022.

Reviews

[Karen Clarke]

This book was amazing! What a thrill it was to ride along on this epic journey. Every day was an adventure and literally read it from start to finish in almost one sitting as I could not wait to find out what happened next!

[Gary Hynd]

I loved this book. I read this before reading Christine LaFlammes’s first book, but had to read Flip Flop Fantasy immediately after having finished this book. The author is very open, honest and perceptive. She does a remarkable job of sharing her joys, fears, and excitement, and she makes me want to experience the journey for myself.

[Christina Laflamme]

Fantastic read, couldn’t put it down. Made me feel like I was one with the author, could read her mind. Loved, loved, loved this amazing tale of adventure and healing!

[Carole Langley]

After reading Flip Flop Fantasy, I looked forward to reading about Christina's next marathon adventure. This woman doesn't do anything that isn't a true challenge. She is 4 or 5 years older than when she went to Cape Breton, and this time her destination is Vancouver! Bear in mind that this is on an older $300 bike, during Covid and she is heading out from Toronto. It blows my mind.

This book follows the same daily journal style as her first book. Don't fix something that ain't broke....

Once again she bares her soul. The good, the bad and the heartbreak. She had me crying and laughing, as well as gasping for her safety.

She met more amazing and helpful people. Her friends and family also helped her to stay strong. A woman, Geraldine, a Native woman with a strong Spiritual understanding, came into her life at just the right time. She truly helped Christina to stay focused on her own Mother's Spirit, as well as to get her out of a mechanical situation.

Dre was another friend who really stood out for me, but he wasn't the only one.

While these books are definitely not the spy or historical novels that I typically read, they were a delightful reprieve and a look at reality. And no, I don't watch 'reality tv' that's not real, this journal is very real.

Many people told her she was going the wrong way, cycling east to west because the wind wasn't behind her, she was cycling into the wind....but from the description of what she could see by going 'the wrong way' she had the beautiful landscape ahead of her, rather than behind.

Again, if you are planning on going west, especially by cycle or motorbike, you will be greatly aided by Christina's experiences. Even by car, you will be more alert at to what to watch out for and gain an understanding of a cyclist and just how trying their journey is.

I will definitely be reading this book again. It's a keeper, not a give-away.

[Sandy Stel]

I read the 1st book Flip Flop Fantasy & thoroughly enjoyed it.
When I heard Christina was planning another Bicycle journey I new I would be purchasing her 2nd book.
She didn't disappoint!
There are ups & downs , Laughter & Sadness. Learning about Canadian history
& encountering new friends along the way. As well as Spiritual healing.
Congratulations on your impressive ride Christina.
Can't wait for your next one.... 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️

[Donna Barner]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Look Ma No Hands. My anticipation of the next day's adventures made it difficult to put the book down. Christina's emotions and personality came shining through. I found myself laughing out loud and fighting tears away. Very enjoyable!

[Phil]

This was a wonderful story about perseverance and choosing something really big to do. It's also super cool to see some of this in real life on the author's YouTube channel. I also learned a lot about Canada that I never knew.