What do you think?
Rate this book
Metal Cowboy: Tales from the Road Less Pedaled
This heartwarming collection of true stories reveals the thrill and the freedom of traveling America's back roads on a bicycle, and the joy of discovering unforgettable characters along the way.From the moment he "borrowed" his big sister's banana-seat bike and careened down the neighborhood hill at the age of five, Joe Kurmaskie has known the intoxicating freedom and power of the bicycle. In this big-hearted collection of stories, Joe -- dubbed the "Metal Cowboy" by a blind rancher he encountered one icy morning in Idaho -- tells of his whimsical, wild adventures through the American landscape.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
14 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Joe Kurmaskie
8 books18 followersJoe Kurmaskie, dubbed the "Metal Cowboy" by a blind rancher he encountered one icy morning in Idaho, has been addicted to the intoxicating freedom and power of the bicycle ever since he "borrowed" his big sister's banana-seat bike at the age of five. As he careened down the neighborhood hill, much to his parents' dismay, Joe set in motion what has become a lifelong love affair with the road and the wheel.
-from metalcowboy.com
-from metalcowboy.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 21, 2020
I enjoyed this series of short stories, most are very entertaining and some a little sad, but all very enjoyable. Highly recommended.
July 22, 2011
I have a soft spot for travel books, especially travel writing...in my high school years I discovered Peter Jenkins and his Walk Across America...in later years I read Bill Bryson's adventures whether in England or in the US....now I've come across Joe Kurmaskie's original writing, "Metal Cowboy" about his adventures on his bicycle around the world.
This book is a very good read if you are into travel and adventure. This was Joe's original book that he updated (the last chapter is catchup if you will of what has happened with selected stories hes told). Its not a how-to book, but rather, a telling of his stories from how he became known as the "metal cowboy" to the chapter about "The Day Before My Best Day of My Life (where he meets his future wife)."
Like John Grogan and other short story writes I've grown to like over the years, I'll be looking for and picking up his other volumes on his bicycle adventures.
This book is a very good read if you are into travel and adventure. This was Joe's original book that he updated (the last chapter is catchup if you will of what has happened with selected stories hes told). Its not a how-to book, but rather, a telling of his stories from how he became known as the "metal cowboy" to the chapter about "The Day Before My Best Day of My Life (where he meets his future wife)."
Like John Grogan and other short story writes I've grown to like over the years, I'll be looking for and picking up his other volumes on his bicycle adventures.
August 21, 2012
i love all things bike, and the idea of freedom, of setting out on self-reliant two wheeled adventures. ssooooo.... i really wanted to like this book. bbuuuuutt i didn't.
joe is a bit of a dork, and really not the best writer. he seems to be trying too hard, searching for meaning in all of his experiences. of course his lessons learned, characters met along the way, gorgeous scenery and life ponderings hold volumes of meaning to him, but for the reader, maybe not so much.
i suppose many of the stories could hold their own in installments, as short travel blogs or magazine features, but i think they are best left in his journal, to pull out and reminisce, or to be told over a beer, watching a sunset from the porch, or around a campfire.
joe is a bit of a dork, and really not the best writer. he seems to be trying too hard, searching for meaning in all of his experiences. of course his lessons learned, characters met along the way, gorgeous scenery and life ponderings hold volumes of meaning to him, but for the reader, maybe not so much.
i suppose many of the stories could hold their own in installments, as short travel blogs or magazine features, but i think they are best left in his journal, to pull out and reminisce, or to be told over a beer, watching a sunset from the porch, or around a campfire.
December 24, 2021
Funny, introspective, witty and so much about the people joe met on his bicycle trip adventures. Lots of interesting people, some good people and some bad people. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
January 19, 2016
I really enjoy the thought of hopping on my bike and touring around the world. I think I actually met Joe Kurmaskie when he was pedalling through San Francisco. (At least I met someone who was selling an early version of this book. It was in the early 90's so forgive me if I can't remember what the gentleman looked like.) So, I thought I'd be predisposed to like this book.
Alas, my predisposition came to naught. This book is just a series of encounters that he had along his tours. Some are entertaining and some are just weird. The language in some of the stories tend to wander into the hyperbole but mostly it's a pretty straight recap of what happened with some internal dialogue thrown in.
Some of the stories didn't stand on their own and felt like variations of stories that came earlier in the book so I'm going middle of the road on this book. Maybe with a bit of editing I could have given it another star.
Alas, my predisposition came to naught. This book is just a series of encounters that he had along his tours. Some are entertaining and some are just weird. The language in some of the stories tend to wander into the hyperbole but mostly it's a pretty straight recap of what happened with some internal dialogue thrown in.
Some of the stories didn't stand on their own and felt like variations of stories that came earlier in the book so I'm going middle of the road on this book. Maybe with a bit of editing I could have given it another star.
May 22, 2018
I would almost have to label this a short stories. I expected a series of tales, at least somewhat in chronological order, all connected to biking. Some were funny, some sad, some eye-opening, and many enjoyable but there was no rhyme or reason that I could determine for the order of the tales. I felt like I was reading a series of magazine articles on biking from different authors that could have been ordered and connected into a more enjoyable book. I know, the author is a journalist who writes for magazines. I just expected more connection between the stories than all of them happened while he was on a bike.
December 1, 2018
I adored this book. There you go. Enough said.
For more, yes, it is a collection of short stories and no, they aren't necessarily related or in order - if you go into it expecting that, you won't like it, so change your plan before you pick it up. It's a wonderful tale of biking, but more a bunch of stories about the world, getting out there, meeting people and going where the road takes you. I was ready to hit the road with my bike before this, and now I'm truly hooked and envious of Joe and his travels. I would read it again to experience it again and will look for others of his travels in the future.
For more, yes, it is a collection of short stories and no, they aren't necessarily related or in order - if you go into it expecting that, you won't like it, so change your plan before you pick it up. It's a wonderful tale of biking, but more a bunch of stories about the world, getting out there, meeting people and going where the road takes you. I was ready to hit the road with my bike before this, and now I'm truly hooked and envious of Joe and his travels. I would read it again to experience it again and will look for others of his travels in the future.
October 5, 2016
I enjoyed the easy-to-read stories that brought together a desire for a simpler life. Although I was often left with wanting to know more about the story and the place.
August 13, 2020
Definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in bike touring.
This book of short stories was perfect to cozy up with in the tent or hammock and read in the evenings when Tony and I were on our bike tour across WA, ID, and MT. Joe's memoir of his days spent bike touring around the country and around the world were so relatable, humorous, humbling, and inspiring. For as much fun as we had in 2.5 weeks, I wish that we could pull a Joe Kurmaskie and drop everything to go on a year-long tour around the country or the world (covid begone!). We can certainly dream though and start planning our next trip!
I want to read more of his books so I can get further inspiration and humor.
This book of short stories was perfect to cozy up with in the tent or hammock and read in the evenings when Tony and I were on our bike tour across WA, ID, and MT. Joe's memoir of his days spent bike touring around the country and around the world were so relatable, humorous, humbling, and inspiring. For as much fun as we had in 2.5 weeks, I wish that we could pull a Joe Kurmaskie and drop everything to go on a year-long tour around the country or the world (covid begone!). We can certainly dream though and start planning our next trip!
I want to read more of his books so I can get further inspiration and humor.
March 17, 2023
Kurmaskie is a master of his craft. Reading this book I stopped dozens of times thinking about how excellent his writing is. He tells a story with details that draw you into the tale and let you ride along with him. He evokes laughter and passion for living your best life and making the best your time on the planet. This book inspired my wife and I to stretch our wings a little and try some moderately adventurous multi-day riding trips. The book is a true pleasure to read Id love to hear the master story teller speak at one of his road shows. This is one of my favorite books I recommend it whole heartedly.
January 9, 2019
This book wasn’t what I thought it would be. Metal Cowboy is a bunch of short stories out together in a book. Joe is a man who is always on a bike and always on an adventure. These are some of those adventures. Some were fun, some were sad, some were infuriating. However, I wanted more of a long term connection to his character and I didn’t get it through the stories.
June 3, 2018
Attended one of the author's presentations in Portland, OR and decided to read a few of his books.
I was not disappointed in this one.
I was not disappointed in this one.
April 20, 2022
If you like biking and adventures.
August 9, 2022
My twelfth cycling title from the 2021/22 great bicycle binge.
Unfortunately it's dated, a bit corny, probably published 10 years late, and light on the meat of traveling by bicycle. Kurmaskie has some charming tales from the road, but many of them seem either half baked (his thin account of time with the rodeo owners, from where he took the book's title) or way too deatailed to seem entirely authentic. I've read enough biography and non-fiction and screened enough documentaries to know that everything is somewhat embellished but if you read enough memoirs you'll find the ones that dwell on small but genuine points of interest are often the most believable.
Who isn't inspired by a small but entirely believable feat when it relates to them or is something they've dreamed of accomplishing? If you're looking for a book to inspire you to go on an adventure or push you into cycling more, probably look elsewhere. There's precious little depth here.
Unfortunately it's dated, a bit corny, probably published 10 years late, and light on the meat of traveling by bicycle. Kurmaskie has some charming tales from the road, but many of them seem either half baked (his thin account of time with the rodeo owners, from where he took the book's title) or way too deatailed to seem entirely authentic. I've read enough biography and non-fiction and screened enough documentaries to know that everything is somewhat embellished but if you read enough memoirs you'll find the ones that dwell on small but genuine points of interest are often the most believable.
Who isn't inspired by a small but entirely believable feat when it relates to them or is something they've dreamed of accomplishing? If you're looking for a book to inspire you to go on an adventure or push you into cycling more, probably look elsewhere. There's precious little depth here.
February 26, 2017
Once upon a time, I was a touring cyclist who loved life on two wheels, one with the elements, and the joy of being under one's own power. Around those times, the local Border's Books (remember those?) was hosting a talk by a couple of guys who wrote books about the vagabond cycling life, so husband and I went. The talk was great, we bought books from both cyclists, and when at the end of the evening, they asked if anyone had room for fellow cyclists, up shot our hands! They were lovely guests, then went on to the next engagement. The cycling community has certainly grown since then.
About the book. Every cyclist gets a nickname, and you will enjoy reading how Joe The Metal Cowboy, got his. It's A fun read. Be careful, though, as it will have you kicking to get back on the road..
Highly recommended, for those who love adventure, outdoors, and/or cycling books.
About the book. Every cyclist gets a nickname, and you will enjoy reading how Joe The Metal Cowboy, got his. It's A fun read. Be careful, though, as it will have you kicking to get back on the road..
Highly recommended, for those who love adventure, outdoors, and/or cycling books.
May 2, 2015
Spring has (technically) sprung, which means I'm looking forward to getting my bike out and hitting the toad. While waiting for the snow to stop falling, I read Metal Cowboy: Ten Years Further Down the Road Less Pedaled a collection of vignettes taken from the author's life cycling around the world. The stories are taken from the journals he kept along the way, and though he encounters a lot of uphill climbs on a fully loaded touring bike, he finds a lot of kindness (and a little cruelty) along the way.
The short chapters are fun to read, but he skips around from different trips, and I'd have liked it better if the author had created more of a linear story. We find out early on that he'll ultimately meet up with the gal he falls in love with and marries...but in true cycling fashion, when it actually happens it's an event that pops up as we round a corner, not something that get's the treatment we were expecting.
This edition comes with some updates as it was written ten years after the original, and again the author could have done much more in terms of telling us how life turned out, though from the three sons following in his wake on a bike ride in the afterwards, we gather not too bad. The author has a good tone, but we could wish that he'd made a stronger narrative framework to keep us pedaling on those long uphills into the wind.
Through it all, Joe Kurmaskie promises us that no matter what day it is, it's a good day to get on your bike and ride.(less)
The short chapters are fun to read, but he skips around from different trips, and I'd have liked it better if the author had created more of a linear story. We find out early on that he'll ultimately meet up with the gal he falls in love with and marries...but in true cycling fashion, when it actually happens it's an event that pops up as we round a corner, not something that get's the treatment we were expecting.
This edition comes with some updates as it was written ten years after the original, and again the author could have done much more in terms of telling us how life turned out, though from the three sons following in his wake on a bike ride in the afterwards, we gather not too bad. The author has a good tone, but we could wish that he'd made a stronger narrative framework to keep us pedaling on those long uphills into the wind.
Through it all, Joe Kurmaskie promises us that no matter what day it is, it's a good day to get on your bike and ride.(less)
June 23, 2012
I like Kurmaskie's writing style, his take on life in general, and I'm admittedly a little bit jealous of the biking adventures that he has been able to enjoy.
This book wasn't quite as good as "Momentum is Your Friend", one of his later books, simply because of the format. "Metal Cowboy" doesn't follow one particular adventure chronologically, but is more like a collection of essays about different events that occurred on several different trips throughout his life. The essays are enjoyable, but "Momentum" sucked me in more because it followed one story from beginning to end (riding across America from west to east pulling his two kids). It was a bit more compelling.
It was still a good book, and due to the format, it was actually a little easier to put down from time to time rather than staying up two hours longer than I wanted to because I couldn't put it down!
This book wasn't quite as good as "Momentum is Your Friend", one of his later books, simply because of the format. "Metal Cowboy" doesn't follow one particular adventure chronologically, but is more like a collection of essays about different events that occurred on several different trips throughout his life. The essays are enjoyable, but "Momentum" sucked me in more because it followed one story from beginning to end (riding across America from west to east pulling his two kids). It was a bit more compelling.
It was still a good book, and due to the format, it was actually a little easier to put down from time to time rather than staying up two hours longer than I wanted to because I couldn't put it down!
October 4, 2016
Fun to read, especially after doing my first bike tour with my sister this summer. Quick, short chapters based on individual experiences or ideas made for a fast read if not overall narrative progression. Definitely moved to tears at moments. Felt like there was an underlying theme of aging and the passing of youth that I didn't necessarily connect with due to (re)discovering cycling, and the freedom it brings, as an adult. Would recommend to anyone who has been bitten by the bicycle touring bug, wonders/dreams about touring or wants some insight into why someone (perhaps a friend or loved one) might be inspired to tour.
June 11, 2012
It's always great to read about other people's experience cycling across the North American continent.
I've cycled across Canada from Vancouver to Halifax once in 2005 and across the United States from Seattle to New York once in 2008. I have many fond memories and unique experiences from these two trips of a lifetime.
Joe Kurmaskie has a great sense of humor and amusing way of sharing his experiences. I would recommend this book to anyone. I enjoyed an earlier book of his even more: "Metal Cowboy: Tales from the Road Less Pedaled"!
I've cycled across Canada from Vancouver to Halifax once in 2005 and across the United States from Seattle to New York once in 2008. I have many fond memories and unique experiences from these two trips of a lifetime.
Joe Kurmaskie has a great sense of humor and amusing way of sharing his experiences. I would recommend this book to anyone. I enjoyed an earlier book of his even more: "Metal Cowboy: Tales from the Road Less Pedaled"!
July 24, 2016
I adore this book. Joe Kurmaskie is the only person I know who not only tours like I do, but writes about it. His stories are real and his endings are always moving. You always know why he chose to tell you that story, what he wanted you to get from it. Best of all, though, is knowing someone out there shares my world of bicycle touring.
May 13, 2008
This book is very well written and by turns funny, sentimental and enlightening. It created in me a desire to ride my bike across the country as well. Then I realized I'm more of the off-road mountain bike type.
Still a very fun read.
Still a very fun read.
August 11, 2010
I've only read about half of this. It is a collection of short articles about his many rides across parts of the world. I liked them, but I need to return it to the library tomorrow and I don't care enough to finish it and get a fine.
August 12, 2014
A great collection of short stories about traveling the world on the back of a bicycle. A great variety of characters and villains encountered on the way. For both the two wheel inclined and a great general read. Now, on to "Blood, Sweat, and Gears."
September 29, 2015
I'm of mixed mind about this book. I expected a continuous travelogue, rather than a series of essays, which was disappointing, and the story felt a bit disjointed as a result. On the other hand, many of the essays brought tears to my eyes, so it was certainly poignant.
Want to read
May 16, 2007Recommended by Jim.
January 5, 2008
I really enjoy the authors adventure and drive. The stories were very good.
July 30, 2008
Very entertaining stories of Joe's bicycle riding adventures and the people he meets along the way. Great fun!
May 16, 2009
Skander, you would LOVE this book if you haven't already read it!
August 13, 2009
I love travel writing. I really love travel writing when the traveling is done by bike.
September 8, 2010
A must read for any cycling enthusiast. You will want to hit the road after reading this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews