Pedalling to Hawaii: A Human Powered Adventure

by Stevie Smith

Picture a frustrated office worker of twenty-five. One rainy, miserable Monday he resolves to grab life with both hands and embark on an the first entirely human-powered journey around the world. Although he had never been on an expedition of any kind and had no money, Stevie and his friend Jason dreamed up a voyage that would take them from England to Hawaii by bicycle, inline skates and ocean-going pedal boat. For 111 days, they pedalled 7,500 kilometers across the Atlantic, and then crossed the United States to take on the challenge of the Pacific. Pedalling to Hawaii is hilarious, entertaining and refreshingly non-heroic, packed with thrills and spills as the intrepid and sometimes blundering duo make their way around the world. It is also a meditative account of a search for simplicity and integrity.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 4, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Stevie Smith is the founding member of Expedition 360 - the first human powered around the world expedition. He has spent fourteen years of his life on the project, including the last four years it has taken to write his book, Pedalling To Hawaii: A Human Powered Adventure Across The Western Hemisphere.

Reviews

[James Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the colossal goal set (to circumnavigate the earth by human power) the author surprisingly concludes that setting goals and achieving them is not the most important thing. He discovers that enjoying the journey by staying positive is the key to happiness. He Inspires the reader to enjoy living in the moment and to appreciate the wonders of the world. This is a genuine account with some great anecdotes and there are plenty of laughs along the way.

[Scott Krasner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I serendipitously picked this book up when I was on a bike tour. I decided not to read it until I finished the tour and I'm glad I did. When I started this book in the throws of winter I was instantly transported back to the warm, free days of riding my push cycle steed and being surrounded by my best pals. It was interesting to note that I had very similar experiences on my trip. Reading Smith's book inspired me to plan my next bike adventure, albeit, much shorter.

[Linda Stefánsdóttir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I completely related to Steve in his motivation to embark on a crazy adventure, and that made me continue with the book. An amazing feat of endurance and some insightful and important lessons learned on the journey. I'd be interested to read the Expedition by Jason Lewis too.

[Ingvar Stepanyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely the best, most inspiring and entertaining book I've read in years.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A secondhand copy found as a result of reading the excellent “One man and his bike”.

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a cubical worker who aspires to be more than a mere worker bee. He decides that he wants to circle the globe, pedaling. With in funds he requests donations and is able to assemble a boat and gets a fellow lad to join him. Them leave from London and bot, then cycle through Europe, insightful human encounters.

Then a mind-numbing months-long journey across the Atlantic Ocean to North America where they aspire to get some $ponsor$hip fundings, they are buckled by society after being out on the water for so long. He pedals across the United States while his friend Skates across the country to California, many adventures. After quite a while they head to Hawaii, engaging, insightful.

Swearing, B/W images, maps.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

honest, detailed account of crossing the atlantic ocean, the continental US, and the pacific ocean to hawaii using all human power. one thing that touched me is how little money they had during the entire trip. also the halucinations during the months at sea. Stevie put himself in a fantastic position to look at different ways to be alive.

[Robin]

What a great book about dreaming big even if you have no bloody idea what you're doing! Stevie Smith and Jason bike, pedal a custom boat and skate (Jason) from London to Hawaii.

Very interesting to read about their struggles. What's up with these Brits going on mind boggling (stupid) adventures- cf. Tony Hawk!

[John Clowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this honest account of Steve and Jason's attempt to circumnavigate the globe by human power alone. Many times I caught myself thinking what an amazing adventure as well as thinking this is completely nuts.

[Jdunn]

so sick.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two guys who travel across the globe using human power only.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

changed my life

[Ilovekona · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I expected, boring to me - disappointing