Take a Seat: One Man, One Tandem And Twenty Thousand Miles Of Possibilities

Over the years I have read a number of, what I refer to as, true life adventure books. Books of mountain climbers, Pacific Coast and Appalachian trail hikers, river rafters, Arctic adventurers, and, of course, cyclists. Many's the time I started a book, excited by the concept, only to find myself either bored with the way it was written, or finding myself disliking the person in the middle of the adventure.Some of these same adventurers I have found to be full of themselves, or whiners, or ill prepared entirely for the endeavor. The last being the one that annoys me the most. Do NOT set off on something you aren't ready for and hope someone saves you.... But sorry, I digress...I bring this up as I afraid this was happening again. The author, Dominic, found himself in Alaska, with his trusty steed Achilles (I won't tell you how it got its name) having rarely, if ever ridden it, and never with a full load. The first few nights, he was feeling sorry for himself. I was afraid I had once again found a book I would dislike.I am happy to report, I was entirely wrong! As Dominic moved south, mostly alone, but at times with someone riding stoker, he grew both into the challenge and the story...What I loved about this book is he didn't fill it with dry daily, weekly or even monthly stats. He told the story of the trip. The people he met, the things he saw, such as a bear, an angry man with a machete, and a snake of unknown species. Each of which was contained in a story of the day, the leg or the area he was in.I fond out he rode on my local trails here in Seattle, met a friend of mine in Portland, and rode the coast I love in Oregon. I truly wish I would've met him during the trip so I could put in some miles to help (270 people did just that).He was also not afraid to be human, and the 20 something guy he was. He rarely turned down a chance to drink and party the night away with the locals, and a common theme was riding off a hangover the next morning. He also seemed to have an uncanny knack of having women help propel him along his way south. Though I sometimes wondered if anything more than riding came from these meetings, Dominic was a gentleman and we never found out.He DID, though, let know clearly how much it took for the stokers to help him. Most of the riders were NOT cyclists. Trust me when I tell you, if you have not taken the time to build up the miles on your "nether regions" long bike rides will leave one saddle sore beyond belief. Almost every one of his copilots suffered for their help. (After seeing a picture of the seat, I have no doubts!)Dominic excelled at painting pictures of what he saw. The redwoods of California, the deserts of Mexico, the ladies of all countries, and desolation of parts of South America. Every part of the ride, if you closed your eyes reading a description it was there, vivid as can be.And finally, he made sure we knew what he was thinking, All to often these stories have people who are either gung-ho the whole time, nothing gets them down, or flat-out whining about the trip on every page! Dominic, in the over 2 years it took to complete the ride, was, in short, human. Sometimes pumped beyond belief, sometimes ready to quit. There were laughs, tears, anger, frustration and triumphs. All of which he took pains to explain and share very well.Plus you gotta love a guy who gives rides to kids just because they are kids, no matter how tired he is.This book got a rare 5 stars, and I recommend it to cyclists, couch potatoes and everyone in between. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Having had the opportunity to join Dominic for a night on a more recent cross-country cycling trip, I can see that his magnetic personality is transfered right into the pages of Take a Seat as you join him for 20,000 miles from Alaska to the tip of South America on Achilles, a tandem bike used to pick up anyone who wanted to offer a bit of company and pedaling power. Dom's story is addictive, inspirational, emotional and contains all the unexpected qualities that define an adventure. You honestly do feel like you're right there, sore arse and all, journeying across open land, tall mountains, coastal highways and experiencing life and culture in its purist form along the way. With so many depressing stories dominating media headlines, escape to the real world on a journey that will restore your faith in humanity. Take a seat, it will change your life.

Sweet cycling story. Nothing scholarly or complicated. It's a sweet adventure...

Dominic Gill isn't only and adventurer he's also a adventure writer! Reading this book I felt like I was on the back seat of his bike. Being a martial arts school owner teaching children, I'm making this book mandatory for all our teens. Aside from the story being awesome it also teaches one about perseverance, living your dream and just how strong the mind can be. Can't wait for the next book. Great job!

For bicycling enthusiast this is an inspiring story.

This book was okay, but the author has a big problem with Americans and most people that rode with him. Dominic complains throughout the book about tourist, but he fails to mention he himself is a bicycle tourist. Dominic bummed his way begging food and supplies from Alaska to Argentina. He comes off as a class A jerk.

The book brought back many memories of when I traveled as a young man, working and living in a tent for about 3 months in Alaska. It is also an inspiration to all who can appreciate attrition. Great book, good read! It's nice that the writer discovered himself and the true meaning of his soul searching Journey in the end! I guess a little fate also helps!

Wonderful adventures, you're right there with him on the trip. Hold on to your seat!

This has to be one of the best cycle travelogues that I have read, and I have read a few. I read the book in 3 sessions. The adventure was an epic one and makes a change from the rode around the UK or rode around a bit of Europe ones. Whilst I haven't got the courage to do a trip like this, you have to respect those that do, and then to allow the rest of us to share their experience through the covers of a book. The emotional side of the book was heavily weighted towards the end, and I felt that I may have missed out much of the earlier stuff, which is a shame as these were the moments when the book really came to life. Most of the decisions seemed reasonable, but I couldn't understand the really basic mistake of not taking enough food for the first few days.My only real criticisms would be that I would like to have known more about the equipment used and how much was spent over the 2 plus years.Really well worth reading. I loved it. I shall now hunt out the film.

Take A Seat is not a story about pushing back the frontiers of human endurance or discovering any new lands or tribes and it doesn't pretend to be one. But it is a glorious read. Dominic Gill's trip began as a personal challenge - to cycle alone across two continents - but became, thanks to the many people who either jumped on the back of his tandem on the way or looked after him, an exploration of what it means to be human and a celebration of the generosity of the human spirit. However, at times it was not an easy trip and there are moments of loneliness and despair, when Gill's positive and optimistic view of the world is tested to its limits. But because he writes so well you experience these low moments with him and the lows make the highs even more special. An inspiring, funny and touching story, Take A Seat is brilliantly done. A special book which I recommend highly.

It is always a mystery to me: what drives people to attempt such fiendishly preposterous achievements of physical endeavour?I've read a lot of books where blokes basically "do a Gorman" and create some fantastic pretext to go to strange places and meet strange people, so it was reassuring to discover that Dom chose this adventure with the assistance of a film production company, who thought the concept of giving people rides down America would make a good film.We are plunged straight into the action as Dom touches down in Alaska, and the airport congregation are treated to the sight of him building his transport for the forseeable future. Camping in Alaska is tricky, but Dom's good nature and general faith in humankind is rewarded with food, drink and shelter.Over the next two years, Dom winds his way south, picking up "stokers" to help him on his way. Some only stay a day, some stay for weeks, and we are treated to Dom's rotating desire to be alone and in company. Along the way, we are shown that people are generally kind and considerate, which is no great surprise in the devoutly religious countries Dom passed through. His patience is tested on numerous occasions, but his desire to succeed carries him onwards, even as the snow of South America drains his spirit.It's wonderfully written, with evocative descriptions of the stunning scenery that greets him each morning. The writing style engages the reader's imagination and, because he's riding a tandem, you feel like you are on the journey with him.

I had seriously high expectations for this book and unfortunately they were not met. This book should have been amazing,I mean what an experience... I found it really dull, just fact after impersonal fact about the journey. The stories are vague and seem unfinished. I'd have expected a little more passion at least, throughout the book Dominic continually states that the people are wonderful and a pleasure but I didn't get a sense of that when reading. I thought also that there would have been a few more anecdotes thrown in, yes most of the people he met very briefly but surely there must have been some interaction worth mentioning? I also realise that trying to squeeze two years of travel into 280 pages was quite a mission but the things that made it are somewhat bland. Dominic Gill is very obviously a cyclist-cum-adventurer not a writer or story teller- what a shame!

I did not take to Dom Gill at the start of his adventure and on reaching the end I still had not taken to him BUT I now have a great respect for him . This physically demanding trip on a tight budget was never going to be easy and so it proved . What made this book stand out for me was that it encompassed the reality of taking on such a project . There were the high points of scenic splendour but also the days of mind numbing tedium just trying to get from one place to another . The physical effort required at times to make any headway and the consequent ongoing need for food and a decent night's sleep . However the real impact was his description of his own psychological battle with the endeavour . What impressed was his willingness to admit his own weaknesses , his mood swings , his unreasonable behaviour at times towards his " stokers" , his love/hate feelings towards the challenge as the trip progressed and yet it was his bloody mindedness that made him complete the ride . This book should be compulsory reading for anyone thinking of taking on a challenge as it shows that it is not just about the pretty views .