(Part 2) Best adventure travel guides according to redditors

Can I give you a recommendation based on your collection? The Peregrine by J.A. Baker.

If you read it and aren't glad I'll send you 50 dollars/pounds/whatever.

This is a good place to start, http://www.connecticutriverpaddlerstrail.org/campsites_map. You could also check out this book: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Boating-Guide-Connecticut-River/dp/0961637110/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1486742359&sr=8-9&keywords=connecticut+river+guide. I paddle spots in the ct section a lot.

My son and I rode from Fulton, IL to Burlington, IA along this route on the IL side during our annual minor league baseball trip a few years ago. It was quite enjoyable (and flat!). This book was essential to our trip: https://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Guide-Mississippi-River-Trail/dp/0981895204

I haven't read it, but you might be interested in Alain de Botton's The Art of Travel.

Here's what one reviewer says

> Alain De Botton's latest publication, ~The Art
> of Travel~ is a philosophical investigation,
> simply written, on the reasons and motivations
> for why we travel. The book's main thesis is
> that our lives are dominated by a search for
> that illusive and fleeting emotion or state
> known as happiness. Travel, he proposes, is a
> major activity, amongst many, where we seek-out
> this state of mind. Travel can possibly show us
> what life is about outside our routine-filled
> day-to-day existence. The book examines our
> motives for travelling, our anticipations, and
> expectations using the writings of various
> artists, poets and explorers, providing
> different and highly creative perspectives on
> the subject.

This book would be cool to include:

https://www.amazon.com/Track-Planet%C2%92s-Travel-Guide-Merica/dp/0762459263/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480631536&sr=8-1&keywords=off+track+planets+travel+guide

A bicycle tour like this can be a great adventure, or it can be a disaster. A lot will depend on your attitude and your fitness level. But I think the biggest difference is going to be your preparation and research. Do you have the right bike? Do you have the right gear? Do you have the right route? Do you have a backup route? Do you have a rescue plan in case of emergency or injury? Are you going at the right time of year? Should you travel south to north, or north to south? Where will you stay? Where will you get food? No reddit thread is going to tell you everything you need to know.

Here are some books to get you started. I seriously suggest that you at least skim each of them before you begin a trip:

• Two Wheels to Florida is a nice memoir of someone who did a similar ride from north to south.
  
  
• There's also Two Wheels And A Map: A Solo Bicycle Journey Down The East Coast.
  
  
• You might want to also pick up Bicycling the Atlantic Coast: A Complete Route Guide, Florida to Maine.
  
  
• Also The Complete Book of Long Distance Bicycle Touring.
  
  Start with those. Also, join a bicycle club in your area and ask if anyone has done long distance touring, get advice from them. Also, you'll find a lot more bicycle tourists at /r/bicycletouring than /r/travel.
  
  One more thought: If it is practical, consider your northern terminus being at Acadia National Park. The carriage roads offer some of the best bicycling I've ever encountered.
  
  EDIT: Many many edits.

Western Arizona, southern Utah, the entire state of Nevada. Check out this book and some of the others in the series. The author does a fantastic job of laying out amazing backcountry roads and trails in the Southwest.

Reading a book about this journey right now.

So...plot twist haha. I ended up buying a used Trek 640. I found it on craigslist and can't be happier with my decision to go with this bike. Link to bike

It's in such great condition for being over 30 years old. The previous owner was really into bike touring and actually wrote a book about it! Here's his book. He recently passed which is why his son was selling his bike. His son gave me a copy of the book and I'm going to read it. From the pictures, it looks like this might have been the bike he used to bike 2.5k miles in 66 days, which is the basis for the book. Anyways, I can't wait to ride this bike and see what adventures it brings. Thanks for all your help, pedal!

We use this as a guide, worth checking out.

http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Around-Cincinnati-Parents-Memorable/dp/099108540X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397996038&sr=1-1&keywords=adventures+around+cincinnati

Paths to Pachamama may be what you're looking for! Definitely life changing - https://www.amazon.com/Paths-Pachamama-Travelers-Guide-Spirituality/dp/0999500007. Also giving it away for free on their website! (www.pathstopachamama.com)

If you're in the US, or can travel there easily, you might like Ancient America: Fifty Archaeological Sites to See for Yourself!

In the travel/adventure vein:

Without a Spare: A Fearless Woman's Life of Travel

Lighter and more personal then most of the other titles mentioned but it spans almost 25 countries and 4 decades.