Books

Shifting Gears: Coast to Coast on the Trans Am Bike Race

Release date: October 2, 2023

Meaghan Marie Hackinen’s follow-up to her award-nominated debut South Away charts her unforgettable, twenty-five-day journey on the Trans Am Bike Race: a coast-to-coast ride across the entire North American continent from Oregon to Virginia. Without the aid of a support crew, Hackinen must rely entirely on her wits, ingenuity and sheer determination to finish this extremely challenging feat. A sports story with a unique theme, Hackinen writes about the Trans Am Bike Race as a cultural whole, as she encounters consequences and unforeseen repercussions of an underground, unregulated athletic endeavour. Shifting Gears is another expertly-delivered travelogue and a thrilling glimpse into a world of athletes driven to impossible lengths.

Reviews

“In 2017 Meaghan Marie Hackinen joins the 4264-mile (6862 km) bike race from Astoria, Oregon to Yaletown, Virginia. One of thirteen women out of 131 racers in total, on her Cannondale Synpase named Epona she brings her whole self to this race. “Bring on the hills and heartache,” she writes, “the out-of-your-seat climbs and lonely switchback roads.” But also, she brings self-doubt and determination, fear of wild camping and the courage to do it, brings her thoughts pulling and pushing her along, the voice of Arnold Schwarzenegger for macho motivation, she brings her writer’s eye, her strength and metaphors for all the beauty and struggles the road offers. If you aren’t already in love with the machine of the bicycle and the open road, perhaps this book will pull you into Hackinen’s slipstream.”
—Yvonne Blomer, author of Sugar Ride: Cycling from Hanoi to Kuala Lumpur

“A reminder of simplicity and complexity. Meaghan really takes us on the road, accompanying her race across the U.S. Vividly written, telling the authentic story of long-distance cycling – with all it’s set-backs, obstacles, emotions, craziness, rewards, and weirdness. Because this sport’s got it all; like Meaghan, we just have to be curious, embrace the unknown and find out.”
—Stefan Barth, Author of “Ultracycling & Bikepacking: Everything You Need to Know”, Founder of SBU Coaching

“Witty, insightful, unfiltered, and brutally honest. Meaghan Hackinen opens our eyes to the emotional rollercoaster and perils every ultra-distance cyclist faces. Hackinen takes us along for the ride in this gritty, raw account of her 2017 self-supported race across America. She comes clean about rookie mistakes, self-discovery, hardships, heartache, and the unbreakable bonds forged between fellow riders. This exhilarating read will inspire and resonate with every adventure cycling enthusiast.”
— Robert Biron, Salty Beard Bikepacking

Purchase now from NeWest Press, Audible, or wherever you get your books!

Excerpts

Photo Gallery

South Away: The Pacific Coast on Two Wheels

South Away follows Meaghan Marie Hackinen and her sister in the adventure of a lifetime: bicycling from Terrace, BC down the West Coast to (almost) the tip of the Baja Peninsula. Along the way Hackinen battles with the elements in Vancouver Island’s dense northern forests and frigid Mexican deserts; encounters strange men, suicidal highways and monster trucks; and makes some emergency repairs as tires and spokes succumb to the ravages of the journey. Luckily, the pair meet some good people along the way and glean some insight about the kindness of strangers.

A rare road-trip story with two female leads, this travel memoir also chronicles an inner journey, as the author begins to better understand her relationship with her adventurous (and not-so-adventurous) family. South Away tells an engaging and personable tale, with imaginative and memorable depictions of land and sea along the ever-winding coast.

Awards

Shortlisted for the 2020 Kobo Emergi ng Writer Prize (Non-Fiction)
Shortlisted for the 2020 Alberta Book Publishing Award (Trade Non-Fiction)

Reviews

“Everyone says ‘Be careful,’ but Meaghan Marie Hackinen wants to live large. South Away will fill your lungs with the fresh air of adventure and restore your faith in human goodness. An exhilarating debut.”

~ Candace Savage, author of A Geography of Blood and Strangers in the House

“Hackinen’s journey is the quest of her dreams. Her sharp images of life on the road reveal that the world is more complex than she thought—and that sometimes people will let you camp on their front lawn.”

“In this empowering memoir, Hackinen, an avid cyclist, recounts her first touring-bike journey…. Teens will be particularly fascinated by how the author found post-grad direction and confidence using the strength of her own two legs.”

“Biking and adventure travel enthusiasts will revel in the author’s descriptions and ability to endure such an arduous trip, and find this account restores one’s faith in human goodness.”