Average customer rating:
- What an unbelievable book!
- Not much insight, but an entertaining read
- Read it over (and over and over)
- Ride the Wave
- A profound journey
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In Search of Captain Zero: A Surfer's Road Trip Beyond the End of the Road
Allan Weisbecker
Manufacturer: Tarcher
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ASIN: 1585421774
Release Date: 2002-09-12 |
Amazon.com
In 1966, Allan Weisbecker "made a Manhattan run from the landlocked suburbs" to take in a siren-song movie called The Endless Summer, a documentary that depicted the carefree life of two beach bums who roamed the world in quest of the perfect wave. Weisbecker was hooked, and he became a hardcore wave rider, a fixture on the Long Island surf scene. With a friend, Christopher, he also undertook illegal ways to finance his passion, transporting drugs from exotic countries, a business only briefly interrupted when Christopher went off to Vietnam. There he took fire and came home scarred; something in him changed, and one day he simply vanished.
Weisbecker's book, a sort of gonzo detective story blended with travelogue and peppered with hang-10 jargon, does many things, all of them very well indeed. It offers up a vision of innocent times brought to ruin by war and drugs; it recounts his search for his lost friend, whose life had gone from bad to worse far away from home; and it affords a look inside the strange culture of surfing, whose masters "understood, in a visceral and soulful and inexpressible way, the machinations of the sea, and, by subtle inference, the universe at large."
Full of regret and exhilaration, Weisbecker's memoir is a fine chronicle of a dream gone sour and a friendship redeemed. --Gregory McNamee
Book Description
In 1996, Allan Weisbecker sold his home and his possessions, loaded his dog and surfboards into his truck, and set off in search of his long-time surfing companion, Patrick, who had vanished into the depths of Central America. In this rollicking memoir of his quest from Mexico to Costa Rica to unravel the circumstances of Patrick's disappearance, Weisbecker intimately describes the people he befriended, the bandits he evaded, the waves he caught and lost en route to finding his friend.
In Search of Captain Zero is, according to Outside magazine, "A subtly affecting tale of friendship and duty. [It] deserves a spot on the microbus dashboard as a hell of a cautionary tale about finding paradise and smoking it away."
Customer Reviews:
What an unbelievable book!.......2007-10-11
I've never enjoyed a book more than this one. I'm only a couple of years younger than the author, but I've been surfing for almost 40 years, and I devoured this book. Just the stories he tells would be enough, but in putting them all together, he accomplishes so much more.
When I went to SD in 1973 just out of HS, my roommate, an established La Jolla local, told me a story about the 1969 swell on the north shore and Jock Sutherland surfing by himself in the early AM (~1AM) on acid. Allan was there, retold the same story, and it's amazing how accurately I heard it back then. The smuggling stories were great, especially the snafu in NJ! The premise, the trip, the experiences, and the conclusions together made this an incredible reading experience. I wished that the book was twice as long. It's lucky that the person who had all of these experiences is such an outstanding thinker and writer.
My wife and I used to visit Costa Rica annually, but after reading the book I was inspired to expand my horizons. Rhoda (from Nebraska - NOT a surfer!) loved the book as much as I did. The changes in our lives that were a result of the perspectives gained from our reading Captain Zero have been profound and rewarding. I've been recommending the book since I read it in 2002. Most everyone shared my enthusiasm.
On a 26' panga with a 55 hp Yamaha headed up the coast of Nicaragua last month, a good friend who read Zero on my recommendation, favorably reviewed Allan's recently published Can't You Get Along With Anyone to the other five surfers on the boat. I look forward to reading CYGAWA as soon as Amazon delivers it.
Not much insight, but an entertaining read.......2007-10-09
Surfing is something different to all people, the author has his opinion, I have mine. I didn't find much insight into the human experience through the author's eyes, I perceived the lesson to be about karma, of which the main character shouldn't be surprised about his current state.
My opinion only, the book is entertaining. How can you go wrong with a book about surfing?
"Everybody must give something back for something they get."
-Bob Dylan
Read it over (and over and over).......2007-09-14
A wonderful book, evocative of end of the road towns and other equally compelling ideas. This could be a guidebook for various Central American hideaways, with perhaps some advice of a different nature thrown in. At one point or another, I've made nearly everyone I know read this book. And...it should be followed by "Can't You Get Along With Anyone." If at any time someone decides to put together a cannon of literature that addresses Central American surf spots, publishing, and the tricky nature of friendship, Weisbecker's "In Search of Captain Zero," and "Can't You Get Along With Anyone," must be included.
Ride the Wave.......2007-04-12
If you are at all interested in surfing, this journey of self discovery will grip you deep within its pages. You'll also gain insight on life as seen through surfing.
A profound journey.......2007-02-13
Whether or not you have ever attempted to surf, dreamt about it, or have made it a practice, I think that this book will speak to you. Should you know nothing about the culture at all, this book will make you feel as if you had been there all along. Weisbecker's style of writing draws you into the story in a very personal way, providing easy to understand epiphanes and philosophies, that seem entirely unique to Weisbecker. Yes, he has his flaws and stereotypes, but this only furthers to strengthen his character. After all how many people can claim not to have either of those things. Weisbecker presents profound views on life through surfing, and different experiences in his travel, that seem far more sophosticated than the stereotypical surfing mind, which would consist of pot, "bro", and of course, surfing.
Besides the development of Weisbecker himself during the story, and the more mental, and spiritual aspect of the book, the story is also a gripping tale, which leaves you wanting to turn the page. Each experience draws you in as you join Weisbecker in the search for his friend. I often found myself eagerly wondering what would happen next, from run-ins with bandidos, to finding a way to work a monster of a wave. What made each experience truely different however, was the reflection of each one afterwards, being able to see how Weisbecker was affected and/or changed.
So, if you are willing to look past the many drug related stories, and whatever flaws you may find, underneath is a compelling story and many valuable insights to life, which may make you want to take off on your own adventure.
Book Description
The Pacific Crest Trail Data Book contains a summary of the entire Pacific Crest Trail, which covers over 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada. The PCT terrain varies from desert in Southern California to the High Sierra in Central California to the Cascades, which extend from Northern California, through Oregon, and into Washington. The Pacific Crest Trail Data Book was created as an adjunct to the Pacific Crest Trail: Volumes 1 and 2 published by Wilderness Press. The data book is designed for planning, tracking, and quick reference both on and off the trail.
Customer Reviews:
A must-have book if you plan to hike the PCT.......2005-07-06
It's got the bare essential data you need for the hike.
Mileage, water sources, post offices, grocery stores, etc.
Don't leave your domicile without it.
Couldn't Be Better.......2003-09-10
I can't think of anything this guide has left out. It provides not only thorough trail descriptions and maps for each segment that are detailed and clear, but also a history of the trail, both natural and historic, advice on planning your trip, and a complete list of agencies to contact for trail permits. I appreciate the details regarding flora and fauna, as well as advice from everything to supply stations to how to deal with bears. I don't believe that I have ever seen a more thorough and complete trail guide.
Book Description
A harrowing, subterranean Into Thin Air, BEYOND THE DEEP is the perilous odyssey of the cavers who explored the Mt. Everest of the undergroundthe Huautla.The Huautla in Mexico is the deepest cave in the Western Hemisphere, possibly the world. Shafts reach skyscraper-depths, caverns are stadium-sized, and sudden floods can drown divers in an instant. With a two-decade obsession, William Stone and his 44-member team entered the sinkhole at Sotano de San Augustin. The first camp settled 2,328 feet below ground in a cavern where headlamps couldnt even illuminate the walls and ceiling. The second camp teeter-ed precariously above an underground canyon where two subterranean rivers collided. But beyond that lay the unknown territorya flooded corridor that had blocked all previous comers, claimed a divers life, and drove the rest of the team back. Except for William Stone and Barbara am Ende, who forged on for 18 more days, with no hope of rescue, to set the record for the deepest cave dive in the Western Hemisphere.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome story...flawed presentation.......2005-12-23
I still recommend this book highly. The story of these explorers is simply amazing. As someone who is very very claustrophobic (my worst fear is being stuck in some confined space), I have to be an "armchair" explorer, and this book makes you confront these fears. In the end it's very rewarding.
The book's only flaw is the "reconstructed" dialogue. I don't know who recommended the author(s) adopt this format, because it is really awkward in places. The narrative of, say, a Jon Krakauer book or a Simon Winchester book is much, much more effective than a lot of the bogus, even boring dialogue that comes across here. There are a lot of characters the author(s) and the readers have to deal with, so perhaps giving most of them "voices" was thought of as the best way to do it, but after a while it gets a little tiring and actually disrupts the build-up of the action.
Still, it's an awesome story of exploration and what drives us to keep pushing the limits.
The willys!.......2004-11-01
I'm a scuba diver. I have also done a lot of spelunking in my late teens and early 20's. I never really considered combining the 2. It just didn't cross my mind.
Now I never will.
There were so many times in this book that I simply got the willies. (Did I spell that right?) It became more frightening that some of the horror I've read.
It also (in my humble opinion) addresses one of the greatest downfalls of some explorers; Not taking into consideration one's mortality.
While I doubt I'll ever willingly mix traditional scuba diving with spelunking I may consider it if I had access to the re-breathers this team used.
This book is NOT for the claustrophobic.
I Really Wanted to Like This Book..........2003-10-15
I really wanted to like this book but I found myself struggling to finish it. No doubt, the experience itself was immeasurably exciting / interesting, but the book was, well, kind of boring.
It could have easily been half the length and not lost much, and as another reviewer indicated, I never really got a feel for what is so great about crawling though caves. I'm sure it IS great, at least to those who are as into it as these people are, but I didn't get why or how from the book. I also found the third-person writing style a bit contrived, somehow.
If you DID like this book, I would highly recommend 'The Last Dive' which is in a similar vein but I found very exciting and extremely well written.
DIVING INTO DISASTER.......2003-07-20
Fascinating book about the ultimate 'adventure' junkies-- who explore the world's most treacherous cave in Mexico. An amazing crew of people. What's so unusual is that these are divers-- deep see divers, not just guys and gals who go down into the cave on ropes or climb rocks. They call themselves CAVERS -- details make the true-life adventure come alive. What's disturbing though is that lives were lost on this expedition and the authors tend to gloss over those lost in their quest for the ultimate experiences. Cinematic and even outrageous tale of diving into disaster.
What Drives Divers To Descend To Unbelievable Depths?.......2003-04-21
What is it that drives cave explorers to descend to unbelievable depths, as if they were involved in an international game of subterranean chess?
Perhaps the clues are to be found within the pages of a book entitled Beyond The Deep that chronicles the breathtaking 1994 San Agustin Expedition as told from the perspective of Bill Stone and Barbara am Ende.
Much of the information was gleaned from their logbooks, diaries, and recollections, as well as from dozens of interviews conducted by their co-author Monte Paulsen.
In 1977, 1979 and 1981 cave divers were unsuccessful in exploring the San Agustin sump or the underground tunnel that was flooded entirely with water. This sump is the deepest point in a cave known as Sistema Huautla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Many of the difficulties were the result of using traditional equipment as well as the inability to effectively transport the supplies and gear necessary to accomplish this incredible feat.
In 1994 international exploring expert Bill Stone completed the constructing of an closed cycle life support system or as he termed it a "rebreather." This piece of apparatus was called the Mk-ll.
This would permit the cavers and divers to explore the San Agustin Sump far longer than anyone was able to accomplish in the past.
It was Stone's contention that the problem was primarily a technological challenge. Once this was overcome, the rest would fall into place.
The next step entailed the meticulous organization of the various components of the team.
There was expedition leader Stone, six dive team members, 35 support team participants and 5 members of the photo team.
These individuals wanted to "place their own boot where no one hand before." According to Stone, "every member had made enormous personal sacrifices in the pursuit of this elusive grail. They'd left family behind for a third of a year; had trained relentlessly for two years just to get there; had gone deeply into debt; and were subjecting themselves daily to physical hardships."
Why do it? Perhaps Stone sums it up when he asserts, "after so many years of struggle, he'd found the route, the secret doorway to the gaping, unexplored beyond."
One of the shortcomings of the book is the extensive use of technical jargon. The authors did indicate in the introduction that they have substituted common words for technical jargon wherever possible.
However, unfortunately, far too often I had to refer to the glossary at the back of the book to understand a paragraph or sentence. No doubt this deflated some of the suspense of the saga.
Book Description
Lucha Libre wrestling is nothing short of a phenomenon. Its inescapable visuals have completely permeated the mainstream, and its popularity grows exponentially every year, expanding out from Latin America to hold the entire world in its vise–grip. Dan Madigan will provide the ultimate guide for Lucha fans, in an awesome four–color book that will be undoubtedly informative and incredibly entertaining. Posters, photos, wrestling cards, handbills, mementos will be featured throughout the book. Personal recollections, quotes, stories and memories of Luchador's lives and experiences will provide the backdrop for a completely unique experience in sports.
Customer Reviews:
Great basic historical book on lucha libre.......2007-06-01
Picked up the boook after realizing Madigan's name as someone who once wrote TV for WWE a few years ago. The first thing that hits you when reading the book is the personal attachment from the author as he talks about his personal love for lucha libre. The book is a great historical tool in terms of discussing the beginnings of the sport in Mexico, the necessary figures in the sport and influence of it in American and Japan. Something that's also a fun tidbit is small insert stories about various backgrounds. One of which is the negativity of WWF and McMahon towards lucha libre and mocking overtones until the late 1990s when they had to and even then it was jsut a one time deal (1997). The details of Paul Heyman (Madigan is a big proponent of Heyman, who's called the savior of lucha libre in the U.S.) and his role in bringing guys like Mysterio, Konan, Psichosis, etc. to the States and eventually, them jumping to WCW is a necessary tale. Two things took away from the boook though. First, at some points certain parts drag on and he does come off as a bit repetitive. Another thing, one of which I thought would have really made the book amazing, was if Madigan went into detail about certain specific angles during the years involving El Santo, Blue Demon, Mil Mascaras, etc. I guess he didn't because as he wrote early on about lucha libre, most of the stories are told in the ring, with the wrestling, and not in the same way we're use to it in the U.S. One minor thing that bugged me was the lack of a mention for Mistico (current CMLL wrestler) who is one of the top draws in the world. I figure the book was finished years ago (since Madigan wrote about Juventud, Super Crazy and Psichosis as being a group on WWE TV), so I attribute that to that. Overall, a good book and the pictures (some of which I gather are rare) are fun to go through. If nothing else, a definite much needed book on a topic that isn't well known about currently in the States.
Viva la Mondo Lucha!.......2007-05-14
Great Book! Lottsa history and current stuff such as Lucha Vavoom. Only in this book will you find a historical and enchanting journey into this very special and unique culture!
Lucha Muy Bueno.......2007-05-05
This book is excellent. It goes beyond talking about the Big three Luchadors Mils Mascaras, El Santo, and Blue Demon. It talks about El Muricelago, The Guerreros, La Parka, White Angel, Dr. Wagner and others. It gives you insight on the culture of Mexico and Lucha Libre as well. Beautiful photos are in the book some are very rare. This is a must for any wrestling fan. BUY IT!!!!!!
More than just a wrestling book..........2007-04-27
A lot of people might pick up this book with tongue planted firmly in cheek -- chuckling at the silly, pop culture nonsense of Mexican wrestling. But this book is not a joke and it's not about wrestling. It's about culture, history, society, entertainment, myth, etc. It's about the genuine love fans have for wrestling and what it means to them.
It's throughly researched and written with genuine enthusiasm - which is an amazing achievement when you consider its author is legally illiterate and often unable to wash himself properly.
Buy it and you'll see that this book and all of Mexican wrestling is no joke.
Viva El Santo!.......2007-04-27
This book is about Mexican professional wrestling, obviously. It gives a general overview of the history of the sport, with special emphasis on some of the biggest stars. Some of these wrestlers became so popular that they became big movie stars in Mexico (while wearing masks, no less). Mexican wrestling has a very colorful history, and it's well covered here, with plenty of colorful pictures.
Book Description
The Southern Baja peninsula is now a premier saltwater fly fishing destination. Here's the latest and best "how to" info from Baja On The Fly authority Gary Graham. Gary tells you what you need to know: what to pack, flies to use and how to find fish. With this guide you can plan a Baja trip, fly down, rent a car and find exciting fly fishing, either on your own or with a guide.
Customer Reviews:
Bare bones.......2002-06-15
It tends to ignore important information (whats the best way to get a Mexican fishing license?)while going over info that should be a no brainer to the most novice of angler, (Sharpen your hooks? Tip your skipper?)
Spanish fishing dictionary in the back is a nice touch. Location information is bare bones but adaquate. Maps are spare and the rest of the illustrations leave a lot to be desired. Particularly those of the fly patterns. All in all, it looks like something thrown together for a quick buck.
A Great How To Book on Fly Fishing Baja.......1998-12-19
A Great Addition to your Baja Library. For the fly fishing angler, Baja Sur has always been a big mystery--too remote, too exotic, too many kinds of fish to try for, and not enough real information to tell you EXACTLY where to go and how to fish. Now, multiple IGFA recordholder--Gary Graham-- has solved that mystery with his expertly-written book. Gary Graham has been fishing Baja Sur for over 20 years. He's the owner of the Orvis Endorsed "Baja-On-The-Fly" a Fly Fishing Expedition Company operating in Baja. His new book tells you the best spots to cast a fly from Pacific mangroves of Baja's fabulous Mag Bay, all around the 'Los Cabos' southern tip, and on up into the Sea of Cortez as far as Santa Rosalia--the very richest saltwater fly fishing grounds in the entire world. Graham's NO NONSENSE GUIDE TO FLY FISHING SOUTHERN BAJA will show you exactly how to catch everything from roosterfish, ladyfish and jacks to offshore dorado, tuna and billfish--and dozens of species in between. Large scale maps put you directly on the best fishing beaches and specific recommendations on flies, rods, expected species and proven local techniques let you approach Baja's rich waters with confidence and finesse. NO NONSENSE GUIDE TO FLY FISHING SOUTHERN BAJA is about how and where to catch fish--plain and simple--and from a leading expert in the field. This book gives you good, solid information that works.
Average customer rating:
- Much more than Taos
- Collected pearls from the founders of American skiing
- Wonderful book with great pictures
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Ski Pioneers: Ernie Blake, His Friends, & the Making of Taos Ski Valley
Rick Richards
Manufacturer: Skyhouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1560441577 |
Book Description
A kaleidoscope of voices, Ski Pioneers focuses on the most dynamic and colorful characters in the history of American skiing. Tracing the lives of Taos Ski Valley founder Ernie Blake and his early skiing friends, this book goes beyond biography to tell the origins of the downhill sport in the West. Assembling interviews with some of the greatest names in skiing, Rick Richards describes the making or Ernie Blake, the man who envisioned a world-class resort in Taos Ski Valley. He follows Ernie from Europe to New Mexico, recounting events that shaped Blake's life and changed American skiing. From the first runs at Sun Valley to the steeps of Taos today, Richards recreates the pioneering journeys of the first, innovative skiers in the nation. With twenty-two chapters of reminiscences, humorous anecdotes, and commentary, and more than 250 historic and personal photos, Ski Pioneers is the most detailed look at ski history to be published in recent decades.
Customer Reviews:
Much more than Taos.......2004-12-26
This is so much better than your average ski history.
It covers a time when the hardcore ski community was much smaller and tighter than today, and all of the pioneers of skiing were finding their places to make ski areas. Tremendously real, told in the words of the pioneers themselves, this is just fantastic reading. Probably the most wonderful aspect of the book is how well it goes with the actual experience of being in Taos Ski Valley today, many of the subjects of the book, including the editor, are easy to find in TSV, going about their daily business. The experience of reading this book, then seeing it all come to life in front of you is spectacular.
Collected pearls from the founders of American skiing.......2004-11-21
The incredible life of Ernie Blake and the desire to celebrate his wonderful legacy may have inspired Rick to start this project, but the finished product turned out to be much more than just a book about a fascinating person and a wonderful ski resort. This is by far the most comprehensive collection of ski lore (complete with accompanying photography) that I have ever had the pleasure to peruse, most of it directly transcribed from personal interviews with those who were the midwives at the birth of lift-served skiing in North America. If you have any sense of history and have enjoyed making turns on snow, this book should be in your collection.
Wonderful book with great pictures.......1998-03-24
This book contains incredible interviews with skiing legends along with wonderful pictures illustrating the history of skiing. I found that I did not want to put the book down, both because it contains skiing history as told by the participants and because the writing holds your interest. It is really a shame that the author did not film the interviews, because it would have made an outstanding documentary.
Customer Reviews:
100 Hikes in nEw Mexico.......2006-11-13
Exactly what I hoped for, fact-filled and objectively informational. Highly recommended for anyone hiking New Mexico.
Needs fewer hikes, more details.......2006-03-01
I like the book, but I think in an attempt to get all 100 hikes in one book that too many details were left out. It doesn't look easy to find the trails for a new comer to NM and a little more detail on how to reach the trail heads would be appreciated.
Great Reference.......2005-09-07
Good book to keep in your car for those impromtu hiking opportunities. Good maps and directions to trail heads. Descriptions are pretty accurate.
Good and Adequate; Not Great.......2005-06-08
Just traveled to NM for a week, and this book had many things you look for in a hiking book: trail accuracy, good driving directions, and a variety of expertise levels. If you want to know the most popular trails in NM, this is the best book I could find.
Now, the reason I didn't give it five stars. I've read many hiking books, so I know what it takes to get from good to great. One problem I had with this book is that many of the trails are focused near urban areas and are the more obvious (and crowded) trails. I'd like to see more variety in some of the wilderness areas (particularly between Taos and Santa Fe on the High Road). The book also could provide more tips on camping areas, but it seems like that's been separated into a different book. I'd like to see a better map of where the trails are in the state. The scaling of the state map is way too small for a state like NM. Finally, the book sometimes takes a trail system and breaks it out into its component trails, treating each trail as if it were its own discreet area. An overview of the major hiking areas would be nice as well (for instance, in the Pecos, where no general orientation is given).
Like I said, this was the best book out there. But being the best doesn't make it excellent.
Beautiful photos, great trail descriptions.......2003-09-26
New Mexico is a great state to hike. Even without the magnificent hikes in and around the Taos, there are plenty of other trails to explore and enjoy. This book does it all! It is an exceptionally well-designed book for hikers across the spectrum. Whether you're a neophyte or have climbed Denali, this book contains all the essential information you need to tackle the hikes listed. The photos are all in color and are breathtaking! You really get a sense of what each hike will look like before you undertake it. Every hike also has a color map to accompany the text description. The maps are easy to follow and instructive.
Equally pleasing is that the authors take the time to describe each hike in extensive detail, though they are never wordy. They list the elevation gains, give succinct but necessary directions to each trailhead and provide ample analysis of the strengths/weaknesses of each trek. The book is small and light enough to carry in your backpack, if you feel the need to consult it while on the trail.
I have over 50 hiking books in my library and it would be hard to imagine a more complete, more photographically stunning or better written guide. From desert to mountains, New Mexico has it all. I enthusiastically recommend this gem!
Book Description
More than a meticulously detailed route, this is an adventure highlighting what to see and explore along the way.
*Bike the coast in one trip or four separate adventures *Road directions, points of interest, and available restrooms and provisions all built into daily mileage logs *Elevation profiles and new Table of Essentials overview for each day's ride *More than 50,000 copies sold in previous editions
From Vancouver, B.C. to the Mexican border, Tom Kirkendall and Vicky Spring guide you turn by turn along the length of Pacific Coast Bicycle Route-all 1816.5 miles. These forty-two suggested daily itineraries (averaging 53 miles each) begin and end at campsites.
Everything you need to know about each day's ride is included: from tunnel- riding strategies to where to buy a new derailer, from one-of-a-kind museums along the way to side trips to lonely lighthouses and towering sand dunes. New to this edition is a quick-glance Table of Essentials for each daily itinerary, listing availability of bike shops, beach access, hiking trails, youth hostels, and activities.
Customer Reviews:
Good basic guide, mainly for the maps.......2007-04-24
We just completed a coastal ride from San Francisco to Mexico. I bought this book prior to the trip hoping it would shed some light on what to expect, tips, training, etc. I was initially disappointed.
But..as we started our trip we found the maps were very valuable (the rest of the book..so/so). The altitude scales were okay, but good enough to set some level of expectations. They didn't always reflect the map in the right scale, but it worked well enough. We initially thought we could ride route 1 the whole way, but found we couldn't in many of the bigger cities, which is where the book came in handy. The maps showed which side streets to take. You can also follow bike signs or bike lanes along the way, but they're not always around when needed. We usually ripped the page out of the book and only carried the small map vs a bunch of maps. You will be surprised how many different maps you would need to carry. Use the book and maps as a general guide, but don't be afraid to wing it. In a few areas like Santa Cruz, South LA, La Jolla and South San Diego (near the boarder) we couldn't find the streets on the map. We got lost, but usually found our way via other streets using general navigation.
Other tips the book doesn't give...wear bright colors, in SF and LA you will be on busy streets with cars zipping by. I hear going in April or Sept are best to avoid tourists and still have really good weather. We used Yahoo Yellow Pages to print out high level city maps with all the hotels listed with contact info and pre-plotted on the map. This was very handy when trying to find a motel in the evening. I also recommend buying the toughest tires you can find (i.e. Specialized Armadillos). Normal road tires are too soft and get too many holes. Between the two of us we had 6 flats and a tire slash in the first day leaving SF..very discouraging. We bought heavy duty tires at a bike shop in Santa Cruz and never got another one the whole trip! We avg. about 78 miles per day with an avg. speed of 15.5 miles per hour, allowing us to get from SF to Mexico in 8 days. Make sure you know how your bike fits you and your body reacts to long days, esp multiple days. I started to ice my knee and quads every night, which made me feel much better the next day. All in all...it was a lot of fun!
Excellent Trip Guide.......2007-02-16
I used this book for a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles and found it to be extremely useful for determining route, elevation changes, distances and overnight stops. Its up-to-date and informative, and you don't have to follow the described overnight stops for it to be useful. I brought regular maps for the trip, but ended up only using BTPC for reference throughout. The book is portable enough to bring along for the ride, or you can easily photocopy just the pages you need and stick them in your mapcase. I'll be taking another trip further up the coast this year and will be using this guidebook again.
Just OK.......2006-11-04
This book should really be titled, "Touring the Pacific Coast By Bicycle" because it really isn't about the cycling. Following the route in this book pretty much takes you on the most direct route down the coast and misses some great riding roads. Might be OK if you are pulling a trailer or carrying too much stuff but if you are travelling light and like riding, I'd suggest the Adventure Cycling and Krebs Maps as better routes. It does suggest some nice parks to stay at but I found it not worth the weight and ended up leaving it at a friends halfway through my trip.
Good book, but I mailed it home in favor of maps.......2006-06-23
I biked the entire Pacific coast in September 2005, and used this book to help plan my trip. Were I to do it again knowing what I know now, I wouldn't buy the book.
Don't get me wrong, this is a good book - I read it ahead of time and it helped me figure out relative distances and times, which helped in planning. In general it seemed very thorough and well put-together, and I met people on my trip that used it.
It's main drawback is that it's a BOOK. It's not convenient to refer to on the road, and the directions, while nicely detailed, are too verbose for real reference. In addition, because it's fundamentally a linear narrative of how to get from here to there, it's not very convenient if you need or want to get off of their path for any reason.
I mailed this book home after I discovered that my Adventure Cycling maps (adv-cycling dot org) fulfilled all of my needs - directions, detail in cities, where to shower, sleep & eat (including phone #s), elevation, and distances. Besides that, they are small, waterproof, and easy to refer to while riding or pull out at a stop-sign.
In general I'm a more visual/map guy than a directions/narative guy, so your mileage may vary. If you want a book to tell you how to bike the Pacific coast, this is the one. If any of what I said sounds like you it applies to you, feel free to skip the book.
The best of its kind.......2005-10-05
This route guide is one of the best I've seen out in the market place. It has all the details that a long distance biker on a budget would need including: road map, elevation map, descriptions of interesting sites, road conditions, traffic conditions, mileage, camping sites with levels of amenities (esp important shower), and where to get food and other supplies/services. I also liked the fact that it wasn't trying to be everything to everyone by not including detailed information on hotels, motels, restaurants, etc except for the fact that they exist or don't exist in a particular town or area.
So why did I not give them 5 stars?
1) Internal inconsistancy - there are a significant amount of these. Mostly it is where the mileage of the description doesn't match with the mileage of the elevation map. Here's an example. In the Oregon Border to Elk Prairie Campground the written route description indicates that the first summit of the Crescent City hills is at mile 34.6 but the elevation map shows that summit at 28 miles. Am I cutting hairs? You decide. But depending on your ride pace a 6-7 mile difference can be 1/2 hour, not so much of an issue in the middle of the day but it might be at the end of the day.
2) Updated content - I have a suspicion that the guide hasn't been updated even though the 4th edition came out just recently. For the most part, the guide was written in a timeless manner that prevents it from showing much age. For example, it doesn't recommend particular restaurants. But things do change. For example on the Elk Prarie Campground to Eureka KOA day the recommended route is on Hwy 101. It's very busy and a couple of nice smaller roads are recommended (Patrick's Point and Little River St Beach). But the Hammond Trail, that takes you from Clam Beach County Park, just north of McKinleyville, South for 13 miles mostly on car free paved path, isn't mentioned. I suspect the trail didn't exist when this guide was written. The authors generally go to lengths to help you avoid nasty highway riding so I suspect that this wasn't a conscious oversight.
3) Out of scale road maps with little detail - It would have been nice if they sprang for some real maps. For example in the Nehalem Bay State Park to Cape Lookout day, the written mileage shows that Cape Meares State Park to Netarts is 4.5 miles and that Netars to Cape Lookout is 6 miles. Which seems about right after biking this portion. But on the road map the distance from Netarts to Cape Lookout appears to be 5 to 6 times further.
Overall, if you are biking down the coast, absolutely get this book but suppliment it with other resources such as AAA roadmaps, Adventure Cycling's bike maps, or the Oregon Dept of Transportation "Oregon Coast Bike Route" (found at the Oregon Tourist offices).
I've ridden parts of the coast, Santa Cruz to the border and Aberdeen to Eureka and look forward to filling in the gaps. Some advice: 1) Go "off season", much of the ride is basically on heavily traveled highways. I didn't know so many RVs existed. 2) Go out of your way to meet your fellow bike tourists. I met people from all over Europe, Asia and even Americans. All with cool stories. 3) Get your bike in top notch shape, before your ride. Let's just say I toured most of the bike shops in Oregon over a four day period. Not fun. 4) Don't ride everyday and don't forget to relax.
Book Description
The mystery of Glen and Bessie Hyde is whitewater navigation's equivalent to Mallory and Irvine's disappearance on Everest in 1924. Just four years later in October 1928, the Hydes, a bright, attractive, and talented young couple built their own wooden sweep scow and launched on a honeymoon voyage down the Green and Colorado Rivers through Grand Canyon. Bessie was the first woman to ever attempt the river. Halfway through Grand Canyon they talked to the press, then disappeared into the gloomy November depths of the gorge. They were never seen again. Despite an extensive series of searches, no trace was found except, eerily, their boat: upright, intact, fully loaded, and snagged in calm water. Glen and Bessie had vanished without a trace. For the next seven decades their tale evolved from simple facts to convoluted folklore and myth. A woman appeared on a river trip in 1971 claiming to be Bessie, having murdered Glen and hiked out. In 1976 a skeleton was found at Grand Canyon with a bullet through the skull. Size, age and circumstance suggested it was the body of Glen Hyde. In 1985 a woman surfaced with a tale of her father, Glenn Hyde, who had disappeared in 1928, but reappeared seven years later with tales of having rafted rivers. He said he had attempted the Colorado through Grand Canyon but "it didn't work out." And he carried a scar on his back from a knife wound, delivered by a woman named Bessie. And in 1992, when Georgie Clark, the most famous of all river runners, died, her past was discovered to be pure fiction. She had been born Bessie, and her lingerie drawer held a marriage record for Glen and Bessie Hyde. And a pistol. Author and boatman Brad Dimock tackled this story with an obsession, tracking each clue, lead, and rumor, even going to the extreme of building a replica of the Hydes' archaic sweep scow for a harrowing journey through Grand Canyon with his own bride. The resulting book, a masterful interweaving of past and present, of pathos and humor, is a classic in outdoor adventure, mystery writing, literary nonfiction, and investigative journalism. With 304 profusely illustrated pages, this beautiful book is not only a joy to look at, but a true page turner.
Customer Reviews:
Glen&Bessie Hyde .......2007-08-05
Just returned from 7 day trip down the Colorado River/Glen Canyon. One of the favorite stories was of these "honeynooners". the book is a wonderful adventure and worth a read, particularly if you have the joy of rafting that water. Enjoy!
Canyon Mystery.......2006-06-21
The story of Glen and Bessie Hyde is the greatest Grand Canyon mystery. They are the honeymoon couple that disappeared without a trace in 1928. Many myths and legends have evolved in the intervening years (including a segement of "Unsolved Mysteries"). Brad Dimmock is a Colorado River guide (and a very good writer) who duplicated the couples ill fated journey down the Colorado. He has interwoven the historical material with his own modern attempt using a sweepboat similiar to the one the Hyde's used. I read this while visiting the canyon again. It was great sitting on the patio at the Lodge on the North Rim reading this fascinating account. If you love a great mystery or you love Canyon lore, you'll love this book.
Just Get Past The Ugly Cover.......2004-07-11
I think, at first, the cover scared me away, but once I started reading I was involved. I must applaud Brad Dimock's writing skill. He has written a book with the timbre and cadence of a Jon Krakauer about an episode of which we know very little. While Glen Hyde's life was well documented by his family, very little is known about Bessie Hyde or how the Hyde's marriage was holding up under the pressure of their Colorado River float. Despite this dearth of information, Dimock has succeeded in bringing Glen and Bessie to life. We care about these two people, who disappeared over 75 years ago, and we follow the scanty thread of facts that Dimock has been able to gather, hanging on to each clue in the hope of learning their fate even though we know from the beginning that the Hyde's were never found.
Sunk Without a Sound can stand side-by-side with the best of Jon Krakauer and David Roberts.
Fantastic Mystery!.......2003-11-27
This book is one of those can't put it down books. It is well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat. You end up with all kinds of ideas on what happened to Glen and Bessie. It is full of actual photos from Glen and Bessie on this trip. If you like true life mysteries, get this book.
Fascinating adventure story.......2003-01-09
You know from the beginning that they don't make it. The book explores the mystery of who Glen and Bessie were and what happened to them on their honeymoon adventure through the Grand Canyon. HIGHLY recommended.
Average customer rating:
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The Mexican League = LA Liga Mexicana: Comprehensive Player Statistics, 1937-2001 / Estadsticas Comprensivas De Los Jugadores, 1937-2001
Pedro Treto Cisneros
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History, 1878 - 1961
ASIN: 0786413786 |
Book Description
While there is dispute among scholars as to where and when the first game of baseball was played in Mexico, there is no doubt that the game is as popular there as it is in America. The popularity of the sport led to the establishment of the Professional Mexican Baseball League in 1925, which continues today.
This text opens with a brief history of Mexican professional baseball and provides, in both English and Spanish, statistical information on the players of the Mexican Baseball League since 1937 (the first year in which the league kept official records). Individual batting statistics for each player and pitching statistics for each pitcher are provided, along with tables listing rookie of the year, no hit games, perfect games, triple crown winners and consecutive games, team champions, individual batting champions, individual pitching champions, winning percentage, earned runs, the best batters in each category (runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, etc.), all-time individual batting leaders, the best pitchers in each category (innings pitched, complete games, shutouts, etc.), and all-time individual pitching leaders. Members of the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame are also listed, as are the competitors and results for Mexican League All-Star games. An appendix provides statistics for 85 Mexicans who have played in the Major Leagues.
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