In a nutshell, The Life Cycle tells the story of Rawles’ 8 000 miles ride along the length of South America. However, that’s only a fraction of what the book is about. As a dedicated environmentalist, Rawles’ bike ride was more than a sigh-seeing trip. Along the way, she diverted regularly to meet local people involved in all sorts of projects to protect the environment.
Stories within a story
Rawles is undoubtedly a tough, mentally resilient explorer. Add to that the fact that she lives by the values she asks others to try and live by, and the story becomes way more interesting.
Starting with the fact that Rawles hand built the bamboo bike she cycled on, and refused to fly to Colombia. Instead, she crossed the Atlantic by freight ship – an adventure in itself.
Through her adventure, Rawles visited various projects, organisations, and even individuals, who are all trying desperately to protect biodiversity, and nature in general around them. The stories of these people are retold in Rawles’ words, and we learn how progress is being made in ensuring sustainable lifestyles are being built.
Some of the stories are quite harrowing, but there are victories against giant conglomerates in between it all. While Rawles certainly doesn’t mince her words, the book is not all doom and gloom. In fact, much of it gives hope for a better future.
Rawles teaches us of a different mindset in South America, sometimes referred to as cosmovision, which includes the concept of buen vivir – good living, but perhaps better translated as harmonious living. The harmony in that springs from living in harmony with nature, as well as the greater community.
Factual
The book is full of fascinating facts – did you know Colombia alone has more species of bird than all of Europe and the USA combined? As you’d expect from someone with a foundation in science, all the facts and references Rawles refer to in the book are well researched, with more detail in the regular footnotes.
But don’t for a moment think it’s a dull and boring text book! Oh no – Rawles is a very gifted writer, who tells her own story, and the stories of those she meets along the way, with a casual ease. Her writing style means the book is a really easy read, even if a sobering one. I certainly found it difficult to put it down.
If you enjoy cycle touring books, then you will love this book from that perspective alone. Of course, like all the best cycle adventure books, though the writer cycled an enormous distance, and obviously cycling features heavily in the book, it’s not a cycling book. People who aren’t interested in cycle will enjoy the book just as much.
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this book. You can get a copy at all good book store, or directly from here