New book: "Bikepacking School: What 'they' don't tell you in the guidebooks" by KC-area cyclist Bill Poindexter

Kansas City bicycle adventurer, writer, and speaker Bill Poindexter has published a new book: Bikepacking School: What they don't tell you in the guidebooks. Bill explains the purpose of his new book:

Bill Poindexter - Backpacking School

I brought all this information together, in a very simple way, so you, the person who wants to travel by bike, can! So go for a long or short ride and experience the Earth and its inhabitants. In 2000, I was a very different person, I was very focused on material possessions, money, work, and although I was passionate about the Earth and nature I had let my false need for respect from others to creep its way into my life; I gained weight and became dangerously unhealthy. I came across an Adventure Cyclists Magazine in a bookstore, which made me pine for travel and to be healthy. I admired people I saw walking and bicycling for transportation. I started to walk and bicycle for transportation, eventually becoming completely car-free. I downsized my lifestyle. I lost over 240 pounds over a period of 12 years, and eventually started to travel by bike. Now I teach how to travel by bike. I write these words to inspire, and I share the other peoples –words, art, links, and info so you can responsibly learn the basics of bike travel. Let me know how you like this book and send me your thoughts. Bill Poindexter, May 3rd, 2020. Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

To go along with the book, Bill has launched a new blog about his bicycle adventures:

Bill Poindexter at Santa Fe Trail Crossing

Hi, my name is Bill Poindexter, I am many things; a writer, speaker, author, coach, career counselor, adventurer on foot and by bicycle, outdoor educator, naturalist, minimalist, yoga instructor, environmentalist, and the creator of the Whole Earth Guide (WEG). I have been many things, but always saw the Earth as fragile, and now feel the need to help save our home (Earth). 

The Whole Earth Guide is a series of guides with an ever evolving role to create a world peace where the health of: people, the environment, and communities is paramount. This is being created as you read this by a cooperative group of like minded Whole Earth Guides.

The WEGs will be in the form of books, articles, podcasts, blog posts, live feeds, FB post, instagram images, letters (on paper), and stories by humans like you and me. I am starting the first step, telling the story, mission and vision. The organization is a not for profit, but we will not be tied to any government. This is for the Earth, the Whole Earth. We see one Earth, but for it to survive we all must get along and create a World Peace, there are no more choices, certain things must change in order for the planet to survive, our home.

And you can see Bill's long-running blog Car Free American here.

P.S. MoBikeFed has recently released a bicycle route for the portion of the Santa Fe Trail through the Kansas City area--taking you past the place you see in Bill's photo above--for your review, comments, and trial rides.  The is one section of the planned Birthplace of the Santa Fe Trail Bicycle Tour connecting the birthplace of hte Santa Fe Trail in the Boonslick, Arrow Rock, Boonsville area to Marshall, Waverly, Fort Osage, Wayne City Landing, Independence, the Town of Kansas City, Westport, New Santa Fe, and the Parting of the Trails in Gardner, Lawrence, and Baldwin City, Kansas City. 

The South Kansas City section recently released for your review takes in Wayne City Landing, Independence, Red Bridge, New Santa Fe, the Lone Elm Campground, and the Parting of the Trails monument in Gardner, KS. Along the way you find no fewer than 75 marked points of interest related to the Santa Fe Trail and local history--each with information, photos, maps, historical documents, and more than make the past come alive.

• Check out the new Santa Fe Trail route through the KC area here.
   
• More about MoBikeFed's bicycle touring routes--including details about how to download and use them--here.
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