One of my latest library reads was Changing Gears – A Pedal Powered Detour from the Rat Race. I found this book really interesting – Greg was an advertising writer who found himself pushing people to buy products that went against what he felt environmentally. So he decided to take a step back and discover what he really wanted to do.

Greg and his partner Sophie decided to ride up the coast of Australia. This is the part where Tim scoffed a bit and said, “What do you mean this guy is like you? You’d never ride your bike that far.” I meant more in the corporate lives that don’t quite match up with private values, and thinking about living a simpler life within the current life you have, but Greg’s dream of bike riding did sound a bit appealing before I read more about the realities of it.

His bike ride (which I originally read about on The Greening of Gavin) went from Melbourne to Cairns. Greg and I would have been in the same place at the same time as we were both in Cairns for the eclipse last year.

It was interesting when he and Sophie visited different communities along the way and comparing the alternative lifestyles that people life. It was an interesting read – I didn’t end up liking it as much as I thought I would, but Greg is an excellent writer and it’s well worth a read.