We, at Women Riders Now, feature books written about and by female motorcyclists including how-to ride books, biographies, autobiographies, and even cookbooks. Now, we have found a fictional book, Steel Journeys; The Road to Patagonia by Lynda Meyers that features a strong-willed female motorcycle rider, Abby.
Lynda Meyers is a nurse and journalist for women's motorcycling magazines. She includes elements of female riders she knows from all walks of life in her books. These women’s stories are crafted into impactful fiction rather than individual biographies.
Steel Journeys; The Road to Patagonia, is the first in a series threading Abby's story throughout. Each book depicts the backstory of a different woman who comes on one of Abby’s international tours. For each of these tour participants we learn how and why she came to riding motorcycles and what she learns along the way. A different country provides the setting in each book. (Book 2 of this series is set in Costa Rica) But you will still follow Abby’s motorcycle adventures and romantic foibles as new characters are introduced.
Meet Abby
Owner of a women’s international motorcycle touring company, Abby is a tough but sensitive boss-lady you will probably recognize in your women’s riding circles. The story begins with her arriving back home between international motorcycle tours. As one would expect, she’s eager for some downtime and catching up on her business. Drama ensues as she inadvertently runs into her first love, Trevor, and reluctantly lands back in his arms, or so he thinks.
Trevor’s pursuit of Abby triggers fond and not-so-fond memories, feelings of desire juxtaposed with questions about trust which serve to confuse her sense of self and priorities, a sentiment many of us know firsthand. Abby is highly relatable as are Meyer’s (a rider herself) true-to-life descriptions of motorcycling and motorcycle safety. A fun and educational read for riders and non-riders alike, if you have “wanderlust” or have traveled across the U.S. or especially internationally, this book will snag you in the first chapter.
Motorcycles Meet Romance
I’m not usually one for romance novels, and this one has some pretty spicy encounters between the protagonist and her long lost lover! Yet, I feel like I know Abby in so many of the women motorcyclists I have met over the years. And, I suppose I also recognize elements of her in myself as well. I got sucked into the drama, and reading her adventures brings me back to many of the amazing motorcycle experiences I’ve had, and maybe a romance or two…
I asked Lynda Meyers if she intended the book as a romance, and love that her intent is to highlight Abby’s backstory. She strives to explain that what propels Abby toward adventure travel is a “deep-seated need to individuate and her story happens to include a difficult relationship from her past—which I think all of us have at some point!”
Abby indeed touches the adventure nerve, as well as the “real life struggles of women riders everywhere, which bleed into our desire for both adventure and the ‘throttle therapy’ that comes with riding for many of us. I create strong female characters who all have a soft underbelly, and who are not impervious to heartbreak or struggle,” explains Meyers.
Travel Vicariously Through Abby’s Adventures
You will learn within the first few pages of Steel Journeys; The Road to Patagonia that it isn’t just a romance novel. Abby’s international motorcycle adventures and tours are well researched by Meyers. She will hook you on dramatic descriptions of Patagonia’s stunning scenery as you begin to feel you are beside her scouting and navigating challenging environments. You experience with her the trepidation and excitement of stumbling upon the people and places to entertain her female tour participants in unfamiliar foreign cities. As Abby makes friends with the Patagonian locals, Meyers incorporates much about the history, cultural significance, and modern day lifestyle of the native people given the impact of European influence of the eras.
Subtle Truths About Motorcycle Riding
Motorcycle riders and tourers will recognize the care with which Meyers incorporates positive learning and safety messages into her stories. For example, when Trevor’s daughter (you won’t believe the backstory here!) expresses interest in motorcycles, Abby is insistent that she understand basic safety and take the proper steps to learn about motorcycling. Meyers presents accurate depictions of motorcycling and the importance of proper learning, gear, riding safety as well as very realistic depictions of what it’s like to ride or tour on a motorcycle. Using different bikes for different purposes, not drinking and riding, and so many more critical and accurate motorcycling messages are within the pages of Steel Journeys; The Road to Patagonia.
And a Dramatic Twist!
As many women riders have experienced, particularly as visitors in a foreign country, men are intrigued by us! Of course a strong, social, capable woman like Abby garners local attention and more than her share of paramours. But how does she handle this? Especially as she’s conflicted about her feelings for Trevor back home? Well, you’ll have to read Steel Journeys; The Road to Patagonia to find out where this cliff-hanger takes you.
For More Info
Steel Journeys; The Road to Patagonia paperback is available for $13.99 or in eBook format for $5.99 from Amazon.com or download the eBook for $5 directly from LyndaMeyersCo.com.
