Recommend me some literature for a two month bicycle trip down the Pacific?

[Plexus]

First off, hello everyone! My background is in Anglo-American philosophy and I have been a bit lazy in regards to reading other literature, so I am a bit embarrassed to ask questions for suggestions about what to read on a literature forum. In any case, here goes (and please excuse the length of the post).

This coming Monday I will be embarking alone on a two month bicycle trip, traversing 1,800 miles, down the pacific coast from Vancouver, B.C. to San Diego, California. I will bike 5-6 hours a day and will have whatever is left in the day to myself. I will be camping whenever I am not in cities, and cities I will not be in frequently. I just graduated from college this last May studying analytic philosophy and am taking time to completely disconnect from any thought about what my plans about the future are. I’ve sold all my things and am virtually homeless and penniless despite what I have for the trip. Instead of the practical I will use this trip as an opportunity for me to explore new literary, philosophical, and spiritual territory while applying some of the epistemological/methodological tools I gained from my undergraduate education. I would particularly like to read works that are conducive for meditation, viz., the meditation that the bicycle trip will afford through riding long hours and camping in the wilderness.

In college I was predominately interested in aesthetics and visual art, but also pursued philosophical problems in meta-ethics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, and epistemology. If nothing else, my schooling left me a bit of a skeptic with partiality towards naturalism and empirical justification. Recently, I've become more interested in pragmaticism within Western philosophy.

Prior to attending my university I was interested in (like so many young philosophers) existentialism. Of utmost pleasure reaped I reaped from reading Nietzsche--to such a degree that his notions influenced me too considerably and I am now consciously avoiding reading his works, as my mind is still too frail to enjoy them. One day I'll return to his works, but when I read him I obsess over criticizing my own moral and aesthetic sentiments, and that of others, to the point that it becomes very unhealthy.

Given this background, I was wondering if anyone could recommend me some literature to read on my trip that meets a few criterions for what I'm looking for. I have a preference for fiction and poetry and currently do not really want to read typical core philosophy. I will be on a trip with limited weight that I can carry on my bicycle, so I cannot have supplementary material to refer to when reading dense philosophy. I've always thought I'd like to read Heidegger on a trip like this, but the amount of Aristotle one must master makes it seem impractical for a bicycle trip.

But my aversion to core philosophy is not simply a matter of what I can carry with me on the trip. Rather, I've read enough philosophy in college that I am now (if only temporarily) primarily interested in alternative ways of expressing beliefs, attitudes, and sentiments in non-discursive ways. My reading of prose and poetry has been regretfully scarce. Recently I have been reading Vladimir Nabokov. I loved Lolita and am currently reading Pale Fire, which I am not particularly enjoying. What I gained from Lolita was the belief that truth and justification do not mean a damn thing when considering things of aesthetic import (call me a Kantian). I was equally gratified by coming to appreciate that I can be concerned with truth (relative or otherwise) and justification in non-aesthetic matters (thus maintaining my skepticism) while maintaining whatever obscure aesthetic attitudes I come to possess in regards to appreciation of art and nature.

I plan to read next (if I can finish Pale Fire before leaving for my trip) T.S. Eliot's Wasteland. Two of my past favorite authors were Dostoevsky and Henry Miller, but I haven't read either of them in years.

I do not wish to read theological literature unless its significance can equally be enjoyed atheistically. That said, I am very interested in reading Buddhist writings. I do not consider myself a Buddhist but their descriptions of human suffering I find profoundly relevant and intriguing. I am very ignorant of eastern religion and welcome greater education in this area.

For reasons I find hard to articulate without generating inconsistencies in my beliefs, I am interested in esoteric writings. Perhaps what I said about Nabokov's Lolita reveal some of the reasons why. I'm looking for literature that will help transcend my current way of life, which as of late has delved into moral nihilism/amoralism. My incessant doubt that I am unable to consistently treat others with compassion and love has left me skeptical of all morality. I wonder what degree of narcissism must be present in me to be able to make that projection?

So this desire for metamorphosis feels very urgent to me right now. Yet I want to maintain my pragmatic attitudes towards things like politics, my finances, my career goals, etc. I’m not seeking to become a complete deviant, but there is just some realm where I seek the divine-- a realm where atheist skeptics such as my self can exist amongst the faithful and devout. Perhaps an obvious suggestion is that realm might just be the realm of exquisite poetry, music, and visual art. Or perhaps it is the realm of "true" human love. I hope that I can transcend to the latter through the former, but maybe this isn't realistic. Maybe someone here can help? What can you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

[Calidore]

My first thought was that you might instead want to bring a tablet or e-reader loaded with the best of Project Gutenberg, as two months of batteries will probably be much lighter than two months worth of physical books. On the other hand, the physical books can be eaten if food runs short. I do highly recommend at least bringing a good survival manual for emergencies, as well as spare batteries for your phone so that it always has a charge.

And while speaking of things being eaten, if you're going to try to stay out of cities, please take the time to research a safe-as-possible route, as mountain lions, bears, venomous snakes, and other wildlife that may consider you food or a threat will be a real hazard.

I hope that you're prepared for the physical and financial reality of the trip you're proposing as opposed to simply being seduced by the romantic notion of it.

Are you planning on blogging the journey?

[Plexus]

My first thought was that you might instead want to bring a tablet or e-reader loaded with the best of Project Gutenberg, as two months of batteries will probably be much lighter than two months worth of physical books. On the other hand, the physical books can be eaten if food runs short. I do highly recommend at least bringing a good survival manual for emergencies, as well as spare batteries for your phone so that it always has a charge.

And while speaking of things being eaten, if you're going to try to stay out of cities, please take the time to research a safe-as-possible route, as mountain lions, bears, venomous snakes, and other wildlife that may consider you food or a threat will be a real hazard.

I hope that you're prepared for the physical and financial reality of the trip you're proposing as opposed to simply being seduced by the romantic notion of it.

Are you planning on blogging the journey?

Thanks for the precautions and suggestions. I do not have a tablet nor can afford one right now. I can probably muster the weight of one poetry compilation and one novel, and when I finish the latter, I can get another in the next town that has a book store.

I am using the book Bicycling the Pacific Coast which is considered the bible of Pacific Coast Highway bicycle touring. I will be staying in Vancouver, Victoria, Olympia, Portland, San Francisco and LA. So I shouldn't have said that it won't be that frequent. I just don't intend on staying in any of those places for more than two or so nights as I really can't afford it unless I can couch surf.

The romantic allure is certainly there, but I have been training and I have been researching. I will camp in campgrounds when they are relatively cheap. I will stealth camp when they are not. I've camped a fair bit in my life. I know how to avoid encounters with animals I don't want to encounter in the middle of the night.

The route is very popular amongst cyclists. There will be plenty to ask for advice. Starvation is virtually an impossibility along the pacific coast high way unless I wander off on some trail, but I plan to stick to pavement and in the summer such pavement is packed with cars whom I can hitch a ride with if in dire straights.

I won't have a smartphone or laptop with me so I won't be blogging unless I find I have fairly frequent library access in small towns, but I wont' want to spend much of my daylight in libraries so that might not happen any ways.

I don't admit invulnerability and complete enlightenment in regards to this trip, but that's the beauty of it. There will always be some risk and lack of foresight, but my job is to minimize it before I leave. And I appreciate your advice for encouraging me to do so.

[Pumpkin337]

This may be an entirely foreign concept but perhaps you might start by considering the possibility of absolute truths. There are some. Not all truth is relative. Beauty or aesthetics does not transcend right and wrong. I'm quite certain some of the lampshades the Nazis made from the skin of Jews were aesthetically quite pleasing, but that does not over come the pure evil of the act in creating them.

I realise that you are a victim of the education you have had, but try arguing your philosophy with a person with murderous intent towards you ... trust me ... relativism has no place in some moments. There are times when you have to make a moral choice. Decide for yourself what is right and what is wrong. What is good and what is evil. This things are only relatively to POV or circumstances up to a point.

[Plexus]

This may be an entirely foreign concept but perhaps you might start by considering the possibility of absolute truths. There are some. Not all truth is relative. Beauty or aesthetics does not transcend right and wrong. I'm quite certain some of the lampshades the Nazis made from the skin of Jews were aesthetically quite pleasing, but that does not over come the pure evil of the act in creating them.

I realise that you are a victim of the education you have had, but try arguing your philosophy with a person with murderous intent towards you ... trust me ... relativism has no place in some moments. There are times when you have to make a moral choice. Decide for yourself what is right and what is wrong. What is good and what is evil. This things are only relatively to POV or circumstances up to a point.

I appreciate your thoughts Pumpkin, but I find moral absolutism to be untenable, as much as I and others would like to believe otherwise. But tbh, I really don't think it's a big concern. Certain moral philosophies are more consistent with the majority of people's moral intuitions/emotions than others. From this we can build some sort of rational ethics that is grounded in sentiment and yet still relative. Further, most morality is imposed through power structures. The populace has certain institutions they can make work for themselves in order to stop "evil."

I am under no impression that most people can escape basic moral "truths." But these "truths" are merely programs hardwired into our brains.

One question: suppose moral relativism is true. Would this be such an unfortunate fact given the progress humankind has made in the past century in regards to giving people human rights--right than might in the end be merely arbitrary and illusory? Does it make a difference?

[Frédéric Moreau]

I think that you may like Jorge Luis Borges. His tales are built upon deep introspection and boundless philosophical knowledge. If I were you, I would buy a complete edition of his works rather than one particular collection of tales. Of his tales I would highlight 'The garden of forking paths', 'Tlön, Ukbar, Orbis Tertius', 'The library of Babel', 'Fune the memorious' and 'Pierre Menard, author of the Quixote'. But all of them are superb.

[TheFifthElement]

I think you should read Lightning Rods by Helen DeWitt. Any of the works of Marilynne Robinson but perhaps Housekeeping would be a good place to start. Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillard.

[Ecurb]

I'd recommend "Sometimes a Great Notion", Ken Kesey's novel about logging on the Oregon coast. It evokes the spirit of the Oregon coast as well as any book I've read.

Also, I wouldn't worry about cougars, bears or snakes. The greater danger is log trucks, RVs, and speeding cars. I've ridden most of the Oregon coast before -- it's great. Have a good time!

[Calidore]

I don't admit invulnerability and complete enlightenment in regards to this trip, but that's the beauty of it. There will always be some risk and lack of foresight, but my job is to minimize it before I leave. And I appreciate your advice for encouraging me to do so.

Glad to hear you're going into this with eyes open and feet on the ground. I will strongly encourage you to at least bring a phone and ensure you can keep it charged. It's a lifeline that costs next to nothing in terms of space and weight. There's a saying that no battle plan survives contact with the enemy; the same can often be said for vacation plans, especially the kind you're undertaking.

I hope you'll at least post about the trip afterward. A cheap spiral notebook and pen might be worthwhile accessories.

[English reader]

Perhaps Meditations by Marcus Aurelius would be ideal?

[illiterati]

Well, at the risk of triggering the continental allergy that tends to go hand-in-hand with the culture of (analytical) philosophy training, might I suggest some short works of theory? I know you cite an aversion to "core" philosophy, but lit theory tends to fill exactly the gap between the literary and the analytical, and inhabit that in-between space--between literature and philosophy, mysticism and academic thought, etc. This is both why it tends to be so undervalued, in most American philosophy departments, and why I thought it might fit the bill.

In any case, I'd suggest Derrida's Gift of Death--it's late Derrida, when he'd show up, of all places, as keynote speaker at conferences on religion, etc.--there's a whole "turn to religion" in theory that tends to be mostly atheistic. Also, maybe Zizek's The Fragile Absolute or Badiou's St. Paul and the Foundation of Universalism.

Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling might also work.

Otherwise, in terms of fiction, I'd strongly recommend Mark Danielewski's House of Leaves--can't recommend this book highly enough.

-M

[ennison]

Have you finished your journey? What did you learn and what did you read?

[Plexus]

Have you finished your journey? What did you learn and what did you read?

I finished the trip about five weeks ago. It took me seven weeks to ride just over 2,300 miles. A week of that was spent seeing friends and family along the coast.

I guess the biggest lesson I learned was to not doubt myself. The first two weeks were fairly miserable and lonely. It was hard to accept that I would be riding my bike for so many miles for almost two months. I thought I had accepted this before flying to my starting point of Vancouver, but it didn't really sink in until I was flying above all the terrain I was supposed to cross.

The days were long, but manageable because my mind was preoccupied with the terrain, my nutrition, and the scenery. It was the nights that were particularly hard. I was dating a girl before I left, and it was hard being away from her.

I wasn't sure that I would be able to finish the trip. Not out of a physical inability to do so, but because of a lack of mental fortitude. That feeling started to change around the time I hit the Oregon border. I was getting physically stronger and was adapting the the "lifestyle" of bicycle touring. I started pulling more miles per day, but also spending more time to explore and deviate off the route a little.

I started to meet more people as the Oregon coast is quite popular for cycling. I stayed in a lot of hiker-biker sites (cheap campsites located in state campgrounds). I was invited to ride with people or stay in their homes. That helped reduce some of the feelings of loneliness.

By the time I hit California (after recovering from a cold I incurred after riding a 110 mile day), I was falling in love with what I was doing. The northern California coast is simply fantastic. I had no idea it would be so undeveloped. The terrain was getting more difficult as there are frequent stretches of switch-back terrain where you have to sprint up short, steep hills. The coastal scenery was incredible.

Once I was a couple days north of LA, riding was no longer difficult and, knowing the trip was soon to be over, I spent more time meeting people and exploring. I spent a week in LA seeing a high school friend and my father's childhood friend from Iran. The last couple days south of LA were miserable, not because of the terrain, but because of heavy traffic and infrequent bicycle lanes located in aesthetically displeasing white, upper-class neighborhoods. I would recommend anyone doing a pacific coast trip to end in Los Angeles.

I hardly read anything. I read some journals and magazines while sitting in book stores. I read a little Nabokov. And that's about it. I'm embarrassed how little I read, but it was hard to focus on reading after a long day of cycling. I saw some other cyclists doing it (including a 14-year old kid who was riding 3,800 miles through the west coast), and I greatly admired them for pulling it off.

Since getting back to Arizona I've been in a depressed, unmotivated funk. This is nearly identical to what happened when I got back from backpacking Europe last summer. I don't have a job and I'm struggling to motivate myself to get one. The "real world" is terrifying. Enduring it is far more impressive than riding a bicycle down the pacific. It's hard to accept what condition my life is in right now and what I need to do to get out of it. Perhaps my need for escapism will get me back on the bike quicker than I think.

Thanks everyone for your recommendations on literature. I wish I would have read more on the trip, but now I have time to actually do so.

[Calidore]

Thanks for posting the update! I'd also been curious how it went. Sounds like you have Frodo Syndrome; back home after destroying the Ring, what now?

[ennison]

Well done Plexus. I often take a book or two on a camping holiday but it's only when I'm stuck under tentage in the rain that I read much.