PALE PINK ROADS

  “…all readers will enjoy the engaging anecdotes…, and the evocations of panoramic beauty from one end of the country to the other.”

―Kirkus Reviews  

Cross-country bicycle touring isn’t for the faint of heart. Each day brings brutal headwinds, unpredictable weather, flat tires, and even the occasional dog attack. Unplanned detours, the search for water and food, and last-minute logistical puzzles turn every mile into a test of physical, mental, and emotional endurance.

As a teenager, Joe Tarantino embarked on a naïve but ambitious quest: to ride 100 miles on a bicycle. Despite near disaster, he finished—and fell in love with the open road. Over the years, long-distance cycling became a way to navigate life’s hills and valleys while raising a family, caring for aging parents, and pursuing a career as an aerospace engineer. 

Joe’s laughable inexperience and quirky roadside interactions combine with peaceful isolation and big-city chaos in these seventeen epic rides. Told with humor and heart, Pale Pink Roads reveals how miles on unfamiliar pavement led to insights on resilience, faith, and self-discovery from the saddle of his bike. 

Whether you’re a devoted cyclist who would never trade their tortured rides for the beach or simply seeking inspiration, hop on for the ride—laugh, reflect, and feel the wind in your face. Along these pale pink roads, you may just find your own path. 

“An affable, page-turning collection of bicycling stories.”

“…his tales of the open road cast a spell.”

―Kirkus Reviews