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WORK TITLE: Wheels of Wisdom
WORK NOTES: with husband, Tim Bishop
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE:
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
http://www.openroadpress.com/about/ * http://www.prunderground.com/long-distance-cyclists-and-hope-coaches-tim-and-debbie-bishop-share-life-lessons-in-new-book/0081340/ * http://www.cwareviewcrew.com/products/category/tim-debbie-bishop
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born c. 1958; married Tim Bishop, c. 2010.
EDUCATION:Lesley University, master’s degree.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Teacher and writer. Has taught for three decades, including eighteen years in Framingham, MA. Also volunteers for TheHopeLine and is a facilitator for Findingbalance.
WRITINGS
Also coauthor with Tim Bishop of the e-book Metaphors in Motion: Wisdom from the Open Road. Blogs at the Open Road Press Web site.
SIDELIGHTS
Debbie Bishop, a longtime teacher who holds a master’s degree in literacy. Originally from New England, Bishop married Tim Bishop when they were both 52 years old. The couple live in Tennessee. She is the author of books with her husband and also volunteers for Christian ministries, including TheHopeLine, a nonprofit organization that seeks to reach, rescue, and restore hurting teens and young adults. Debbie Bishop also volunteers as a facilitator for FINDINGbalance, an online support group focused on helping women who are struggling with eating disorders. Both of the Bishops blog at the Open Road Press Web site.
Two Are Better
Following their marriage, the Bishops decided to take a grueling bicycle trip. They recount their experiences in their first book, titled Two Are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast. The authors recount how both had been looking for companionship for many years. Following their meeting and eventual marriage and embarked on a cycling adventure, all within ten weeks. The Bishops recount how they met online in 2003 but only saw each sparingly for several years because Tim lived 250 miles away in Maine from Debbie, who lived in Massachusetts. At the time, Tim was a certified public accountant for a private company, and Debbie was a literacy specialist in the Framingham public schools.
Tim Bishop proposed while the couple were standing at the top of Cadillac Mountain during a 2010 trip to Acadia National Park. Within weeks, he left his job and moved. The couple married in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, spent four days in Maine, and then left for the West Coast for the beginning of their bicycling trip. “For us, the story is not over when you hit midlife,” Tim Bishop told David Greenslit for an article for the Telegraph Online, adding: “You don’t have to throw in the towel when you hit age 52.”
Nevertheless, neither of the Bishops were avid bicyclists and had not trained for their trip. They had to get accustomed to their new bikes and learn about their new gear, including help from Debbie Bishop’s new mother-in-law. Nevertheless, Tim Bishop forgot to insert a chip in their bike-mounted GPS, making it unusable on the road. He only found the chip two months after the trip was over. “Tim Bishop is the primary author and the story is told principally from his point of view,” note Sharry Miller in a review for Women’s Adventure Online, adding: “Every once in a while, however, Debbie Bishop chimes in with her perspective.”
The Bishops organize the book according to various sections of their journey involving both their relationship and their travels. In addition to the story of their travels, the Bishops write about their religious faith, both how each came to their faith and the important role it plays in their lives and their relationship. They also discuss their work with troubled youth. Women’s Adventure Online contributor Miller noted the Bishops also provide a “message of hope to everyone who is waiting … and waiting … to find that perfect someone.”
Wheels of Wisdom
In their book titled Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit, the Bishops relate how getting through troubled times in life can be compared to lessons they learned on their biking trip. Wheels of Wisdom is organized into six sections, with each section focusing on a theme. The sections are titled Charting the Course, Shifting Gears, Taking Precautions, Finding Motivation, Riding through Storms, and Enjoying the Ride. Debbie Bishop noted in an interview for the Columbia Daily Herald Online that Wheels of Wisdom provides “lessons [that are] deep and touch on spirituality” while other lessons are more “practical in nature.” She went on to note: “Bicycle touring is an awesome way to develop character within us as we learn about the world around us.”
In their book the Bishops note that everyday experiences, even the ones that seem the most innocuous, can sometimes lead to a newfound wisdom. For example, they discuss how their hands got tired gripping the steering bar on their bikes and how that can relate to letting go in life and adopting the proper mind set. The Bishops feature questions that people can ask themselves to foster their own personal reflections. “In each lesson of this book, you’ll find practical insights, inspiration, and encouragement,” wrote Living Our Faith Out Loud Web site contributor Lisa J. Lickel. Overall, the lessons include how to adopt the right mindset and overcome obstacles while relishing life’s journey along the way. The Bishops also address how to conquer, fear, worry, and inaction. More than 100 color photos are included.
“Impressively well written, organized and presented, Wheels of Wisdom is a consistently compelling, informative, and thoughtful” book, wrote a Small Press Bookwatch contributor. A reviewer writing for Publishers Weekly noted: “The book … incorporates faith without unnecessary preaching.” The Bishops are also coauthors of the e-b00k Bicycle Touring How-To: What We Learned, in which they provide tips on bicycle touring for novices, and the e-bo0k Metaphors in Motion: Wisdom from the Open Road, which provides more life lessons similar to those found in Wheels of Wisdom.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, June 13, 2016, review of Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit, p. 95.
Small Press Bookwatch, November, 2016, review of Wheels of Wisdom.
ONLINE
Ask David, http://askdavid.com/ (February 26, 2017), review of Two Are Better: Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast.
Columbia Daily Herald, http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/ (October 18, 2016), review of Wheels of Wisdom.
CWA Review Care, http://www.cwareviewcrew.com/ (April 22, 2015), review of Two Are Better.
Henk-Jan van der Klis, https://www.henkjanvanderklis.nl/ (March 23, 2016), Hen-Jan van der Klis, review of Wheels of Wisdom.
Living Our Faith Out Loud, http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com/ (November 4, 2016), Lisa J. Lickel, review of Wheels of Wisdom.
Telegram Online, http://www.telegram.com/ (April 17, 2013), David Greenslit, review of Two Are Better.
Women’s Adventure Online, http://www.womensadventuremagazine.com/ (February 26, 2014), Sharry Miller, review of Two Are Better.*
Debbie Bishop is an overcomer with boundless energy and an adventuresome spirit. Transparent, relatable, and fun best describe her writing. She holds a Masters degree in literacy from Lesley University and has taught for nearly thirty years.
With her husband, Tim, Debbie has coauthored four works. The Bishops married at age 52, a first for both of them. Then, they bicycled thousands of miles throughout America. Thanks to these and other life experiences, their books overflow with wisdom, hope, and joy.
Out of gratitude for what God has done in her life, Debbie studies the Bible enthusiastically. Her recovery from past problems and her relentless pursuit to improve fuel a desire to help others. As a result, she volunteers periodically as a Hope Coach for TheHopeLine and a facilitator for FINDINGbalance. These ministries serve people who are seeking solutions to personal challenges.
Originally from New England, Debbie lives in Middle Tennessee with her husband.
Tim and Debbie Bishop
Tim and Debbie Bishop have coauthored the four books mentioned above about their midlife launch into marriage, cross-country bicycle touring, and other matters of faith and inspiration. Two Are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast captures the story behind the stories, while Bicycle Touring How-To: What We Learned shares their knowledge with bicycle touring wannabes. More recently, Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit conveys some deeper truths that apply to virtually any life pursuit. Metaphors in Motion: Wisdom from the Open Road is an e-book containing more lessons like those found in Wheels of Wisdom.
The Bishops serve as volunteer Hope Coaches for TheHopeLine, a nonprofit organization that seeks to reach, rescue, and restore hurting teens and young adults. They are available for speaking engagements about their touring and life experiences. They reside in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, and blog periodically at this Open Road Press website.
In addition to consulting for small businesses, Tim Bishop has written Hedging Commodity Price Risk: A Small Business Perspective, an e-book that explains hedging concepts in easy-to-understand language with practical examples. He has over thirty years of business experience and blogs on hedging at http://hedging.openroadpress.com. Tim is a native of Houlton, Maine.
Debbie Bishop has taught for over twenty-eight years. She has a passion for reading and seeing that young people do it well. She also has a strong interest in recovery issues and encouraging others with her own triumphs over such struggles earlier in her life. She is a featured author in Love is Out There by Melissa Williams-Pope, in which she relates her own story of finding love later than most. Debbie volunteers as a facilitator for FINDINGbalance, an online support group dedicated to helping women who are struggling with eating disorders. Debbie is also a native New Englander.
Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit
263.24 (June 13, 2016): p95.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit
Tim and Debbie Bishop. Open Road, $14.99 trade paper (264p) ISBN 978-0-9856-2486-6
Those looking for a road map for life can get directions from the Bishops, who navigated a cross-country bicycle trip and recorded helpful observations gleaned on the journey. The coauthors, who are volunteer coaches for TheHopeLine, a non profit that reaches out to teens and young adults in need, share stories and insights cleverly separated into six thematic sections: Charting the Course, Shifting Gears, Taking Precautions, Finding Motivation, Riding Through Storms, and Enjoying the Ride. The lessons learned along a bike route or from coasting through life's roadblocks are much the same, they discover, and wisdom can be found through the smallest of observations and everyday experiences. A lost shoe, for example, prompts reflections on placing too much value on possessions, and gripping the handlebar for an extended period of time results in lessons on letting go. The book, which incorporates faith without unnecessary preaching, includes a section of questions for personal reflection at the end of each lesson and is a handy tool for small group study and discussion. (BookLife)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit." Publishers Weekly, 13 June 2016, p. 95. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA458871784&it=r&asid=974602d6cde9fbc4688db63bb7312cb8. Accessed 26 Feb. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A458871784
Wheels of Wisdom
(Nov. 2016):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Wheels of Wisdom
Tim Bishop & Debbie Bishop
Open Road Press
www.openroadpress.com
9780985624866, $14.99, PB, 264pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: After three tours totaling over 10,000 miles, Tim and Debbie Bishop have discovered wisdom and truth from the seat of a bicycle. In "Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit" they share the life lessons they learned on the open road. The messages threaded through the pages of "Wheels of Wisdom" include: Adopting the right mind-set; Conquering fear, worry, and inaction; Overcome obstacles; Relishing life's journey. These and other basic principles are universal whether bicycling across America or chasing a lifelong dream. "Wheels of Wisdom" provides a fresh perspective and new motivation for having an adventure. Not only will meaningful truths be encountered when traveling vicariously to new places and meet new people.
Critique: Impressively well written, organized and presented, "Wheels of Wisdom" is a consistently compelling, informative, and thoughtful read, highlighted with inspirations for pursuing one's goals to the finish. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Wheels of Wisdom" is also available in a Kindle format ($7.99).
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Wheels of Wisdom." Small Press Bookwatch, Nov. 2016. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA472678954&it=r&asid=3188f03308e399a223a3e5eb686c4362. Accessed 26 Feb. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A472678954
Two Are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast
4/22/2015
Picture
Tim & Debbie Bishop/ Two Are Better
ISBN-13: 978-0-9856248-2-8 | List Price: $19.95 |
Format: Softcover | Page Count: 199 | Color Photos: Over 100
Waiting upon the Lord takes on new meaning when you’ve been searching for companionship for over thirty years. Such was the case for Tim and Debbie Bishop. At age 52, the couple finally found in each other that special someone they’d been searching for years to marry. They moved from marriage proposal and wedding, to Tim’s “retirement” and relocation, to embarking on their cycling adventure in only ten weeks.
Early reviewer Scott Emack knows this isn’t just another travelogue: “Framed within a coast-to-coast biking odyssey with its daunting challenges lies a deeper and engaging view of discovering ourselves, our relationship with a loved one, spiritual connections, and answers to the nagging quest for juggling our priorities. Two Are Better will no doubt inspire you, but the fun in these pages is riding along with the Bishops.”
Over 100 color photos supplement vivid descriptions of their magnificent surroundings. Embrace life like never before. Read Two Are Better, and begin your own quest to more adventuresome living.
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Author Bios:
Originally from Maine, Tim Bishop has over thirty years of experience in business, first as a CPA, then for many years in various roles in the corporate world. In addition to consulting for small businesses, Tim serves as a Hope Coach for TheHopeLine, a nonprofit organization that seeks to reach, rescue, and restore hurting teens and young adults.
Debbie Bishop has taught for over 28 years, for the past 18 years in Framingham, Massachusetts. She has a passion for reading and seeing that young people do it well. She also has high interest in recovery issues and encouraging others with her own triumphs over struggles earlier in her life. Debbie also serves as a Hope Coach for TheHopeLine.
Book: Two Are Better - Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast by Tim and Debbie Bishop
categories: Book, Wanderlust, Inspirational, Christian, Bicycle Touring, Midlife Crisis, Adventure, Marriage, Travelogue, Memoir
Tim and Debbie Bishop
Tim and Debbie Bishopabout this book: Getting married for the first time at age 52 was adventuresome enough, but when we added in the cross-country, self-supported bicycle tour, we knew we were in for a ride. And what a ride it was!
After living separate lives 250 miles apart for years, suddenly we were immersed 24/7 in a grand adventure. It was like tossing two wild cats into a pen with only one bowl of food. The cycling surprised us. We couldn't believe how exciting a honeymoon like this could be.
If you've been stuck in a single life for a long time and want out, or you're simply encumbered by the daily grind and in need of your own adventure, you'll find this book not only encouraging but also fair warning for what may be ahead for you! Regardless of your station in life, you'll enjoy a heartwarming account with some engaging travelogue and photos introducing you to new places.
Small-town America and roadside scenes never looked as good as they do from the seat of a bicycle. Come along and find out for yourself!
Newlyweds on wheels: Marlboro couple chronicle 3,500-mile trek
Wednesday
Posted Apr 17, 2013 at 6:00 AM Updated Apr 18, 2013 at 7:55 PM
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By Dave Greenslit CORRESPONDENT
Wed for the first time at 52, Debbie and Tim Bishop put their marriage to perhaps the ultimate early test by bicycling across the country on their honeymoon.
Eleven days after their wedding in 2010, the Bishops pedaled 3,529 miles over 53 days, starting in Seaside, Ore., and finishing in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Along the way, they took in the beautiful scenery that 15 states and Canada had to offer; dealt with searing heat, flat tires, saddle sores and vicious dogs; and learned a lot about life and each other.
"For us, the story is not over when you hit midlife," Tim Bishop said Monday. "You don't have to throw in the towel when you hit age 52."
The Bishops, who live in Marlboro, have written about their experience. "Two Are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast," a self-published book, is scheduled for release in the middle of May.
The couple met online in 2003, but saw each other only intermittently over the next few years because Tim lived in Maine and Debbie lived in Massachusetts. Tim, a certified public accountant, helped oversee accounting, auditing and information technology for a private company, while Debbie is a literacy specialist in the Framingham public schools.
Once they got serious about each other, however, things happened fast. During Debbie's April vacation in 2010, Tim proposed while they stood atop Cadillac Mountain in Maine's Acadia National Park. Over the next few weeks, he left his job and moved, the couple planned their wedding and the cross-country bike trip, they got married in Hopkinton and had a four-day respite in Maine, then left for the West Coast to begin their adventure.
While both had done some bicycling and Debbie had been a runner into her 40s, neither trained for the bike trip. There just wasn't time. Besides all the planning and Tim's move, they also had new bikes and other gear to learn about. Debbie described how her mother-in-law read the instructions as they pitched their new tent for the first time, instructions that read in part: "Practice setting up tent so you can avoid late night bickering."
Sound advice for newlyweds, or any couple, for that matter.
Tim told how he brought a bike-mounted GPS unit for the trip, but forgot to install a chip that would have provided detailed maps, the location of nearby motels and other information that would have come in handy on the road. He found the chip a couple months after their return.
During the first week or so, the trip wasn't the fun, romantic adventure that Debbie expected. She and Tim weren't talking much while they rode, and she was hot and exhausted.
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She recalled telling herself, "If this doesn't get more fun, I'm going to fly back."
Time management also proved to be an issue early in the trip. The couple were blogging, which took time, and their mornings could get off to late starts because, as Tim noted with a smile, they were newlyweds staying mostly in motels.
But the Bishops met their challenges. They rode themselves into shape, eventually averaging 67 miles a day. And after a few days of rest in Great Falls, Mont., where Debbie got treatment for saddle sores, they hit the road with renewed enthusiasm.
Debbie said she loved Idaho, which reminded her of Colorado, where she lived before moving East; and Tim favored the wide open spaces of Montana.
"It was just awesome to be out there on a bike, with Debbie right behind me," he said.
The Bishops, now 55, are expecting another adventure, but they're not sure just what. Tim has been working to market "Two Are Better," and the couple plan to write an e-book based on their experience for neophyte cycle tourists. Debbie will retire from teaching after this school year. Both volunteer for The Hope Line, a national radio show and help service for troubled teenagers.
"We really don't know what we're going to do next, but I'm dying to go on another bike trip," Debbie said.
If they do, the couple have their experience — and each other — to draw from.
"I'm stronger than I give myself credit for," Debbie said, adding that the cross-country trip taught her about perseverance.
"It was just freeing," Tim said. "It was about discovery for me — and it still is."
For more information about the Bishops' book, visit www.openroadpress.com.
Two are Better – Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast,
by Tim and Debbie Bishop
Review by Sharry Miller
TAB_flatcoverRev_rgb_500Newlyweds Tim and Debbie Bishop not only had a honeymoon, they had an adventure of a lifetime. Each had waited more than 40 years to find the right partner—a person with shared religious values and passion for life—and then another ten to decide the time was right to make a commitment to each other. But, once they did, they attacked their life together with gusto. They decided to spend two months riding bicycles from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic via the Adventure Cycling Association’s Northern Tier route (with a few variations).
Two are Better – Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast is on the surface the story of the Bishops’ trek across America, but it is really much more. It is the tale of how they met, became friends, and fell in love. It is a testament to their faith in god and his importance in their lives. And it is a message of hope to everyone who is waiting … and waiting … to find that perfect someone.
The book is organized, as many travelogues are, with each chapter covering a section of their journey, first in their relationship and then their time on the road. Tim Bishop is the primary author and the story is told principally from his point of view. Every once in a while, however, Debbie Bishop chimes in with her perspective; her first-person text is set apart by being printed in magenta. While it was interesting to get Debbie’s thoughts, I found myself wishing that either more of her words had been included or none at all. Seldom did Debbie’s paragraphs add anything essential to the story, and often they interrupted the flow of Tim’s account. I think they could have found a way to write the story together which would have balanced both perspectives and been easier to read.
Running parallel to the travel story is the story of the Bishops’ constant faith in god. They each discuss how they came to find god, and the importance of their faith in their lives. Scarcely a page goes by without a reference to prayers, devotionals, gratitude, or the “powerful reminders of god’s presence in our lives and his blessing on our trip.” They discuss frequently their work with TheHopeLine, a nonprofit Christian organization dedicated to helping troubled youth. The Bishops’ dedicated their ride to TheHopeLine, and spread the word about it everywhere they went.
Tim Bishop’s clear, unpretentious writing style is beautifully accompanied by hundreds of full-color photographs. It’s a rare two-page spread that isn’t complemented by at least one photo of the area they’re riding through. While certainly not a guide to riding the Northern Tier, Two are Better paints a lovely picture of what riding the route is like, from the countryside to the people to the joys and complications.
_________________________
Sharry Miller is a writer, glass and mixed media artist, and state government employee in Valdez, Alaska. A life-long Alaskan, she loves to explore her region, and the world, on foot and bicycle. She blogs about living her life with bold enthusiasm at sharrymiller.typepad.com.
Sharry is a key member of the Women’s Adventure book club. Join the club to discuss your thoughts on Two Are Better and other adventurous reads.
Category: Books
Tim & Debby Bishop – Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit
Henk-Jan van der Klis 23 maart 2016 0 reacties
wheels of wisdom bishopIn Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit, Tim and Debby Bishop share their lessons learned during their three tours which took them along over 10,000 miles across the States. Throughout their bicycle tours they blogged about their adventures and lessons. A collection of 60 lessons now fill their latest book. Think of enjoying every small blessing, overcoming obstacles, the importance of rest, seeing miracles happen, and the countless ‘coincidental’ meetings with people. Each lesson is introduced by a headline, a lively description of the events leading up to understanding this lesson, one or more pictures shot by the couple, a verse quoted from the Bible, and a couple of questions to reflect upon.
The honesty and personal stories of mechanical damage, physical challenges, and mental barriers gives the couple sufficient credibility to relate to. Their tour as newlyweds from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean in 2010 – I remembered many stories from Two Are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast -, the Mom-to-Mom tour from North to South along the Atlantic Ocean in 2012, and another coast-to-coast fundraising HopeLine Tour in 2014, are inspiring, confronting, and uplifting.
We’re all travelers on a life journey and need help every now and then. Learn from this couple while you’re dreaming of new adventures, pondering about past travels, and live in the here and now.
About the authors
Tim and Debbie Bishop have co-authored three books about their midlife launch into marriage and cross-country bicycle touring. Two Are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast captures the story behind the stories, while Bicycle Touring How-To: What We Learned shares their knowledge with bicycle touring wannabes. Now, Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit conveys some deeper truths that apply to virtually any life pursuit.
The Bishops serve as volunteer Hope Coaches for TheHopeLine, a nonprofit organization that seeks to reach, rescue, and restore hurting teens and young adults. They are available for speaking engagements about their touring and life experiences. They blog at www.openroadpress.com.
In addition to consulting for small businesses, Tim Bishop has written Hedging Commodity Price Risk: A Small Business Perspective, an ebook that explains hedging concepts in easy-to-understand language with practical examples. He has over thirty years of business experience and blogs on hedging at http://hedging.openroadpress.com.
Debbie Bishop has taught for over twenty-eight years. She has a passion for reading and seeing that young people do it well. She also has a strong interest in recovery issues and encouraging others with her own triumphs over such struggles earlier in her life. She is a featured author in Love is Out There by Melissa Williams-Pope, in which she relates her own story of finding love later than most. Debbie volunteers as a facilitator for www.findingbalance.com, an online support group dedicated to helping women who are struggling with eating disorders.
Tim Bishop asked me to review this new book. I got a free review copy in exchange for my honest, personal impressions.
Cycling couple shares life lessons in new book
Tuesday
Posted Oct 18, 2016 at 3:14 PM
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Publishers Weekly selects book for review
By The Advertiser News
Thompson's Station couple Tim and Debbie Bishop discovered wisdom and truth from the seat of a bicycle. In their new book, "Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit," the Bishops chronicle their inspirational encounters from the road.
"Wheels of Wisdom" takes readers from sunny Florida to the abundant fields of the Great Plains, and from Hells Canyon, where the cyclists endure scorching heat, to a mountaintop celebration in the Bighorn range. Whether traveling for hours on isolated back roads or weaving through a traffic jam, the Bishops reflect on adopting the right mind-set, overcoming obstacles, and relishing life's journey.
"We wrote 'Wheels of Wisdom' for those who enjoy creative approaches to exploring meaning and purpose," Tim Bishop said. "We try to share authentically from personal experience in order to connect with readers. Learning and growing can be adventuresome and fun."
"Some of our lessons are deep and touch on spirituality. Others are practical," Debbie Bishop said. "Bicycle touring is an awesome way to develop character within us as we learn about the world around us. It pulls you out of your 'comfort zone' and places you in a setting where you can think about deeper matters."
Now living in Thompson's Station, Tennessee, the Bishops married in 2010 in their early 50s. In 2013, they penned "Two Are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast" and "Bicycle Touring How-To." They volunteer as Hope Coaches for TheHopeLine, a crisis help service spotlighted in "Wheels of Wisdom." During the book's launch, the couple will donate proceeds from sales on their website to TheHopeLine.
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In a recent review, Publishers Weekly wrote, "Those looking for a road map for life can get directions from the Bishops. ... The coauthors share stories and insights cleverly separated into six thematic sections. ... The book incorporates faith without unnecessary preaching."
Jim Sayer, the executive director of Adventure Cycling, said "Wheels of Wisdom" contains "sage advice for people at all stages of life."
New York Times bestselling author Dan Miller characterized the book as "a reminder that we are all privileged travelers in this world of wonder."
"Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit" retails for $14.99 and is distributed by Bookmasters - Atlas Books. Simultaneous with the release of "Wheels of Wisdom" comes "Metaphors in Motion: Wisdom from the Open Road," a teaser e-book with eight more life lessons. For more information, visit www.openroadpress.com.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Wheels of Wisdom book review Tim and Debbie Bishop
Looking for more out of life?
After three tours totaling over 10,000 miles, Tim and Debbie Bishop have discovered wisdom and truth from the seat of a bicycle. In Wheels of Wisdom, the authors share the life lessons they learned on the open road.
When you're looking for enlightenment, you can find it almost anywhere, be it from watching two herons saunter across a Florida road, pedaling to a dead-end in a Kentucky tobacco field, or observing eagles flying overhead in Montana. In each lesson of this book, you’ll find practical insights, inspiration, and encouragement—along with personal reflection questions that will help you:
- Adopt the right mind-set
- Conquer fear, worry, and inaction
- Overcome obstacles
- Relish life’s journey
Certain principles are universal whether you are bicycling across America or chasing your own lifelong dream.
You may be continuing your education, connecting with new people, looking to change jobs, or simply wondering about your future. Wherever you are in life, Wheels of Wisdom will give you a fresh perspective and new motivation for your own adventure. Not only will you encounter meaningful truth as you travel vicariously to new places and meet new people, you’ll also experience some genuine “God moments” and have some fun on the way.
So, pack up your dreams and passions and come enjoy the ride. It’s time to learn on the open road!
June, 2016
OpenRoadPress_logo_50x93
ISBN 978-0985624866
264 pages
$7.99 eBook
$14.99 Print
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Barnes and Noble
My review:
While Wheels of Wisdom might look like an average-size book, it is divided into 52 chapters, convenient for a year-long weekly devotional. It certainly won’t take an eager reader that long—you’ll be excited about the lessons and want to read more. Please don’t read more than one a day.
Tim and Debbie Bishop, veterans of long and cross-country bicycle trips, share their three-month plus journey to raise awareness and funds for a special nonprofit they passionately support. More about that later. And to get to know Tim and Debbie, I encourage you to read their earlier book, Two Are Better.
Wheels of Wisdom feels a like a personal cheer and a virtual bicycle trip in one. Each short lesson is a leg of their trip with a theme, a lesson and a Scripture verse, and a brief question section, Personal Reflections. The Lessons are written by either Tim or Debbie, sharing their experience of the day, a revelation, or one of those “God things,” like in Lesson 42 when they met a waitress whose son needed not only encouragement but also the ministry that TheHopeLine provides.
The Personal Reflections questions are purposefully challenging. From Lesson 28 when Tim and Debbie were about to face a test, they ask the reader to consider a first-time experience and whether it was easier the second time. Try a test run if we’re anxious about a new experience we’re about to undergo.
I found Wheels of Wisdom a truly multi-layered piece of encouragement and personal encouragement. Those who enjoy different ways to bolster themselves and their faith journey will find much to appreciate from Tim and Debbie’s story.
Find more information about TheHopeLine, a ministry that provides interaction and support for those struggling with emotional and physical issues with relationships, addiction, depression, or suicidal thoughts. www.TheHopeLine.com