Structure

The main structural element of the book is its focus on Jenkins’ bike trip. The book begins with explanations of Jenkins’ motivation for the trip and his preparation for it. Most of the book then follows Jenkins’ progress from Oregon to Chile, expositing upon his thoughts and experiences along the way. The book proceeds in a mostly linear fashion. Jenkins began planning the bike trip in 2011, and he began the trip in August of 2013. He finished the trip about one year and four months later. The book presents the trip as a pivotal moment in Jenkins’ life that compelled him to rethink many of his own beliefs and viewpoints. The book’s Afterword then gives a very brief overview of Jenkins’ life since the trip.

Although the trip is the book’s main structural element, it is important to note that the narrative is not always linear...