Bicycling with Butterflies

My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration

By: Sara Dykman

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2021 National Outdoor Book Award

Sara Dykman made history when she became the first person to bicycle alongside monarch butterflies on their storied annual migration—a round-trip adventure that included three countries and more than 10,000 miles. Equally remarkable, she did it solo, on a bike cobbled together from used parts. Her panniers were recycled buckets.

In Bicycling with Butterflies, Dykman recounts her incredible journey and the dramatic ups and downs of the nearly nine-month odyssey. We’re beside her as she navigates unmapped roads in foreign countries, checks roadside milkweed for monarch eggs, and shares her passion with eager schoolchildren, skeptical bar patrons, and unimpressed border officials. We also meet some of the ardent monarch stewards who supported her efforts, from citizen scientists and researchers to farmers and high-rise city dwellers.

With both humor and humility, Dykman offers a compelling story, confirming the urgency of saving the threatened monarch migration—and the other threatened systems of nature that affect the survival of us all.

©2021 Sara Dykman (P)2021 Timber Press

Critic reviews

"An extraordinary story in which Dykman seamlessly weaves together science, a real love of nature and the adventure and hazards of biking with butterflies from Mexico to Canada and back. They share an epic journey and encounter hardships, but they do not give up. The book is a lament for our thoughtless destruction of nature and at the same time a celebration of the beauty that remains. The migration of the monarch butterflies is one of the wonders of the world—we must save it for future generations." —Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, U.N. Messenger of Peace

"On this improbable adventure, Sara Dykman followed the extraordinary monarch migration by bicycle, and came back to write about it. She has recorded it well. Her almost incredible account captures the animal itself, the continent it crosses, and its plight with style and deep connection." —Robert Michael Pyle, author of Chasing Monarchs and founder of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

“The book is just as much a poetic travelogue as it is informative about monarch butterflies. Dykman’s research keenly supplements her experiences on the road…it may be one singular bicyclist’s word, but represents a collective cry for climate action.”—Booklist

A Monarch Lovers Dream story!

The author has a super writing style. I was one of Urquhart’s volunteers and have been involved with monarchs my whole life, yet learned a slew of new information from this book. Kudos to the narrator! She was excellent!!! I can hardly believe she didn’t write this herself!!!

Heartfelt inspirational motivating

This is the most incredible journey. I can relate to the anger and sadness of a diminishing species. I care like you. I move the turtles off the road. I really enjoyed it and hated that it ended. Keep up there the stellar work’. You are a treasure! I immediately purchase 2400 milkweed seed. I want to be part of the legacy that saves the butterfly 🦋 insert monarch emoji here

Emotional and educational

A delightfully written book and well read by Ms. Sands. I learned a lot about monarchs, as their story is interwoven throughout. In the end I cried.

I can't say enough good things about this book!

After hearing friends rave about Bicycling With the Butterflies, I bought the audiobook. I am so thankful for their recommendations. This true story about Sara Dykman's 10,000+ miles following the Monarch Butterfly's migration by bicycle is superbly written and narrated. I loved how she expressed her passion and understanding of the migrant butterflies. This is a must-read book if you love memoirs, travel adventures, and science. I can't stop raving about it.

I rode along

What a wonderful journey she took. To capture so much detail and share it with me through such expressive prose.
The voice felt as if it were the authors. Read with such expression and as though it was her trip.
I throughly enjoyed the narrative as much as the journey.

A magical journey

I have never learned to ride a bicycle so at 76 I was delighted to join Sarah on this amazing trip. I have always loved Monarch Butterflies and here in New Zealand they don’t make these wonderful journeys. I have friends who raise the caterpillars and release the butterflies and I was once able to see that moment when the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. They are so vulnerable with their soft wings and it was magic to watch the wings harden and then with a flap the butterfly took off. I hope this book reaches many people and the Monarchs are able to survive all over the world.

Inspiring, moving

This story of a woman who rode her bike more than 10,000 miles, stopping to inform and inspire others with presentations along the way is truly not to be missed. I love to bike but I can’t even imagine peddling a bike loaded down with gear up and down steep hills, many trafficked, all the while not knowing where she would sleep until she spontaneously felt ready to rest and find a spot where that might be safe and possible. A superwoman story, a David and Goliath story - this “David” fighting for the tiny, lovely miracle of the Monarch Butterfly. Want to focus on something inspiring (that word coming up again) after the long political period of cynicism and negativity we Americans have gone through? Read this heartwarming story of courage and integrity.

Great book

Loved this book!! Enjoyed the journey!! Very informative about monarch migration!! Highly recommend this book!

Relatable

I thought this book, chosen by my book club, would be boring. Instead, I was gripped and am now on a mission to help the migrating monarchs! Such a wonderful story told with a talent for writing.

Crisp voice

Great narrator and fascinating book. At first it was kinda slow but I increased the speed and it was just right. Lots of science and nature info