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Riding with the Blue Moth
After the death of his son, Will, in the 2001 airplane crash that took the lives of nine additional members of the Oklahoma State basketball team and support staff, survival became a common word in Bill Hancock's vocabulary. Bicycling was simply the method by which he chose to distract himself from his grief. But for Hancock, the 2,747-mile journey from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic Coast became more than just a distraction. It became a pilgrimage, even if Hancock didn't realize it upon dipping his rear tire in the Pacific Ocean near Huntington Beach, California in the wee hours of a July morning. On his two-wheel trip, Hancock battled searing heat and humidity, curious dogs, unforgiving motorists and the occasional speed bump--usually a dead armadillo. Hancock's thoughts returned to common themes: memories of his son Will, the prospect of life without Will for him and his wife, and the blue moth of grief and depression.
246 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2005
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134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 14, 2018
Awesome read from my Uncle Bill and I t helped me deal with my younger cousin’s death also.
September 5, 2013
Originally I bought the book for my husband, a sports enthusiast, and thought he could relate with this author perhaps better than others. I was curious and read it after he did.
I was interested to pry into the viewpoint of a man, since I mostly talk to bereaved women. I liked how humble Bill Hancock seemed. His mind easily slipped to dark places during his cross-country trek, and I can relate to sliding to such places. I thought his metaphor of a "blue moth" for the deep sorrow that pops up and follows at the most inopportune times was fitting. And I hadn't thought about it this way, but how the moth disappears at times, too. I appreciated how he relayed that things (anything and everything) could conjure up thoughts of his son. Passing a spot their family vacationed. A sunrise. A tiring hill climb. A song stuck in his head.
I looked forward to reading this book each evening before bed, and felt I was on his journey getting closer to the Atlantic with him. I would recommend this book to bereaved parents, especially guys who might recognize Bill from his NCAA tournament and Olympic Committee involvement, might like the element of physicality of a "regular guy" riding across the country on his bike, or recognize his son, Will, who died in the plane crash of the OK State basketball team and staff in 2001.
I was interested to pry into the viewpoint of a man, since I mostly talk to bereaved women. I liked how humble Bill Hancock seemed. His mind easily slipped to dark places during his cross-country trek, and I can relate to sliding to such places. I thought his metaphor of a "blue moth" for the deep sorrow that pops up and follows at the most inopportune times was fitting. And I hadn't thought about it this way, but how the moth disappears at times, too. I appreciated how he relayed that things (anything and everything) could conjure up thoughts of his son. Passing a spot their family vacationed. A sunrise. A tiring hill climb. A song stuck in his head.
I looked forward to reading this book each evening before bed, and felt I was on his journey getting closer to the Atlantic with him. I would recommend this book to bereaved parents, especially guys who might recognize Bill from his NCAA tournament and Olympic Committee involvement, might like the element of physicality of a "regular guy" riding across the country on his bike, or recognize his son, Will, who died in the plane crash of the OK State basketball team and staff in 2001.
June 7, 2019
Attracted to this book by a friend, I fell into it right away. The story of the author's older son's tragic death in a plane crash is compelling cover-to-cover, as are his realizations acquired along the way and his application of "things learned, people appreciated." My sincere condolences to him and all his family for their loss and suffering.
The bicycle trip was of particular interest to me because I am an avid road cyclist and have a continental crossing under my belt at an older age, different route and self-contained (no SAG). The author's human interest stories rang true to my personal experiences. But frankly, I was aghast that he took on such a challenging trip with so little training and during the hottest part of the year for crossing the southern third of the USA. His diet was appalling - which he admits - and parts of his daily routines on the ride are almost difficult to believe. But there are "many ways to skin a rabbit" and I credit him for his achievement ... roughly comparable to falling into a bucket of [bleep] and coming out smelling like a rose.
Overall, his narrative style is interesting enough to read, but I found it a little too repetitious and almost maudlin at times. Otherwise, I'd have rated it better.
The bicycle trip was of particular interest to me because I am an avid road cyclist and have a continental crossing under my belt at an older age, different route and self-contained (no SAG). The author's human interest stories rang true to my personal experiences. But frankly, I was aghast that he took on such a challenging trip with so little training and during the hottest part of the year for crossing the southern third of the USA. His diet was appalling - which he admits - and parts of his daily routines on the ride are almost difficult to believe. But there are "many ways to skin a rabbit" and I credit him for his achievement ... roughly comparable to falling into a bucket of [bleep] and coming out smelling like a rose.
Overall, his narrative style is interesting enough to read, but I found it a little too repetitious and almost maudlin at times. Otherwise, I'd have rated it better.
January 9, 2023
I finally finished my book while waiting for jury duty. This book, Riding With The Blue Moth, is the first real paper book I've read since my many eye surgeries that started in January of 2020. My dad suggested it to me and then gave it to me. Thanks Dad!
It is a memoir/travelogue written by Bill Hancock after the death of his son in the 2001 airplane crash that took the lives of 10 members of the Oklahoma State University basketball family. I grew up in Stillwater, OK and my dad was a professor at OSU. I had graduated from college and was living in Texas, only a month away from moving to Florida, when it happened. The beginning of the book made me incredibly sad but, once his bicycle journey across the country started, it was also uplifting and beautiful. I even laughed at some places! I really love that he includes snippets of advice based on his day for his granddaughter too. I would recommend it. :)
It is a memoir/travelogue written by Bill Hancock after the death of his son in the 2001 airplane crash that took the lives of 10 members of the Oklahoma State University basketball family. I grew up in Stillwater, OK and my dad was a professor at OSU. I had graduated from college and was living in Texas, only a month away from moving to Florida, when it happened. The beginning of the book made me incredibly sad but, once his bicycle journey across the country started, it was also uplifting and beautiful. I even laughed at some places! I really love that he includes snippets of advice based on his day for his granddaughter too. I would recommend it. :)
October 18, 2017
Tender story of Bill Hancock's ride across the United States after the death of his oldest son in a tragic plane crash. Throughout thee book, Mr. Hancock seamlessly transitions between his adventure and beauty of riding across the U.S. and sorrow as he struggles with the grief of his son's death. His story has two major touch points: 1. the challenge of riding a bicycle across the entire United States (from Huntington Beach, CA to Tybee Island, GA) and his interaction with people along the way. and secondly, his struggle to deal with the grief from the death of his oldest son (no parent should ever have to bury their children). The book is divided into small chapters for each day of his ride. This makes the book a very easy read. This book is both enjoyable and touching.
June 12, 2019
The story is very moving and I have deep admiration and sympathy for the author and his family. It's deeply touching--especially to a fellow biker--but somehow missed the bulls eye for me. Maybe a little too much of the blue moth metaphor. But three cheers for a courageous journey physically and emotionally.
March 16, 2023
I finally finished this book! I started almost 1 year ago but I had to take a break. This book is intense! It is a very moving story about a man who undertakes a cross country bike ride after the death of his son in a tragic plane crash. As he rides, he processes his grief and learns lots of good life lessons. Be prepared to cry - a lot!
May 28, 2017
Interesting book about bike riding across the U.S. (Southern Route) as well as dealing with his son's death.
April 21, 2025
For a very basic yet difficult plot/journey Bill did a great job of weaving education, feelings into his journey.
July 22, 2015
“Gosh that was a good book!"
I can’t think of many times I‘ve exclaimed this after turning the final page and closing the back cover of a book. But that is exactly what I just thought to myself after finishing “Riding with the Blue Moth”. And it’s the second time I’ve read it! The first reading was approximately 9 years ago.
Author Bill Hancock was the head of the NCAA Final Four, and patriarch of a small, close-knit family. The impetus of the book is the death of his eldest son in an airplane accident. As part of his and his wife’s process to deal with the grief, they set out on a coast to coast journey. Bill riding his bike, and his wife driving along with a camper trailer.
The book is well-written and is quite compelling as a result of the grief process. At times it is laden with metaphoric prose, but usually around the tender grief elements of the story — so it is difficult to be too critical.
As far as an account of a cross-country bicycle trip, it is excellent. His journey was a simple but purposeful coast to coast trip completed in 46 days, consisting of about 36 days of around 75 or 80 miles per day. He focused on the travel experience, the landscapes, his encounters with people and bits of the history of places visited along the way. He did not focus on cycling technology, sports nutrition or fitness geekery. I liked his philosophy to not wear bright colored cycling jerseys so as to not create that persona and to be able to blend in better. I appreciated his apparent willingness to tarry here and there rather than being destination-oriented. And I felt his trepidation as the journey started, and his dread as it neared its end. In interesting contrast to another book I recently read, he did not say hardly anything about other bike travelers. He did emphasize the challenge of dogs who chased bicycles.
As far as a memoir, one of the most memorable elements was his inclusion of teachings for Andie, his granddaughter, the surviving young child of his son. They were at times witty, at times inspirational and at times humorous, but always touching.
As far as the grieving process that unfolded through the journey, and even reached a bit of a resolve, I have not experienced that type of grief so I can only imagine relating. May the Lord spare me anything that devastating. But if not, I think I would come back to this book for inspiration on the matter.
This book originally inspired me to desire a similar bicycle journey (without the grief part, of course). After reading it again, that desire is rekindled. If only my wife would be willing to drive along with a camper trailer!
I can’t think of many times I‘ve exclaimed this after turning the final page and closing the back cover of a book. But that is exactly what I just thought to myself after finishing “Riding with the Blue Moth”. And it’s the second time I’ve read it! The first reading was approximately 9 years ago.
Author Bill Hancock was the head of the NCAA Final Four, and patriarch of a small, close-knit family. The impetus of the book is the death of his eldest son in an airplane accident. As part of his and his wife’s process to deal with the grief, they set out on a coast to coast journey. Bill riding his bike, and his wife driving along with a camper trailer.
The book is well-written and is quite compelling as a result of the grief process. At times it is laden with metaphoric prose, but usually around the tender grief elements of the story — so it is difficult to be too critical.
As far as an account of a cross-country bicycle trip, it is excellent. His journey was a simple but purposeful coast to coast trip completed in 46 days, consisting of about 36 days of around 75 or 80 miles per day. He focused on the travel experience, the landscapes, his encounters with people and bits of the history of places visited along the way. He did not focus on cycling technology, sports nutrition or fitness geekery. I liked his philosophy to not wear bright colored cycling jerseys so as to not create that persona and to be able to blend in better. I appreciated his apparent willingness to tarry here and there rather than being destination-oriented. And I felt his trepidation as the journey started, and his dread as it neared its end. In interesting contrast to another book I recently read, he did not say hardly anything about other bike travelers. He did emphasize the challenge of dogs who chased bicycles.
As far as a memoir, one of the most memorable elements was his inclusion of teachings for Andie, his granddaughter, the surviving young child of his son. They were at times witty, at times inspirational and at times humorous, but always touching.
As far as the grieving process that unfolded through the journey, and even reached a bit of a resolve, I have not experienced that type of grief so I can only imagine relating. May the Lord spare me anything that devastating. But if not, I think I would come back to this book for inspiration on the matter.
This book originally inspired me to desire a similar bicycle journey (without the grief part, of course). After reading it again, that desire is rekindled. If only my wife would be willing to drive along with a camper trailer!
January 12, 2010
A cycling friend recommended this book, saying it was one of the best books he has ever read. The author, Bill Hancock, chronicles his cross-country bicycle ride from California to Georgia. The ride is an effort to grieve the untimely death of his son in an airplane crash and try to heal the wounds that this has left. His wife follows him with a tent trailer, which is their home in this odyssey.
Each chapter begins with a log of the details of the day's ride, e.g. start time and temp, finish time and temp, distance traveled, food and liquid intake. In two to four pages, Hancock describes the ride, the people he meets and interactions he has with them. He reflects on memories of his son and ends with a note to his son's young daughter, a bit of wisdom or advice or a hope for her.
Halfway through the book, I tired of the repetition, of the format and gave up.
Each chapter begins with a log of the details of the day's ride, e.g. start time and temp, finish time and temp, distance traveled, food and liquid intake. In two to four pages, Hancock describes the ride, the people he meets and interactions he has with them. He reflects on memories of his son and ends with a note to his son's young daughter, a bit of wisdom or advice or a hope for her.
Halfway through the book, I tired of the repetition, of the format and gave up.
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July 2, 2016I always enjoy a book with local references, which this has in abundance. It is the story of a man, Bill Hancock, whose son is killed in a plane crash. Bill decides to ride his bike 2,746 miles from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The physical feat is impressive and it is hard for me to believe that a 50-something man could hop on a bike and ride that far without training and with, if you believe his account, no knee pain, no back pain, no keister pain. More important than the physical feat is the spiritual and mental journey he takes in learning to deal with his grief. Easy and quick to read.
January 20, 2010
There were so many aspects of this book that I enjoyed. It seemed at times that the author was someone who had lived parts of my life. So many familiar song references, regional language quirks, bike riding stories, and geographical familiarities. Bill Hancock has a lot to say about life and accepting what happens to our loved ones--continuing to take life one step at a time, forever loving and missing them--but eventually earning another chance at life like George Bailey in "It's A Wonderful Life", even though without the loved one.
July 15, 2010
This is a great first person account of grief from a man's perspective. Bill Hancock does a great job of chronicling his cross country bike ride after the death of his son. The ride itself is a metaphor for his grief journey and the things he learns along the way about the bike ride have a direct relationship to what he is learning about grief.
I recommend this to anyone who is grieving a loss, especially men. Especially sports oriented men, as Bill comes from the NCAA environment and has that perspective.
I recommend this to anyone who is grieving a loss, especially men. Especially sports oriented men, as Bill comes from the NCAA environment and has that perspective.
July 9, 2015
I bought a copy of this for my brother, who recently lost a son. I also bought a copy for my daughter, who was at OSU at the time of the plane crash. I don't know if either of them will ever read the book, but I'm very glad I did. Mr. Hancock reminds us of the many lessons we have to learn as we deal with grief and loss, and he does it gently, without getting preachy or maudlin. I knew I would find his personal struggles very moving. What I didn't realize is how I would also enjoy the bike journey. What a gutsy, great story.
October 7, 2015
If you are struggling with grief and trying so desperately to find a new normal after losing a child, this book is for you. As you ride the currents of Hancock's sorrow, you become one with his pain, his blessed memories, his love for his family. And his messages to his granddaughter at the end of the chapters are heartfelt and inspiring...a gift that will keep on giving for the rest of her life. I highly recommend this book!
May 8, 2008
I just bought this book, thinking I'd read it eventually. I started the forward and couldn't put it down. Dealing with the loss of his son in a plane crash, Bill Hancock takes off on a pigrimage across America by bike. A story of living your life to the fullest as a tribute and cartharsis, Riding with the Blue Moth is not just a book about dealing with death. It is a recipe for life!
November 21, 2008
Bill Hancock gave an excellent speech at Toby's graduation ceremony which led us both to read his book. This is his very moving story about dealing with grief after losing his son.
(it also made me want to ride a bicycle across the U.S.)
(it also made me want to ride a bicycle across the U.S.)
August 27, 2009
overcoming grief is a very personal process - the ability to trust and love again is something available to everyone if they reach out and try after a huge personal loss. amazing ride stories as well - who can actually ride their bike across country!
October 12, 2009
Saw Mr. Hancock speak at John's Bible Study Luncheon and loved his story. Wonderful way of looking at grief and dealing with it in his own way. Great people across America, that he meets and Angels everywhere to help him deal with not only the grief but the ride itself.
February 15, 2014
I met the author Bill 5 years ago - he is a good friend of my in-laws. He wrote this book about biking across the US after his son was killed in the 2001 plane crash that killed 9 members of the Oklahoma State basketball team.
March 16, 2010
just finishing this remarkable book. Wrenching at first, then healing as the journey continues. Father loses grown son in plane crash and deals with the aftermath with his wife and remaining family. Loved it.
June 1, 2012
This is a book about a man whose son died in a plane crash; the book chronicled his process of dealing with his grief. This was a darn good book... the travel portion of the book was a nice counterpoint to the mourning process. This is a good book written by a Kansas City guy.
October 11, 2013
My pastor gave me this book after the death of my husband. Reading about the author's journey through grief was more interesting personally than the bike riding. I enjoyed this book and found it helpful in my own grieving process.
March 6, 2019
This is a beautiful tribute to the author’s son, who was tragically killed in an airplane crash. It deals with all the emotions as the author cycles across the United States. I highly recommend this book.
May 19, 2008
Wow. What a way to grieve the loss of a loved one - and what inspiriation to others. A must read for bike riders, parents, and friends who've lost a loved on.
June 7, 2010
Gut wrenching start. But I'm at the part where he hits the road... Let the fun begin
March 3, 2013
Highly recommend this account one dealing with a loss.
March 3, 2013
What can I say, I enjoy biking books. Interesting journey after losing son in plane crash ... got a kick out of his biking diet.
August 22, 2013
Written by one of my nephews law profs. Great journey across the country to deal with tragic death of son
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews