Bicycling with Butterflies Audiobook By Sara Dykman cover art

Bicycling with Butterflies

My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration

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Bicycling with Butterflies

By: Sara Dykman
Narrated by: Xe Sands
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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.

 Climate Change Environment Inspiring Outdoors & Nature Biological Sciences Animals Heartfelt Feel-Good Biographies & Memoirs Science Royalty Witty

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 improbably 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

“What a wonderful idea for an adventure! Absolutely inspired, timely, and important.” —Alistair Humphreys, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and author of The Doorstep Mile and Around the World by Bike

“Told with a writer’s eye for detail and a biologist’s sensitivity to the fragile nature of the systems that support wildlife and humans . . . a keen observer of the human condition, Sara draws attention to some of the patterns in our society that are in conflict with the greater good. Her narrative is an important wake-up call for the need to stay connected to nature.” —Dr. Orley Taylor, director of Monarch Watch, Kansas Biological Survey

“People have long been fascinated by the monarch butterfly’s migration across the North American continent. Thanks to this book, readers have a better idea of what that incredible journey entails… Dykman’s enthusiasm will motivate others to be more thoughtful about their decisions.” —Library Journal

“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

“Dykman’s transformation as she follows the kaleidoscope of butterflies is a wonder to observe as it unfolds… Her writing is frank, uplifting, informative, and gorgeous.” —Alphabet Soup

“Dykman deftly interweaves science with adventure…I can’t recommend this book enough.” —The Reporter
Educational Journey • Informative Content • Superb Narration • Inspiring Conservation Message • Engaging Adventure

Highly rated for:

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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!!!

A Monarch Lovers Dream story!

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The story was a little too long and gave way too many numbers and miles

Sue girls stays

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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

Heartfelt inspirational motivating

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I loved hearing this remarkable story in the author’s own voice. Good balance of highly visual descriptions, science, anecdotes, theory, and honest, heart-tugging poignancy tying it all together.

What a wonderful recounting!

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I enjoyed the first hour or two of the book. After that, it became a study of how many times the author could rewrite the same sentence using different words. The narrator quite often sounds on the verge of tears, which added to my difficulty getting through it. That said, the book still contains interesting, poetically written parts.

Starts strong, but hard to finish.

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