On Freedom Road: Bicycle Explorations and Reckonings on the Underground Railroad

A climate scientist rode his bicycle 3,000 miles east of the Mississippi to explore the routes of the Underground Railroad and delve into the history and stories in the places where they happened. He followed the most famous conductor, Harriet Tubman, from her enslavement in Maryland to her family sanctuary in Ontario, Canada. He also visited Oberlin, Ohio, a town that staunchly defended freedom seekers, embodied in the life of Lewis Leary. On Freedom Road, we see familiar places in a different light, from the vantage point of desperate people seeking to outrun slavery.

Format: Hardback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2023
Publisher: Pegasus Books

A captivating and enlightening bicycle expedition along the Underground Railroad, undertaken by a climate scientist in pursuit of a deeper connection with American history.

The remnants of the Underground Railroad can be found inconspicuously scattered across the landscape: a grand church in Philadelphia, a modest old home nestled beside the New Jersey Turnpike, and an industrial outbuilding in Ohio. Over a span of four years, David Goodrich embarked on an epic bicycle journey, traversing a distance of 3,000 miles east of the Mississippi River to trace the routes of the Underground Railroad and immerse himself in the rich history and captivating stories that unfolded in these very locations.

Goodrich embarked on his journey by following the footsteps of one of the most renowned conductors of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman. Starting from her place of enslavement in Maryland's eastern shore, he accompanied Tubman on her remarkable journey to her family sanctuary, a humble chapel nestled in Ontario, Canada. As he journeyed southward, Goodrich traversed the state of Mississippi and the heart of the Delta Blues, where the echoes of slavery resonated deeply.

During his expedition, Goodrich brought his readers to the Borderland along the Ohio River, a peculiar region that served as a borderland between North and South in the years preceding the Civil War. Here, slave hunters roamed the banks of the river, relentlessly pursuing individuals who sought freedom. He guided his readers to Oberlin, Ohio, a town that fiercely championed the cause of freedom seekers, exemplified by the remarkable life of Lewis Leary. Leary had been lost in the fires of Harpers Ferry but his spirit was reborn during the Harlem Renaissance, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the town.

Through the lens of On Freedom Road, familiar places such as New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Buffalo are seen in a completely new light. The desperation and urgency of the individuals who sought to escape the clutches of slavery are palpable, as they navigated through these cities in their quest for freedom. This journey offers a unique opportunity to uncover both the well-known heroes and the hidden stories of the Underground Railroad, shedding light on the remarkable resilience and courage of those who risked everything to abolish slavery.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 161 x 239 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781639363452