The Road Unpaved - by Risa August (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

1,845 miles. 41 days. 12 cyclists. 1 brain tumor named Bubba.

After a shocking diagnosis for a rare pituitary disease, and with her eighteen-year marriage in shambles, Risa's life has fallen far from picture-perfect. Recovering from brain surgery and desperate to get back to her former self, she signs up for the bike tour of a lifetime-six weeks from Canada to Mexico on the Pacific Coast Highway.

The old Risa could have done the ride in her sleep, but for the new Risa, trapped in a body that no longer feels like her own and stuck in the company of her brain tumor, Bubba, the ride becomes a challenge unlike anything she's ever faced.

As Risa pedals through rain, pain, and the ghosts of her memories, she wonders if the woman she once was will ever return or whether the new woman rising up in her place might just be the person she was meant to be all along.

A remarkable story of transformation and resilience, The Road Unpaved speaks to shifting gears to navigate life's roadblocks and live a life without limits-a life fully unleashed.

Review Quotes

"Life is a journey. It requires introspection, determination, action, and so much more. Through these things one grows stronger, wiser, and content. Read and ride along with Risa as she relates her incredible experiences with acromegaly and a successful inspiring challenge to cycle the Pacific Coast Highway."

-Dr. Lewis Blevins, MD, medical director, California Center for Pituitary Disorders at UCSF, professor of clinical Medicine and clinical neurological surgery

"Risa gives the reader an honest, intimate look at a herculean physical effort while revealing a very personal struggle with a brutal disease. This a great example that encourages us all to get on with it. Anyone who has acromegaly or wants to learn more needs to read this book."

-Jorge D. Faccinetti, chairman and CEO, Pituitary World News

"Every once in a while, a person and a book come across your path that make you stop and realize just how precious life is. In this wonderful book, Risa takes you through the lows and highs of multiple hurdles and challenges. This book is simply gold."

-Chrissie Wellington OBE, four-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion

"Filled with passion and exuding deep insight, Risa takes the reader on an adventure of the soul. . . . Her courage is contagious, and everyone will expand their own perspective of life by reading her book."

-Melisa B. Pearce, psychotherapist, author, and owner/CEO of Touched by a Horse, Inc.

"The Road Unpaved is a testament to the power of the human spirit! This book will touch your heart, motivate you to pursue your dreams, and remind you of what truly matters."

-Maureen Manley, MA, resilience speaker, coach, and consultant, former member of the US National Women's Cycling Team

"This is a remarkable insight into the mind and heart of a true athlete who takes readers along with her in her own inner battle as she comes to know her body's limits and wisdom. The Road Unpaved may still not be clearly marked or ever easy to take, but others facing similar challenges may at least find that it doesn't have to be done alone."

-Linda M. Rio, MA, LMFT, author, The Hormone Factor in Mental Health: Bridging the Mind-Body Gap and Pituitary Disorders Diagnosis and Management

"Risa August masterfully weaves together both humor and brutal honesty to provide a window into the patient experience of one suffering from a significant medical condition. It is a heart-wrenching yet refreshing account of finding the courage to break down barriers and to embrace and live one's best life."

-Jennifer Morrison, MD, PhD