In the City of Bikes

Pete Jordan, author of the wildly popular Dishwasher: One Man’s Quest to Wash Dishes in All Fifty States, is back with a memoir that tells the story of his love affair with Amsterdam, the city of bikes, all the while unfolding an unknown history of the city's cycling, from the craze of the 1890s, through the Nazi occupation, to the bike-centric culture adored by the world today. Pete never planned to stay long in Amsterdam, just a semester. But he quickly falls in love with the city and soon his wife, Amy Joy, joins him. Together they explore every inch of their new home on two wheels, their rides a respite from the struggles that come with starting a new life in a new country.  Weaving together personal anecdotes and details of the role that cycling has played throughout Dutch history, Pete Jordan’s In the City of Bikes: The Story of the Amsterdam Cyclist is a poignant and entertaining read. What happens when an American expat’s love for a city and its bicycles uncovers a forgotten history? A Heartfelt Expat Memoir: Follow author Pete Jordan and his wife, Amy Joy, as they trade America for Amsterdam, navigating the joys and struggles of starting over in a city that runs on two wheels. Fascinating Bicycle History: Go beyond the canals to discover the surprising, century-long saga of the city’s relationship with the bicycle, from the first bike craze of the 1890s to today. Untold World War II History: Uncover a side of the Nazi occupation rarely told, revealing how the humble bicycle became a symbol of both oppression and the Dutch Resistance. Immersive Cycling Culture: Experience Amsterdam like a local, learning the unwritten rules of the road, the mystery of canal-fished bikes, and the simple joy of life on two wheels.